George
Barna / Gospel Light, Hard Cover / 0830726500
$19.99 / 344 pp
>Sequel to the 100,000-copy best-seller The Frog in the Kettle
>A spiritual navigation tool that assesses where the Church is and where we
need to be
>Jack Hayford says, "You can't afford not to read Barna!"
>How the Church can regain its cultural relevance at this critical moment in
history
Ten years ago a ground breaking book called The Frog in the Kettle changed
what we believe about the evangelical Church and its influence in America.
Subsequent books by George Barna have become must reading for church leaders and
concerned Christians everywhere. Now Barna takes a fresh look at the Church dawn
of the new millennium. With revealing statistics from cutting-edge research that
illustrate the changing beliefs and attitudes in our society today, this book
will clearly show the Church is at a crucial juncture in history and must
anticipate the world's needs in order to meet them.
18.
IRM FACILITATOR'S SUMMIT: THE UNI-T's
19.
JACKSONVILLE, FL: UNITY AT ANY COST
20.
CHICAGO: FIRST FRIDAY REVIVAL
21.
APEX & CARY, NC: PPG REQUESTS PRAYER & "KNOWLEDGE"
22.
WEB SITE UPDATE
23.
ST. PAUL, MN: PRAYERWALK - "ADOPT A NEIGHBORHOOD"
24.
TRANSFORMATION; NOT JUST FOR CITIES
25.
ELGIN, IL: PASTORS AND INTERCESSORS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Give us some FEEDBACK about this update
1. PASTOR PHIL'S
SCHEDULE
For those who are called to pray forward*...
August 3-4
Great Commission Prayer Conference, Lexington, SC
August 5
Calvary Memorial Church
August 12
Deer Grove Covenant Church, Palatine, IL --
Concert of Prayer for Kids
August 17-19
New Life Church, Schaumburg IL -- Retreat Speaker
August 20
Chicago Metro Baptist Association -- Facilitate Prayer
August 21
House of Prayer, Elgin, IL -- Pastor/Intercessor Partnership
Pray Chicago Serving Team -- Facilitate Meeting
August 26-28
City Prayer Leaders Conference, Dallas, TX -- Participate
September 3
Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Zion, IL -- Facilitate Prayer @
Tables
September 11-13
Mission America City/Community Team Meeting
September 13
Chicagoland Prayer Mini-Summit
September 14-16
Chinese International Church, Boston, MA -- Leadership
Retreat; Preach
September 18
House of Prayer, Elgin, IL
September 20-22
On Our Knees Prayer Conference, San Antonio, TX
September 27-29
On Our Knees Prayer Conference, Ridgecrest, NC
October 5
One Great City: Chicago Leadership Roundtable
October 6
One Great Day: Prayer Driven Church Workshop
October 19-20
Great Commission Prayer Conference, Missouri
October 22-27
Mission American / City Impact Roundtable
*For those dates that have past, please ask the Lord to protect the seeds He
planted so that they will produce a bountiful harvest...
___________________________________________________>>>
2. ORLANDO: MAJOR GATHERING OF CITY
LEADERS
>From: "Carolyn O'Brien" <carolynobrien@mcleodusa.net>
--->NPPNote: NPPN
members are urged to participate in the City Impact Roundtable meetings in
Orlando this October. It is an excellent opportunity for Pastors' Prayer
Group Leaders and Networkers, Prayer Mobilizers, and City Reachers to meet -
discuss - pray with one another. Please pray about sending (and paying the
way of) key leaders and networkers from your city or region.
Major gathering of City Leaders in Orlando--October 24 26, 2001.
We expect to have city/community leaders from across the country at our next
City Impact Round Table (CIR) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 24 in
Orlando as part of the Mission America Annual Meeting. The work from this
learning community will serve city transformational movements in some vital
ways. If you have not registered for the conference, we encourage you to do so
immediately (and reserve your hotel now as well). For registration info,
contact: CarolynOBrien@McLeodUSA.net.
City Impact Roundtable (CIR) Meetings
in conjunction with
The Mission America Coalition Annual Meeting 2001
Mission America City/Community Ministries invites you to Orlando,
Florida, October 24-26, 2001 for a time of renewed collaboration and
refreshment. Our 2001 Annual Meeting site is the Wyndham Orlando Resort, located
on Universal Drive just 12 miles from Orlando International Airport, minutes
from Disney World, Universal Studios and other major attractions. This popular
destination provides expansive grounds in a retreat-like setting ideal for
informal meetings, outdoor recreation and spiritual reflection.
The City Impact Roundtable (CIR) will convene Wednesday, October 24th from 1-5
pm, followed by the Opening Plenary Session of the Mission America Coalition at
7:00 pm. The CIR will continue meeting on Thursday from 11am to 5 pm. The
Coalition meetings conclude at 12 noon on Friday, October 26.
Confirm Your Participation Now!
1) Register by calling 760/ 200-2707 or return your completed
registration form. The special early bird registration rate of $150 is
available until August 1. Includes General Sessions, Network Meetings,
Exhibits, Thursday lunch and dinner. Non-refundable registration fees are fully
transferable within your church/ministry organization. After August 1,
registration is $185. If you call in your reservation, be sure to
specify your intent to participate in the CIR meetings.
Title
First Name
Last Name
Ministry Name
Ministry Mailing Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Fax
Email
____
I will attend the 2001 City Impact Roundtable sessions during the M.A.
Coalition meetings
____
I would like information regarding exhibit space at the Annual Meeting
Early bird registration fee of $150 due by August 1. Regular registration
fee of $185 applies after August 1.
Registration is required for attendance at any portion of the 2001 Annual
Meeting and CIR or Network meetings.
Registration includes lunch & dinner on Thursday, October 25 - does not
include lodging.
_
I have enclosed my check payment payable to Mission America.
_
Please bill my credit card for the registration amount: _ Visa
_ M C _ Am Ex
Card Number
Expiration Date
Signature Authorization
Please mail completed form with registration fee to:
Mission America, PO Box 13930, Palm Desert, CA 92255
or fax completed form (with credit card payment) to 760/ 200-8837.
For questions, call 760/ 200-2707.
2) Reserve your lodging at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. Call 800/ 421-8001
and ask for the special Mission America rate of just $108 per night,
single or double occupancy. A special junior suite rate of $128 is also
available. Fine dining, comfortable restaurant, coffee house, snack shop,
room service, poolside cafe and full health club amenities are all on site. The
48 acre facility features three outdoor pools, lit tennis courts,
walking/jogging course and a scenic lagoon.
___________________________________________________>>>
3. CITYWIDE NEWSLETTERS
Do you publish a newsletter?
Prayer Network
Transformation Ministry
Lighthouses of Prayer
City ... State ... Region
The NPPN web site is looking for samples of citywide ministry
newsletters. They will be posted at <http://www.nppn.org/Cit-E-Newsletters.htm>
in order to provide models for cities across the nation.
Help us learn from the ways God works in and through you.
Increase and improve communication among city reachers throughout the Body of
Christ.
Email your newsletter to: straka1@nppn.org (Subject: Cit-E-Newsletters).
___________________________________________________>>>
4. CONVERSATIONS...
~ "THEN WHAT AM I PRAYING FOR?"
>From: Sheila D. Lindsey <slindsey@imb.org>
--->NPPNote: Please copy phil@nppn.org as you reply to
Sheila so that we can let others listen in to the conversation...
"I am struggling with this question. If we are praying that God
will complete His purposes, then why pray at all? What is the reason for
my input if God is going to succeed at His purposes anyway? I don't want
to sound stupid, but I've always been told to pray specifically. If I lift
up my very specific requests to God (make your requests be made known to God)
and He is going to do His thing anyway, regardless of my requests, then why pray
specifically. I can pray that God's will be done in every situation, but
if His will is going to be done anyway, what part does my prayer play in that
process? I know that prayer is our communication with God. I know
that His Word is His communication to me. But if I'm not going to be
praying about the problem and asking for His answer to that problem, then what
am I praying for?"
~ REPLY TO 010706
>From: "sue hoover" <suehoovers@hotmail.com>
In answer to Jim Beacham's article: PRAYER IS THE CONNECTIVITY (in the
7/6/01 of connections & conversations.
In the article Mr Beacham, suggested that the quality of our
lives is directly related to our relationships. I absolutely agree.
It is not the normal to look any one in the eye when speaking, or to
receive a smile on the street. The majority of this behavior due to the
non relational world in which we now live. Prayer takes us beyond our self
and our situation. It
allows us to be relational to our God and to encompass those who surround us.
It is hard to pray for someone when you haven't spent some time with them.
The vertical and horizontal position that he refers to is a lost key.
Prayer and communication go hand in hand with one another.
We have severed our relationship to God when we leave Him with our
problems and refuse to wait for the answer, it is no different then the
traditional greeting of "How are you?" and then walking away. We
want to be heard but won't listen to anyone else including God. We as a
church, The body of Christ, need to set religion aside and spend more time
developing relationships. We might want to invest more time in our
listening skills than our typing skills. Let us focus more on
interdependence of one another with The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as
the center, rather than the dependent which makes us legalistic or the
independent which makes us rebellious. Somewhere we lost the idea that we
accountable to God and each other, I believe "relationship philosophy"
will bring us back into alignment with God and His purpose, "that none
should perish".
Friends in Christ, Sue
~ REPLY TO ARTICLE #43
>From: "Michael Carl" <mike@hfministries.com>
The "Praying with Paint" article was a really good
one. I really liked it since I loved my Humanities classes in college and
love studying art as a form of devotion. Think of Jan Van Eyck's classic
work, "Adoration of the Lamb". It is a wonderful work of art.
So where are the artists? They're in the same place as
all of the deep theological writers who aren't writing, or at least aren't
getting published. Publishers fear anything too deep won't sell, so we get
fluff pieces and pabulum published as serious theological inquiry.
Where are the artists? I can think of one, but I cannot
remember his name. You see his work in every Christian book store.
Well, at least there's one. Mike
___________________________________________________>>>
5. CITY STORIES
---> phil@nppn.org
-How is God moving in your PPG?
-How can others connect with you?.
-Respond to something you've seen posted
-Submit a prayer request for your city or region
-Share a model or resource for prayer evangelism
___________________________________________________>>>
6. BOSTON, MA: "HEARTS
FOR BOSTON"
>From: http://www.bpnews.net - Witness the difference!
>View: Accompanying photos by Gibbs Frazeur at http://www.bpnews.net:
Curtis Freeman, an accountant for the Southern Baptist North American Mission
Board, shared the gospel with neighborhood children at a public park July 13 in
Winthrop, Mass -- one of many events being held this summer as part of the
Hearts for Boston outreach effort. The Winthrop event included puppets,
balloons, a talent contest and water giveaway. Freeman was with a group of 23
employees from NAMB's Alpharetta, Ga., offices who participated as volunteers in
a variety of Hearts for Boston ministries in mid-July. Overall, 2,500-3,000
volunteers from across the country have participated in ministry efforts this
year as part of NAMB's Strategic Focus Cities effort to share Christ with the
people of Boston. Similar efforts are also under way this year in Las Vegas. BP
photo by Gibbs Frazeur.
David Blanton, 10, kicks the soccer ball during a game at the Super Summer
Sports Adventure at Grace Baptist Church in Hudson, Mass -- one of many events
being held this summer as part of the Hearts for Boston outreach effort. The
week long event ran began Monday, July 9, and finished Friday, July 13.
Activities included VBS, volleyball, soccer and softball. Overall, 2,500-3,000
volunteers from across the country have participated in ministry efforts this
year as part of NAMB's Strategic Focus Cities effort to share Christ with the
people of Boston. Similar efforts are also under way this year in Las Vegas. BP
photo by Gibbs Frazeur
Jordan Mikula, 10, takes a swing at the ball during softball instruction at the
Super Summer Sports Adventure held as part of the Hearts for Boston/Strategic
Focus Cities outreach effort.
___________________________________________________>>>
7. WHAT TO SEEK, WHEN YE
SEEK FIRST
>From: "inchristsimage.org - Arrow Publications" <RiverofLifeMailer@InChristsImage.org>
Remember, we are not seeking experiences, we are seeking a pure heart. We are
not running after visions; we want holiness. Even as the supernatural realm was
an expected phenomenon in the primitive church, so also was purity the expected
condition in their hearts. Therefore, do not be as the foolish ones who seek
visions. You must seek sanctification and when you are ready, if God wills, He
shall speak to you in supernatural ways (Acts 2:17-18). Do not seek to conjure
up an "experience" with Jesus; seek to have a clean heart, allowing
Christ to examine and purge you daily. And as He washes you with His Word and
chastens you with His holiness, He will draw you into His Presence. He will open
your eyes to "things without and things within."
Pastor Francis Frangipane
--->NPPNote:
You may know that Francis is a pioneer in the prayer movement; especially among
those of us who are called by God to call Pastors into the fellowship of prayer.
He continues to serve his congregation in Cedar Rapids, IA as he gives
leadership to the local PPG and in cities across the country.
>From "Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God" by Francis
Frangipane.To order by credit card, call toll free 1-877-363-6889 or email
Daniel at dhite@frangipane.org.
For additional messages and resources: http://www.inchristsimage.org
To add, remove a name, or change a preference: http://www.inchristsimage.org/EmailSubscriptions.asp.
___________________________________________________>>>
8. WASHINGTON, DC: PRAYER
SUMMIT
>From: <John_Robb@wvi.org>
Thanks to those of you who were able to join us in prayer during the Washington,
D.C. Prayer Summit last week. Approximately 30-40 pastors and prayer leaders
from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, denominations and organizations took part
including those of us who came from other parts of the country. We purposely
limited the size of the event so there would be greater intimacy in sharing,
praying and listening to God at a deeper level. As it turned out, there was a
good bonding between us and we felt the Lord's gracious presence among us giving
us insight on a number of issues.
The city's history was presented--racial wounds, tensions and divisions going
back to its founding, as well as the violent riots between Blacks and Whites
that have erupted from time to time due to frustration over injustice and lack
of compassion. In recent years the world has come to Washington in the form of
many other ethnic groups, complicating the dynamics of the city even more.
However, God is doing a new thing bringing Christian leaders from many diverse
groups together. They have been praying for three years for the city and each
other. We met with them on the final day (July 4) for a moving time of worship
and sharing together.
Other presentations were given on the way Freemasonry has shaped the
construction of the city and how it and other occult groups are affecting the
atmosphere. This led to times of repentance and renunciation of false gods, one
of which took place at the Washington Monument, an Egyptian obelisk constructed
by the Freemasons ... of the sun god, Osiris. A group of us gathered to pray
about other issues at the imposing Washington Cathedral.
On Tuesday, July 3, John Dawson, Dick Eastman and I met with a key official in
the White House concerning the issue of healing America's wounds through
spiritual means. He seemed quite open and sympathetic to what we shared with
him. That evening some of us returned to pray inside the White House at the
invitation of a small group of regular intercessors, one of whom is on the
staff. What a deep privilege it was to represent you, knowing many of you were
also praying, as we walked through the offices of the President and prayed for
him, his family, his cabinet and staff. The staff person who is also an
intercessor told me that the atmosphere has been changing since President Bush,
a committed, praying Christian, took over. Now she is hearing staff people
saying "God bless you" they pass in the corridors. Another intercessor
told us that there are now 70 senators and congresspeople studying the Bible and
praying together with Lloyd Ogilvie, the Senate Chaplain.
Please give thanks to God with us for what He is doing to cleanse and heal our
capital.
Pray for:
1. Continued unity and reconciliation among the pastors, prayer
leaders, churches and ethnic groups of the city so that it will become a model
for the rest of the nation. Also for an atmosphere in the city that is free from
the division and confusion of the past.
2. President Bush and our leaders in Congress that they will honor
the Lord with their lives and decisions and that He will give them humility,
unity, wisdom, and justice in their rulings.
3. A clear strategy for healing America's wounds to emerge from our
time of prayer and deliberation which can be presented to our elected officials
who are open to a spiritual solution. Open doors at the highest level of the
government to consider and utilize united prayer as an instrument of our
national and international policy for resolving conflict and restoring wholeness
within and between nations.
Deep thanks for supporting this initiative and its follow-on in your prayers.
Warmly in Christ, John Robb
___________________________________________________>>>
9. REPLIES TO 010706: ³THE
VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH²
>From: "Rick Skiba" <richard-henri@mediaone.net
----- Original Message -----
>From: "Rebecca Kennard" <rackennard@qwest.net
In my opinion, The Valley of the Shadow of Death is that place where you
die to all your hopes and dreams and your own plans and schemes and learn to
live for God. It is where you die to yourself so Jesus Christ himself can
live His life out through you. It is the Dark Night of the Soul that all
who really wish to serve God with wholehearted devotion must enter and walk
through. It will make you His servant. It's that place where you put
your
hand to the plow and never look back. God owns every part of you His
rod of correction and his staff of guidance now direct your life moment by
moment. His Holy Spirit now leads you beside still waters and restores
your soul completely. You find the place of Sabbath Rest where hearing
God's voice and doing His will is all that matters. Evil cannot hurt you because
you are already dead to your reputation and your own desires. The enemy
has no way to touch you and God's goodness and mercy follow you wherever
you go because you already dwell in God's house and you will forever.
Have you read Mario Murillo's book CRITICAL MASS?
Becky Kennard
-----Original Message-----
>From: Rick Skiba [mail to:richard-henri@mediaone.net]
Dear Becky, What Pastor DelRe preached on that Sunday was that the Valley
of the Shadow of Death is the life we live on this earth. From birth,
death can occur at any time. Such a shadow hangs over mankind.
Thank you for adding to my understanding of this passage. It is in
this life on earth where one must die to all of ones hopes and dreams and plans
and schemes and learn to live for God. It is in this life on earth where
one must die to oneself so Jesus Christ can live through each Christian. It is
through this life on earth that all who really wish to serve God with
wholehearted devotion must walk. It is decisions one makes during
this life on earth that will make one His servant or not. It's in this
life on earth that one must put hand to the plow of faith and never look back.
And in this life on earth God owns every part of every person, believer or
not. Rick Skiba
----- Original Message -----
>From: "Calvary Memorial Church" <pastormiked@worldnet.att.net
Hi brother. I just preached on Psa. 23 yesterday so it is fresh on my mind.
Verse 4 states the nature of the problem: it has to do with 'fear.'(v.4). The
Heb. word for 'evil' means 'harm, evil or trouble.'
Psychologists say the number one fear people have, and the least popular subject
for polite conversation, is THE BIG ONE, dying. Going to the N.T., we learn from
Hebrews 2:14-15 that one of the huge effects of the work of the cross was to
destroy the power Satan held over humans which was made effective by THE FEAR OF
DEATH. Through the Shepherd, who went thru death for us (the valley), we need no
longer be held captive to a fear of the harm to our souls which Death
potentially holds. 'O Death...where is your victory?!' God gives us His presence
as an antidote to the fear of dying:'You YOURSELF are with me.' (Hebrew). /
Therefore I am more comfortable with the traditional teaching that the 'valley'
is the end-of-life experience of approaching death./ What did the preacher say
it was? Pastor Mike Dixon, Calvary Memorial Church
___________________________________________________>>>
10. ARTESIA, CA:
MULTICULTURAL REVIVAL
>From: heartovgod@juno.com [mail to:heartovgod@juno.com]
World Gospel International, the Hispanic Church under Pastors Chris Enciso and
Mario Diaz, and Trinity Christian Center recently had a weeklong
Multicultural Revival. World Gospel is pastored by Pastor Joseph Song and
Trinity Christian Center is headed by Pastors John and Becky Rusk. The
work they do shows how much can be accomplished by working together as one.
From the missionary trips to Ensenada to the "Jesus Walk" under
Pastor Ed Nelson, everything is done together. The church is located at
12054 E. 183rd St, Artesia, CA 90701. Phone
562-860-2407 or 626-475-3201
___________________________________________________>>>
11. PHOENIX, AZ:
REPORT FROM LOCAL CHURCH PRAYER LEADERS CONVENTION
>From: "prayertransformation.com" <PTM@prayertransformation.com
>By: Steve Loopstra
The Second Annual convention of the National Association of Local Church Prayer
Leaders was held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 27-30, 2001. Nearly 800 church prayer
coordinators, church prayer leaders and pastors met to network together, hear
from national speakers and get informed and trained through 16 different
workshops.
The convention began on Wednesday evening with the showing of the
Transformations II video from Sentinel Group. After the video, George Otis, Jr.
stated that the one common element that has characterized revivals in modern
times and in history has been desperation. Otis also stated that to a person,
those that are being used to bring revival to nations an continent are
people of humility. It was a powerful beginning to an amazing few days.
The NALCPL convention was held in conjunction with the PrayerQuake 2001 annual
event sponsored by Bridgebuilders, lead by Cheryl and Hall Sacks. Cheryl Sacks
has put together the model church prayer coordinators network in the
country. Before the convention, Hal and Cheryl along with NALCPL leaders Mel
Winger and Wes Tullis has felt the Lord tell them: "If you make room for
me, I will come." These leaders kept tuned and flexible in the meetings,
and the Lord came into the meetings and worship times in many powerful ways.
Terry MacAlmon, who leads worship at the World Prayer Center, lead the worship
times and demonstrated the worship style that is used to brin scores of
pastors and church members to the World Prayer Center every week just to
worship together.
Featured speakers were Tommy Barnett, Jill Griffith, Ted Haggard, Esther Ilnisky,
George Otis, Jr., Cheryl Sacks, Warren Stewart, Sr., Terry Teykl, Wes Tullis, Al
Vander Griend, and Gary Kinnaman, who was the host pastor at Word of Grace
Church in Mesa, Arizona.
One other highlight was when Esther Ilnisky brought several children on the
stage to demonstrate how to have children pray. Although she had never met any
of these children prior to this time, many were brought to tears as children
prayed, some sobbing in intercession for the countries and children of the
world.
If you are a church prayer coordinator in your church, or a pastor who is
interested, contact NALCPL at: 1-888-656-6067 or on the web at: http://www.nalcpl.net.
This is a national network you need to be connected with.
Submitted by: Steve Loopstra, Executive Director, Prayer Transformation
Ministries
___________________________________________________>>>
12. CALIFORNIA: PROMISE
KEEPERS
>From: AShaw1008@aol.com [mail to:AShaw1008@aol.com]
My name is Andra Kai Shaw. I am the Prayer Coordinator for the upcoming
southern California Promise Keepers conference. My pastor put me in touch with
this network. I am trying to reach Pastors in the southern california area who
are willing to partner with me and other area intercessors in prayer for the
conference and would join us to pray at the conference. The conference will be
held at the Anaheim Pond on October 19th-20th. We know that the Lord is moving
throughout this nation and this conference is a small part of His greater work.
Any assistance that you can provide in helping me to contact pastors in the
southern california area would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Andra Kai Shaw
___________________________________________________>>>
13. CONNECTING THE NET: VISUAL
CONCEPT FOR YOUR PPG?
>From: "Ras Robinson" <fullness@airmail.net>
Several year ago, God gave me a dream that occurred twice in the same night that
Jesus was going to connect leaders in a special way to His heart of love and in
turn to each other, in love. The visual of the dream was a pattern of
translucent PCV pipes laid out in a connecting pattern like a fishnet that
encompassed the world. I felt that I was part of this connecting
activity. Many connecting organizations today simply offer opportunities
to attend their conferences at a special price. Others offer opportunity
to be connected with a "top leader" of some stripe to offer conference
attendance on a very large scale. I believe God has a better plan!!! He is
ready to reveal it.
Many leaders are prone to "walk alone" for the most part. Jesus
never intended us to be independents or "hermits" (my own natural
tendency). Oh, I know we gather for common projects like "Jesus Video
Project." And that is good. But do we know one another? And are
we willing to get really acquainted? Are you willing to get net connected
with other leaders in a meaningful way? Jesus prayed in John 17 that we
would be one, even as He and the Father are one. That prayer will be
answered!!! There is a world waiting to hear!!!
"CONNECTING THE NET" CONCEPT. You have seen a fishnet. It
is made up of small squares, each tied to the others with a simple knot or
connecting point. When Jesus had Peter throw his net he threw it out
horizontally and caught a boatload of fish. Have you ever seen a world
globe? It is partitioned by latitudinal and longitudinal lines that
connect just like a fishnet. Can you imagine a fishnet with just one
square? But connected, the net is made up of all sizes of units, large or
small. It is virtually always horizontal - no pyramid structure in a
fishnet. It is only effective when it has been cast.
To be productive the net needs net connecting commitments (tied knots). Together
the net can be cast to cover the world! Jesus Himself is the Net Caster!
Our role is to be and stay net connected. And at times, Jesus would
have us come in for repairs and maintenance as he heals our wounds, strengthens
our cords and gets us ready to be used again.
Our purpose is to offer encouragement, strengthening and comfort with connecting
the net opportunities to other body of Christ leaders for the times we believe
the church is about to face. This is indeed a very critical time for the
church!
"Connecting the Net" is a concept whose time has come.
Ezekiel 47:10 "And it will come about that
fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place
for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the
fish of the Great Sea, very many."
Matthew 13:47-48 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is
like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it
was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the
good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away."
Mark 1:16 "And as He was going along by the Sea of
Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the
sea; for they were fishermen."
Luke 5:5-6 "And Simon answered and said,
"Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I
will let down the nets." [6] And when they had done this, they enclosed a
great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break"
John 21:6 "And He said to them, "Cast the net
on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch." They cast
therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number
of fish."
John 21:8 "But the other disciples came in the
little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards
away, dragging the net full of fish."
John 21:11 "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net
to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were
so many, the net was not torn."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"CONNECTING THE NET" (The Time And Hour Is Now)
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2001 CONFERENCE, "Come Up Higher." An assembly
of Leaders in Ministry for the purpose of being strengthened, encouraged and
refreshed before God moves us to the next level. Whoever will may
come. Lodging in church member homes or motels available. Please see
below.
TO REGISTER: Email your conference registration with name, address,
telephone and email address to: fullness@fullnessonline.org
TO REQUEST HOUSING IN MEMBER HOMES OR MOTEL CONTACT:
Kristen James, Church Secretary Community Christian Fellowship, 15704 Highway
110 North, Lindale, TX 75771 - Exit 548 off I-20, about eight
miles West of Tyler / Telephone: 903-882-8501 / Fax: 903-882-5675 /
Email: ccf-office@juno.com / Website:
http://ccf1.virtualave.net
___________________________________________________>>>
14. SAN DIEGO: REACHING EVERY KID, CAMPUS, COMMUNITY
>From: National Network of Youth Ministries
>At: http://www.nnym.org
Do you wonder how the Network gets youth leaders to work together to reach
teenagers for Christ? One way is through uniting people to pray. Here in the
home town of the Network office, we are part of the San Diego Prayer Challenge.
There are currently 14 chapters of the Network here, each targeted on reaching
teenagers for Christ in their area of the county.
Recently, leaders met to seek God for how He could bring unity and spiritual
vitality to the body of Christ in our metro area. We agreed to work together
until prayer blankets our city--specifically:
--Every teenager is prayed for by name
--Every school is prayed for weekly by a Moms in Touch group
--Every school is adopted for prayer by a church
--Every youth worker is linked to a local Network
--Regular prayer is covering youth events and the work of God in our city.
We believe that "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much" (James 5:16). Thanks for your support--and your prayers!
___________________________________________________>>>
15. ATHENS, GA: CONCERT OF
PRAYER
>From: Cross Over Athens <crossoverathens@home.com>
>The E-Mail for Pastors and Prayer Leaders
Cross Over Athens
A coalition of churches and parachurch
ministries
seeking community transformation in
the Athens area
through the love and power of Jesus
Christ!
Mark August 26 on your calendar as the date of the next Athens-Area Concert of
Prayer. This time, we'll be at the Classic Center in downtown Athens!
The August 26 event is our 8th consecutive quarterly prayer gathering, and we're
anticipating a strong turnout. Perhaps we'll be able to top our record
attendance of 750 (from more than 40 churches and parachurch ministries) set at
the Nov. 2000 prayer concert.
Attendance figures are less important, however, than the fact that followers of
Christ from many different churches are joining hearts to pray God's kingdom
agenda for Greater Athens.
Date:
Sunday, August 26
Time:
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Location:
The Classic Center, Thomas St. in Athens
Joseph Slife, Lay Leader, Gateway Church (UMC)
___________________________________________________>>>
16. RALEIGH, NC: INTERCESSORS
AND PPGs
>From: Biblicalwm@aol.com
>At: http://www.biblicalwellness.org
Aug 17-18, 2001: Pastors Prayer Fellowship & Concerts of
Prayer-Premier Presentation of the Documentary "Transformations II"
New Horizons Fellowship, Apex NC-Aug 17 @ 11:00 AM (for pastors,
ministers, lay ministers, Intercessors, leadership, etc.) 7:00 PM (General
Public); Aug 18 @ 7:00 PM (General Public) FREE. New Horizons Fellowship, 820
East Williams St., Apex, NC 27502. For more information: E-mail:
pastorsprayer@aol.com; Tel: 919-303-5266, ext. 105; Fax: 919-577-0749.
Tuesdays
Pastors Prayer Group--Apex: Prayer Time: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. For the month
July they will be at: Faith Community Church, (Pastor Phill Sasser) 411
E. Williams, Apex.
Thursdays
Pastors and Leaders-Raleigh Weekly Prayer Group: 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.
___________________________________________________>>>
17. SOUTHEAST SERVANT LEADER
CONSULTATION
>From: Dennis Fuqua <DennisF@MULTNOMAH.EDU>
Come join Christian leaders from across the Southeast who hunger for a move of
God in their congregations and communities. This will be a time of prayer,
fellowship, sharing and learning from each other. Cities at any stage in
the Prayer Summit process are invited to send their leadership teams or
individual representatives.
Who is invited:
* Servant Leader teams
* Pastoral and para-church leaders
* Pastorsı wives and women in leadership
Purpose:
* Prayer and fellowship
* Hearing stories from pastoral prayer communities
* Grappling with issues of growing the movement
Date: September 4-6, 2001
Location: Shocco Springs, Talladega, AL
Price: $149 double occupancy, $189 single occupancy
Space is limited, so your immediate response would be helpful. A
registration form is available at http://www.multnomah.edu/IRM/servantcon.shtml
For more information contact Doug Small, Southeast Representative:
ALIVE MINISTRIES, P.O. Box 1245, Kannapolis, NC 28082
(704) 938-9111
___________________________________________________>>>
18. IRM FACILITATOR'S SUMMIT: THE
UNI-T's
>From: "John Erickson" <erickjd@att.net>
Dennis F. spoke one morning about Unity - he made these points, which I think
are a helpful way of thinking about our situation in Chicagoland, Pastor John
Erickson, Brickyard Church
Even though and even when we value unity in the body of Christ, often times it
doesn't happen easily, quickly or automatically. Unity is a process. It takes
time, commitment and work to build it and maintain it. Not understanding the
process can lead us to discouragement. Understanding some basic stages of how
unity is developed can help us get there better. The following stages describe
and clarify the process of growing in unity.
TRUCE - Having been in competition with one another, claiming to be
right, critical of one another and in a variety of ways shooting at one another,
we decide to call a truce and lay our weapons down. When that happens, it feels
so good we sometimes call it unity when in fact it is just a truce.
TOLERANCE - We decide at some point to tolerate one another. We may come
together to work on a project and then after the project is over we return to
our own domain. While we are working together with a common goal in mind, we
often say we have unity. However, we probably have come together around the
project within the framework of an organizational structure without really
developing meaningful relationships. We may also meet together in the context of
ministerial meetings, and yet we don't really trust one another or enjoy being
together as friends.
TOGETHERNESS - This is when we decide to spend enough time together to
get to know one another, and relationships begin to develop. We come to realize
we really can enjoy being together. We can be friends and don't have to feel
threatened by one another. We are all serving under the same Chief Shepherd. We
aren't in competition after all! We can cooperate together.
TRUST - We learn to trust one another as we get to know one another. We
need to connect heart to heart in order for trust to develop. This often happens
as we pray together and hear each other's heart before God. We come to realize
we are family!! At this point we discover an unconditional love for one another
begins to take root and grow. We find ourselves wanting to support and encourage
one another.
TEAM - At some point we recognize we can actually be a team and function
in harmonious relationships. We can be who God intended His Church to be in our
communities. We become committed to one another in Christ and develop a kingdom
perspective in terms of ministry. We develop a desire to work together as a team
to advance the kingdom of God, following His leadership. "There is one body
and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and
through all and in all." Eph. 4:4-7
TENACIOUS - At this point it is imperative that we become tenacious in
our relationships, which are very fragile. We are forged together in Christ
through prayer and that must be ongoing. The greatest test of our relationship
comes when we move toward strategies or tactics. We need to "Make every
effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph.
4:3) Healthy, secure relationships provide the environment for God to move in a
mighty way through His Church.
TRIUMPH - As we come together in unity with strong relationships, a deep
sense of trust and are committed to each other in love, we will be able to move
forward as the answer to Jesus' prayer in John 17 and He will lead us in triumph
in our communities.
TRANSFORMATION - Finally, as we continue to walk in everything that got
us this far, we can anticipate God working through us to the point where He will
transform our communities, to the point where much more of His glory will be
seen around us than is presently being seen. We cannot "twist God's arm
into revival" but we can do our part and then see what changes He will
bring about both in us and through us!
The Church is a place where God wants to display the kind of harmonious
relationship He desires for those created in His image. We reflect the glory of
the triune God as we live in harmony with one another knowing it is "In Him
we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28a.
___________________________________________________>>>
19. JACKSONVILLE, FL: UNITY AT
ANY COST
>From: DraperX7@aol.com
>From: Dennisonjl@cs.com
I thought you would be interested in this encouraging update from Jacksonville,
Florida. The Church has taken a major step forward in recent weeks in the area
of uniting the black and white Christian communities that is getting great press
coverage from local media.
For months the leadership of Mission First Coast (Jacksonville's city reaching
initiative) have been discouraged over the inability to connect with the large
black community in some significant way. On attempt after another failed to
produce any breakthroughs at the vision or relationship levels. Even the
progress made through the Billy Graham Crusade of 18 months ago produced no long
lasting forward progress in this regard.
Not long ago a black pastor and his church began a focused effort to minister in
a broad and holistic way in one of the low income communities. The ministry has
been fruitful, effective and has grown rapidly. During this same time, as is
increasingly the case, law enforcement stepped up its efforts to get rid of the
"bad guys" in order to provide a better environment for spiritual and
social change. This effort has led to the recent arrest of eleven gang members
and drug dealers resulting in a cache of drugs and weapons exceeding $1,500,000
in value. In a growing number of cities collaborative partnerships between law
enforcement and the Church has resulted in "taking back lost ground"
accompanied by substantial moral and economic lift resulting from holistic
ministry efforts provided by the
Church for the local residents. This has become a pretty effective model for
spiritual and community development.
Gang and drug leaders in retaliation have placed a $25,000 bounty on the pastors
head for his death. When this became known public sentiment went ballistic.
Mission First Coast immediately contacted this black pastor pledging their full
support and involvement with him and his Church. A press conference was held
yesterday (July 30) that was attended by all major media of the city (newspaper,
radio, and television). The purpose of the news conference was for the city
Church to simply say, "An attack against one member of the Body of Christ
is an attack against all members. We, the Church of Jacksonville, stand with and
by Pastor Guns and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in their efforts to bring
about positive change in the Ken Knight Community." The pastor and Church
have been overwhelmed by the breadth and strength of the support given them by
the rest of the Church.
Today, Tuesday, July 31st (again cover by local media) there is a solidarity
march to take place this evening involving a large segment of the Church,
including the entire leadership and servant teams from Mission First Coast, from
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church through Ken Knight community and culminating
at a tent revival meeting the Church is sponsoring for the community.
The media has given wide and very supportive coverage. (Jacksonville, you may
recall is the only US city that has aired during prime time television the
Transformation I video for which they received very positive news coverage). The
media has said that this may represent a new day for race relations in the city
and that this outpouring of support is unprecedented.
The pastor, Dr. Guns, has said that he will fully engage and support the
citywide leadership and vision of Mission First Coast and will become active in
helping to mobilize other black pastors to participate too.
One black pastor of one of the larger black churches has already stepped forward
to pledge to match monthly support of Mission First Coast up to
$2000. White pastors are stepping forward to provide support too.
I am including the Internet link to the three newspaper articles carried on July
25, 30 & 31. I am sure there will be more to follow.
July 31 -
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/073101/met_6823503.html
July 30 -
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/073001/met_6813626.html
July 25 -
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072501/met_6771825.html
God is truly for us and vested in the success of these initiatives. The city
will not be significantly changed until the church unites and begins to engage
the city at the level of their deepest needs. Though we can never predict such a
major turn of events as is happening in Jacksonville we can anticipate them and
prepare ourselves for them when they come. If this event had occurred without a
city reaching initiative and leadership in place it is most likely that very
little if anything major would have come from it. It would have simply
represented the isolated struggles of a single Church ministering to a group of
forgotten people in a part of town that others would just as soon hear nothing
about. God is on the move in the cities of the world.
Be encouraged, God is on the move! If we stay faithful to His call to unity and
to the city . . . He will give us the city!
Yours for His glory, Jack Dennison, CitiReach International
___________________________________________________>>>
20. CHICAGO: FIRST FRIDAY REVIVAL
>From: John Hudson <josus@home.com>
First Friday Revival -- September 7th, 7:30pm
Granville United Methodist Church, 1307 W. Granville in Chicago.
We have a band, will feature a guest speaker, and complete the
evening with prayer ministry. For more information or directions call
John Hudson 773-274-1338.
___________________________________________________>>>
21. APEX & CARY, NC: PPG
REQUESTS PRAYER & "KNOWLEDGE"
>From: Deyssler@aol.com
--->NPPNote: Please
take a moment to pray and, if the Lord gives you a word of encouragement,
comfort or strength, please pass it along!
Dear Brother Phil:
My name is Pastor Deyssler ( Dey) Padilla and we are working with the spanish
speaking community in Apex& Cary, North Carolina. We need prayer...as much
as we can get! Ever since we started to look for pastors to pray together we
have found a very strong spiritual opposition that is affecting real bad our
efforts on the planting of this spanish speaking church. When we
have been almost able to take off...something happens and it has been a very
difficult process. WE NEED PRAYER:
-. For God to break the" strongholds" among the latino-hispanic
people.
-. For wisdom on how to reach to them
-. For unity to come among pastors of the following cities of North Carolina:
Apex, Cary, Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina.
-. For God to "visit" and " transform" our communities.
-. For "knowledge" about; How to pray?
Many Thanks! ( Muchas gracias)
___________________________________________________>>>
22. WEB SITE UPDATE
Visit http://www.nppn.org ...
>We're taking prayer requests for PPGs and Cities!
>Join the NPPN Web Roundtable
"What do YOU think??"
>Check out our Special Discount Resources & Bless the
NPPN
>Download (and distribute) one of our 41 E'zine articles
>The NPPN Pastors' Prayer Groups Directory has grown to
550:
-Consider adopting one in prayer
-Pray for your birth state to double
in registered PPGs
Log-On ... Sign-In ... Link-Up
___________________________________________________>>>
23. ST. PAUL, MN: PRAYERWALK -
"ADOPT A NEIGHBORHOOD"
>From: "Prayer Transformation Ministries" <PTM@prayertransformation.com>
>At: http://www.prayertransformation.com/
Pray St. Paul
September 8, 2001 - 3 to 5 p.m.
Pastors within St. Paul invite you to help them prayer walk their communities.
Adopt a St. Paul neighborhood and commit to "speak peace" to each home
(see Luke 10:5).
Click here to sign up online <outbind://61-00000000FBC244B9ED4BD3118F9500E029481C8824912500/www.harvestevan-mw.org>
(http://www.harvestevan-mw.org) or send your name, address, phone, e-mail,
and name of the church you attend to "Light the Cities" (see below).
Each prayer walking team will receive a map of a neighborhood in St. Paul; a
profile of that neighborhood; information about where to meet on September 8 and
what to do once you get there.
1,000 prayer walking teams needed to cover the entire city Sign up & tell a
friend!
6 to 8:30 p.m. - Worship celebration - St. Paul location TBA
Heart of the City Worship Band will lead the time of celebration. Joined by Ed
Silvoso (Harvest Evangelism) with pastors & business leaders from St.
Paul and other cities.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Light the Cities - Pray St. Paul
Nehemiah Center, 810 S. 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Tel. 612) 278-1738; Fax (612) 278-1711
E-mail: lightthecities@cs.com <outbind://61-00000000FBC244B9ED4BD3118F9500E029481C8824912500/lightthecities@cs.com>
Register online at www.harvestevan-mw.org <outbind://61-00000000FBC244B9ED4BD3118F9500E029481C8824912500/www.harvestevan-mw.org>
___________________________________________________>>>
24. TRANSFORMATION; NOT JUST FOR CITIES
>From: Hans-Georg Hoprich <HansMaggiHoprich@compuserve.com>
A veteran missiologist and marketing analyst implores the missions community to
tabulate less and pray more.
Getting Beyond the Numbers Game
James Engel
Thousands of delegates from nearly 200 countries sat in rapt silence as the
chief missiologist rose to his feet to open the second world congress of the
Great Commission Council. An imposing figure, the chief opened his long-awaited
oration with unforgettable words: "The Great Commission will be fulfilled
within the lifetime of most of us sitting here tonight!"
Armed with the latest figures and computerized maps, he showed that the
unevangelized have dropped to less than 20 percent of the total population for
the first time in history. The audience applauded when he reported, "We now
have 760 million 'Great Commission Christians' actively sharing their faith-a
150 percent increase since 1970." Apocryphal? Partly. There is no Great
Commission Council or chief missiologist, but the speech's tone has been evident
at many missions conferences I have attended, and the facts are accurate (see
David Barrett's Statistical Table on Global Mission: 2000 and Patrick
Johnstone's Operation World [1993]).
But let's continue with the story.
The missiologist revealed a similar numeric cornucopia for Scripture
distribution, Christian agencies and workers, use of the mass media, and income
for global missions. But he saved the best for last. He boldly predicted that
the remaining unreached people groups can be met by moving only 0.4 percent of
the Christian workforce to countries in the 10/40 window. "The end is
in sight at long last!" he proclaimed. Bedlam erupted in the great
hall. Then a diminutive African delegate headed to the platform and reached for
the microphone. The audience quieted down. Her countenance was heavy with
sorrow.
"I am from the country that has been considered by many of you to be the
greatest example of success in world missions," she began. She told how the
church was planted over a century ago, and how today 85 percent of the people
call themselves Christians. Much of the growth came from evangelical and
Pentecostal churches, which exceed 25 % of the total. Excitement grew in the
hall as she described high interest in Bible study and prayer. But then she
asked, "Do any of you know where I am from?" Many guesses were called
out, all of which were wrong. She finally said: "I am from Rwanda"-the
same country in which, in 1994, 600,000 Tutsis and 400,000 Hutus died, many of
them slaughtered with machetes as they huddled in churches. "In all of your
zeal for evangelism, you brought us Christ but never taught us how to
live."
If the end is in sight, how do we explain Rwanda, as well as other so-called
Christian countries where unrestrained materialism, oppression of the
underprivileged, and deterioration of moral values increase annually? Surely
these are not the consequences envisioned by our Lord when he said, "Go and
make disciples ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"
(Matt. 28:18-20). To put it bluntly, something has gone wrong with the harvest.
To be sure, the church has always held its treasure in an earthen vessel.
Blemishes are inevitable, no matter what we do. Nevertheless, the missions
community must shoulder its share of the blame for the current state of affairs.
The problem, I believe, is that we are perpetuating paradigms of world missions,
some of which date back to the late 1800s, some of which are more modern
creations. Tragically, many of the results that we enthusiastically applaud
deviate pretty far from what Jesus taught and demonstrated by his life.
Legendary evangelist Dwight L. Moody correctly captured the mood of evangelicals
at the end of the 19th century when he declared, "I look upon the world as
a wrecked vessel. God has given me a lifeboat and said to me, 'Moody, save all
you can.' " Dreams of transforming society with the gospel had been dashed
after the Civil War (since society would be transformed only by Christ when he
returned in glory). This left only one option: a single-minded focus on
evangelism as the mission of the church.
Even though times have changed in dramatic ways, I still hear many evangelicals
calling to evangelize the maximum number of unreached people in the shortest
possible time. In many evangelical mission organizations, there is little more
than surface recognition of God's call for social justice to alleviate the
burdens of ignorance, poverty, hunger, racism, the struggle for cultural
identity, and other forms of oppression (Amos 5:21; Luke 3:10-14, 4:18-21).
Os Guinness, in arguing that the church is "privately engaging, socially
irrelevant," uses the Cheshire Cat analogy from Lewis Carroll's Alice in
Wonderland. In this fable, the cat gradually loses its identity until all that
remains is its famous lingering grin. Guinness writes that the church (and the
missionary enterprise, I would add) has so removed social transformation from
its agenda, only a "lingering grin" remains.
What a contrast to John Wesley's vision of the church as a body "compacted
together in order, first, to save each his own soul; then to assist each other
in working out salvation; and afterwards, as far as in them lies, to save all
from present and future misery, to overturn the kingdom of Satan, and to set up
the kingdom of Christ." Wesley and others demonstrated in the 18th and 19th
centuries that disciples are made through evangelism coupled with sweeping
social transformation.
To be sure, since the historic Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in
1974, a consensus has been growing that we can no longer em brace the lifeboat
theory that focuses solely on rescuing drowning souls. As John Stott said,
"If in the public ministry of Jesus the audible proclamation of the kingdom
was accompanied by a visible demonstration of its arrival, words and deeds
cannot be separated in our generation."
It's also true that evangelicals hold different views about the relationship
between evangelism and social justice. Some say social transformation is a
consequence of evangelism; others, that it is a bridge to evangelism (people see
our demonstrated concern for their needs and thus give the gospel a hearing);
others still, that it is a full partner with evangelism. To my mind, partnership
is the only option that takes seriously the call to both evangelism and social
justice, the full-orbed mandate of working for the kingdom of God. The story of
modern missions shows that anything less truncates the gospel of the kingdom.
The Altar of Success
Jesus' central concern was not to convert as many people as possible during
his ministry but to empower a new generation of believers to extend his kingdom
throughout all of society. In short, his call in the Great Commission was to
make disciples, not converts. He accepted that only a minority would respond to
his call. As I read the
New Testament as a whole, numerical growth seems to be the fruit of a pure and
blameless church, not a goal in itself.
So why has there been such a preoccupation with mobilizing the church to make
the maximum number of converts? To a high degree, of course, it reflects the
prevailing outlook since the time of Moody. But it also reflects a response to a
mandate, during the historic Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in 1974,
to be better stewards in all that we
are called to do. Lausanne delegates called for strategic thinking characterized
by environmental analysis, identification of the unreached, goal-setting,
church-planting, and evaluation.
This was long overdue. We were largely failing to penetrate the vast numbers of
unevangelized people groups worldwide. A large part of the church had become
passive and held secular managerial practices as suspect. This unease, still
widespread in some quarters, also reflected a legitimate concern about
undertaking human initiatives without proper reliance on the Holy Spirit.
The call for change gave rise to strategies that produce results. Consequently,
numerical church growth emerged as a primary measurable objective. Donald J.
McGavran, the strongest advocate of what came to be known as church-growth
theory, contended that numerical church growth is the "chief and
irreplaceable goal of world mission."
Proponents of numerical growth were quick to point out that God is not willing
for any to perish. In my career as a strategic thinker and researcher I also
have echoed some of these themes. But over the course of the last two decades, I
have found myself increasingly wrestling with the sober warning of Jesus:
"Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few
find it" (Matt. 7:14).
Far too many claims of numerical success are based on partial or misleading
indicators-for example, the number who come forward or who pray the sinner's
prayer. Such actions can be motivated by many things apart from interest in the
gospel-sometimes it's just social pressure or courtesy. One Japanese leader
confided a number of years ago, "If we
counted the number of reported conversions since the end of World War II, we
would have more Christians than people." In some missions circles,
evangelism is still defined as verbal presentation of the plan of salvation,
much like skillful selling in the secular world. Missionaries are thus tempted
to use mass media (TV, radio, literature, and film) as the secular world uses
them-to tell people about our "product."
Once this occurs, regardless of response, a person (or even a people group) is
often declared as "reached" or evangelized. On the other hand, our
tendency to abandon so-called unproductive fields or strategies violates the
lessons of church history. Consider the Quichua Indians of Ecuador, who were
considered foremost among the resistant people groups of their time. Even though
70 years of missionary activity yielded only a handful of converts, a vast
people movement broke out in 1965 that established a thriving and vital church.
One missionary was identified as the person of greatest spiritual influence on
those who later became followers of Christ, even though she went to her death
having seen no converts.
In our zeal for mass conversion and standard strategies, we overlook the fact
that evangelism requires far more than effective methods. The gospel is not a
consumer product to be marketed by drawing from a strategic toolkit. People come
to faith in Christ through a uniquely personal process that takes place over
time and is the result of multiple influences. Our message should be spoken by a
changed life reflected in daily actions rather than by carefully honed words.
Somehow we have forgotten Peter's charge (1 Peter 3:15) to give a reason for the
hope that is within us (assuming that someone notices and asks).
Missions would be better served by returning to the example of Jesus, who walked
and lived among those whom he served, who took time to understand their
spiritual awareness, fears, and dreams. I believe it is time to admit that our
worship at the altar of success all too often reflects secular preoccupations
rather than biblical fidelity. The Lausanne Covenant speaks prophetically to
this issue: We acknowledge that we ourselves are not immune to worldliness of
thought and action, that is, to a surrender to secularism ... desirous to insure
a response to the gospel, we have compromised our message, manipulated our
hearers through pressure techniques, and have become unduly preoccupied with
statistics or even dishonest in our use of them. Though we must continue to plan
our missions efforts wisely, we should do so in humble, prayerful dependence on
God's leading, exercising great caution when we use secular models. We should
also inculcate in ourselves a healthy sense of caution as plans are implemented,
setting aside numerical growth as a sign of success.
Bang for the Buck
Matters are made even worse because churches and agencies in all parts of
the world find themselves in competition for increasingly scarce financial
resources. The western model of capital-intensive, high-salaried ministry
sustained by energetic fundraising has not been lost on the nonwestern Christian
world. Contrary to the model of Jesus and his disciples, the most frequently
heard lament worldwide centers on the extent to which ministry is hampered by
inadequate funds.
I am disturbed to observe the extent to which churches and agencies have lost
sight of the basic principle that God expects his people to use the resources
they have, no matter how meager, unless he directs differently (Phil. 4:12-19).
The tragic outcome is a debilitating dependency on outside funding that
virtually nullifies local initiative. It is now generally accepted that
fundraising is an inevitable necessity for world-mission organizations. So savvy
marketers are hired to tailor their mission pitches to contemporary donors,
persuading donors that their mission agency delivers "the most bang for the
buck"-meaning greater numbers are generated by a ministry.
Few ministries today are free from the need to raise funds by means of modern
marketing techniques. And the temptation is to make a priority of
"salable" ministries-especially evangelism of the lost. But what
happens when other legitimate ministry needs do not match donor priorities?
Things like leadership development or social justice are downscaled or even
abandoned because they cannot pay for themselves. Certainly some donors have
become enamored with a success mentality, especially major institutional or
private donors, and need to be cautioned about the possibility of "muzzling
the ox" (Deut. 25:4) by failing to support the very issues that are closest
to the heart of our Lord. Nevertheless, reform must originate with those who ask
for funds. We must be willing to take a decisive step away from donor-driven
ministry and place faith in the Lord's commitment to provide all that we
legitimately need. God has declared that the cattle on a thousand hills are his
(Psalm 50:10), that he alone will provide for those who "seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness" (Matt. 7:33). It is often his plan to
impress upon donors their need to respond generously, but this decision must be
motivated by the King, not by direct marketers.
This reform begins, of course, with a willingness to abandon the specious
assumption that a healthy ministry always must grow. God, on the other hand, may
be far more concerned with abandoning unproductive programs, downscaling where
necessary, and living within the means he provides-and doing so with gratitude.
I suggest a return to an old, old way of fundraising: prayer and fasting.
Admittedly this sounds pat, perhaps even naïve to some. But the longer I've
wrestled with these issues, the more I'm convinced it is at least the place to
start. There is no better acknowledgment of Christ's lordship than to allow him
to choose how and in what fashion he will meet valid needs.
Missions Beyond Growth
I praise God that in the last two centuries at least some Christian presence
has been built up in all but a handful of the world's people groups. It is
entirely appropriate to rejoice in what God has accomplished through an untold
number of obedient servants. Nevertheless, I believe we must acknowledge
that the time has arrived when we are called by our Lord to move away from
continued evangelistic mobilization and to build upon that existing Christian
presence.
In short, we must make disciples of these nations by making a renewed commitment
to spiritual formation, not to numerical growth. We should make it our aim to
transform a stumbling and needy world church into a potent force for Christ and
his kingdom. This will call for repentance accompanied by sharp and even
wrenching changes in world-mission paradigms and practices, which though
appropriate in an earlier era, are sadly out of step with today's
realities.
By James F. Engel, posted 8/11/00)
<http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/009/3.54.html>
see also: <http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.asp?>
James Engel is founder of Development Associates International and professor
emeritus at Eastern College. He is coauthor of the classic Promotional Strategy:
An Integrated Marketing Communication Approach (now in its ninth edition). With
William Dyrness he wrote Changing the Mind of Missions (InterVarsity).
(Christianity Today, August 7, 2000)
Share your insights---> http://www.nppn.org/commentform.htm
___________________________________________________>>>
25. ELGIN, IL: PASTORS AND
INTERCESSORS
>From: "Chuck Straka" <straka1@usexpress.net>
Elginıs House of Prayer for the Nations - "By His Grace and
For His Glory"
Housed at Templo Calvario 270 E. Chicago Street , Elgin, Illinois
There will be corporate praise and prayer meetings Tuesday mornings the month of
August and a special seminar beginning August 28. The fall schedule will begin
September 1st and will include daytime and evening meetings, training
workshops and gatherings.
Tuesday mornings 8:30 - 9:00 am
Heart Preparation
Tuesday August 21, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Focus: Pastor & Intercessors Partnerships with Pastor Phil Miglioratti NPPN
Worship Pastor
Phil Carter
NPPN Pastors and Intercessors -- "Live at the HOP" with Phil
Miglioratti
Founder and Facilitator of National Pastors Prayer Network
Tuesday, August 21, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Heart Preparation
8:30- 9:00 am
Praise & Prayer
9:00 -- 10:00
am
PIP Forum
10:00
-- 10:30 am
This time of interaction will help us discover strengths and weaknesses of the
pastor- intercessor partnership. These Forums will take place each month on the
third Tuesday. Designed as an open forum we hope that the information that is
gleaned will help those who subscribe and read PIP (Pastors and Intercessors
Partnership) published on the National Pastors' Prayer Network.
Tuesday August 28,
9:00 - 10:30 am Focus: Missions/ Evangelism
Worship
Cathy Carter
10:30 - 11:30 am Mark Engel,
"Muslims in Our City, What Would Jesus Have Me Do?"
This seminar is for awareness and godly preparation to pray and understand how
to reach the Muslims living in your neighborhood.
Mark Engel: Four years ago Mark and his family moved from Elgin to Chicago
to live among Muslim people in an immigrant community of people from India and
Pakistan. Mark is an International Teams missionary who is midway through his
masterıs degree in Ministry to Muslims. He and his family share their lives and
faith with their Muslim and Hindu neighbors in the city. They are also very
involved with the South Asian Friendship Center, an interdenominational outreach
to the Muslims and Hindus of "Little India" in Chicago.
Please mark your calendars and join Mark Engel at Elginıs House of Prayer for
this continuing seminar September 25, October 23 and November 27. Be
encouraged as we discuss and pray about (Biblically) God's heart for the alien
(OT), and our status as aliens and ambassadors in this world (NT).
Chuck & Sheila Straka, Elgin's House of Prayer for the Nations
Please call 847-695-5133 for more information or email at Straka1@usexpress.net
=============================================================
Phil Miglioratti, National Pastors' Prayer Network. 1130 Randville Drive,
Palatine, IL 60074
847-991-0153 ~ 847-358-9337(fax) ~ http://www.nppn.org
~ email: phil@nppn.org
Register your PPG: http://www.nppn.org/ppg/
Sheila Straka ~ Intercession: sheila@nppn.org
Chuck Straka ~ Web Master: straka1@nppn.org
Adam Shields ~ Tech Support: Updates@nppn.org
--->Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or
"Confidential" all information and comments sent to phil@nppn.org will
be considered for use in a future NPPN Update.
--->Send all Email attachments as "text" (rather than in a specific
program).
--->Copyright 2001. 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
any other person or organization
=============================================================