RESOURCES
For Pastors, Prayer Leaders, City Reachers

09/20/2004                       Click Here for Past Updates

2004 Year of Prayer for Pastors
http://www.prayingpastor.com
 

IN   THIS   UPDATE     . . . . .    and for our prayers:

1.    NEW PRAYERWALKING VIDEO
2.    WEB-BASED SCHOOL FOR LEADERS
3.    BOOK LOOKS
4.    PRAYER CLOSET
5.    WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE U.S.A.    
6.    CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH: PRAYING FOR YOUR PASTOR
            ...AND MORE
7.    BEST SELLING PRAYER RESOURCES FROM NAVPRESS
8.    COLLEGE OF PRAYER
9.    DEMOGRAPHICS: RACE & RELIGION
10.   WHAT ON EARTH IS "KOINONIA"-?
 

POINT & CLICK

*Register /  Revise / Research A Pastors' Prayer Group (870+)
  http://www.nppn.org/ppg/

*Share A Resource
 Email us a 1-3 paragraph explanation of the resources you have that equip or inspire pastors into a deeper,
  more powerful prayer experience... especially resources that relate to pastors praying with other pastors to
  reach their community with the gospel.

*Contribute:
 http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/pay/T2CW7KGWMPZ9UY/058-7005927-3646454

*CPLN - The new Church Prayer Leadres Network
  http://www.prayerleader.com

*Subscribe To The NPPN:
 http://www.nppn.org/subscribe.htm
  (To Unsubscribe - See Bottom of This Message)
_______________________________________________>>>

1.    NEW PRAYERWALKING VIDEO
>From: Claude King <claude@newhopenewyork.com>

We have produced a 23-minute training tape to teach people to prayerwalk. Many churches have used it in preparation for the PrayNewYork event on June 5 where over 5,000 prayerwalked the 233 zip codes of New York City. If your church or prayer ministry would like to get a copy for help in Taking Prayer to the Streets of Your City, you can send:
    Name, Mailing Address, and whether you need a DVD or a VHS together with $10 (shipping and taxes included; make checks out to New Hope New York) to:

    New Hope New York
    Attention: Carmen Coe
    236 W. 72nd Street
    New York, NY 10023

Yours for revival and harvest,
Claude V. King, Prayer Strategy Coordinator
New Hope New York, 236 W. 72nd Street, New York, NY 10023
646-274-6820    /   212-580-2548 FAX
_______________________________________________>>>

2.    WEB-BASED SCHOOL FOR LEADERS
>From: <fawn@reignbridge.com>
 
In association with John Dawsons International Reconciliation Coalition, its our joy to announce 24/7 registration for the  International School of Reconciliation Studies, a web-based, self-paced, 9-12 month, school for leaders.

Comprised of a world-class gathering of scholars and storytellers, this school is designed to multiply creative, Biblically anchored, multi-cultural reconcilers throughout the world.  We welcome your prayers for this new journey of obedience, and if God directs, wed love you to pass on this information to your respective networks.
 
To explore the school go to www.gracebridge.org   
 
You may use the temporary vip pass to look over the content.  (Must be all lower case)
   vip-guest
   godisgood
 
Let us know how we can serve and pray for you.
All for the Lamb, Fawn Parish
International School of Reconciliation Studies
www.gracebridge.org
   
_______________________________________________>>>

3.    BOOK LOOK

Recent Arrivals . . .

Building Unity in the Church of the New Millennium
Dwight Perry, General Editor  *  Moody Publishers
21 Chapters on Unity Between Races, Classes, Genders in the Church
    http://www.moodypublishers.org/catalog.php?action=view_product&id=960

Praying Up A Storm
Daniel Bernard  *  Treasure House
Citywide Prayer and Revival
   http://www.destinyimage.com/product_info.shtml?0768429625

The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God
Jim Goll  *  Regal Books
Practical helps for listening, avoiding confusion
http://www.gospellight.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GL&Product_Code=08307.34503

Beyond All You Could Ask or Think
Ray Pritchard  *  Moody Publishers
How to pray like the Apostle Paul
    http://www.moodypublishers.org/catalog.php?action=view_product&id=1318

A Study Guide for Evangelism Praying
Evelyn Christenson  *  United Prayer Ministry
The Triplet Prayer Strategy
    http://www.unitedprayerministry.org

A Passion for Prayer
Tim Crosby, Ruthie Jacobsen, Lonnie Melashenko  *  Review & Herald
Practical steps and thirlling stories
http://www.rhpa.org/newproducts/product.pl?type=search&search=passion+for+prayer
_______________________________________________>>>

4.    THE PRAYER CLOSET
>From: prayer@prayerclosetministries.org

The Prayer Closet Ministries exists to encourage and equip believers and
churches in prayer and fasting.  This ministry offers a newsletter called
The Prayer Closet along with a variety of books, manuals, and tapes to help  believers and churches grow in prayer.  The emphasis of this ministry is prayer evangelism and prayerwalking.  Dr. Kevin Meador is a prayer evangelist and is the President of The Prayer Closet Ministries.  He is available for prayer retreats, conferences, pastors prayer summits, and
prayerwalking seminars.  You can contact The Prayer Closet in the following ways:
    The Prayer Closet Ministries
    P.O. Box 278, Hickory, MS 39332
    (601)646-2295
    www.prayerclosetministries.org
    prayer@prayerclosetministries.org

Thank you for your help.  May God richly bless you, your family, and all
your endeavors in the Kingdom., Kevin Meador
_______________________________________________>>>

5.    WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE U.S.A.    
>From: "Alice & Eddie Smith - U.S. PRAYER CENTER" <usprayercenter@cs.com>
         
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE U.S.A.
-The U.S. is the third largest unchurched nation in
-North America is the only continent where Christianity isn't growing.
-Seven out of 10 people in North America do not know Christ.
-The United States is now the 13th largest receptor of Christian missionaries in the world.
-More than 70% of all churches in the U.S. are plateaued or declining.
-Half of all churches last year did not add one new member through conversion growth.
-While the U.S. population grew by 11.4% over the last 10 years, church growth declined by 9.5%.
-The U.S. Census Bureau projects that 47% of the U.S. population will be non Anglo-American by 2050.
-4.1 million Muslims live in the U.S.
-2.5 million Buddhists live in the U.S.
-About a quarter million Sikhs live in America, with 100,000 living on the east coast. Other areas with high numbers of Sikhs are Chicago, Detroit, and Austin, Texas.
(Source: North American Mission Board Planting Team and Barna Update, 2003)           
U.S. PRAYER CENTER | 7710-T Cherry Park Dr, Ste 224 | Houston | TX | 77095
_______________________________________________>>>

6.    CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH: PRAYING FOR YOUR PASTOR
        ...AND MORE
>From: "Helms, Elaine" <EHelms@namb.net>
 
Capture your church members interest in prayer by appealing to their natural interests through a variety of prayer opportunities. The books below will be very helpful as you begin, develop, and/or maintain your church prayer ministry.  
 
If My PeoplePray, Steps to Effective Church Prayer Ministry - Written by Elaine Helms, Church Prayer Coordinator for 12 years at Johnson  Ferry Baptist  Church before joining the prayer staff at NAMB, SBC. This helpful guide has been used by thousands of churches to begin or develop their prayer ministries.  Special section on prayer rooms includes a sample training guide for intercessors. Send a check for $12 (includes shipping and postage) to Church Prayer Ministries, P.O. Box 71732, Marietta,  GA 30007-1732.

Pray for Your Pastor, a 40-Day Intercessory Prayer Guide - Try this prayer guide for 40 days and watch the desire to pray for your pastor become a reality.  Be the one at your church to instigate an avalanche of prayer support and encouragement for your spiritual leaders.  Call 1 866 407-NAMB (6262) to order copies at $ .99 each.

Pray for Your Family, a 40-Day Intercessory Prayer Guide - Use this prayer guide to pray alone for your family, or engage your spouse and/or your whole family in a daily activity to strengthen the bond of love within your family.  Call 1 866 407-NAMB (6262) to order copies at $ .99 each.

Pray for the President and Government Leaders, A 40-Day Intercessory Prayer Guide - In response to the biblical mandate to pray for those in authority, I Timothy 2:1-4, use this helpful guide to establish that practice.  It suggests a daily Scripture and biblical suggestions for how to pray for our government leaders, with websites to obtain specific names. Call 1 866 407-NAMB (6262) to order single copies for $ .99 each or packets of 10 copies for $8.50.

Seeing God at Work, A Prayer Journal - The importance of and direction for offering praise and thanksgiving to God are covered in this spiral bound book. Written by Elaine Helms to highlight the importance of journaling answers to prayer and insights from God's Word. Send a check for $7.00 (includes postage and shipping) to Church Prayer Ministries, P.O. Box 71732, Marietta,  GA 30007-1732
_______________________________________________>>>

7.    BEST SELLING PRAYER RESOURCES FROM NAVPRESS
>At: http://www.navpress.com/
 
  1. The Prayer-Saturated Church:
    A Comprehensive Handbook for Prayer Leaders (includes CD)
  2. The Pray! Prayer Journal: Daily Steps Toward Praying God's Heart
  3. Ready for Revival: A 40-Day Heart Journey Toward the Fullness of Christ
  4. PrayKids! (prayer-focused curriculum for 8- to 12-year-olds)
  5. 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids (prayer cards)
  6. Fresh Encounters:
    Experiencing Transformation through United Worship-Based Prayer
  7. Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Finding Delight in the Practice of Prayer
  8. Paths of Gold: Praying the Way to Christ for Lost Friends and Family
  9. 20 Scripture-Based Prayers to Pray for Your Pastor (prayer cards)
10. Approaching God: Lessons from the Inspired Prayers of Scripture
11. Revival 101: Understanding How Christ Ignites His Church
12. Growing Up Prayerful: A Leader's Kit to Get Kids Started
13. Power-Packed Prayers for Public Schools (prayer cards)
14. My House Shall Be a House of Prayer
_______________________________________________>>>

8.    COLLEGE OF PRAYER
>From: "Jacquie Tyre" <jacquietyre@comcast.net>

I want to encourage you to register today for this next module. At this point we have heard from suprisingly few of you.  Long summer, huh? Smile. Well, we will be meeting in the north Georgia mountains on beautiful Lake Louise October 4-7 for our next module of the College of Prayer with world prayer leader, Jonathan Graf.
 
"But is the College of Prayer for me?"  you may ask.
- If you have a desire to grow in prayer but don't know where to start,
- If you want to get connected with other pastors and Christian leaders with this same passion,
- If you feel like your church is in a rut and you don't know to get out,
- If you want to see your church become a house of prayer for all nations,
- If you want to impact your community with the life-giving power of Christ,
- If  you're looking for a safe place that can give you practical help in spiritual formation,
...then the College of Prayer may be just what you're looking for! Why not break the mold, step out of the status quo and do something refreshingly different? And this module in particular will be particularly refreshing.  Our COP Servant Leadership Team just met and had a glorious time planning and praying for October 4-7, and we are pumped!
 
As you know, our vision in the College of Prayer is to mentor Christian leaders who will reach a lost world through a revived church. We offer three modules a year; each module is 3 1/2 days long. We spend equal time in instruction, interaction, and prayer and intercession. There are currently five campuses of the College of Prayer around the world, in the U.S., in Canada, Europe, and Africa.
 
Our presenter at this module October 4-7 is Jonathan Graf. As founder and editor of Pray! magazine, Jonathan Graf has gained invaluable experience surveying the breadth of the world prayer movement. As an executive officer on the National Prayer Committee, he has served along side the premiere prayer and revival leaders in our generation. He is an excellent teacher and communicator and knows first hand how to build a personal prayer life as well as a corporate prayer ministry. We will be learning from the best.
 
The College of Prayer is not just another prayer seminar, where you sit and take notes for hours, nor another prayer summit, where you pray with people you will never meet again,  nor a prayer conference, mere teaching without application.  The College of Prayer is the best of all the above in an environment where you will have opportunity to meet three times a year over the next three years and complete all nine modules so that prayer becomes a lifestyle and delight instead of a ritual or a burden.
 
It's time to re-connect with the Chief Shepherd. We have made registration easy. Simply complete the following form and reply as directed.
 
I look forward to being with you October 4-7 in Toccoa! Won't you register today?
Christ is all!

PRESENTER
Jonathan Graf is the president of the Church Prayer Leaders Network and the founding editor of Pray! Magazine. He is also the author of The Power    of Personal Prayer (NavPress, 2002) and serves on the executive committees of both Americas National Prayer Committee and the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network.
Jon spent seven years teaching high school English before going into publishing. In 1989 he started his publishing career by becoming the classics editor at Christian Publications, Inc. He became editorial director at CPI in 1990. In 1994 Jon felt called of God to join NavPress as managing editor of Discipleship Journal. Shortly after joining the DJ staff, the idea for Pray! began gelling in him. It was launched in the Spring of 1997. Jon served as its editor until June of 2004, at which time he transitioned to the CEO position of the Church Prayer Leaders Network, a spin-off of Pray!
Besides The Power of Personal Prayer, Jon has published three other books: a personal/group study guide to A.W. Tozers classic The Pursuit of God, Healing: The Three Great Classics on Divine Healing, and The Quotable A.B. Simpson.
Jon is married to JoLyn, and they have a 17-year-old daughter, Amy.

Reading & Reflection Paper
Please read three (3) of the following books and write a reflection paper, including the following:
1.      The most significant point for you personally;
2.      One thing that really challenges you as a leader;
3.      Some thing you are committed to incorporating into  your life and ministry
Graf, Jon.  The Power of Personal Prayer, NavPress, ISBN: 1576832759
Tozer, A.W. The Pursuit of God, Christian Publications, ISBN: 0875093663
Daniel Henderson.  Fresh Encounters, NavPress (Available early June 2004)
Sacks, Cheryl.  The Prayer Saturated Church, NavPress (Available early June 2004)
Murray, Andrew, Key to the Missionary Problem, ISBN: 087508401X

Registration
College of Prayer Registration Fees per person or married couple:
Early Registration Fee (by 9/15):                 $100.00
Late Registration Fee (after 9/15):              $125.00
Group Rates are available at $65.00 per person/couple, after the first full registration is paid for those coming together from one congregation.  Prior notification required.
Ground Transportation
Transportation fee, per person:         $ 25.00

Advance Reservations Required: Please provide the following information:  
1) Airline,
2) Flight Number,
3) Time of Arrival and
4) Time of Departure.  

Make flights to arrive prior to 2 pm on Oct 4, and after 5 pm on Oct 7, if at all possible.  Send information to Liz Anderson at landerson@fastmail.fm <mailto:landerson@fastmail.fm>

Conference Center (housing/meals)
The Georgia Baptist Conference Center is located in Toccoa, approximately 2 hours northeast of the Atlanta airport.  The center is located on beautiful Lake Louise, and offers comfortable sleeping quarters with private baths, a full service dining hall, meeting rooms, and plenty of walking trails and locations to get alone to pray.  The price quoted is for one person/double occupancy, and includes accommodations and meals Monday dinner through Thursday lunch.  All meetings will be held at the conference center, and transportation is available from the Atlanta airport for those traveling in from around the country, for a minimal fee with reservations.
Cost, per person/double occupancy:            $150.00
Single occupancy rooms:                             $225.00
Includes all meals from Monday dinner - Thursday lunch.
Alternative Housing & Meals Plan
Free Housing is available with advance notice in host homes.
Meals at the Conference are available for those who do not stay at the center for $7.00 per meal.  We recommend that everyone participate in the lunch & dinner meals during the College of Prayer.  Mealtimes provide crucial opportunities for relationship building, interaction, and accountability.  
 
College of Prayer Oct. 4-7, 2004, Registration

Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip Code:
Email:
Phone - Home:
Office:
Ministry Position, Role or Function:
Local Church Affiliation:
  - Pastors Name:
 
Registration:  check your options and complete the financial portion
___Registration (Early before 9/15/04)             $100.00 x _____ =  
___Registration (Late after 9/15/04)                 $125.00 x _____ =  
___Registration Group ($65 after 1st full paid)           
            Group Name: ____________________       $65.00 x _______ =  
HOUSING:
____Housing & MealsGA Bapt Conference Center
            ___ Double Occupancy                               $150.00 x ______ =
           ___ Single Occupancy                                 $225.00 x ______ =

___ Free Housing
___ Making own Arrangements
___ Meals only @ $7.00 per  (lunch/dinner)       $  7.00  x _______ =

We recommend that everyone participate in lunch & dinner on Tues & Wed, if possible, for GAP groups
TRANSPORTATION:

___Ground Transportation ($25 per person)     $25.00 x _______ =

                                                                                    Subtotal:                       
                                                                                    Deposit ($25 min)      
                                                                                    Balance:                         
Balance due upon arrival
Method of Payment: Check or Money Order
Check, Number _______________

Financial Aide:  Limited Financial Aid available with prior approval. Make all financial inquiries & request in writing. Send to Liz at either the address below or email landerson@fastmail.fm

Make Checks payable to Revival Prayer Institute, and mail to the address provided below.
Revival Prayer Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 2205
Toccoa, GA  30577

Upcoming Modules:
Winter 2005 February 10-13   Reviving the Soul of the City with Eddie & Alice Smith US Prayer Center, at Lilburn Alliance Church, metro-Atlanta
Spring 2005 May 9-12  -- "Reviving the Prayer Life"  with Terry Teykl, at the GA Baptist Conference Center, Toccoa

_______________________________________________>>>

9.    DEMOGRAPHICS: RACE & RELIGION
>From: JarWard@aol.com

Barna Researches How Race and Religion Relate
Jenni Parker, Agape Press

A new study has revealed substantial differences between the beliefs and practices of various ethnic groups in the United States.

Just as the 2004 presidential race is highlighting how differently the four major ethnic groups in the nation view and respond to life, the Barna Research Group, a Christian research organization based in Ventura, California, has done research that reveals how significantly these groups differ on matters of faith.

Nationwide Barna surveys of more than 2,600 American adults revealed marked differences between the African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and white populations of the U.S. in the areas of their religious beliefs, religious practices, and faith-influenced attitudes. The researchers interviewed randomly selected adults, asking about eight specific religious behaviors and a dozen belief-oriented issues.

>Ranking religious activity

The survey showed that whites tended to fall consistently in the middle of the religious behavior scale, scoring neither highest nor lowest on any of the eight behaviors. Blacks, however, tended to score high in several of these areas. Of all the ethnic groups in the survey, blacks were "notably less likely than others to be unchurched." They also ranked highest on the religious activity scale for half of the behaviors studied (reading the Bible, praying to God, giving money to churches, and watching Christian television).

The group that was the least likely to be active in Christian activity was Asians, who scored lowest for all eight activities measured. The study found this group to be the least involved in attending church, attending Sunday school, praying to God, reading the Bible, participating in a small group for religious purposes, or watching Christian television. This group also gave the least amount of money to churches and was the most likely to be unchurched.

While Hispanics were generally below-average on most of the religious behaviors studied, and they ranked particularly low in giving money to churches, they were found to be the most likely of all the groups to share their faith in Jesus with non-Christians.

>Religious beliefs compared

In terms of beliefs, once again, black Americans emerged as the ethnic group most likely to have beliefs that line up with Christian or biblical teachings. This population segment is the most likely to have an orthodox view of God and to contend that the Bible is accurate, that Christ lived a holy life, that faith is important to them, that they have a personal responsibility to evangelize, and that divorce -- except in cases of adultery -- is a sin.

Asians turned out to be the least likely to hold tradition Christian beliefs. The survey found this group was the most likely to be atheist, agnostic, or practicing a non-Christian faith; two-thirds of Asians fall into one of these categories. Whites were very similar to Asians on two matters in particular -- rejecting the accuracy of the Bible and possessing an unorthodox or non-biblical understanding of the nature of God.

While the religious views of Hispanics tended to be similar to those of whites, Hispanics were found to be more likely than either whites or blacks to reject belief in the Holy Spirit as a living, present being. Also, although 85 percent of Hispanics identified themselves as Christian, this group tends to be fairly intolerant of faith influences on culture. Hispanics were less likely than either whites or blacks to support the posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, or retaining religious references such as "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency or "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The group most likely to describe themselves as "deeply spiritual" and absolutely committed to their faith was black Americans. Interestingly, however, although blacks were determined to be the group most likely to be "born again," they are only half as likely as whites to fit the description of evangelical, as defined by the study. Evangelicals are a subset of born-again Christians in Barna surveys, and they must meet seven additional criteria. Those include believing they have a personal responsibility to share their Christian faith with non-believers, and contending that Satan exists, that salvation is through grace alone -- not works, and that the Bible is accurate in all its teachings.

Lessons from the African-American experience

In analyzing the survey results, author and researcher George Barna found the outcomes consistent with the findings of a multi-year project he recently completed on the relationship between black churches and the lives of blacks. Through these studies, he says his group has "discovered that their faith in Christ has empowered millions of blacks to overcome challenges that might otherwise have been debilitating."

The founder of The Barna Research Group and author of more than 30 books on faith and culture trends finds study of the black faith experience instructive, both for the Church and the culture as a whole. When asked why, he replies that blacks are distinguished from other racial groups in America by "their more overt need for -- and openness to -- Jesus in the midst of a culture that until recently has been comparatively unsympathetic to their needs."

"As the nation's culture becomes more challenging for people of faith, and as the economic and demographic balance of the nation shifts," Barna explains, "the lessons and victories won by black churches will likely serve as a beacon for all ministries in a time of increasing spiritual confusion and searching."

The relationship between black faith and experience is further explored in the recently released High Impact African-American Churches (Regal Books, 2004). George Barna co-authored the book with Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., an African American pastor of a large multicultural congregation in the Washington D.C. area.

2004 Agape Press. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
_______________________________________________>>>

10.    WHAT ON EARTH IS "KOINONIA"-?
>From: f g berry <fredberry@juno.com>
>By Andrew Strom.

The Greek word 'Koinonia' is the word that refers to the deep "fellowship" that the early Christians had together. It is something that many Christians today long for - and it really is the essence of 'church life' in the Bible. But to a very large degree the modern
church seems to have lost it.

When we have a 'service' or meeting today, where everyone comes and sits in rows facing the front, sings some songs and listens to the sermon, then says "Bless you" to a few people and goes home - that is far from true 'koinonia'. Even in quite a few cell
groups and house meetings today, there is little deep fellowship. -It is more like a miniature "church service" - where a few people do all the 'ministry' and the rest sit around and watch.

We need to realize that 'koinonia' was at the very center of the way the early church lived out their lives. Without this, I do not believe that we truly have "church" at all. We may have a 'meeting' but we do not have deep fellowship. And without this, we really
have nothing.

'Koinonia' relies on one thing above all others. It relies on a group of people coming together who truly are "washed-in-the-blood", Spirit-filled people. Because I believe that this kind of deep fellowship and joy and unity involves a "heart connection" on a
real spiritual level - so the Holy Spirit can truly flow.

But the 'koinonia' of the early church involved other things, too. For one thing, it is clear that in their "house to house" meetings they gathered around a MEAL and also around the LORD'S SUPPER. I have a whole teaching on why the Lord's Supper is so much more
important than we are led to believe today - but there is no space for that here. Suffice it to say, that sharing a meal together was very important - it is a key to true 'koinonia'. And the early Christians partook of communion EVERY DAY in their homes - that is how important it was to them.

Now, do you have to be a "special person" or an Elder to pray a blessing over communion and break bread with other believers in your home? -Not at all. We are ALL "kings and priests". We should ALL be doing this kind of thing. We need to realize how important it
is to break bread together with our families, our prayer groups, our house-fellowships and so-on. I don't believe we will ever get back to true New Testament 'koinonia' unless we do this.

The other thing they did in their house meetings (-which were really their main 'fellowship' meetings) was that they gave room and encouraged EACH PERSON to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This was not a "one man band" - far from it!  Every single
Spirit-filled believer was valued for who they were, and the giftings that they had. Read this very carefully:  1 Cor 14:26- "When you come together, EVERYONE has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these things MUST
be done for the strengthening of the church." (NIV).

(Remember, this kind of meeting is quite different from the large open-air meetings that the apostles held. What we are talking about here are the more intimate "home fellowships" that they had).

Notice too how different this is from the 'discussion' groups and Bible Studies that we often have today. This was a home meeting very deliberately aimed at seeing the Holy Spirit move and the members of the Body all ministering to one another in spiritual gifts.
I believe we have to very consciously go down this path if we want to see this happen in our meetings. New believers need to be taught  how to move in the gifts and there needs to be an environment where this is "normal". We need to choose whether we are just going to sit around 'discussing' things or whether we are going to invite the Holy Spirit to take charge.

Notice that Paul says 'EVERYONE' should be using their spiritual gifts in these meetings and that it is very important that ALL these giftings come forth. Spiritual songs, teaching, prophecies, tongues and interpretation - all these kinds of things. And I'm sure if there
were sick or oppressed people present then there would be prayer for them also. This was a real "Holy Spirit" meeting, and to them it was "church as normal"!

It seems that these house-fellowships would have had 'elders' to guide things, and to step in if things got out of hand or if someone was bringing in deception. But I believe the role of an elder is more-or-less a "parenting" role. -Keen to see God's children step
out and flow in spiritual gifts and to grow up in the faith. I do not believe a true 'elder' would dominate such house meetings, but rather encourage others to come forward as much as possible. However, it certainly is his role to teach where necessary.

Imagine what it would be like if all our house-meetings were like this today. Imagine if we shared a "pot-luck" meal together, then partook of the Lord's Supper together - and then moved into a time where the members of the body all ministered to one another in spiritual gifts. While we are all in prayer, there might be tongues and interpretation or prophecies coming forth. There might be spiritual songs or words of knowledge. Someone might share a testimony or a prayer-need or a word of teaching.

What we are doing in such a setting is freeing the Holy Spirit to flow and move through us as He wills. And this is exactly what it was like to be part of the early church. So what are we waiting for??

God bless you, my friends!
Kindest regards in Christ,
Andrew Strom.
_______________________________________________>>>

  National Pastors' Prayer Network
  1130 Randville Drive  ID, 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/

  Phil Miglioratti - Coordinator: phil@nppn.org
  Carol Miglioratti - Office Manager: office@nppn.org
  Sheila Straka - Intercession: sheila@nppn.org
  Chuck Straka - Web Master: straka1@nppn.org
  Adam Shields - Tech Support: updates@nppn.org
  Carol Karr - Administrative Services

  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.
 
  Copyright 2004. 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