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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I N T H I S U P D A T E
... and for our prayers:
* PASTOR PHIL'S SCHEDULE
* SEND US
YOUR "STATEMENTS"
1. CHICAGO1 YOUTH
CONVENTION
2. HOUSTON: INFORMED
INTERCESSION NEWSLETTER
3. LAKE COUNTY, IL HOUSE
OF PRAYER
4. RALEIGH, NC:
ROUNDTABLE – SUMMIT - PPG
5.
CONVERSATION ~
CAN PASTORS REALLY
BE HAPPY? -- PART II
6. MISSISSIPPI: RETREAT
CENTER
7. CONVERSATION ~
1 IN 4 U.S.
INTERNET USERS SEEK SPIRITUAL INFO
8. DEAR PASTOR PHIL,
9. CITY-WIDE MINISTRY:
COLLABORATION OR NETWORK?
10. THE PASTOR'S WEEKLY BRIEFING
11. LET'S GO SURFIN!
12. HOUSTON, TX: PRAYING FOR A
TRANSFORMED CITY
13. 2002 LOUDOUN COUNTY PASTOR
PRAYER GROUP MAP
14. ATHENS, GA: A NEW YEAR OF
UNITED PRAYER
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
* PASTOR PHIL'S SCHEDULE
For those prompted to pray for me and the people God wants to meet in the place
of prayer...
January
4-5 >National Prayer Committee - God gave us much
encouragement and direction for the future. The NPC seeks to give
collective servant leadership to the prayer movement
8-10 >Phoenix, AZ - The Mission America Facilitation Team
meets to discuss several strategic national initiatives
11-12 >O'Fallon, IL - Several area churches are meeting
together for a Prayer Conference
13 >Concert of Prayer - Several Chicagoland ministries
spend an evening in prayer at Willow Creek Chapel
14 >One Great City - The next meeting of those committed to
a Christ transformation throughout Chicagoland (10am-12:30pm at Total Living
Network, 38 S. Peoria at Madison just west of the Kennedy). Prayer
networkers meet at 1pm.
15 >House of Prayer, Elgin, IL - I team with Sheila Straka
of the NPPN Prayer Team to focus on the relationship of Pastors and Intercessors
(9am-10:30am). Pray Chicago meets at 11am.
20 >Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church
21 >Chicagoland Prayer Summit Servant Leadership team
26 >Prayer training for Mission Team Leaders (Chicago Metro
Baptist Assn)
28-30 >Spiritual Renewal Retreat for IL Baptist Directors
February
Southern California - City Reaching Conference
Washington DC - National Men's Prayer Luncheon
Mexico City - Pastors Training Sessions & Prayer Journey
Grateful
~ Pastor Phil
PS - The NPPN Prayer Team is going to work more closely with the PPGs ... Sheila
will tell you how to be involved soon!
___________________________________________________>>>
* SEND US YOUR
"STATEMENTS"
>From: "Paul Dozeman" pdoze@cityrestoration.org
We are making the following appeal as a partner with Phil Miglioratti and the
National Pastors’ Prayer Network:
Often we are asked for model mission statements, vision statements, and
statements of faith. So we are asking Pastors’ Prayer Groups and city
facilitators to send us their statements. We will compile them and make the
collection available to others as requested.
Please e-mail pdoze@cityrestoration.org
or phil@nppn.org or mail to
City Restoration Ministries, PO Box 193, Hudsonville, MI 49426
or
National Pastors’ Prayer Network, 1130 Randville Drive 1D, Palatine, IL 60074
Thanks for helping new Pastors’ Prayer Groups and existing groups to sharpen
their focus.
___________________________________________________>>>
1. CHICAGO1 YOUTH
CONVENTION
>From:"Rick Carder" rick@thepitstop.org
God did some incredible things at the Chicag01 Youth Convention. We gave
out over 10,000 Books of John at our four conventions and people were saved!
Our challenge was to have the kids do fundraisers to raise $, purchase
Bibles and distribute them at their local high school. We call this
Operation Bible Drop. Every one of our kids at the Chicag01 convention
accepted the challenge! In fact, we ran out of the Book of John and have many
people looking for a way to order Bibles.
God also did a great work in the lives of our youth. Many kids came to
know Christ for the first time. PTL! I received recently that one
group of 15 teens came to the convention and every one of their teens came to
know Christ for the first time.
God also blessed the Hotel Staff. We know of at least 10 hotel staff who
have come to Christ during the convention. 3 came to know Christ on day
one! I personally know of one named Maria, an immigrant from Bosnia.
She was digging through our stack of Freebies that we handed out for youth
leaders when I walked up to her. She apologized – saying she was going
to steal something. I told her that this stuff was free. She then
asked about the green book that everyone was talking about. She wanted a copy of
the Book of John. I eventually located on and read to her John 14:6 and
invited her to pray. She admitted to lots of sin in her life and confessed
that she did not believe in Christ. After some council we prayed together
a simple prayer. After praying she looked at me and said I prayed your
prayer in my own language.
God did amazing things, Rick Carder
___________________________________________________>>>
2. HOUSTON: INFORMED
INTERCESSION NEWSLETTER
>From: info@missionhouston.org
In this issue (Volume 1, #1):
Did You Know?
Houston Area Blessed and Challenged…
Southwest Houston Pastors Growing Into Authentic Unity
Occupy the Land / How to mobilize prayer for your
community!
Praying For Muslims
http://www.missionhouston.org
___________________________________________________>>>
3. LAKE COUNTY, IL HOUSE OF
PRAYER
>From: "Tom Fell" meadow02@mindspring.com
My name is Kathie Quinn. I'm writing in Tom Fell's stead
to update you re: the prayer meeting at Meadow Ridge church. We've named the
ministry Lake County House of Prayer. The focus of the prayer ministry is:
to pray for a restoration of passion for prayer,
to provide prayer support for the churches in Lake
Co.& 100 mi radius.
to pray for the churches to work as a Regional
Church, ministering together, sharing resources & avoiding duplication,
praying as one.
to establish a Regional Prayer & Worship
Center, ministering in prayer & worship 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk, 365 days/yr.
to pray for the establishment of Intercessory
Missionaries; missionaries whose work is to pray & intercede for Lake County
& designated missions world-wide.
to interweave worship & with prayer.
We've met weekly on Monday nights for a month now at Meadow Ridge 7pm-9pm. We
tend to run over the the designated end time, but no one has objected. We've
printed prayer request cards & a Welcome handout that outlines prayer
meeting guidelines, emphasizing
confidentiality
praying positively
praying topically until the topic is changed by a leader
keeping prayers short, praying together
praying with expectation.
We also encourage praying in proximity, physical closeness aids hearing each
other & seems to aid the flow of the team. We also have a Power Point
presentation Welcoming everyone & reviewing the Prayer Guidelines. We have
another PowerPoint presentation with prayer categories & active requests
outlined. We've elected not to use the prayer categories presentation after one
trial run, it felt awkward & a hindrance to "flow". We have
another PowerPoint presentation of 75 slides of various faith building
scriptures that can run in the background of a meeting, with plans to develop
more of the same. We are considering developing Prayer category posters to post
around the Prayer room, along with a map of Lake Co & a map highlighting the
nations that persecute the Church.
We've had 175 prayer requests submitted. We specify on
the request card that we will pray for each request for 1 month & to
resubmit requests as needed. The Prayer team can elect to keep a long term
request active without formal resubmissions, e.g. a 2 year old undergoing stem
cell treatments for cancer. We encourage the inclusion of photos for long term
prayer requests, because we have found that it assists the team members to
identify in prayer.
Attendance
Week 1-- 6 & 1 providing childcare, representing 2
churches.
Week 2-- 6 representing 2 churches.
Week 3-- 8 & 1 providing childcare, representing 2
churches.
Week 4-- 10 representing 3 churches
Week 5-- 10, representing 2 churches.
Week 6-- 6,representing 1 church& a missionary
couple from South Africa
We've been encouraged by several specific answers to prayer, including 2 issues
that have been troubling the church long-term have now resolved. We weekly post
the answers to prayer that we hear about, & know by faith that there are
many more that we don't hear of yet.
Thank you for your interest. We'll keep you updated. May
God bless you...Kathie Quinn & Tom Fell
___________________________________________________>>>
4. RALEIGH, NC: ROUNDTABLE
– SUMMIT - PPG
>From: Biblicalwm@aol.com
January 10, 2002: Round Table On Race
Time;
12:00
PM
Location:
Meredith
College - Raleigh, NC
Sponsor:
Biblical
Wellness Ministries and First Step Ministries
Contact Person:
Bill
Reynolds or Dr. Jim Seymour at 783-6075
January 31, 2002 and February 2, 2002: Healthy Leaders for Healthy Churches With
Healthy Members Seminar
January 31, 2002
Time:
9:00
AM - 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location:
North
Haven Church, 6620 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
Sponsor
Biblical
Wellness Ministries
Speaker:
Dr.
Waldo J. Werning
Contact Person:
Bill
Reynolds at 783-6075
Cost:
$10.00
($150 for Unlimited Attendees from Congregation)
February 2, 2002
Time:
9:00
AM - 12:30 PM
Location:
Cross
of Christ Lutheran Church, 1505 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC 27410-2726
Speaker:
Dr.
Waldo J. Werning
Contact Person:
Pastor
Quentin Genke at 1-336-292-7677
Cost:
$10.00
($150 for Unlimited Attendees from Congregation)
February 7, 2002: Promise Keepers Prayer Conference (Washington, D.C.)
March 4-6, 2002: Pastors Prayer Summit (Fort Caswell, NC)
For more information please contact Don Rayno at 388-3836 or eMail drayno55@aol.com.
April 26-27, 2002: Just Give Me Jesus Revival (Ann Graham Lotz)
Raleigh, NC--Entertainment and Sports Arena
July 19-20, 2002: Promise Keepers Event
Raleigh, NC--Entertainment and Sports Arena
Regularly scheduled events--
Pastors and Leaders-Raleigh Weekly Prayer Group -- Thursday
Starts at 8:00 AM at the Raleigh International Church, 4020 Capital Blvd.,
Raleigh. This is in Ashton Square Shopping Center. Pastor Olden Thornton will
host the prayer time.
Apex Pastors Prayer Fellowship -- Thursday
The Apex Pastor's Prayer Group is meeting at 7:30 AM at Calvary Chapel in the
Crown Point Business Center on Ten-Ten Road in Apex (next to Southwestern Wake
YMCA offices). For more information email Warren Harvey at ambassadorpres@mindspring.com
Fellowship of Evangelical Leaders
FEL is a SW Wake Co. ministry that meets each Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 9:00
AM at Cary Baptist.
Biblical Wellness Ministries, 5102 A Oak Park Road, Raleigh, NC 27612-3027
919-783-6075 (Office) / 919-783-0655 (Fax)
www.biblicalwellness.org
/ biblicalwm@aol.com
"Our Mission...Helping to develop healthy churches served by healthy
leaders as we offer God's love, encouragement, truth and hope to those in
ministry and lay leadership."
___________________________________________________>>>
>Tell Us About Your Pastors' Prayer Group:
phil@nppn.org
___________________________________________________>>>
5. CONVERSATION ~
CAN PASTORS REALLY BE HAPPY? -- PART II
>Reply-To: list-reply@christianitytoday.com (Contact Leadership
Weekly)
>By editor Kevin A. Miller
Two weeks ago, I reported the audacious statistic that 91 percent of pastors say
they feel "very positive" or "positive" about ministry. (For
the complete report, go to: http://ChristianityToday.com/leaders/newsletter/2001/cln11205.html)
That led many readers to e-mail me -- on both sides of the issue. Let's start
with those who would ADJUST the results:
BUT BARNA & DOBSON DISAGREE ...
"How do we square your finding that 91% of pastors want
to stay in the ministry with Barna's assertion that the average total ministry
tenure is now 14 years (less than half what it used to be) or with the Dobson
report that 1,500 men are leaving the ministry every month?" (Bill)
[Not having seen those studies, I only hazard guesses. About
ministry tenure, it may be that the pastorate, just like the missionary calling,
is being pursued by more short-termers and fewer lifetimers. It's also true that
more people are entering the pastorate at midlife, particularly in mainline
denominations, which would likewise shorten pastoral tenure.
Thus, the statistic on tenure may indicate a crisis, or it may
simply indicate a shift in who's entering ministry and when and for how long.
[About 1,500 pastors leaving each month: this would be
approximately half of 1 percent per month, or about 6 percent per year. To
evaluate this statistic, it would be helpful to know how many people are
entering the ministry each month. It would also be helpful to know the departure
rate in comparable people-oriented professions, such as teaching.]
HITTING THE 30-YEAR WALL
"Since I resigned a difficult pastorate a year ago for
the first time in thirty years of ministry, I probably would view some findings
of the report with a bit of skepticism. I'm seeing more pastors either hanging
on until retirement, or else reaching a major crisis point after about thirty
years, questioning the institutional church (as opposed to ministry calling),
wondering how to function in an increasingly electronic culture, and how to be
the intergenerational link so that youth and long-term members both show up in
worship (the music issue)." (Tom)
THE DEPRESSED DON'T ANSWER SURVEYS
"It may be that those who do respond have sufficient
time, energy, resources, positive self-analysis to reply to questionnaires such
as yours, but those who receive a questionnaire and do not reply are too busy,
too exhausted,
too harassed or depressed to make the effort to respond." (Wesley)
DENOMINATION IS A FACTOR
"The number of seminarians headed for the pastorate, at
least in [my denomination], is on a major decline. Why? Too many war stories of
stuck churches with no willingness to do innovative ministry (others' words, not
mine). Perhaps the greatest satisfaction is from those in
nondenominational churches with less history, less structure or
traditions." (Tom)
BUT WHAT ABOUT ETHNIC COMMUNITIES?
"I wonder if this would be true also for those who
primarily serve in diverse or ethnic communities. As a Chinese-American advisory
pastor who serves a "second generation" in Chinese/Asian-American
faith community, I would be surprised if the high percentage [of satisfaction]
in non-Asian churches would reflect that in Asian churches." (Ken)
DEPENDS WHAT DAY YOU ASK
"I often want to quit on Monday. So I'm guessing your
surveys were filled out on Wednesday or Thursday." (Don)
And now let's hear from those who would ACCEPT the results:
NOT SO STRANGE, WHEN YOU FACTOR IN THE SPIRIT
Isn't one of the fruits of the Spirit joy? If so, should it
seem strange that your results were high?" (Kam)
I UNDERSTAND THE DISBELIEF -- AND YET
"I was encouraged to see the statistics in your last
edition even though I do understand the wonder and near disbelief expressed by
some readers.... The pay is minimal, the appreciation often not much better,
criticism abounds, the work load is almost impossible to accomplish with
quality, and a church business meeting can drive you to near distraction. But
then God in his mercy reaches through you to draw someone a step closer to
himself and you know there is no place you would rather be." (Camilla)
SHOCK VALUE AND SATISFACTION
"During [28] years of ministry I have been loved and
detested. I have been praised and accused of absolute ineptitude. I have
been told I was too shallow and too deep. Infidelity, child molesting,
delinquent teenagers, embezzlement, lawsuit against the church -- the list of
things I have had to deal with goes on. My son had a higher salary his first
year out of college than I have ever had! I long since ceased to calculate
hours.
"I sometimes recount these things for shock value when I
am speaking to people interested in vocational Christian ministry. But then I go
on to say that I am happy in this ministry because nothing compares to the
satisfaction of seeing God change and transform lives and knowing that I had a
small part in what is he is doing. This year I have the delight of having on the
board of the mission I now lead a man who responded to an invitation I gave one
Sunday morning in 1973 in one of those churches I served!" (Earl)
SURE IT'S TRUE, IT'S LIKE GOLF
"[The statistic you report] is probably true. Why do you
think the vast majority of ministers play golf? The game of golf can beat you up
the whole round, but one good shot, and we are coming back for more.
Though most of us serve in small churches, wear many hats, survive on
inadequate salaries, just a little, sometimes one voice of encouragement can
keep us going. Most of us who read our Bibles and have been at it for many years
have learned that where we are weak, God shows his strength." (Larry)
HAPPINESS VS. JOY
"I am a pastor and train pastors in a seminary in the
Philippines. If you think pastoring in the U.S. is hard, try pastoring in Asia.
In most Asian countries the typical pastor makes less than $500 a year. Some
make $50 or less per year. Many are in danger of arrest, harassment or
even death at the hands of radicals from the religious majorities of their
countries. All in addition to the usual concerns of pastoring- 24/7 duties,
impossibly high expectations from their congregations, and the unavoidable
heartaches of ministry.
"Yet in the midst of the chaos, God is there. When a life
is changed, a grief comforted, a relationship mended, there is joy. Maybe the
root of the problem is that we confuse happiness with joy. The superficial
happiness that most of us settle for today -- seeing our team win the Rose Bowl,
getting a raise, having a manicure, buying a PDA -- is not joy. The Bible speaks
of -- and pastors around the world experience -- the reality of joy in ministry.
The Apostle John said it well: 'I have no greater joy than this, to see my
children walking in the truth.'" (Jim)
--Kevin A. Miller is editor of Leadership Weekly and executive editor of
www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com. To reply, write Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.
Copyright © 2001 www.ChristianityToday.com,
Christianity Today International—all rights reserved.
___________________________________________________>>>
6. MISSISSIPPI: RETREAT CENTER
>From "Jack Mckee" Jack.Mckee1@btinternet.com
I want to make you aware of a Conference and Retreat Center in Mississippi. This
is run by a very good friend of mine, Pastor Richard (Butch) Berget. For further
info' please visit our website. Go to USA Links and then Supporting Churches.
Click on Retreat Center.
Who knows, you might be looking somewhere during 2002, and this could be the
very place you're looking for!
Happy New Year, Pastor Jack McKee, New Life Ministries Ireland
http://www.newlifeministriesireland.co.uk
___________________________________________________>>>
7. CONVERSATION ~
ONE IN FOUR U.S. INTERNET USERS SEEK SPIRITUAL INFO
>Reply-To: Religion Today Summaries newssummaries@lists.crosswalk.com
One out of four adult American Internet users have sought out religious or
spiritual information online, according to a study released Dec. 23 by the Pew
Internet and American Life Project. Up from 2 million last year, the
number is now more than 3 million - more popular than other online activities
such as banking, gambling or stock trading, as reported by Reuters, and Yahoo!
News.
"But churches and synagogues are unlikely to empty out any time soon,"
remarked Elena Larsen, the report author. ..."Almost all of them already
belong to some sort of congregation."
The study found that those engaged in religious activities online are more
likely to search for educational or reference material (69 percent), or research
other faiths (50 percent), than offer spiritual advice through e-mail (35
percent), or seek it out (21 percent). Those most active online also are
most active in their congregations, she added. ..."The Internet is not
likely to change the views of the 14 percent with no religious
affiliation...it's augmenting users' religious lives."
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011223/wr/tech_religion_dc_1.html
Copyright © 2001 Crosswalk.com, Inc. and its Content Providers. All rights
reserved.
___________________________________________________>>>
8. DEAR PASTOR PHIL,
How would I get my pastor interested in a "Pastors Prayer Group"? He
is a wonderful person.
I have spoken to Pastor ___ on several occasions about our church doing some new
things in 2002... He feels called to be here and I have been praying for him and
thankful for his obedience to the calling in his life to be our pastor. I
feel that things are in a rut there and that we need to make some fundamental
changes to what is going on there. I want to be a part of that
change and I have committed to helping Pastor __ in any way that I can.
I sent him the link to your website but I am not sure IF he will take the time
to look at it. I spoke of fundamental changes at our church and I
believe that one of the changes that is going to have to be made is the MEN of
the church getting together with the pastor and praying for our church, its
members, our up and coming programs and more importantly Gods will for our
congregation and church.
I just want to approach my pastor in the right way and I want to be able to come
to him with possible solutions that we can try. I also KNOW how important
prayer is going to be as we move out of the rut we are in to be a vibrant part
of the community we are in.
God bless...
--->NPPNote:
No, God bless YOU! Every
Pastor I know would appreciate a man of God in their congregation who was truly
concerned for them. Thank you for demonstrating how much you care for your
Pastor!
Since prayer is always the best strategy, allow me to suggest:
1. Reread your emessage and turn it into a conversation
with the Lord; listen for His specific direction
2. Ask your Pastor if you can become his prayer partner,
and, if he agrees, ask to meet with him monthly (face-to-face, to talk and pray)
and weekly (by phone for updated requests) (see John Maxwell’s book Prayer
Partners)
3. Invite your Pastor to the Prayer Luncheon in DC on
February 7th
4. Purchase the book Prayer Shield and give it to your
Pastor after you read it
5. Ask his permission to subscribe him to the NPPN;
print out an article or two on PPGs...
Please let me know ho God leads... I’ll ask the NPPN Prayer Team to pray for
you and your Pastor, Phil
___________________________________________________>>>
9. CITY-WIDE MINISTRY:
COLLABORATION OR NETWORK?
>From:"Paul Dozeman" pdoze@missionindia.org
Collaboration vs. Networking
By Paul Dozeman
Often, as we develop a vision and turn it into strategies, goals, and action
plans, we enter into relationships with other organizations to accomplish the
vision.
Sometimes we use the term networking, and other times use the term collaboration.
Do these terms have the same meaning? Can we use them interchangeably? No, each
of these terms describes a different relationship.
A collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship
entered into by two or more organizations to achieve results they are more
likely to achieve together than alone. It is a close partnership with shared
vision and planning. A network involves a web of common ties that link
people who identify and interact, sometimes infrequently, with one another.
Collaborations are based on
a definition of mutual relationships and goals.
a jointly developed structure and shared
responsibilities.
mutual authority and accountability for success.
sharing of resources and rewards.
A network is a web linking people with common interests and activities.
Interactions occur sometimes infrequently, sometimes haphazardly, sometimes with
planned regularity. Meetings tend to occur for information exchange but could be
based on supporting and encouraging each other. Networks are often based on
relationships or status and are often maintained by informal gatherings, e-mail,
or phone calls. Networks often recognize other significant players involved in
the same or related tasks. Network partners try to avoid duplication of services
and try to respect one another’s strengths and contributions.
When we collaborate, we build a sense of community—that is, a sense of
relationship, mutual empowerment, and common purpose—within and beyond each
organization. Collaboration often eliminates duplication of efforts.
Factors that influence successful collaboration are
a shared vision.
joint planning
a shared mission statement and inter-organization
agreements that outline roles and responsibilities.
policy and operational structures in member
organizations that promote collaborative activity.
communication of the vision to all levels.
staff assigned to focus on the collaborative mission, to
facilitate the process, and to bring information to participants.
shared assets and resources.
personal commitment to overcome barriers.
recognition of mutual benefits to all partners.
decision making and communication that involves all
levels of individuals.
frequent communication among participants.
clear assignments and times set aside to work in groups.
Collaborations are very difficult to do well. In fact, they often end, for many
reasons, in convoluted negation and failure. Would be collaborators often fail
to count the cost of the commitment to collaborate, the cost for themselves
personally and for their organization.
Before you begin to form a collaborative effort:
saturate the idea with prayer. If you have intercessors
praying for you or for your ministry, engage them in intercessory prayer.
ask yourself if you are going into this with a servant
attitude or doing this for personal power, recognition, or gain.
clearly define your vision and how collaboration could
make this a reality.
share the vision with others, inviting them to join.
City Restoration Ministries
Paul W. Dozeman, P.O. Box 193, Hudsonville, MI 49426
616-667-9710 / 616-667-2703 (FAX)
www.cityrestoration.org
___________________________________________________>>>
10. THE PASTOR'S WEEKLY
BRIEFING
>From: Pastors Weekly Briefing PWB@FOTF.ORG
NEW YEAR OPTIMISM
Most Americans are facing 2002 with an upbeat attitude,
reports the Associated Press in its New Year's poll:
* More than half (56 percent) said they think the country is headed
in the right direction. A year ago, only 41 percent felt it was headed that way.
* Just over half (52 percent) thought their family's finances would
get better in the next year and 41 percent said they would remain the same,
compared to 34 percent who felt that way a year ago.
* Stock market sentiments were mixed, with 45 percent saying that
investing $1,000 in the market was a good idea and 50 percent saying a bad idea.
(Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say it was a good idea.)
* Seven in 10 thought that another terrorist attack was at least
"somewhat likely," compared to nine in 10 who thought that in October.
* More than a third (37 percent) said they had a great deal of
confidence in government's ability to protect its citizens, while almost another
half had a fair amount of confidence.
INTERESTING INTERNET TRENDS
For the first time, women have jumped ahead of men in using
the Internet to do their holiday shopping, according to a new study released
this week by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. During the holiday
season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 29 million Americans bought gifts
online. Of those, 58 percent were women.
Another Pew report released last month reveals that 25 percent
of Internet users -- roughly 28 million -- have sought religious or spiritual
information online at one point or another. This represents more people than
have gambled online, used Web auction sites, traded stocks online, placed
Internet phone calls, done online banking or used Internet-based dating
services.
The complete reports can be found at www.pewinternet.org
THE NEWS AT A GLANCE
A study commissioned by Tyndale House Publishers and performed by Barna
Research found that 82 percent of regular Bible readers describe themselves as
"at peace" versus 58 percent of those who said they never read the
Bible. Seventy-eight percent of Bible readers said they felt "happy"
all or most of the time, compared to 67 percent of nonreaders. Sixty-eight
percent of Bible readers said they were "full of joy" versus 44
percent who never read the Bible.
Copyright (c) 2002, Focus on the Family
For additional information, encouragement and support,
visit our Web site at http://www.parsonage.org
For a listening ear, referrals or prayer in a time of
crisis, pastoral families are encouraged to call our toll-free Pastoral Care
Line at (877) 233-4455.
To receive a complimentary e-mail subscription to THE
PASTOR'S WEEKLY BRIEFING, visit http://www.family.org/pastor/emailsignup.cfm
___________________________________________________>>>
11. LET'S GO SURFIN!
>Archived Connections & City Reports:
http://www.nppn.org/Connections.htm
http://www.nppn.org/CityReport.htm
>The latest from Cities and Communities praying for a Christ-Awakening
http://www.cityreaching.com
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12. HOUSTON, TX: PRAYING
FOR A TRANSFORMED CITY
>From: Jim Herrington jhmh@swbell.net
On February 12, at 7:00 p.m. believers in the city will gather at Houston’s
First Baptist Church to pray for a transformed city. Sponsored by a
variety of ministries this gathering will be led by Pastor Steve Riggle of Grace
Community Church and will feature Beth Moore teaching on prayer. The
evening will feature times of worship and will mostly focus on individual and
corporate prayer.
Imagine a city with safe neighborhoods, effective government, schools where
children learn, and churches with vibrant worship where real disciples are made.
Imagine a city where fewer and fewer children go to bed hungry at night
and where no one sleeps on the streets at night. Imagine a city where
people from every tongue and tribe and nation gather together in unity to
worship the Lord, Jesus Christ. God is doing this in cities across the
globe. We will join together to pray for Him to do that here.
In addition to Mission Houston, this gathering is being hosted by several
ministries in the city including, In the Lord Ministries, Living Proof
Ministries, Pray the Word Ministries , Somebody Cares, Union Baptist
Association, and a growing number of others. If you would like to
become a host, let us know.
___________________________________________________>>>
13. 2002 LOUDOUN COUNTY
PASTOR PRAYER GROUP MAP
>From: "Family Alliance International" fai@megapipe.net
It is the goal of Loudoun Clergy Association to establish five pastor prayer
groups during 2002 as per attached Zip code map. If you have any suggestions or
comments, please let us know.
Western, central and Eastern are established. The Southern and Northern sections
we hope to establish by April 2002.
Jack Stagman, Loudoun Clergy Association /
540-338-0409
___________________________________________________>>>
14. ATHENS, GA: A NEW
YEAR OF UNITED PRAYER
>From: Cross Over Athens crossoverathens@charter.net
Flip ahead in your calendar one month and mark February 3, the date of the next
Athens-Area Concert of Prayer. This will be our 10th area-wide prayer gathering
since launching these local concerts of prayer in 1999.
If you're unfamiliar with the term "concert of prayer," here's a bit
of history.
The general form and the terminology of the concert of prayer came out of the
First Great Awakening in the 1700s. Started by Scottish Presbyterians, prayer
concerts -- area-wide, multi-church prayer gatherings -- soon were embraced by
Congregationalists, Anglicans, Baptists and Independents.
For nearly 150 years(!) thereafter, Christians of almost every theological
stripe joined together at regular intervals, rotating among participating local
churches, to unite in prayer for the outpouring of God's Spirit on the Church
and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.
Today, the concert of prayer is in resurgence. In response to a 1999 public call
to prayer issued by more than 70 denominations and hundreds of para-church
ministries, prayer concerts are now taking place quarterly in cities around the
U.S.
So mark your calendar now for February 3 at 5:45 p.m. The location of the prayer
concert will be announced within the next week or two.
Cross Over Athens - A coalition of churches and para-church ministries seeking
community transformation in the Athens area through the love and power of
Jesus Christ On the Web at http://crossoverathens.org/crossoverathensmain.htm
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--->Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or
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--->Copyright 2002. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to
those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with everyone in our nation and beyond.
--->Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or
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