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02/28/2002
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>From: "Marc van der Woude" <
joel-news@xs4all.nl>
>Copy: phil@nppn.org
--->NPPNote:
Please respond to our good friend Marc and begin a conversation with pastors and
intercessors in the Netherlands
Dear NPPN friends,
Do you know of churches where the partnership between pastors and intercessors
really functions well and on a mature level?
What I see in the European scene is that it might work at a 'lower level' of
intercession ('please, pray for the church activities, and if you have a word of
encouragement - not correction or direction - let us know'). As soon as the
intercessory leader or prophet moves into a 'higher level' of intercession or
revelation, frictions are arising. Maybe the pastor cannot handle the revelation
stuff, even feels threatened, and the intercessor / prophet has difficulty
working with leadership who does not understand how he/she functions. And of
course a good part of the 'blame' goes to the intercessor/prophet who may think
he/she is the only one who hears from the Lord. If an intercessor/prophet says
"Thus says the Lord," then the pastor better not question or delay
action. As a result of this tension, I see even some of the more mature
intercessors and prophets drop out of established church, sooner or later, which
- I believe - is a loss to the church.
The tension between pastors and intercessors/prophets is well described in this
article by John Moore:
http://www.joelnews.org/news-en/jn362.htm#proph.
As I see it (and this is probably a real 'hot' issue) part of the problem is the
'one-pastor-leadership-system' that most churches have adopted. This
automatically places the (fulltime) pastor-teacher in position where he/she
becomes the point person to give direction and test everything that happens in
church. This is unhealthy for the pastor (often a heavy burden), for the church
(one-sidedness in ministry focus) and for the non-Christians (pastor-teachers
have a gift to strengthen the church inwardly, not so much outwardly).
The only churches where I see the prophets/intercessory leaders function well
are churches that have embraced team leadership based on the five-fold ministry.
Several streams of the housechurch movement have also found a good balance
between pastors of prophets. The implication of this is that pastors and
prophets/intercessory leaders only function well together in an equal
relationship, with a good understanding of and love for each other's ministry,
and mutual submission.
I would welcome your response to this issue, so we can learn together and
improve the emerging pastor-intercessor partnerships. You can send your thoughts
to joel-news@xs4all.nl with a cc to phil@nppn.org.
Marc van der Woude, Joel News, The Netherlands
___________________________________________________>>>
DC PASTOR’S PRAYER LUNCHEON
>From: Usprayercenter@cs.com
Washington, DC: Promise
Keepers and the National Association of Local Church Prayer Leaders hosted
several hundred pastors and their
pastor-appointed male prayer leaders at the National Pastor's Prayer Luncheon,
Thursday, February 7, 2002.
>From 10AM until 2PM Harold Velasquez, Ted Haggard, Bill McCartney and a host
of other nationally-known pastors and prayer leaders guided the men
through concerted corporate prayer and worship, highlighted by the now-familiar
inspirational PK videos.
The men were divided into "prayer platoons" (triads) to offer prayer
for self, family, church, government, nation, and for the lost. Coach McCartney
and Pastor Ted Haggard announced their intention to draft 30,000 pastors who
will designate a man to coordinate praying men in their local church
congregation. Their intent is to network these local church prayer leaders and
resource them. Hundreds answered the call today.
This is not an effort to take anything away from the godly women of prayer in
our churches. Rather, it is a challenge to men to take their prayer
responsibilities seriously, especially in providing prayer cover for their
families and pastors.
Eddie
Eddie Smith , U.S. PRAYER CENTER
7710-T Cherry Park Dr., PMB 224, Houston, TX 77095
(713) 466-4009 Phone / (713) 466-5633 Fax
http:///www.usprayercenter.org
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>From: GaryAnewthing@aol.com
On Thursday, February 7, 2002, Promise Keepers, as part of a coalition of prayer
based and male focused ministries, held a Prayer Leader's Luncheon in Washington
DC. We had roughly 600 men in attendance representing just over 300
churches. By our usual standards, we did not have the huge crowd we
usually draw. We did, however accomplish our goal of having pastors come
with a man in their church who is called to lead other men in that local church
in prayer. Prayer, that is, for the pastor and the church.
These men were blessed, encouraged, honored and challenged to raise up the
standard of prayer in their local church. We worshipped together, prayed
together and left ready to take back the role we have relinquished to the women
in our churches.
Of those 300+ churches represented, over 200 churches signed up to join the
National Association Of Local Church Prayer Leaders and the army of 30,000.
We are on our way.
We are very encouraged by the first annual event. Therefore, we will be
holding another prayer luncheon in February of 2003.
Thanks to those of you who were there with us to witness this historic event.
Thanks also to those of you who helped in getting the word out for us.
We appreciated your prayers as we endeavor to recruit and mobilize 30,000
men to become local church prayer leaders. More will come later on what the
follow up strategy includes and how your church or ministry can be involved.
Blessings, Gary W. Arneson, Project Director, Promise Keepers
1589 West Swain Road, Stockton, Ca 95207
209-607-8418
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: Jim Herrington <jhmh@swbell.net>
The Status of Christianity
Prevailing Social Bondages
Worldviews and Allegiances
Spiritual Opposition
The Evolution of Current Circumstances
The Potential for Spiritual Breakthroughs (George Otis, Jr., Informed
Intercession, pgs.227-242)
>From: servewenatchee@aol.com
Based on the e-mail we received from Steve Hall, I would like to let you know
that 25-30 pastors from the Wenatchee Valley meet monthly for prayer and
fasting. We have also started a new non-profit organization called Serve
Wenatchee Valley which aims at partnering pastors and churches in order to reach
the whole valley with the whole Gospel. I am the new full-time Executive
Director of this organization. Iome information if you are aware of any similar
organizations attempting to build teamwork around churches and pastors. Please
let me know of upcoming conferences as well.
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: missioncarolina@yahoogroups.com
Pastors are now meeting weekly for prayer in Raleigh. Each Thursday at noon,
area shepherds gather together for an hour to pray for one another, for the
needs of the city, and for God to move in revival here in our region. The host
church is Raleigh International Church, at 4020 Capital Blvd. Interested pastors
can call Olden Thorn ton at 919/875-0950. Pray that God would bring many area
pastors together each week to join in prayer. Pray that their hearts would be
knitted together. And join with these pastors in praying for the Lord to bring a
powerful work of spiritual awakening to the Church here in our area.
For more information, contact Don Ryan at Raleigh-Area Concerts of Prayer
(388-3836} (drayno55@aol.com}
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: leadership@lists.christianitytoday.com
(Leadership Weekly)
>Reply-To: list-reply@lists.christianitytoday.com
(Contact Leadership Weekly)
>By: Eric Reed, Leadership managing editor<Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net>
Before Christmas we asked for your help in determining who are
today's effective preachers as we prepared the Winter 2002
issue of Leadership. We received many nominations. A number
objected to comparing preachers. We appreciated all the
responses. This week, we have the results of our polling and
Weekly readers' comments on both the preachers and the
"contest."
When Time magazine's editors declared TAD. Jacks the best
preacher in America, we wondered whether the nation's
preachers would agree. You did, in part. But some of you also
took us to task for posing the question.
Time acknowledged Billy Graham as the long-standing holder of
this distinction when they asked over a photo of Jacks,
"Is
this man the next Billy Graham?" Jacks and Graham are the
only
two evangelists who could pack out the Georgia Dome, which
seats 79,000, they said.
But who would preachers say is heir apparent to the title Most
Effective Preacher?
We first asked the question of you, the recipients of our e-
newsletter. You nominated almost 100 preachers. Then we posted
the top ten on our Web site for another balloting. The result
was a tie: TAD. Jacks and Chuck Swindoll each received 23
percent of the vote.
We intentionally asked about "effective" preaching,
trying to
get at what causes some communicators to connect especially
well with their listeners. The dozen top nominees were all
prominent pastors and writers, most having radio or TV shows.
That wasn't surprising. What did surprise us was the number of
readers took us to task over the "contest."
Rob Freeborough of Peoria, Illinois, writes: "I don't
think
God cares who is the best preacher. I think he cares much more
about whether we are maximizing the unique gifts, abilities,
and scriptural insights he has given us."
And Dan Kimball of Santa Cruz, California, is concerned that
people are getting the wrong message. "Preaching is only
one,
small part of being a pastor. Could we subtly be teaching
church attenders not how to feed themselves from the Word of
God, but to become dependent on the 'greatest'
preachers?"
Steve Adams of Great Village, Nova Scotia, says the great ones
are, despite modern technology, undiscovered. "The
greatest
preachers of our day are scattered on the front lines, laying
down their lives in intelligent, compassionate, and
sacrificial service to Christ and those he treasures."
And while we are indebted to the high profile preachers for
setting the bar, we appreciate the definition submitted by
Daniel Crawford of Worland, Wyoming:
"The best preacher is the pastor of a small church who in
season and out of season preaches the Word of God with
conviction, passion, and determination, who relishes the
challenge of interpreting difficult texts, who exposes his/her
congregation to the whole of Scripture, not just a few
favorite passages, and whose study of and love from the Word
is reflected in the was he/she responds to the many situations
and circumstances of daily life."
That's effective preaching.
Copyright © 2002 ChristianityToday.com,
Christianity Today International—all rights reserved.
___________________________________________________>>>
5. ALEXANDRIA,
VIRGINIA: MULTI-CHURCH PRAYER MEETING
>From: "Nilsen, Pamela W" <NilsenP@ppnpf.com>
A Metro Area Prayer Meeting will be held on February 22, from 7:30-9 p.m., at
Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria (2405 Russell Road). The meeting will
include songs of praise, scripture readings, corporate and small group prayer,
and fellowship afterwards. Please come and join with Christians of diverse
denominations and races, from around the area, for this special gathering.
Deaf Interpretation. Refreshments afterward. Childcare
provided.
For more information contact Rich Nilsen at (703) 922-5183 or richnilsen@aol.com
-From 395: Take the Glebe Rd. exit, heading South.
At the "Y" intersection near the Exxon, bear right onto West Glebe Rd.
At the second light, take a
right onto Russell Rd.
The church is three-quarters of a mile on the left, at the top of a hill.
-From 495/95: Take the Telegraph Rd. exit, going North.
Take the VA-236 exit, going East toward Alexandria
(this is Duke St.).
At the second light, take a left onto Callahan Dr.
Go straight through the next light, Callahan
becomes Russell Rd.
Pass through three lights. The church is up about
2 miles, on the right.
___________________________________________________>>>
>Tell Us About Your Pastors' Prayer Group:
phil@nppn.org
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: David Bryant <Natlpray@aol.com>
Many of you were in prayer for the meetings this past week. What happened was so
wonderful I felt I needed to encourage you with a report on answers to your
prayers for us:
REPORT ON NYC PRAYER SUMMIT
New York City ... known across the globe as "The Capital of the
World." That's why Robyne and I moved to this part of the country ten years
ago. We were/are convinced that the SPIRITUAL work God generates in NYC -- both
in the united prayer movement and in the ensuing answers expressed in a massive
awakening to Christ and His supremacy -- can impact the USA and many nations of
the world.
A three-day NYC PASTORS' PRAYER SUMMIT has just concluded, with 300 pastors and
leaders (a 50% increase over the NYC summits over the past 11 years with
Concerts of Prayer). It filled me with great hope …not only for the NYC region
but for this generation of Christ's church worldwide. If it can happen in NYC,
it can/will happen anywhere!
SO, WHAT HAPPENED DURING OUR DAYS TOGETHER? A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:
1) The Spirit brought us who came from a wide diversity of races and
denominations into uniquely arresting hours of worship and praise to our Living
Lord. Truly we were "one" gathered at His Throne.
2) In hours of personal and corporate intercession, 300 leaders cried out
to the Father for everything: Deliverance out of besetting sins. Revitalization
of our churches. Kingdom-centered reformation of our city and region. Reaching
of the lost worldwide (with a special focus on AIDS victims among the nations).
Inviting the Spirit to move on NYC to help catalyze revival across America.
3) Pastor Jackson Senyonga (pastor of a 20,000-member congregation in
Uganda) shared with us the power of prayer and revival in the midst of years of
terror under Idi Amin (where 3,000 were slaughtered every week!). Nearly 200 of
the pastors went forward to ask Senyonga to pray over them to receive a renewed
life of intercession in their ministries. Powerful!
4) Plans were laid for over 25 "downlinks" for the 2002
NATIONALLY BROADCAST CONCERT OF PRAYER. Originating from Constitution Hall in
D.C., and with a special uplink from NYC's "Ground Zero," this May 2
telecast to millions of homes in America will also draw thousands of New Yorkers
into church buildings across our region to participate by TV satellite.
5) I was asked to bring a major teaching on one of my favorite biblical
themes: The Levites, whom I also call "Messengers of Hope." They model
for New Testament believers what serious Christians must be about (in terms of
prayer, prayer mobilization, sacrificial lifestyle, mission and giving vision
for Christ's glory to others). I was overwhelmed with the response (and
innumerable hugs, too!) from scores of pastors who said it had revolutionized
their thinking about ministry. On March 9 they will bring their key leaders to
spend a day with me to explore the "Levites" in more depth.
Please continue to pray for pastors' prayer gatherings all across the nation
these next weeks. Pray also for the URGENT APPEAL CAMPAIGN as it picks up
momentum, calling pastors and leaders to "consensus and collaboration for
the biblical hope of corporate revival." In fact, I'm heading off to Miami
today (2/7) to guide leaders there through the URGENT APPEAL document and to
hold a citywide rally to preach and pray around a fresh vision of the supremacy
of Christ.
CHRIST IS ALL! David Bryant
President, COPI and PROCLAIM HOPE!
Chairman, America's National Prayer Committee
Visit us at http://www.DavidBryantDirect.com
Hear us at 1.877.NOW.HOPE
___________________________________________________>>>
>From:Ev Davis <edavis@jesusvideo.org>
As you may be aware, the 911 remembrance Project was initiated to respond to the
heightened spiritual awareness and openness resulting from the September 11th
terrorist attacks. The project's goal is to touch 100 million people in
100+ cities in a yearlong initiative that will launch over the next 100 days.
The desire is to use the 100 days in setting up citywide committees, hold
vision breakfasts for churches, and lay a prayer foundation for the distribution
of the Fallen But Not Forgotten mini-magazine. Our desire is to identify a
City Prayer Captain and intercessors for each city. So far we have 20+
cities forming the prayer foundation of this initiative. We need lots of
help to cover each of the targeted cities, since prayer is the lifeblood
and covering for all aspects of the project. If you or you know of
someone who could be a City Prayer Captain or help with the intercessory teams
in one of the cities please contact Ev or Alise Davis, National Prayer
Coordinators for this project at: 909-379-7717; or e-mail at: edavis@jesusvideo.org.
In the mean time, join us in praying for the whole project at 9:11 morning
and evening.
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: irm@multnomah.edu
Servant Leader Consultation at Cannon Beach
June 10-13, 2002
Our commitment at International Renewal Ministries is to help Servant Leader
teams move through a cyclical, ever increasing process, which begins with
experiencing the holiness of God and grows toward impacting the community.
That is the reason this year's consultation is designed not only for
Facilitators, but for Servant Leaders as well.
Our desire at this Servant Leader Consultation is to…
Hear…
… What the Lord is saying to various Servant Leader teams.
… Stories of how God has led the Church in your area to serve your community.
… Lessons, problems and solutions your Servant Leader team has experienced.
… How IRM can more effectively help your team in the overall process.
Share…
… The evolving definition and role of a Servant Leader.
… Ways to keep the vision fresh.
… Skills and ideas for keeping regular prayer times effective and vital.
… How each Prayer Summit can be set in the broader context of a citywide
prayer movement.
… How a Prayer Summit relates to a vision for impacting a community
Discuss…
… The best practices for selecting, adding and removing(!) Servant
Leaders.
… Keeping the Servant Leader team fresh and dynamic.
… The process of receiving God's vision for a city and cooperating in the
implementation of that vision.
… How women ministry leaders relate to Servant Leader teams
… How ministry leaders and intercessors can cooperate for the greatest kingdom
expansion.
… How the passion of a Prayer Summit can be translated into congregations and
communities.
… How the presence of God at a summit can be translated into the power of God
back home
Since we are not confident that we have all the email addresses of those who
could benefit from this time, please freely forward this information to Servant
Leaders in your community as well as other communities.
International Renewal Ministries: 8435 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97220.
503-251-6455 irm@multnomah.edu
http://www.multnomah.edu/IRM/about.shtml
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: prayeradvance@cs.com
"America United Under God"
Constitution Hall, Washington, DC
Thursday, May 2; 8-11 pm EDT; 5-8 pm PT
For the eighth consecutive year, the National Day of Prayer will culminate with
a live three-hour, nationwide prayer meeting. The President of the United
States has been invited and may participate. Sponsored by the National Prayer
Committee, broadcast partners include The American Bible Society, National
Religious Broadcasters and Integrity Music. This national prayer meeting
will originate from Constitution Hall, Washington, DC, and be broadcast on
television, radio and the internet.
Remote sites will include New Life Church, Colorado Springs, CO, and The
Christian Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NY. A live feed from "Ground
Zero" will also be included. For a five-minute promo and
information about how your church or small group can be involved, visit
www.concertofprayer.org, email prayeradvance@cs.com, or call (952) 853-8461.
Do you live in the DC area? Call or email for free tickets.
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: "Pastor Mike" <mike@prayerneeds.org>
--->.NPPNote:
Please send us similar information from your denomination...
The Journey Church web-based New Testament Church that is affiliated with the
Southern Baptist Convention.
We seek to minister to those who use the Internet for their sole source of
spiritual enlightenment and those who may not have the opportunity to attend
other church activities and worship services due to work or other conflicts in
schedule.
The Journey Church operate on the World Wide Web at www.journeytogether.org
on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week schedule.
The Journey Church is currently looking for postmodern-minded pastors and lay
people who would help is in our efforts. We are searching for those who
may host a chat forum or monitor a message board. We are also looking for
those who may help promote the ministry through advertising. Those who
have web design [html 4 +, flash 4] experience should also contact us.
We also need people who would be willing lead Bible studies in the chatrooms ...
ladies, men's, singles, students, etc...
We also are looking for forward-thinking churches and Associations who would be
will willing to partner with us financially in this work - we are sponsored by
the California Southern Baptist Convention, Kern County Southern Baptist
Association and Cornerstone Baptist Church in Bakersfield,CA.
Please e-mail: Pastor Mike Martin at mike@journeytogether.org.
On the Journey together, Mike Martin
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: Richard J McLaughlin <mclamemo@juno.com>
"In light of the tremendous stress laid upon the leadership role in both
the secular and religious worlds, it is surprising to discover that in the King
James Version of the Bible, for example, the term "leader" occurs only
six times, three times in the singular and three in the plural. That is
not to say that the theme is not prominent in the Bible, but it is usually
referred to in different terms, the most prominent being "servant."
The emphasis is consonant with Christ's teaching on the subject."
J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: Mission America City/Community Ministries
>At: http://www.cityreaching.com
Tim Dahlin
Christian Center of Park City
Preferred Address: P.O. Box 683480
Park City, UT 84068
435/649-2260 435/901-8391
ccofpc@qwest.net
What is God doing in your city??
New dialogue with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
-Mormons. Building bridges to LDS leadership to learn to understand each
other, leading to showing the grace of God with them.
Various Olympic Outreach plans to share the love of God at the 2002
Winter Olympic Games.
First time opportunity to actually preach a Biblical message at a Mormom Ward
(Church). Unprecedented.
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: CGDunne@aol.com
In a year when there seems to be much confusion about the ONE TRUE GOD, we
ask that you join us in celebrating the National Day of Prayer on May 2, the
first Thursday of May. Our theme this year is America United Under God.
We are asking Pastors to join with other pastors in their area to hold a joint
celebration of prayer for our Nation and its leaders. We ask that you restrict
your event to those of like mind, who call on the Lord Jesus Christ for their
salvation.
A few years back a Muslim leader in Chicago asked his followers to take the day
off of work and spend it praying...An overwhelming amount of people did not show
up for work that day. I am suggesting we do the same, ask your congregation to
come spend the day praying for our Nation. This year especially, when so many
are looking for answers to hard questions of life, we need to be visible
for the Lord and offer THE answer we have to our communities. I am praying
for an outdoor observance at every County Bldg. in Illinois and at each city
hall in larger counties like Cook, Lake and Kane etc....
If you are planning an event, please notify us so we can put it up on our
website. All events reported by april 15 will be listed on our website at
NDPIL.com which is a help for those in your area looking to participate. We do
much radio and TV before the event and we point people to the website to find
observances in their area. Don't be left out...report your event to Claudia
Dunne at IPN42@aol.com or call at 312-607-2474.
Claudia Dunne, National Day of Prayer Illinois State Coordinator
Check out our website NDPIL.com http://www.ndpil.com
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: joewalsh <joewalsh@cprnet.org>
Regional Pastors/Intercessors Prayer Gathering
A gathering of the "desperate"
€ Desperate to see our congregations renewed € Desperate to see our
communities reached € Desperate to see the North State awakened
Purpose
€ Seek the Lord together in worship and prayer € Listen to the Lord
for strategies and "next steps" € Inspire hope as we share
what God is doing in our cities
€ Impart vision for what God can do in our cities
Who should attend?
€ All Christian pastors, male or female, senior pastors & staff pastors,
chaplains, parachurch leaders.
Dates: April 22–25, 2002
Cost: $75.00 (includes housing & meals)
Location: Springs of Living Water, YWAM Base, 15850 Richardson
Spgs Rd, Richardson Springs, CA, (530) 893-6750
Time: Registration begins Monday, April 22, at 4pm.Conclusion will be
Thursday, April 25, around 11am.
Sponsored By:
Regional Leadership Team: Dan Prout, Sierra Ministries
Int’l, Nevada City; Dave Lambertson, North Valley Baptist, Red Bluff; Don
North, Trinity Bible Church, Oroville; Mike Fletcher, Resurrection Power
Ministries, Paradise; Don Moore, Sierra Vista Covenant, Auburn; Larry Lane,
Neighborhood Church, Chico; Gaylord Enns, Pleasant Valley Assembly, Chico; Mike
Gleason, First Baptist, Orland; Joe Walsh, Dir. Christian Prayer Resources,
Sacramento; Ed Redfern, Nazarene Church, Oroville; Ray Shelton, Live Oak
Assembly, Live Oak; Tim Kurtz, Victory Christian Fellowship, Yuba City; Ernie
Ebersole, Chaplain, Courtyard, Chico; Rob Kee, Harvest Christian Center,
Corning.
Return this portion with payment to: Neighborhood Church, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd.,
Chico, CA, 95928.
Name Position
Church
Address
City State Zip
Phone Fax Email
Registration is $75.00. Please make checks payable to: Neighborhood
Church. Please call Neighborhood Church at (530) 343-6006 with questions. Ask
for Carol at ext. 101. We accept VISA Card . Call the Church.
For Other Information, contact Neighborhood Church, 2801 Notre Dame
Blvd., Chico CA 95928, (530)
343-6006
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: leadership@lists.christianitytoday.com (Leadership
Weekly)
>Reply-To: list-reply@lists.christianitytoday.com (Contact Leadership Weekly)
>By guest columnist Marshall Shelley
I just returned from five days with 1,400 friends at the
National Pastors Convention in San Diego. My mind is still
swirling.
It was a place to meet new friends, like Horace and Susan and
Rick. Horace teaches hematology at a Chicago hospital and, oh
yes, has also been pastoring an apostolic church of 4,000 on
Chicago's South Side for 17 years. Susan, Horace's wife, is a
registered nurse and pastors alongside her husband. Rick
chairs the board of a Lutheran church near Detroit. He came to
the convention with his pastor so they could enjoy some time
together and develop their understanding of the church.
The four of us found ourselves in the same foursome at the
convention golf tournament. Playing "best ball," we
managed a
round of even par, which wasn't even close to a winning score.
(I'm not sure what that says about today's church leaders.)
But I know that our little group -- Pentecostal, Lutheran, and
Baptist -- learned a lot from each other, very little of it
having to do with golf.
It was a place to renew friendships, sometimes with pain
attached. A pastor and his wife, with whom I had shared a meal
last year and had been so impressed with their gentle and
caring spirit, met me in a quiet corner to tell me that their
church had just fired them -- and the entire church staff --
two weeks ago.
Even after twenty years of hearing church war stories, this
one stunned me. Together we discussed possible next steps and
committed the future to Jesus.
Each day we worshiped, led by the clear tenor voice of Paul
Baloche, whose song "Open the Eyes of My Heart,
Lord" is one
our church often sings to express the aspiration of those
coming to worship. We experienced a wide range of other
worship forms -- from the blaring brass and driving rhythms of
the Latin band Salvador, to the footwork of the urban
dancers/youthgroup Steps of Praise, to the watch-me-while-I-
work experience of Mike Lewis, the Jesuspainter, who can
produce a powerful painting while you're singing your songs of
worship.
Perhaps the most lasting impression, however, was the phrase
that one of the speakers implanted deeply into my mind. Bishop
Ken Ulmer, who pastors Faithful Central Bible Church in
Inglewood, California, which holds its services in the Great
Western Forum, the former home of Los Angeles Lakers, spoke
from Jeremiah 1:7-9.
"You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I
command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and
will rescue you," declares the Lord. Then the Lord
reached out
his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now I have
put
my words in your mouth."
As only a masterful African-American preacher can do, he
introduced a memorable phrase and explored each nuance with
oratorical skill: "His word in my mouth; my life in His
hand."
The word we preach isn't ours; it's God's. Our role is to give
voice to God's words. At times that will be accompanied by
great risk. Our comfort and our challenge -- at all times --
is to place our life squarely in God's hand.
A sermon I can still quote, from memory, almost a week after I
heard it. Now that's preachin'!
But then, what else would you expect from a truly National
Pastor's Convention.
Marshall Shelley is editor of Leadership.
To reply to this newsletter, write
Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net
Copyright © 2002 ChristianityToday.com,
Christianity Today International—all rights reserved.
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: Mary g Morris <crisisprayeraction@juno.com>
>From: "Paul Tan"
With this e-mail I'd like to announce that Mary "Gerri" Morris is now
officially the Coordinator of the Asian Task Force of the U.S. Strategic Prayer
Network. Since ATF was initiated in 1998, Gerri has worked closely with me
by playing a crucial role in various implementations of the visions of ATF and
the mobilization of intercessors in California and other parts of the country.
As the Lord is directing my responsibilities and priorities to other things, I
believe it is necessary for me to resign from being ATF's Coordinator and to
have the vision and movement continued by the person whom the Lord has appointed
for the task and the hour. And I have full confidence that Mary
"Gerri" Morris is that person.
Let us continue to press on and see God's kingdom be established!
For the harvest, Rev. Paul Tan
___________________________________________________>>>
>From: Jim Herrington <jhmh@swbell.net>
Brian Gowan (pictured to the left) serves as the Mission Houston consultant to
the churches in Southwest Houston. Recently 16 pastors and ministry leaders from
that area gathered for a one-day personal renewal retreat.
Pastor John Ogletree of First Metropolitan Church and Jim Herrington of Mission
Houston were the featured speakers. Herrington challenged the pastors to set
clear goals for their own personal transformation. "You've heard me say
many times - if the city is to be transformed, our churches and ministries must
be transformed. And if our churches are to be transformed, we must be
transformed."
The times of presentation were interspersed with extended times of reflection
and solitude. At the end of the day, Pastor Ogletree, author of a new book
entitled "Moving to the Next Level," challenged the pastors to
transparently share their goals. "All of us face significant gaps between
what we practice and what the Lord calls us to. Putting that on the table and
praying for one another is a first step toward our transformation. As long as we
hide the truth - from ourselves and from each other - our own transformation
will be thwarted. Remember - sin loves darkness
Following the retreat, Pastor Mike Johnson said: "Strong relational ties
are growing between me and several southwest Houston pastor friends. I am a
better pastor because of these relationships and these days away. Pastor Dorothy
Washington added: "The retreat impacted me to the core. Open communication
and prayer with my colleagues helped me make a deep commitment to my on
personal, ongoing transformation.
For more information on what is happening in Southwest Houston contact Mission
Houston Consultant, Brian Gowan at Brian@missionhouston.org or one of four
Mission Houston Community Catalyst serving in that part of the city: Mike
Johnson <mailto:msjohnson@ghg.net>
and Dan Osborne <mailto:dosborn@crosswind.cc>,
East Fort Bend County, Albert Salazar <mailto:asal9947@aol.com> , near
south Houston, and Dorothy Washington <mailto:agapelife@aol.com> , Alief
area.
The first citywide
prayer gathering of 2002 was held at Houston's First Baptist Church. On February
12th at 7:00 p.m. Believers from around the city will gathered to ask God to
change the city in ways that will reflect His glory. More info. <http://www.missionhouston.org/Feb12_prayer_gathering.htm>
Mark your calendar now
and come pray for our city, revival in the churches, and renewal in the hearts
and lives of pastors. You can find out more details and register by visiting the
Mission Houston website. <http://www.missionhouston.org/pastors_prayer_summit.htm>
This event is for Pastors, Church Leaders and
Staff, Ministry Volunteers, and Community Development Teams who want to discover
their purpose, maximize their gifts and expect the unexpected. It is being
sponsored by Winsor Village UMC. You can find out more and/or register online by
visiting the official website <http://65.69.208.177/echurch02/homepage.asp>
for this event.
To order material call
1-800-444-8828 or you can visit the official website. <http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org>
This will be The Third Annual Convention of
the National Association of Local Church Prayer Leaders. It is being held in
Colorado Springs, Colorado and you can get more information by calling
1-888-506-4340 or visiting the official website. <http://www.NALCPL@legacyevents.com>
Mission Houston, 308 Bomar, Houston, Texas
77006
Phone 713.807.9200 / Fax 713.533.9617
E-mail: info@missionhouston.org
URL: http://www.missionhouston.org
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