*    A NOTE FROM PASTOR PHIL
*    CLARIFICATION
1.    CATCHING UP WITH RAY BAKKE
2.    ST. LOUIS: 5 CIRCLES OF UNITY
3.    ELGIN, IL: CONFERENCE FOR PRAYING PASTORS
4.    NEW ENGLAND: PRAYER POINTS
5.    TAKING DOWN THE WALLS CITY BY CITY
6.    MANCHESTER (NH) PRAYER NETWORK
7.    COLUMBUS, OH: PASTORS AND THEIR MEN
8.    CENTRAL OHIO: PASTORS LUNCH
9.    MIDWEST: CITY IMPACT ROUNDTABLE
10.    QUESTION TO YOUR PPG
11.    CHICAGO: PRAYER FOR CHILDREN & SCHOOLS
12.    MINNEAPOLIS: RADIO DAY OF PRAYER
 *    NPPN CONNECTIONS
13.    CHARLOTTE: Pray for CareFest Charlotte!
14.    PHOENIX, AZ: CITIES FOR CHRIST
15.    CITY TRANSFORMATION IN THE EARLY CHURCH
 

    The item, "Thoughts About Redemptive Gifts" was a summation of the information on Arthur Burke's first tape in a set on the Redemptive Gifts of Cities.  This presentation of his work was sent by Becky Kennard.
    http://www.plumblineministries.com/  
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>From: roger@cityvoices.com

CityVoices newsletter: August 21, 2003
 

Catching Up With Ray Bakke: Global Education for an Urban World
 

In the year 2000, Dr. Ray Bakke and the International Urban Associates ministry made a very intentional move: from Chicago, where Bakke had ministered since the 1960s, to the Pacific Rim city of Seattle, near Ray’s ancestral home. The move allowed Ray and his wife Corean, to build a home in Saxon, Washington (100 miles north of Seattle) and also allowed Ray to jump-start a new phase of his global education ministry. This summer we talked to Ray Bakke about some of the changes in his ministry these past three years. This is a first installment on Catching Up With Ray Bakke.
 

Ray, since moving back to Washington three years ago, are you in any way a different kind of urban Christian?
 

What is different is that I’m probably more global than local, in that sense. And I think that means that I’m more missiological than sociological these days. In other words, the shift to thinking about these cities in other cultures means that I’m reading books like "The Geography of Thought," by cultural psychologists. Asian thought stems from Confucius, western thought stems from Aristotle; there’s a whole different history of how we think about things. Is this urban? Well, yes; but it’s a bigger field of vision. A bit more theoretical, but it’s related to urban theology that I’ve always been doing. Let’s face it. We don’t have to talk about the urban world any more. Most people now live in cities. In fact, city living has now become attractive!
 

How different has this transition been over the past few years?
 

There’s a bit of an identity shift. In Seattle I’m a bit of a symbol. Everything I had previously done had been far away, but now I’m close up. Some people are surprised to see me. But there are some other things about this transition.

It now takes me twice as long to fly anywhere! I have to leave the day before speaking engagements, and fly hours going east! That’s a piece that takes some getting used to. We have to prepare my calendar differently. Travel is become much harder since 9/11.

The other thing has to do with Corean (my wife) and me. We have not at all regretted living in a little log cabin (for our first two years out west) and then moving into our new house at Saxon. We must have had 300 guests during our first year in our new house. Corean continues to learn new music, including an all-Russian program which she will perform at our house on October 5th. We have over 75 Russian churches between Bellingham and Olympia. These are mostly new Russian refugee churches, many huge. We’re getting to know Russian and Ukrainian pastors. We think her October concert will bring out quite a few Russians, along with neighbors. It should be fun.
 

How do American Christians, passionate urban Christians at that, still need to alter their world view when it comes to ministering in the great cities of both the developed and the two-thirds world?
 

I’ve become more impressed than ever with the fact that more that up to 80 percent of the world’s Christians are not western, not northern, not white. They’re not Americans, in other words. We still have people in America who think that the whole world is like us. That we can just stand and assume everybody wants to be an American, so we can go taking over every place. Well, that’s not true. We are 4.5 percent of God’s earth - 4.5 percent and shrinking. Our role is not to lead the world, but to build relationships with such integrity that we can share what we have learned, without demanding that others follow us.

This is the first generation of new Christians where each one thinks they are "Catholic" in their own culture – they’re the only thing they know about. There’s a legitimate role for Westerners to bring other people together and help introduce the right hand to the left, so that they can tell their own stories.

Philip Jenkins ("The Next Christendom") reminds us that the new Christians are going to be biblical literalists. They’re going to be more Holy Spirit motivated. They’re going to be tribal. They’re going to expect miracles. They are not only postmodern, but in many ways pre-modern! They’ve never denied the miracles. These new Christians are very comfortable using miraculous language. It’s probably important for people to know that they aren’t going to be as open on the gay issue or gender issues as westerners have been. The church will be contextual in tribal structures again. If the tribe has women leaders, then the church will have women leaders. If the tribe has an eldership model, then the church will have elders. If the tribe doesn’t, they won’t. We won’t be able to force our Western structures upon them.

I can remember a few years ago sitting in a church in China being overwhelmed with the fact that Christianity is no longer a Western religion at all! It never was until the 5th century. From the 5th till the 19th century, Christianity became a Western religion. But now it’s not. It’s going to take the shape of Oriental cultures, Latin cultures, African cultures. And we’re going to feel uncomfortable. The music and our favorite liturgies aren’t going to be their liturgies. We’re going to be offended by stuff. But we’re going to have to be as open as we’ve expected church elders to be to new generations of American young people. There will be many styles of worship. Statistically, there may be more missionaries coming to America than sent from America these days. And they’re coming to convert us.

For further information on the programs and seminars in which Dr. Bakke is teaching these days, contact http://www.nwgs.edu. 

For specific information on Dr. Ray Bakke, his travel schedule and availability for speaking engagements, contact Julie Gustavson, IUA, 1013 – 8th Avenue, Suite 405, Seattle, WA 98104, ph: (206) 381-8893, seattleiua@earthlink.net.

Look for more information on Dr. Ray Bakke’s ministry in a future edition of CityVoices.
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2.    ST. LOUIS: 5 CIRCLES OF UNITY
 

>From: "Harold & Joan Hendrick" <hhhendrick@usa.com>

    At the recent St. Louis City Impact Roundtable – a great inspiration to those who attended -- Dr. Larry Lewis offered guidelines for helping us advance the kind of unity for which Jesus prayed.  In the inner circle of his illustration are our basics, which are nonnegotiable: Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came from Heaven, lived a sinless life, died as a sacrifice for our sins, rose again from the dead, and Who provides salvation to all who come to him by repentance and faith in Him alone.
    There can be no wavering or compromise on these basics. Spiritual unity requires a unity in the Person of Jesus Christ.  But in the illustration, in the sequential outer circles beyond the basics are (2) interpretations, (3) conjecture, (4) traditions, and (5) preferences.  We must not give up or negotiate away the basics.  But we can still function in spiritual unity even though we have differences in interpretations, conjecture, traditions, and preferences. Think about it.  And ask yourself if you are a part of the answer of the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-23.
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>From: Tom Severson <severson9@juno.com>

Pastor's Conference: “How to have a "Great Commandment Church" with special guest speaker, Pastor Dee Duke of Jefferson Baptist Church in Jefferson, Oregon.

Pastor Duke has been the senior pastor for Jefferson Baptist Church in Jefferson, Oregon, for twenty-five years and has made prayer the central focus of his church for more than thirteen years.  Jefferson Baptist has grown from 200 to 1500 worshipers in a rural community of 1700 people!He and his wife Patty have eight children.  Dee authored the book "The Time is Now - Developing a Lifestyle of Prayer" upon which the seminar is based.  

Make the time to attend this conference, it will change you Life, your Leadership and your Ministry.  Discover the 12 blessings that God promises to churches that become a genuine "House of Prayer" October 28th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and October 29th from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Location:  First Baptist Church of Elgin, 1735 W. Highland Ave., Elgin, IL  (send registration to this address, attn: Lynn Robinson). Call Lynn Robinson for information at (847) 695-8700

Registration
    Church
    Name
    Address
    City............................................State..........Zip.......

______Pastor                        $50        (lunch included both days)

______Pastor's Wife             $20        (lunch included both days)

______Lay Person                $40        (lunch included both days)

Total.....................................$_______
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>From: "New England Concerts of Prayer" <necp@necp.org>

Praise Report from the Schemitzun Pow Wow in CT:
    Worship and praise consisted of both Native and English songs. In each of the services we also used a Big Drum and Hand Drums as instruments of Praise. The children's service on Saturday morning enjoyed puppet ministry and a mime skit presented in song. We ended with Communion on Sunday morning. The entire tent meeting event and Pow Wow was great, and a privilege to be a part of. Please continue to pray for the Partners in Reconciliation group, meeting again on Sept. 19.

Praise Report from Martha's Vineyard:
    Whatever God is doing in New England, Martha's Vineyard certainly figures in it largely. The Prayer Mission really began on Wed. night at Fair Haven Chapel in Essex. Caring Hands of the Praying Indians and Negiel Bigpond of the Euchee and Creek tribes unexpectedly joined forces in adopting those present as praying Indians. Both races need to partner together in the tribe of Jesus Christ in order to step up to the level of authority needed to reclaim the land. On Thursday morning Negiel had an opportunity to bless the mayor of Salem, MA, which was gladly received. Right after that, he shared on Father Tom DiLorenzo's radio program the understanding of the native peoples’ authority over the land. The Mission reconvened on Martha's Vineyard the next night and through Sunday. A high point of the time on the island was prayer for the head of the Wampanoag Tribal Council, which occurred at the oldest Native American church in America near Aquinnah. At one point the Praying Indians on the Vineyard numbered in the thousands due to a revival which began with Thomas Mayhew in 1646. The purpose of the Mission was to reopen that well of revival represented by the Praying Indians as well as the revival well connected with the Methodist campground at Oak Bluffs. Thanks to Shelli Baker who organized these meetings.

Please pray re the Dalai Lama's visit to this country:
    The Dalai Lama is speaking {now past} at MIT tomorrow and Friday. For those who are able, intercessors will meet Thursday and Friday, 7:30 AM, before the conference (the conference starts 9am) at Cresge Auditorium next to the Student Center and in front of the building 55 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.

Check our website: www.necp.org 
Check also the Prayer Wall website: www.prayerwall.net 
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5.    TAKING DOWN THE WALLS CITY BY CITY
 

6.    MANCHESTER (NH) PRAYER NETWORK
 

>From: "Dave Boyle" <dboyle@newlife.com>

Hi Phil,
    I wanted to let you know that we'll be in Columbus, OH on November 13 and 14.  It's a two-day seminar giving pastors and other ministry leaders the training and equipping that they need to work with men in the church who are struggling with sexual integrity issues.  This is the closest that we will come to Chicago, which I believe is where you are located.  The cost is $375.00 for the two days, which includes meals and lodging.  If you or someone you know is interested, have them give me a call at 888 550-8975 x4.  Thanks Phil, hope to talk to you soon.
 
Blessings, Dave Boyle, Director of Ministry Relations
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>From: FloodGate Vision <phoy@gccn.org>

All Central-Ohio Pastors and Ministry Leaders are Invited to Attend the Capital City Association of Ministers & Churches [C-CAM] Monthly Luncheons held the first Tuesday of each month.

C-CAM is a relationship based association made up of area Christian leaders from many diverse streams and denominations. C-CAM meets monthly at a different church in the city for lunch (provided by the host church), mutual encouragement, worship and prayer, exchange of relevant information, and to determine effective ways to cooperate to complete Christ's mandate to win Columbus and Central Ohio to Jesus Christ.

C-CAM's Commitment to Christian Unity states that, "As an association of churches in the greater Columbus area, we agree to do everything possible to stand together in Christian unity.  The Bible instructs us in Ephesians 4:3, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  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 and in all."

C-CAM believes that it is time for the people of God to stand together in unity, building each other up and taking special care not to tear down other valid expressions of the body of Christ.  C-CAM members (a) recognize there is only one body of Christ in our city, and agree to do everything possible to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with all true Christians from every denominational background; (b) agree not to criticize or speak in a derogatory or condemning way about other pastors or church fellowships and take care not to compete with or compare themselves to other expressions of the body of Christ - either positively or negatively; (c) do whatever possible to help people who may come from another congregation resolve any conflicts or hurts that may have incurred from their previous experience; (d) agree to communicate any relevant information about a transference of membership by an individual between fellowships represented in C-CAM; (e)  agree to practice the teaching of Romans 12:18, which states, "If possible, as much as lies within you, be at  peace with all men.

If you would like to make a reservation to attend or be placed on the monthly luncheon invitation list, call Trinity Family Life Center at 614.837.8356.  
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>From: FloodGate Vision <phoy@gccn.org>

Midwest Regional City Impact Roundtable Set for September 29-30 at the Ramada Conference Center in Bellville, Ohio. This two-day Roundtable will be packed with content and new relationships as transformational leaders engage in discussion, relevant presentations and Q&A focusing on "The Whole Church Taking The Whole Gospel To Reach The Whole City".  Paul Hoy, Executive Director of FloodGate and Conference Chairman, personally invites you to gain a better understanding of what God is doing in cities across our region and discovery new ways God is expanding His Kingdom and how to join Him in the process. You will find the opportunity to form new relationships with experienced city-reaching practitioners and facilitators from Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.

Who Should Attend?  Men and women who "want to be mobilized" to make a difference in their community - Pastors with Kingdom-sized vision to reach their communities - Prayer Leaders who serve the church throughout the city - Ministers of compassion, justice, social service and youth - Business, Legal and Civic Leaders who serve as "marketplace missionaries"

Roundtable Session Format for each session will be a presentation followed by small group roundtable discussion, wrap-up and action steps.  This format emphasizes open idea and vision sharing of experiences and best practices and facilitates new relationships.

Monday, September 29 is the Opening Session from 12:30 – 4:00 on What Is The Whole Church? The Lead Facilitator is Copi Valdiviez Dawn Projects for Jesus, Toledo. The Facilitation Team includes Denny Westover The Church in the City, Charleston, WV and Tom Hare HarvestNet Institute, Cleveland.

Dinner will be at the Dutch Heritage with special Speaker Glen Barth, and the Evening Session will be on What Is The Whole Gospel? The Lead Facilitator is Paul Hoy FloodGate, Columbus and Mission America Associate, Ohio Valley Region. The Facilitation Team includes Wally Martinson Nehemiah Leadership Foundation, Springfield,  Gary Gepfrey Bridge Ministries, Dayton, Rev C. Jay Matthews Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Cleveland, and  Paul Dozeman City Restoration Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.

Tuesday, September 30, the Morning Session will follow breakfast and will cover Implementing a Citywide Prayer Movement. The Lead Facilitator is Ron Thaxton Pray West Virginia and Mission America Associate, Appalachian Region. The  Facilitation Team includes Tyna Valentine Second Baptist Church, Columbus, Libby Stithem Pray West Virginia, Charleston, WV, and Emeritus Pastors Rey and Annie Dempsey Christ the King, Columbus. The lunch will cover Book of Prophecies Concerning the Ohio Valley Region.  The Speaker is Dr. John Watson Marion Christian Center and Ohio Coordinator for the Strategic Prayer Network.  The Afternoon Session will cover What is the whole city? The Lead Facilitators are Rev. Tossie Wiley Cleveland and Pastor Bob Offerdahl Christ Church Presbyterian, Youngstown. The Facilitation Team includes Ford Taylor Transformation Cincinnati & Northern KY, Tyler Flynn Mission Columbus Leader Team, Columbus.

Registration includes lodging and meals. The cost is $140 (single) and $104 (double). To obtain a registration form, contact Paul Hoy, Roundtable Chairman at phoy@gccn.org  or 614.305.2025.

The Ramada Conference Center  is located at 1000 Comfort Plaza, Bellville, Oh at the I-71 Bellville – Lexington Exit 165. For directions visit  www.ramadabellville.com  or call 419.886.7000
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Many PPGs stagnate . . .
    What have you done to keep your praying fresh and faith-filled?

Click on phil@nppn.org and send us your feedback


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>From: Moms In Touch International<mcollier@MomsInTouch.org>

The recent publication of Fern Nichol's new book, Every Child Needs a Praying Mom, gives Moms In Touch and Zondervan a great opportunity to promote prayer for your children and their schools!
 
Join us for a powerful evening of prayer for the Chicagoland area with Fern Nichols.

We have seen how mightily God moves in response to our prayers-to guide us through uncertain times, to change lives, to restore hope and bring salvation to the lost. Imagine what He can do as we gather the church body in your community to pray together!

Come join us and bring your loved ones as we seek God's best for the lives of our kids and for their schools.
 
Saturday, October 4, 2003
Chicago, Illinois    -    Community Prayer Event

Sponsored by Zondervan Publishing House
Dads, moms, students, pastors, youth workers are encouraged to attend an evening of prayer for children and schools in the Chicagoland area.

Featured Speaker: Fern Nichols, President and Founder of MITI
Event location:  Elk Grove Baptist Church, 801 Beisner Road, Elk Grove Village, IL
Time: 7:30-9:00pm
Contact: Phyllis Hamby, 847.683.7361 or mitiIL@MomsInTouch.org

Take 355/290/53; to East on Biesterfield Road; 1st stoplight go North (left) on Beisner (Alexian Brothers Hospital). Elk Grove Baptist Church is on the right just past the hospital parking garage.
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>From: "Prayer Transformation Ministries" <PTM@prayertransformation.com>
>At: http://www.prayertransformation.com/

KTIS Praise and Prayer Day is September 29th from 6 am to 6 pm. They are needing people who would be willing to man the phones for either three or four hour shifts to take praises and prayer requests. It is always a great time, and such a blessing to those who serve the Body of Christ in this way.

If you would be interested in serving, please contact Kim Brown at 651-631-5025 or email her at: klbrown@nwc.edu
Thanks for your participation in this great time of blessing.

Your servant in Christ,
Steve Loopstra
Executive Director, Prayer Transformation Ministries
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>From: "Metrolina PrayerLetter" <prayer@metrolinaprayer.net>

Please pray for this special citywide ministry outreach in November.  If your congregation would sense God's leading to take part in this trans-denominational event, please let us know. We will be having special prayer emphases in October, so stay tuned.   Thank you for praying and serving Jesus in the Charlotte area!
Bob Lowman, Metrolina Prayer Network    /   704.377.9953

Scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, CareFest Charlotte 2003 is a day of outreach ministries in which churches blanket Charlotte with Christ's love by meeting practical needs.  However, the vision extends way beyond a single day.

    €Imagine people laughing and enjoying themselves as they help renovate and landscape schools.  Imagine couples gathering for parenting classes.
    €Imagine people attending financial management seminars.  Imagine elderly people who live alone being visited on a regular basis.  
    €Imagine all this and much more happening DAILY in neighborhoods throughout Charlotte.  This vision begins with CareFest!

NOW is the time to begin preparations with three simple steps.

1. Pray for CareFest Charlotte 2003.  Ask your prayer team to pray for God to give wisdom to the CareFest Charlotte leadership team, reveal the ministry projects in which He would have your church participate and build relationships between your church and the people to whom you minister through CareFest so that the ministry continues on an ongoing basis.

2. Let Rob Quinn, CareFest Charlotte team leader (robwquinn@hotmail.com);  Dana Hall, ministry projects team leader (danahall@bellsouth.net), or me (deana@metrolina.org) know of your church's commitment to participate.

3. Please confirm if you will once again serve as your church's coordinator.  If there will be a new coordinator, please send his or her name to Rob, Dana or Deana.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rob, Dana or me.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in making the CareFest vision a reality!  God worked through you last year to make CareFest Charlotte 2002 an eternal success!!!!

God bless!
Deana Nail, Missions/Ministries Consultant
Baptist Metrolina Ministries
328 W. Carson Blvd., Charlotte, NC  28203
704-375-1197    /   704-375-6508 (fax)
deana@metrolina.org
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>From: "Greg Brown" <pgreg@qwest.net>

Our Cities for Christ Prayer meeting is located in the West Valley of the Greater Phoenix area.

Pastor’s prayer cell is every Tuesday at 8:00 AM.  We are located at 13419 W. Ocotillo Rd. Glendale, AZ our phone # is 623-935-4858; call for personal directions and one of our competent receptionist will get you here safely.  Thank you for adding our information to your list, Pastor Greg


I never forgot how I felt as a new pastor in a small church.  My mission was to provide a safe network for pastors to engage in something that would empower them and encourage them beyond their existing situations.  I started a prayer cell for pastors in the far west valley.  We then included a time for leaders to join the pastors.  We put on a conference to build up the saints, and finally a vision was cast in 1997 to form Cities for Christ.  

Cities for Christ is a group that has an intentional gathering of pastors and churches to give a tangible expression of Christ to our community. Our mission is fulfilled by the following . . .

1.      Weekly prayer cell for pastors

2.      Weekly prayer cell for leaders

3.      Monthly service to the local community by members of several congregations

4.      Annual “Coldwater Christmas Outreach”  This combines churches, businesses, schools, and civic groups to provide two thousand presents and a wonderful Christmas party for the needy children and families in our area.  This is a reproducible event for other cities.

5.      Joy of Jesus Camp for Fatherless children. This camp is for the hard core fatherless kid that never sees the outside of the inner city. They will see the country, make mentor relationships and get the love of Jesus though the local churches caring about them.  This camp takes place every summer.

6.      Finally,  our congregations gather on specific dates for worship and prayer for the city.  This could be Easter Sun Rise, or National Day of prayer, or one time we brought in the team from Cali Columbia from the Transformational video.
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