Friday, September 09, 2005

Developing a Regional Strategy Notes

Developing a Regional Strategy
House Church Conference 9/05
Tim Pynes, Kenny Moore, Mike Steele, John White


The larger story.

“…At the center of the universe is relationship. From all eternity the living God has been community, family. From all eternity the living God has been infinitely pleased as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

”…The community at the center of the universe draws near to me. That would be good enough. And draws near to me in such a way that the community draws me into that inner relatedness of that community. An astounding claim! But this is the fundamental message of Scripture. It is what friendship with God is all about. It is what the Kingdom is all about.” Darrell Johnson, Experiencing the Trinity , P. 60-62,

“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship (koinonia) with us; and indeed our fellowship (koinonia) is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 Jn. 1:3

Developing a regional strategy means join God in what He is already doing. The Community (also known as the Trinity) is drawing me/us into “the inner relatedness of that community”. And, I am invited to join The Community in drawing others into that same fellowship (koinonia). That invitation is found in Mt. 28:19-20. “Therefore as you are going, make disciples of all ethne, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Dallas Willard’s paraphrase, “Renovation of the Heart,” p. 240: “As you go throughout the world, make apprentices to me from all kinds of people, immerse them in Trinitarian reality, and teach them to do everything I have commanded you.”

In order to join God in His work in our part of the harvest field (ie, develop a regional strategy), there are at least four things that we need to be clear about.

1. Clarity about God’s desired outcome. How are we to disciple a whole ethne?

Some years ago, Jim Montgomery, founder of DAWN Ministries, was asking God how the Great Commission was to be fulfilled. The Master's answer to him was, "See to it that I, the Lord, truly become incarnate in every small group of people on the earth."

Jim continues, "In a flash of insight from the Lord it all became very clear. Where does the Lord now dwell? 'Christ in you, the hope of glory' (Col. 1:27). 'Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them' (Mt. 18:20). Christ could be alive and well and present in all his power and glory and compassion while communicating his wonderful message of the Kingdom in a totally contextualized way in every small community of people if only there were some truly born-again believers exercising the gifts of the Spirit and functioning there as the body of Christ." (p. 31-32, DAWN2000: 7 Million Churches to Go)

The DAWN Vision: When we think about fulfilling the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20) we think about a church (a vibrant family of Jesus, an expression of the Trinitarian community) within easy access of every human being in a particular region or people group.




2. Clarity about my assignment. What is the region or people group that God has called me to? Is it a neighborhood or a county or a city or a province or a nation? Or a particular ethnic group? The “John Knoxer” concept.











3. Clarity about the starting point. We believe that the single most important thing we can do toward the objective is to be highly faithful in praying the prayer that Jesus commanded us to pray in Luke 10:2. Everything else grows out of this. Kenny: “This is our Plan A. (We don’t have a Plan B.”)
• Relentless. Wear God out. See parables about prayer in Lk. 11 and 18. Praying as close to every day as possible.
• “…to send forth workers…” exballo = thrust forth, launch, used of casting out demons, implies high degree of motivation. Once you get one of these “sent ones” everything else is relatively easy. Some probable answers to this prayer: Paul, Cornelius, Aquila & Priscilla, Lydia, etc.
• Harvest workers. Two kinds in this context: apostolic church planters (mobile) and people of peace (stationary). (Kenny: “The Leadership Solution”.)
• “Beseech” = a command. Connect with Mt. 28:20: “…teaching them to obey all I’ve commanded you.” One of Jesus’ commands was the 10:2b Prayer. Therefore, every disciple should be taught this prayer.
• Organic and viral in nature. 10:2b Virus.
• God gets the glory. He does the “heavy lifting”. We ask for “fully formed” workers. “1 Tim. 3” kind of people.
• The Lord of the Harvest responds to our prayers. 10:2b stories.
• By-products of praying this prayer daily: increase in our faith (seeing the answers), develops a “harvest mentality”, close friendship with Kenny and Mike.

Want to be on an elist where we share 10:2b stories and insights? Email John White at DenverWH@aol.com and say, “Put me on your elist”.



4. Clarity about my partner. Jesus paired people up and sent them out into the harvest by twos. He knows I need a partner who has the same assignment I have with whom I can passionately and daily beseech the Lord of the harvest to thrust out (exballo - launch!) motivated and gifted harvest workers into our part of the harvest.
• Why Jesus sent them out two by two – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
• The basic relationship in the church is the pair. The healthiest house church will be made up of many pairs (prayer partners, LTG, etc.). The house church is not the most foundational unit.
• When Jesus sent them out two by two, he was sending churches (Mt. 18:20) to plant churches.
• Good article on the biblical concept of pairs. http://kingwatch.co.nz/Church_Ministry/power_pairs.htm

Monday, September 05, 2005

Good Bye Denver...


Good Bye Denver...
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Keith Broadbent drove me to the airport. I am not sure if I am going to do that again? :-) Two missed off-ramps and a couple wrong directions in the road and to top it off, after all that, he stops at a red light... Go figure? After talking to his wife on Keith's cell phone, I was reassured that he was normally a safe driver and that I would make it alive to the airport. I guess those freeways out of Denver are tricky. Love ya Keith! THANX!

Last Look at the Adam's Mark... Off to Airport

Lunch at the Taste of Colorado


Keith and Bill on way to lunch at the Taste of Colorado...
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Thanks Keith for the ride to the airport.



Taste of CO... This is a big deal!
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

We enjoyed Thai Food... I've been hooked since traveling with Youthbuilders and Dean Bruns



Lunch at the Taste of Colorado
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Taste of CO... Big Ski!
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



T of CO...Beautiful place for a food festival...
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Chris and Simi Valley Team 2


Chris and Simi Valley Team 2
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Chris and Simi Valley Team


Chris and Simi Valley Team
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Roger got books signed...


Roger got books signed...
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.


Roger Thoman is thrilled to have signed copies... Pray for Roger, he is planning a book about a pastor who moves from the traditional church to the house church network philosphy. Isn't that a hard thing to do? Oh... Yeah! Roger did that! Email him with encouragements by going to his blog and encouraging him in the process.

Art the Soundman Breaking Down


Art the Soundman Breaking Down
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Clean Up and Book Packing Crew


Clean Up and Book Packing Crew
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Thanks for the Resources! Job well done!

Roger and Bill Blogging and Taking Notes


Roger and Bill Blogging and Taking Notes
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

We¹re wireless!

Wolfgang's Charge to go start churches... People lined up.


Wolfgang's Charge to go start churches... People lined up.
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

The following are notes from the last meeting. Roger Thoman assisted in the taking of notes.



The problem is not with the Harvest it is with the Harvesters. The Harvesters are not prepared.

He has seen so many people who have enjoyed a revival but the emphasis was on the "enjoyed". They forgot that the Holy Spirit is an apostolic figure. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit, you are sent out.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is not meant to be a fleeting moment. It is not the moment .

Enemy wants us to believe that the harvest is not ripe.

Preparing the harvest workers

Holy Spirit is apostolic-- not for us to enjoy

Spirit comes-- then there is a kicking out process-- casting out laborers for the harvest-- separating people from things they cling to that makes them unusable for the harvest

Our safe life-- keeps us from being cast out

This is preparation time-- things are not yet exploding-- so make us ready for this

We have to learn to trust God for our finances-- God pays for what He orders.

There is an absence of God's order-- church being run according to the rules of the world

What do people do when they get up? People need to be slain in the flesh.

Kingdom = new set of rules that need to be heard-- not your own weapons and tools
You are not your own-- you are the property of God
Sword - word
Cycle- for harvest
Take your place in the army

God is not going to sign off on your strategy

Love others and serve them = God's order

Judges 3:31 -- Shamgar-- the hero-- saved Israel-- spiritual super-heros do it all-- This is the hour of the small guys. Bye-bye to Shamgar.

Don't build the house without the Lord-- He builds it.

How is it when God builds the house-- and when the HS comes and stays.

He builds according to a pattern in heaven -- we reflect what He is about

Marriage reflects what He is in heaven perfectly

Noah built according to the pattern-- then the HS came (rain) and stayed

People take dirt from the ground to build things from-- rather than the pattern from heaven.

Brick=symbol of rebellion


We make beautiful, living people into bricks. They don't want to be part of your plan.

They want love, passion, and let's turn the world upside down.

Spirit's structure has seed in it-- and reproduces itself.

Wolfgang's Charge... Word, Sword of Spirit, Church Planting Sicil

Distracted by a Baby... Why?

I held a restless crying baby for a couple who was trying to listen to Wolfgang. At the end of the time, this couple stood up to be sent out to plant house church in Brooklynn, NY.

I don't like spit up (those of you who know me, know about my bodily fluid thing) and the little baby boy... 4 months... spit up all over my arm and hand. There was nothing to do but grin and bear it. I got a spit up rag from the mother and kept holding the baby.

Well, after a time the little guy got hungry, so I put the spit up rag over my thumb and let him suck on my thumb. Well, after a time of that, he was ready for the real thing. BACK TO MAMA! But this time, he was not crying and wanted to eat and sleep.

Well, sometimes obeying the still small voice of God is as simple as holding a baby. I had no idea that holding a baby would would be an act of obedience to God. I guess practice makes perfect. Obedience was a major theme of the weekend.

Pray for this couple, that the grace, power, and peace of God would rest on them. That there calling would be fruitful for the Kingdom and that little Aiden would grow up in the power and might of God.

Paul and Kyle Eid (Abigail and Aiden)


Paul and Kyle Eid with Abigail and Aiden
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Last Session - Monday AM


Last Session - Monday AM
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Layton Lynch from Bakersfield


Layton Lynch from Bakersfield
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Remember Layton, He visited our Gathering a couple months ago.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Back In Paso Robles, CA... While I am away ... Gathering Together for a Sunday Evening Meal

Well, I miss the family. Rich was willing to send some photo's to me of the Gathering tonight at his house. Sunday night is reserved for Playing and Praying together. Sometimes movies, cards, games, and always great food. Rich... is that one of the Work Ranch Steers? If so, I am truly missing out on dinner tonight. That is good beef! Better than anything I have had in Denver!


Back In Paso Robles, CA... My kids and friends from our Gathering.
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Photo 2
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Photo 3
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Photo 4
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Photo 5
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Photo 6
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Photo 7
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Neil Cole on Humility


Neil Cole
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.


Opening was a Film Clip: The Jerk

False Modesty is not humility. Putting yourself down is very self centered. Ego is deadly. Neil says this is something that he deals with every year, ... ok every month..., ok... every week, ... ok... every day... every morning.

When he got out of seminary he thought he would turn the world upside down in one year.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is not thinking of yourself at all.

The Christian life is about tearing off the false identities so that our self image is what God intended it to be.

What is your true identity?
The Kingdom is costly but worth it
Christ in you is the hope of glory (Col 1:27), and nothing else.
*Marriage is learning to strip away the layers of false identity and seeing Christ in each one of us... Christ is the hope of Glory.
*In order to get to that point, it takes pain, conflict, fear, etc. You must go through it to get the reward.
When will Christ be enough?

1Peter 5
"... all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble."

God does not bless those who are proud. We must learn to be humble. God grace will be poured out on this movement if we are humble.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that HE may exalt you at the proper time."

You have two choices in humility...
1. Humble yourself and let God exalt you.
2. Let God humble you.

You also have two choices.
1. Exalt yourself and let God humble you.
2. Humble yourself and let God exalt you.

Humility is not putting yourself down, but rather putting others up.

Read Philippians 2

Summary:
We need to learn to exalt others around us. We need to lift up others. We need to accept when Christ is stripping things away from us. We need to respond with humility.

Ask yourself the following questions to Philippians 2
When will Christ be enough for you?
What will it take for Christ's Spirit to become the most noticeable thing about you?

Let other's have first on things. Lift up others and care for others.

Film Clip: Aragorn recieves the sword from the head elf, Elrond, to defend himself during the battle. Aragorn walks out a differnt man. He walks in a common Ranger, but leaves the person he was meant to be, humble king.

We all need to put aside the Ranger and become the person that we were meant to be. We all have royal lineage in Jesus Christ. Who can summon spiritual warriors to fight for you.

Film Clip 2: Aragorn goes to visit the dead in the mountain... He does not fear death.

Sunday Night Interview


Sunday Night Interview
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Tony Dale and Neil Cole Interviewed
How does this continue as the body rather than expressions of the body.
We must be bound together by good DNA
D- Divine Truth
N- Nurturing Relationships
A- Apostolic Mission

Neil Cole
We are good with the D and N of the DNA

Divine Truth
Nurturing Relationship

They forgot about the Apostolic mission that unites the "body of Christ" The mission is what unites us. We need to be less offended and give honor to each other and the expressions of the body of Christ. There is no "one" expression of the faith that can stand on its own.

Tony Dale
God told us to love each other not agree with each other.
We need to look at different sides of each issue. The body of Jesus Christ needs to look at things different ways and after looking at it, walk away from each other as brothers being willing to disagree but still love each other.

Summary:
The interviews centered around issues of unity... A critical issue that needs to be continually looked at. My favorite quote is from Neil Cole... The question was "Being rather conservative... What do you say to peole who see this as a charasmatic movement? I believe in "charima" the opperation of all the gifts for the body of Christ." I think that sums up the interviews. We believe in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God decides when and how to use them, we just need to be willing to use them. We need to be willing to not look at another brother who is doing something different and say... hey that is weird. The body of Christ is diverse!

Duffy's Waitress Kristine


Duffy's Waitress Kristine
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Come to Denver... Go to Duffy¹s and get this waitress! She is great! She asked us what we were doing. We shared about house church...her response was typical of people. Interesting... We must give the church and the Bible and the gospel back to the common people.

Networking with Turlock and East Bay

Ephesians 4:11 cont.


Ephesians 4:11 cont.
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

The goal is always Christ!

Ephesians 4:11 Counterfeit of 4/11 teams


Ephesians 4:11 Counterfeit of 4/11 teams
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

I love this comparrision

Ephesians 4:11 Team Responsibilities


Ephesians 4:11 Team Responsibilities
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Equip the Body to do the work!

Ephesians 4:11 Leadership Spectrum


Ephesians 4:11 Leadership Spectrum
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Great slide on how different leadership gifts view the world.

Neil Cole: Ephesians 4:11


Neil Cole: Ephesians 4:11
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Neil Cole
411 Teams
Ephesians 4:11-12
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

- These are gifts/people given to the church. They have spiritual enablements.
- He gave the gifts for them to equip others to do the work.
- Not all have these gifts. (I Cor. 12:29-30)
- You will find that if you do not have these gifts, you probably operate better under someone who has one of these gifts.
- These Leadership functions are more regional and broader in influence than the elder/deacon roles found in each expression of simple church.

There is not much information about these functions...
Examples of believers

Apostle: A sent one to lay a foundation for the expansion of the church with a specific God given assignment
- a sent on (apostlos) is often looking for new places and people to spread the kingdom of God.
- Lays a foundation in a given region or movement (Ephesians 2:19-22) and does not build on another's foundation (Rom 15:20-21.
- Often unappreciated by contemporaries ( 1 Cor. 4:9-13; 2 Cor. 12:15), but looked upon favorably by history (Heb. 13:7-8).
- Identifies/ empowers leaders quickly, and is often the one who will call out the other 4/11 leaders
- They are good at reading culture and sees open doors for teh message (1 Cor. 9:19-23, 16:7-9, 2 Cor. 2:12)
- They see opportunities where others see closed doors.
- Passionate for the churches (2 Cor. 11:28; 1 Thess 2:7-12)
- But is driven by concern for the captives ( 1 Cor. 9:18, 23; Rom 10:1
- Has a patriarchal authority rather than positional (1 Cor. 9:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:1-3; Philemon 9, 1 Thess. 2:11; 1 Tim. 1:22)
Romans 16:7 Junias (Woman's names)

1Cor. 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (Note: That apostles are after the "A" Apostles)

(Showed clip from Big Wave Surfing) Application: Apostles go places that people dare to go. They start trends.
Task is bigger than a one man job.
Willing to go somewhere where no one has ever been before.
Willing to experiement in different ways
Willing to risk it all/ loose his life.
He relied on the others to see what he could see.

Rom. 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God
*He was first a servant not a prophet. Don't go around

Prophet: One who hears and speaks a specific word from God to a distinct persn or persons.
- Rules have changed since the days of the OT prophet (Heb. 1:1-3)
- Encourager, comforter, strengthener (1 Cor 14:3)
- Messenger (14:4)
- Often unappreciated (James 5:10-11)
- Speaks for God (1Cor. 14:25, 30-33)
- Speaks of the future (1 tim. 4:14; Acts 20:23; 21:10-11)
- Tells teh truth with out fear of consequence
- Subject to the other prophets for verification (1 Cor. 14:32)

In the health of the simple and organic church, it is healthier because there is a open church type of format.

Apostles adn Prophets are the foundation of the church. They function as a start up team that can initiate the momentum and get down all teh needed parts for self perpetuation and self progagation aof the churches (eph 2:19-22)

This team is especially designed by God to start a movement of church multiplication - identifying good soul, reading teh culture, discovering open doors, finding person's of peace, calling the church to holiness, establishing elders.

- Giving instruction on how to proceed
- Apostle needs the prophet. However the Prophet is there to help the apostle move forward.


Evangelist: One who is called to passionately seek out opportunities to share the gospel with others and lead them toward accceptance of Christ.
- Good News teller ("euangelistes")
Driven to share the gospel (2 Tim 3:1-5; 1 Cor. 9:16-18).

Often more comfortable with lost than found (1 Cor. 9;19-23)
Makes opportunities happen ( Col 4:5-6; Acts 8:40
Contagine in the church


Shepherd: One who has an overwhelming concern for the continuing care for a specific community.

Protects and cares for the flock acts 20:28-131; John 10:11-13
Makes sure they are well fed psalm 23:1-3
Stengthens the weak and searches for the lost sheep
Values inteimancy
Ledas by example, not for personal gain, and is trusted by the flock because he/she has relational authority not positional (John 10:4=5, 27; 1 Petter 5:1-3)


Teacher: One responsible for progressive growth in understanding and application of turth

gift of teaching (Rom 12:7P
facilitates learning of truth and a kingdom lifestyle
mentors on a personal level
Aim people in correct direction
Instruts, corrects, trains in righteousness
teachers by exmaple under a fear of God
Ther is not a need for many teachers
Continuning to expose false assumptions and reveal actual truth
Authority comes from the truth of the scritpture


DNA
Divine Truth
Nurturing Relationships
Apostolic

Evangelist, shepherds & Teachers function as the set-up team that builds up the body for ongoing growth, health and direction.
Notice that each team (Start-up and set up) starts with a gift dedicated to out reach. Notcie that the DNA is present in the set-up Team:

D-Teaching
N-Shepherding
A-evangelizing


The apostleff unctions like a glandular system in that it instills in the body what is needed to dictate the development, mood and reproduction of the body.

Prophet central nervous system

Evangelist - Functions like the muscular/skelital system

Shephard - circulator system, oxygen gets spread out

Teacher - Digestive system, energy to the life of the church, eliminates the waste.


Apostle - Thumb
Prophet - Fourth finger
Evangelist - middle finger reaches out further/likely to offend
Shepherd - LIke a ring finger/ committed to this relationhip until death do us part
Teacher - pinky, picks things apart



There seems to be a magic number of 15 in a network.

15 houses per network

That will be our goal for the central coast. A network of 15 house churches.

Ephesians 4:11 Team Workshop


Ephesians 4:11 Team Workshop
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Sunday Night 500+


Sunday Night 500+
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Jim Rutz and the Seelyes


Jim Rutz and the Seelyes
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

They have been friends since 1953...

Robert and Barbara Seelye


Robert and Barbara Seelye
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Art Miller adding to the Blog


Art Miller adding to the Blog
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.



Art Miller
artmiller@pobox.com
805-341-4878
Neil Cole spoke for the second time this morning, and covered the development of leaders. He explained the need for multiplying leaders as a fundamental requirement for supporting the multiplication of disciples and then churches. The big picture is useful here to see why this is so needed. 100 million new house churches in the next fifteen years is a large picture, but is entirely possible. Neil said 100 million new house churches isn't enough. They need to be healthy and vibrant: real pictures of Christ living in their community.

After explaining the need before us, Neil moved into concepts for developing leaders. There were quite a few, and it is a challenge to decide which parts to leave out. One key piece is that leadership development must come relationally, from other leaders, pouring into them. He also said to look for leaders in the hurting and the broken, the rejected, those who have been passed by on the side of the road as lost. Instilling in them the spiritual DNA (Divine Truth, Nurturing relationships, Apostolic Missions - see Life Transformation Groups for more info) into them allows them to be independent Spirit led people, meaning they can move into the calling God has for them. The final point I'd want to share is a great concept Neil illustrated with the "Hoosiers" movie. The head coach intentionally gets thrown out of the big State game, and forces the assistant coach to step up and make the calls. It can be difficult to yield control, but it isn't ours to take. It's the final step of raising a leader - and very Christlike.

Thanks for the chance to share - Neil had a lot of things that aren't here, but are on the video. If your interested you'll have to watch the video.

Latino Amway


Latino Amway
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Rolland Baker... He Believes in Jesus of the Bible!

Rolland & Heidi Baker
Missionaries to the Poorest of the Poor in Mozambique

Watched a video of Heidi and Rolland taking kids back to their home. They minister to the poorest of the poor, the orphans.

After a 40 days of rain and 40 nights of rain. Half of Mozambique was destroyed by flood waters.

The entire nation of Mozambique is coming to God. They are on the front lines of watching the nation of Africa take notice.

What will it take for America to come to know God.

They are seeing people come to Christ just by showing up and asking the Holy Spirit to come. The place erupts with God. People are thirsty for God. Once when they showed up with food to feed the starving, people by-passed the food to get to the tracts and the Bibles. They are desperate for God. Revival is happening because they are desperate.

We don't chase signs and wonders, we don't chase works of the spirit. We don't chase money. We just chase Christ and these other things seem to follow.

53 people to his knowledge have been raised from the dead in Mozambique.

The church in Africa is exploding because they have found the All Mighty God. The Muslims have given up on Africa. Their numbers are slipping (according to Rolland).

The joy of the Lord is their strength. People are coming to the meetings because they hear that Jesus has shown up. So they go to these meetings, some 10,000 at a time standing in the rain listening to the Gospel. They don' t worry about "Seeker Sensative". They come because Jesus is there. Jesus is alive.

What is fueling this movement of God is just sheer pure humility. People are humble before God.

Summary: This guy knows Jesus and knows that the God the Bible is still alive and well. He wanted to go to the poorest of the poor. Well, they now are part of a thriving ministry of people, ordinary uneducated people starting churches and living the Christian life to the fullest.

Dinner... Saturday PM


Dinner... Saturday PM
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Notice the sign above our heads and the waiter Stephen in the background. Jonny Rockets is a great place to get a burger!

The Resource Center


The Resource Center
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

List of books later

Jon Dale prepares for the Evening Session

Griffo Family as Worship Team


Griffo Family Prays before Worship
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Well, I am always a little skeptical of worship teams. So before tonights session, I snuck behind the curtain and saw the Griffo family praying together before they led everyone in worship or prayers set to music.

Lunch with Robert Seeley and James Rutz

This was a great time, lots of notes, will post them tonight. Things are moving at a rapid pace and I need to head to another seminar/Conf. meeting.

God is good and great!

Wolfgang Simson: Deliverance and Church Planting

Interesting Seminar... still processing. All seemed very biblical and within biblical guidelines. This is beyond my experience, not that I would be opposed to it.

More later...

Thom Black was worth the weekend!!!!!


Thom Black and his Bladder Story
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.




Thom Black was worth the trip. He hit on all topics... Youth, Parents, Church drop off, Passion, people, relationships, family matters!

Here is a quick snippet of the information. I was typing so fast, I am not sure that I got all of it.

The normal group he talks to are people that he is trying to convince that people like us (House Church People) exist!

10 years ago 95% of believers were tied to a congregation. Today approx. 75% of believers are tied to a congregation. According to there research, within 10-15 years there will be less than 35% of people attached to a traditional church.

Two things are fueling your movement / revolution

1. Promise Keepers sent men back to get involved and the men found out that the church had no place for them.

7-8 million guys went to promise keepers and upon returning realized that

2. Youth Ministry has propelled the movement / revolution. Young people are looking for a real experience.

Barely 1 out of 10 of young people from past youth ministries are tied to a church as adults. That is sad.

These two revolutionaries are propelling the movement.

They asked the question, what is this group all about? What they discovered is that these people are the most passionate group of believers that Barna has ever put there hands on.

7 Core Passions are shared by these Revolutionaries.
1. They want to be in a worshipful experience with God. This does not mean they want to sit on the other side of a pew listening to a band. Some of them are pulled in by singing to God and others are pulled in by listening. However, they are looking for environments that are real and genuine. The difference is that these people are wanting to worship God 24/7. Do not make this into a program, don't fall back on the old way of doing things. It will destroy what you are doing.
They are looking for authenticity, they are looking for something real.

2. They want to grow spiritually. They have been sitting in pews for years where nothing was happening. They are willing to get out and find it somewhere. We must have an authentic faith and they want to hang out with people who are living an authentic faith.

3. They are interested in spiritual friendships. Global church has defined it as coming under authority/ accountability groups/ etc. Churches today are clusters of like-minded people to the point where everyone is just follows and not revolutionaries. Revolutionaries want to have spiritual friends, a spiritual community that they can be authentic with and that they can share their lives with. There are virtual relationships going on today that will blow your minds. These are spiritual friendships that you investing your lives into each other. If you can offer it, then you have something that you want.

4. They are not into evangelism, they are into faith based conversation. They are not interested in the four spiritual laws being thrust into their hands. They are interested in a faith based life that thrusts them into a conversation about Jesus Christ. Not a paper put in their hand. They want to watch the reality of the experience we have with God. An inner reality that God exists.

5. Material Resources is an issue. The average local church has less than 6% tithe. In the revolutionary community is more than 50% tithe/share with those in need. The revolutionaries do not want to invest in buildings, lights, basketball courts etc. They want to put their money where it counts... for real! In our ministries, we are sitting on top of families who have an incredible heart who want to share their resources into very real life opportunities to affect change in the lives of people. (His example of this is Oprah and the cow idea and the response she had.) How can we create a real experience between people with resources and the people who have a genuine read.

The Revolutionary view of the Church...
Please come to our worship service... no one is coming because it is not changing our lives.
Please come to our Bible Studies... I don't want to study, I want to serve.
Please give money/tithe... I don't want to invest in buildings but people.
Please come to our meetings... They are not making a difference in peoples lives.

6. They want to be in works of service. Help them come up with ideas to invest their lives in people... not buildings.

7. Revolutionaries are deathly passionate about their families. They see that there is no difference between the world and the people inside their church. The highest numbers of people getting divorce are pastors. Revolutionaries see that they do not want their kids and families to reflect the current life/lack of life in the church. They want their families to be at the core of what they do.

Don't think that you can reproduce this... you must be diligent to stay away from a system, away from creating the experts, away from reproducing a model. This is about God assembling a team to do a great work.

It is Barna's opinion that this group (House Church Movement) is where the Spirit is falling. It is where they believe that people are growing and having an opportunity to use their gifts.

Other things...
Work place fellowships...
Business fellowships...
House Churches...
Home Schooling Movement is creating a network of families...
Worship Gypsies... (Worship festivals where 30-50,000 peoples)
Tranformation Churches... trying to change to reach the revolutionaries... (Example... get involved in other things outside of the buildings.)


BIG POINT...

Spouses are caught in this turmoil. One spouse sees the value of the worship service/music time... however the other spouse may see that it is producing not fruit. This seems to be an issue for many. Wives enjoy the experience at the traditional church and the husband may not see the validity of it. (or vice versa)

Any move of God that gives the book(Bible) back to the people will protect the truth of His doctrine.

Issue of Youth and Culture...

Big issue... is that kids travel in herds. That is why it is hard for kids to grow in the house church because they learn and grow better in groups than by themselves.

We must understand the youth culture and the needs of the youth culture. The passion of the parents is highly "family centric" yet if there are less than 2 kids in the group... they are probably struggling.


Thom Black after speaking... Hanging with friends.
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

Thom Black Quote...

The normal groups I speak to are people that I am trying to convince that people like you truly exist. (House Church People)

Thom Black - The Revolution - Opening - Barna Group

We are live... we have internet connection in the conference hall. :-)

Story about childhood bladder issue... We will see how this goes. I am not sure where he is going... He is sharing personal things about a bladder problem using descriptive terms that I have never heard in such a public setting. Everyone is laughing and gasping throughout the story. His vulnerability has set a tone that is amazing. He is not the most gifted presenter, yet his realness is captivating.

He had a urinary track scare from childhood and kept the secret of the problem for 40 years. After telling a very interesting story about disclosing the problem to his wife, working with doctors, and having surgeries, He finally came to a realization about how stupid it was to keep the secret for so long. He has now healed up and can't believe that he kept the medical problem a secret for so long. He could have found freedom 40 years ago from the pain and issues surrounding his problem.

Are we keeping secrets? If so, why if you have an opportunity to have freedom.

We went to prayer to ask God to reveal secrets in our hearts that we may need to reveal. A number of people prayed out loud in the assembly for healing in those peoples lives.

Powerful... more to come.

Breakfast with other House Church People

It appears that more people showed up than what was expected. So, we just had eggs.. and more eggs. They were good eggs if you put Ketchup, salt, and pepper on them. We are heading to get a front table seat!



Breakfast with other House Church People
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.




Eggs...and more eggs...
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.

It's morning... Heading to Breakfast!


It's morning... Heading to Breakfast!
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.


Had to get an elevator picture... I love elevators!

Read a Friends Blog trying to define church... Interesting.

Something to chew on before the conference begins.

Rich's The Ekklesia Blog. Some food for thought or thoughts for food? Whatever... it is to early... Look forward to the day.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Good night!

Another day in Denver was well spent. Prayer and People were the main course for the day. I wish all of you were here with me.

Miss the Fam... Jen and kids I love you!
Aren't they cute!

Reed Kids
Originally uploaded by yafflickr.