National
Pastors' Prayer
Network
RESOURCES For Pastors, Prayer Leaders, City Reachers
- 09/15/2003
I N T H I S U P D A T E . . . . . and for
our prayers:
Friends, it is not too
late to plan a simple yet sincere act of appreciation to your Pastor during
October for National Clergy Appreciation Month.
This update identifies several discounted resources and many good ideas. Don't
let an uninformed or uninterested congregation keep you from sending a card,
sending a gift or saying sincere words over the phone or in the hallway before
the meeting.
Pastor Phil
Practical Help For Your Pastor's Ministry
http://www.christianitytoday.com/magsubs/index.taf?_function=start&cc=l_rg_nppn
Leadership helps you
enrich, expand, and strengthen your ministry. Renew your energy for ministry
with Leadership's credible solutions, innovative ideas, and
compelling challenges.
Now, when you subscribe to Leadership journal at the special low
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_______________________________________________>>>
>From: "ANS Story" <ANS_Story@sheperd.com>
>By Bill Ellis
Scott Depot, WV (ANS) -- It is time to begin planning for Pastor Appreciation
Month which is observed every October. Why have such an event that may last for
a day or even a whole month?
Here are things I think about when I recall all that my pastor has meant to me
over the years.
He was always willing to talk with me about the important decisions I had to
make. If I asked, he would even offer suggestions as to what I might do.
He would pray with me concerning any problem I was facing or any burden I was
carrying.
I could call him anytime, day or night, and if he was available he would offer
his help. But those had to be emergencies, extremely difficult times when I or a
member of my family was facing a life or death situation. Never call your pastor
in the middle of the night just because you have a slight headache. Headaches
are highly contagious, even over the phone, when you call at those hours.
He spent many hours each week preparing his sermons for Sunday so he could feed
my heart and mind with eternal truth from the Word of God. Too many do not show
up to learn and be encouraged. Most church members would not have nearly so many
problems if they would listen to their pastor on Sunday.
My pastor helped me personally and was also available to assist my family and
friends with their problems.
My pastor always encouraged me as a student and as an adult.
He worked more hours per week for less pay and benefits and for the least amount
of vacation and time off than any other professional person in our congregation
and he did so without complaining.
What can a church do to show its appreciation for their pastor? Every person in
the church can get in on this. Be sure to include the children and youth.
Express your appreciation by the spoken word, a letter, note or card. Even a
brief phone call that simply says, Pastor, I love and appreciate you. You mean,
much to my family and me. Ill be praying for you this week. See you Sunday.
Make sure your pastor takes at least six weeks of vacation each year. You might
nudge him to do so by giving him extra money for each week he is gone. Many
pastors do not take their families on vacations because they cannot afford to do
so.
Pay all the expenses for at least two or more seminars and conferences each year
that will enhance his ability and ministry to his congregation. Be sure that he
is adequately supplied with a generous allowance for books, denominational
meetings on the local, state and national level. He is your chief congregational
representative to such meetings.
Spouses must be included in those expressions of love as well as the children.
There is also a designated month for spousal recognition. Never expect the
pastors spouse to work full-time for the church without generous compensation.
Be present for each service and also invite others to hear your pastor preach.
Help your pastor visit, enjoy, and minister in some other country every two or
three years. It will enhance his ministry and be a great blessing to you.
You and your family may want to do something out of the ordinary for your
pastor. Be sure to invite him and his family to visit with your family in your
home.
Name a Pastor Appreciation Committee and it will come up with hundreds of ways
to express your appreciation. One caution: Do not present him with a road map,
new tires and luggage if you want him to stay. Enjoy and appreciate your pastor.
He is a gift from God to you and your family.
Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on
every continent. He is the writer of more than 1600 columns and widely known as
a motivator utilizing enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while
speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to
business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human
problems make him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult
meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and
publisher.
For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper
or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV
25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089.
If this story has been forwarded to you, click here for your own subscription to
Assist News. <http://sheperd.com/assist/us/subscribe.htm>
If you no longer wish to receive Assist News via e-mail, click here to
unsubscribe <http://sheperd.com/assist/us/unsubscribe.htm> .
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: RiverOfLifeMailer@InChristsImage.org
TRANSFORMING PEOPLE TO TRANSFORM NATIONS
by Francis Frangipane
Don't Despair, Prepare!
Today, like no other time in history, we live in the season of spiritual
harvest. Researchers tell us that, worldwide, an average of over 800,000 people
each week are being born again into God's kingdom. Beloved, in powerful and
amazing ways, the Spirit of God is raising up true followers of Jesus Christ.
He is choosing ordinary people with extraordinary callings. Indeed, the Lord is
transforming men and women so He can transform cities and nations.
To fulfill this eternal mandate, the Holy Spirit is guiding the church back to
the simplicity and purity of conformity to Christ. Whether your desire is to see
your family transformed or your nation in revival, today is not the time to
despair, but to prepare. There were many terrible problems in the world when
Jesus began His ministry, but Christ knew a great harvest was coming. Thus,
Matthew tells us that, "when [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He went up on the
mountain;! and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And opening His
mouth He began to teach them" (Matt 5:1-2).
Jesus saw the multitudes and, in response, began to train His disciples. They
would not only represent Him in a theological sense, they would actually
re-present Him in the fullness of His power, character and message; everywhere
they went, they transformed the world around them.
In Christ's Image Training
In response to this day of opportunity, the Holy Spirit has given us a vision to
see hundreds of thousands of pastors, intercessors and students trained and
released into the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given us a very
simple strategy: become Christlike! Our confidence is that every time the
Father sees His Son manifest upon the earth, His heart is "well-pleased." Thus,
if we truly reveal Jesus, we too will awaken the pleasure of God. It is our
burning conviction that when the Father's pleasure is stirred, His redemptive
power soon follows.
Thus, to serve God in this season of harvest, In Christ's Image Training
provides two levels of foundational teaching, plus an onsite seminar. It also
offers a six month training opportunity where each student teaches Level One
material. Within approximately 18 months, the successful student can move
through each stage and receive commissioning and association.
The messages for Level One classes have been selected from the most important
encounters with God in Pastor Frangipane's life. Over time, the substance of
these values became the "landing strip" upon which the power of God emerged in
Pastor Francis' ministry. Level One training focuses upon the vision of
attaining Christlikeness, with added tracks on humility, prayer, and commitment
to unity in the body of Christ.
The student who successfully walks through this Level One training will receive
much more than just theological knowledge; the disciple will obtain a living,
functioning impartation from the Holy Spirit through Pastor Francis.
The messages are communicated via email and audio tapes, with an additional and
important opportunity to receive impartation through our annual onsite seminar.
Level Two introduces other national leaders with Pastor Frangipane, who also
have been anointed by God for this season of harvest.
For more information concerning how you can be part of this online school, visit
our website <http://frangipane.org/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=FaithHighway/10000/1000/728/greetings>.
God bless you!
A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Please visit our website <http://frangipane.org/>
to sign up for our weekly email message.
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: "Lee Raney" <dlraney@comcast.net>
As a church leader, have you ever looked at a crowd of people
with the compassion of Christ and asked, How can we share Jesus in todays
society and culture in a relevant way? With Try Jesus Outreach, churches can
effectively utilize the medium of the Internet to take the message of Jesus
right into the homes and everyday lives of people in need.
Try Jesus Outreach is centered around the TryJesus.com evangelistic website.
The site shares the Gospel through personal Life Stories, a Tough
Questions-Real Answers section for those wanting to know more about
Christianity, and the salvation plan for those ready to receive Christ.
Visitors not only receive the Gospel, but also can browse Outreach Sites of
churches in their area.
A Church Outreach Site is a mini-site embedded in the TryJesus.com website. It
is designed to introduce the unbeliever to a local church so they can check out
the church in the privacy of their home. Church Outreach Sites break down the
barriers for the unchurched so that they feel less apprehension about visiting
the church. Plus, because multiple churches in a city are on TryJesus.com, it
enable churches to work together to reach their city for Christ!
Try Jesus Outreach also offers outreach materials that connect with a churchs
Outreach Site. The impact of these materials is twofold: (1) provide a
connection point for a person to receive the Gospel (TryJesus.com), and (2)
introduce the seeker to the local church (Church Outreach Site).
How can a local church utilize these tools? There are three
aspects of TryJesus.com Outreach that provide evangelistic opportunities for
your church:
1. Church Outreach Site on TryJesus.com- Since unbelievers dont
typically visit church websites (and church websites are not designed for them
anyway), a church can have a Church Outreach Site- a mini-site on TryJesus.com
that is designed to introduce the unbeliever to the church. Participating
churches are TryJesus.com Partner Churches, and pay a monthly fee from $39-99 a
month (depending on video and other options). For a sample of such a partner
church page, visit TryJesus.com and enter the Keyword HopeFrisco on the home
page.
2. Try Jesus Outreach Materials- Invite Cards, Outreach Tracts,
and postcards can be used by a church to point people to TryJesus.com and
receive the Gospel, while also introducing them to their church at the same
time. As more and more churches in an area participate, the churches begin to
indirectly work together to reach their communities with the Gospel! Visit
www.tryjesus.com/outreach for more information.
3. Try Jesus Gear- T-shirts and other resources that Christians
can use to share their faith with others. The T-shirts have memorable phrases
like Got Questions? TryJesus.com and therefore point people to the
website where they can receive the Gospel. Imagine a teenager wearing such a
T-shirt to school and someone receiving Christ as a result! Great for youth
group or church T-shirts! Visit www.tryjesusgear.com for more
information.
A free resource for pastors and church leaders, E-vangelism Guide for the
Local Church, is available at
http://www.tryjesus.com/outreach. Churches can also email
info@tryjesus.com or call 469-287-1622
for additional information.
_______________________________________________>>>
"helping those in need by building capacity among faith-based initiatives"
Events Compassion Calendar
Models of Hope Compassion Field Notes
Faith Based Resources Legal Resources
Gift in Kind Clearinghouse Archives
Alliance Directory We Care Shopping
Classifieds
Public Initiatives
Private Initiatives Speak Out America!
Faith Based Resources Mission, Vision, Values
Statement of Belief WCA Leadership
Testimonials Public Initiatives
Private Initiatives Speak Out America !
Faith Based Resources News
http://www.wecareamerica.org/
We Care America is the first place to go for guidance about engaging your church
in social ministry, ministry models, and government funding.
http://www.ccda.org/
The Christian Community Development Association is the premier organization of
church-related community-serving programs.
http://www.performance-results.net/
Performance Results, Inc. assists non-profits with developing a plan of action
to measure the results of programs and services through outcome-based evaluation
(OBE).
http://www.guidestar.org/
GuideStar provides a current data-based of 850,000 non-profit organizations that
includes information regarding their operations, finances, etc
http://www.cpjustice.org/
The Center for Public Justice is the best source of information on Charitable
Choice and for insight
on the faith-based initiative.
http://www.hudsonfaithincommunities.org/
The Faith in Communities Initiative of The Hudson Institute, headed by Amy L.
Sherman, provides a wealth of information about how faith-based groups are
ministering to their communities.
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy is an excellent source of
news about faith-based issues and publishes guides to research and to policy
questions.
http://www.welfareinfo.org/
The Welfare Information Network is the best source of news about all aspects of
welfare reform.
Government Websites:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (For Faith-based
Centers follow the links to Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Justice,
Education, Health and Human Services).
http://www.nationalservice.org/
Corporation for National and Community Service is the government's agencies for
recruitment and mobilization of volunteers for social services.
We Care America · 2003 · All Rights Reserved Built by DIAWS Systems, Inc.
_______________________________________________>>>
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CONTACT FOR CHURCH SOFT/HARDWARE
>From: Pastor Brian Buckta <brianb@ccbnpts.com>
I serve a 9-state region in the Western US for Consistent Computer Bargains.
Consistent Computer Bargains, Inc. is a licensed reseller and discount
volume-licensing representative for several major lines, working exclusively
with Churches and Non-Profit Organizations. We have approached the
manufacturers on behalf of Churches, and we're able to offer you such products
as Microsoft Office 2003-Pro for as low as $69 per user. We have special
pricing with several major manufacturers of software & hardware, and we also
offer special pricing on Bible software by leading manufacturers, such as Logos,
Parsons, and Biblesoft. In addition, we have access to literally thousands of
different manufacturers' products, and we would be pleased to source any
software, hardware, or networking solution you need.
Our mission at CCB is to help you stretch your computer budget in any way we
can. We lobby directly with the manufacturers to secure the best possible
pricing we can for your computer software, hardware, and networking needs. It's
a win / win situation. We bring you the latest technology at below-market
prices, and you save precious budget dollars to use in other areas of your
ministry.
In His Service & Yours, Pastor Brian Buckta
Consistent Computer Bargains
Western US Church & School Division Manager
(866) 544-8544 / Fax (262) 886-3104
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox <newletters@pastors.com>
"If I were starting a new church today I would begin by recruiting five
volunteers for five unpaid staff positions:
* A Music/Magnification director to help prepare the worship services for
the crowd
* A Membership director to teach Class 101 and oversee the care of
members in the Congregation
* A Maturity director to teach Class 201 and oversee the Bible study
programs for the Committed
* A Ministry director to teach Class 301, interview people for ministry
placement, and supervise the lay ministries of the Core; and
* A Mission director to teach Class 401 and oversee our evangelism and
missions programs in the Community. As the church grew I would move these people
to part-time paid staff and eventually full-time. You can be purpose-driven
regardless of the size of your church." - Rick Warren
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: "Peter Dettman" <peter.dettman@celebration.fl.us>
My Prayer Team Praying Together to Glorify God
The Bible tells us that God is love, and by His grace we are saved. We are
invited to live an abundant and fruitful life through Jesus Christ who indwells
us through His Spirit.
We are commanded as disciples of Jesus to love God and share the love of God
with others, through His gift and power of prayer.
In response we are introducing My Prayer Team as a way to build prayer teams
around your family, friends, ministries and community to allow God to glorify
Himself and express His love through your lives.
The My Prayer Team TM concept is simple and relational. Simply invite a friend
to join together with you and ask them If you could pray for one another one
day each month on the day of their birthday. Then record your new prayer
team members contact information and prayer requests in the My Prayer Team
daily prayer scheduler to manage your prayer team members. These booklets also
include scriptural guidance and encouragement for your prayers. You can also
build your Prayer Teams online on our website at: www.myprayerteam.com. There is
room for prayers for seekers in the My Prayer Team TM booklets.
By creating your own prayer team, you can pray for and encourage each other to
draw closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Also as you pray for each
other you will be richly blessed by God and will:
· Build greater faith
· Enjoy more spiritual protection
· Have more divine opportunities
· Receive more heavenly guidance
· Bless and encourage your friends
· Naturally develop spiritual discipline
· Build stronger and deeper friendships
· Strengthen your pastor and church leaders
· See many more come to believe in Jesus Christ and
· Experience the glory of God in your lives.
Our Vision is to plant My Prayer Team TM booklets as seeds of prayer. We pray
that God will grow these seeds into trees of prayer, which will join together
into forests of prayer and then into a canopy of prayer covering the whole
earth!
All things are possible with God as He blesses us and others through His gift of
prayer. He invites us to partner with Him as He glorifies Himself through us in
our lives, our families, our churches, our communities and around the world.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Give the gift of prayer, the gift that keeps on giving
eternally.
We invite you to join us, as we are Praying Together to Glorify God.
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: "Leadership Weekly-HTML" <leadership-html@lists.christianitytoday.com>
>Reply-To: list-reply@lists.christianitytoday.com (Contact Leadership
Weekly-HTML)
A Note from Leadership Editor, Marshall Shelley
Every pastor I know is looking for ways to train the leaders and emerging
leaders in the congregation. Many churches have leadership retreats. Others send
teams to leadership conferences. Still others use articles from Leadership
journal or Leadership Weekly as the basis of discussion.
But let me add another tool to your kit: Church Communications Network (CCN),
Seminars by Satellite. CCN broadcasts top quality leadership training seminars
to churches throughout North America, live via satellite. All your leaders,
young and old, experienced or brand new, will benefit from great content
presented by outstanding resource people. Plus, you'll be able to interact with
the material and discuss ways to apply it in your own situation.
I'm especially excited about the CCN training event coming up Thursday, November
13, 2003. The topic is: "The Calling: Being a Leader; Being a Servant." Everyone
in ministry whether small-group leader, children's minister, worship leader,
youth pastor, or senior pastor has to be both a leader and a servant. Sometimes
it's not easy blending those two not-so-identical twin tasks. When do you assert
your leadership and when do you submit to other's expectations?
I'll be hosting this broadcast, drawing on recent survey data from the research
department of Christianity Today International. Joining me will be two of
today's leading pastors:
Leith Anderson of Wooddale Church near Minneapolis
Erwin McManus of Mosaic, an innovative congregation in Los Angeles
Together we'll be discussing servanthood, leadership, and how you serve a
congregation at the same time that you're leading it.
Everyone on your leadership team will benefit from the discussion. And you'll
have the opportunity to interact with the speakers, via phone, fax or e-mail,
and have your questions answered on the air.
If you'd like more information on hosting "The Calling: Being a Leader; Being a
Servant" at your church, click here <http://lists.christianitytoday.com/t/1049674/100730/28647/0/>
.
Copyright ©2003 ChristianityToday.com, Christianity Today International. All
rights reserved.
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: <circulation@outreachmagazine.com>
October is National Clergy Appreciation Month!
Do you have a Pastor or Associate that has touched your life? What better way to
express your gratitude to that special minister than to give them the gift of
Outreach.
Outreach magazine provides a year of insights and ideas to reach more for
Christ. In honor of National Clergy Appreciation month, we are offering a
special gift subscription package.
Your gift includes:
1 year (6 bimonthly
issues) to Outreach magazine
DVD The Great Debate: Atheism vs.Christianity
Personalized gift
card sent on your behalf
National Clergy Appreciation Month Subscription Package only $22.95
(a savings of $12.75 off the cover price!)
This is a limited time offer and made only to our valued subscribers!
Yes! I want to give the gift of Outreach magazine!
(CLICK HERE FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER) <https://subscribe.pcspublink.com/magazine/Outr/giftForm_OUTR.asp?track=JN03F1&pub=OUTR&term=6>
WWW.OUTREACHMAGAZINE.COM <http://www.outreachmagazine.com>
1-800-406-5319 Offer JN03F1
Offer expires October 31, 2003. Orders must be prepaid. $22.95 price valid for
US addresses only. For foreign subscriptions, add $10 for Canada, $20 for all
other countries.
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: <joey@gracebridge.org>
PRAYER & FASTING FOR KIDS -- A lighthearted, fast paced seven and a half minute
video narrated by kids for kids, ages 4-9, encourages kids to fast and pray for
other nations. The heart of the video is Isaiah 58's emphasis on the poor and
needy, and having a heart for justice. Many non-essential food items and
approaches are suggested in a light touch, kid friendly way.
You can order Prayer and Fasting for Kids, postage paid for $14.00 (US) by
ordering on line at
http://www.reignbridge.org or by writing Joey and Fawn Parish, 540 W.
Highland Drive, Camarillo, California USA 93010 or email <joey@gracebridge.org>
Be sure to mention National Pastors Prayer Network ( If you
order online, please send Joey an email telling him you saw it on National
Pastors Prayer Network).
_______________________________________________>>>
>From: Bill Dillon <newsletter@peopleraising.com>
As people raise funds they are often encouraged to find a coach who can assist.
Many times the focus is merely on finding a person to hold them accountable. It
could be a friend at church, a colleague, or a best friend. Anyone that can hold
their feet to the fire and encourage them. But that is where the coaching myth
comes into play. Coaching is far more than that. What is really needed is a
coach who has had real life fund raising experience.
If we wanted to seriously learn the game of baseball we would look for a coach
who had experience playing the game, knew the rules of the game and had picked
up the skills that make a great baseball player.
Fund raising is no different. We need to find a coach, who has had experience
raising funds, knows how to develop a fund raising strategy, serves as an
experienced troubleshooter and builds into us so that the Lord's work can be
funded.
We need to raise up a whole host of fund raising coaches for our ministries that
can guide people through this critical process of People Raising.
You and your ministry can begin and sharpen that process by attending the next
People Raising Coaches Clinic October 31-November 1.
Register by October 1st and save $50!
For more information, click here <http://www.peopleraising.com/conf_bas_oct2003.cfm?lid=RW1haWxJZD0yNzQ1Jk5ld3NMZXR0ZXJJZD0wMzI1MiZMaW5rSWQ9Mg==&>
.
People Raising: A Practical Guide to Raising Support (Moody Press)
Softcover Book
Retail $15.99 - Available at $12.99 through the People Raising Web site <http://www.peopleraising.com/tools.cfm?lid=RW1haWxJZD0yNzQ1Jk5ld3NMZXR0ZXJJZD0wMzI1MiZMaW5rSWQ9NA==&>
To set your email preference (html or text), click here <http://www.peopleraising.com/email.cfm?lid=RW1haWxJZD0yNzQ1Jk5ld3NMZXR0ZXJJZD0wMzI1MiZMaW5rSWQ9MTA=&>
To subscribe a friend to this FREE Monthly e-mail newsletter, click here <http://www.peopleraising.com/email.cfm?lid=RW1haWxJZD0yNzQ1Jk5ld3NMZXR0ZXJJZD0wMzI1MiZMaW5rSWQ9MTE=&>
.
Copyright © 2003 People Raising
2251 Pine Street | Des Plaines, IL | 60018 U.S.A.| 847-635-8902 Voice |
775-249-9411 Fax
_______________________________________________>>>
Making Peace: A Guide to OVERCOMING
Church Conflict
Jim Van Yperen Zondervan Publishing House 2002
For the church to be true peacemakers, we must repent,
that is, change our ways. Here are seven calls to practice repentance in the
church - repentance that brings change.
1. RECOVER COMMUNITY
We call the church to recover community: to
renounce the widespread cultural syncretism of individualism and autonomy and to
replace it with biblical, one-another community. The church must become a
redemptive community where God inhabits His people; where God works in spatial
ways to love, heal, forgive, encourage, and grow a community of believers. The
church is the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit guiding a people to be the
active, present witness of a future reality. (1)
2. RESTORE HOLINESS
We call the church to restore holiness: to be a
holy place where God is actively transforming His people toward completion in
Christ. The church must be a people of character, the social construction of a
spiritual reality - salvation and sanctification in our midst. When it is, we
will become a nurturing, vision-forming community of called-out, called-together
people who embody truth. (2)
3. REVIVE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We call the church to revive, exercise, and affirm
the authority of spiritual gifts, every member serving by the gifting of the
holy Spirit according to his "measure of faith." We affirm the church as the
body of Christ, with all members called and gifted to serve. (3)
4. RENEW CONFESSION
We call the church to be a confessional community:
to be a community of forgiven saints gathered around a common confession of sin
and the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. By confessing sin, the truthfulness of
forgiveness becomes manifest; in proclaiming Christ, we describe a specific kind
of people, separated unto Christ, living in a world formed by the power of His
resurrection. In confession, the church embodies a living, sustaining reality, a
commitment to a specific way, truth, and life. (4)
5. RECLAIM SCRIPTURE
We call the church to return Scripture to its
rightful place as the historical, life-giving description of what it means to
follow Christ truthfully. The church must release Scripture from the excess of
right-handed, purely objective propositional and left-handed, subjective
experiential interpretation.
~ From the propositional, in which Scripture is a
prescriptive rule book of dos and don'ts, and Christianity is reduced to the sum
of what we "know."
~ From the experiential, in which Scripture becomes a
place where individuals project their subjective experience into the text for
personal interpretation, and Christianity is reduced to what we "feel."
We call the church to reclaim Scripture as the
transforming revelation of God's salvation history, where truth and rightful
authority are borne out in a way of life. Scripture offers a new reality based
upon the specific history of God's called-out people, who not merely "know, do,
and feel" but "become" a people transformed by the power and wisdom of the
resurrected Christ. (5)
6. REESTABLISH WITNESS
We call the church to be a living witness to the
world of the life-changing resurrection of Jesus Christ. We call the church to
be a people truly separate, demonstrating salvation, justification, and
sanctification as a life journey, not an event alone; a way of life, not a
status achieved. We call the church to "life-space evangelism" to put salvation
on display through the active life and authentic word of distinctly Christian
character and community. (6)
7. REDEFINE LEADERSHIP
We call the church to redefine the role of
leadership according to the Spirit's call, gifting, and authority affirmed by
the body rather than achieved by vocation, education, or election. We call the
church to recognize the boundaries of pastor and leader roles and to encourage
service by spiritual gifting and interdependent, collaborative teams rather than
autocratic fiat or democratic autonomy. (7)
(1) Scripture's many commands for this active, present witness
of a future reality include Romans 12:10, 16; 13:8; 14:13; 15:7, 14; 16; I
Corinthians 1:10; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2, 32; 5:19, 21. There are many
others.
(2) Matthew 5:48; Ephesians 5:25-27; Philippians
1:9-11.
(3) I Corinthians 12:4-7; 27; Romans 12:3-6.
(4) Hebrews 13:15; James 5:16; I John 1:9.
(5) Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2.
(6) Acts 2:42-48; I Thessalonians 1:6-10.
(7) The relationships and boundaries among leaders as
well as the interdependent relationships within the body are displayed in the
apostle Paul's final greeting and admonishment to the Romans; see Romans
16:1-17; 21-23. See also I Corinthians 6:1; Philippians 4:3; Colossians 4:11;
Philemon 23-24.
_______________________________________________>>>
14. A RESPONSE TO
BARNA'S CHALLENGES TO THE CHURCH
>From: "Kenneth C Oliver" <oliver@thecommongood.org>
1. Cultural religion replacing Biblical Christianity.
Sociologists of religion have long known that religion is a natural development
within societies. Natural religion is the process of enshrining the values of
that society into a permanent set of values that have a form of absolute
sanction. As societies progress, their religion become more complex and
abstracted. However, ultimately, natural or cultural religion is an effort to
sanctify the values of the culture. As one scholar famously noted: God is Man
writ large.
I say this all as way of background. All societies, including American society,
have a cultural religion. It is the religion of the powerful and influential in
our society. Up until recently in America, the cultural religion could be found
in mainline or liberal Protestant Christianity. However, in the last fifty
years, Evangelical Christianity has surpassed mainline Protestantism as the
dominant religion of our county. As a result, this natural process of
enshrining cultural values into religion has entered into the Evangelical
Church. This is a real danger. The answer, I believe, is a renewed commitment
to Biblical theology and Biblical literacy among all evangelicals. We need to
examine beliefs in light of the Bible and ask Do I believe this because my
society values it or because Christ taught it?
2. Hyper-patriotism replacing spiritual maturity.
This danger is related to the cultural religion challenge above. In cultural
religion, a religious person is one who fervently advances the values of the
cultural. Talk of cultural warfare, defining enemies in personal terms,
demonizing those who disagree these are all forms of the false spirituality of
cultural religion. True spirituality that is a person who truly is growing in
the Holy Spirit is defined by its humility. The awareness of sin begins with
the self. Knowing ones own sinfulness tempers any judgment of others. Knowing
the limits of ones own understanding and reason tempers ones judgment of those
who disagree on minor (or even not so minor) points of doctrine. Above all,
true spiritually is defined by a perspective that understands that the greatest
deed that any Christian can accomplish is faithful servanthood. When one sees
oneself as a servant to all, even a servant of ones enemies, the values of the
world are turned upside down.
3. Culturally defined success replacing Discipleship & Evangelism.
The great hallmark of late 20th century evangelism in the United States is the
success of the Church Growth movement inspired by Donald McGavern and embodied
in multiple mega-church seeker congregations. McGaverns great insight is
that people join churches for many reasons, most of which are culturally
defined. The Paul-on-the-road-to-Damascus experience is the exception. What
counts, said McGavern, is the quality of the discipleship they receive
afterwards. What this meant is that all the tools of the culture are now
sanctioned for use in getting people into churches. Thus was born the seeker
congregation. First we get them in the door, then we evangelize and disciple
them.
So what is wrong with this? Perhaps nothing, but I will suggest two issues: In
the American context, success comes with numbers. It is a very strong
temptation to look at congregation with 8,000 in attendance and call that
success. We dont ask questions about the success of the evangelism and
discipleship within that congregation. I would venture to say that have many
mega-churches that in fact have fewer Christian disciples than the typical
medium size congregation.
Second, there is a problem with using all cultural tools to get people in the
front door. Not all cultural tools are morally neutral. Certainly, if a church
planter decided to show pornographic movies in order to attract a crowd, there
would be a chorus of objections. But what if a pastor decided to target one
specific demographic say white upper middle-class suburbanites. Is this
wrong? Does it not reinforce the racial and economic segregation that dominates
our society? Is this a moral issue? We at least need to have a debate about
this. Unfortunately, in America, success ends the debate.
4. Loss of historical memory.
Evangelicals, like most Americans, are woefully ignorant of their own history
and their place in the history of the Church. History tells us how we got here,
why we make certain choices along the way, what mistakes we made, and why we
disagree with others. It gives us the context for how we read the Bible.
Mostly, it helps us evaluate what is important and what is not important.
5. Post 9-11 isolation and distrust of the world.
Americans have turned inward as our sense of security was threatened by the
events of September 11, 2001. The danger is that the evangelical church may
lose its sense of world vision. The evangelical movement is larger outside of
the U.S. than inside, and is larger in the 2/3rds world than in the first world.
Will our commitment to our brothers and sisters lessen as Americans find
themselves the target of the worlds animosity? Can we continue to dialogue
with our overseas Christian family as they increasingly challenge the new
American imperialism and dont understand why U.S. Christians dont also
challenge it?
6. Disconnect between theology and church life.
Along with the issue of discipleship and church growth (discussed above), we are
facing a new generation of postmodern Christians who do not know how to think
theologically, and we do not know how to teach them. Christianity is primarily
experiential for them. The old forms of Bible Study and teaching are dry and
disconnected from their life experience. They are seeking for more authentic
forms of spiritual experience, but lack the resources in the Evangelical Church
to guide them. Evangelical leaders are being challenged to rediscover
traditions of prayer and nonlinear forms of spiritual life and to integrate
this into our teaching ministry. Unfortunately, no one is teaching us how to do
this.
7. The inability to reflect critically.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the greatest challenge facing the
Evangelical Church is the ability to critically reflect on its situation:
culturally, historically and theologically, and to critique its own work and
change. I see very little critical self-reflection going on. Hopefully this
short piece will make a contribution in the right direction.
Kenneth C. Oliver
Director of Housing and Welfare Policy
Protestants for the Common Good
(312) 223-9544
www.thecommongood.org <http://www.thecommongood.org>
_______________________________________________>>>
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