tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018190193106713082024-03-21T17:59:06.967-07:00CCM UpdateCommunicating Cross-Cultural Ministries news
from the Churches of God, General Conference (Findlay, OH)Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-74846271718516338382014-10-22T08:27:00.003-07:002014-10-22T08:27:55.483-07:00Reaching a New Generation: An Interview with Rob Warren<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">H2O is a growing church on the campus of Bowling Green
State University (located between Findlay and Toledo, OH). Affiliated with the
Great Commission Ministries, H2O (</span><a href="http://www.h2ochurch.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">www.h2ochurch.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><a href="http://vimeo.com/85996764" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">http://vimeo.com/85996764</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">) is pastored by 30-year-old <b>Rob Warren</b>, a 2012 Master of
Divinity graduate of Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Rob was a keynote
speaker at this year’s CGGC Great Lakes Regional conference and sat down with
Don Dennison (one of Rob’s professors during his time at WTS) to talk about how
churches can be more effective in reaching a younger generation.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFPRNgbws3QOkS2rirXXKxtw_mr1fekOGyqwq22uar1vdLEx-nEgCvIenWXUYMkKfiYvOvCt-HCYhVpxaLivza664Aipz1PBxgs1Hhyphenhyphen2WnKyIja7xFU8w8M1oQfFeql1_kNWlExTdJytx/s1600/Rob+Warren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFPRNgbws3QOkS2rirXXKxtw_mr1fekOGyqwq22uar1vdLEx-nEgCvIenWXUYMkKfiYvOvCt-HCYhVpxaLivza664Aipz1PBxgs1Hhyphenhyphen2WnKyIja7xFU8w8M1oQfFeql1_kNWlExTdJytx/s1600/Rob+Warren.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Don</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: <i>Christianity
Today </i>recently reported that 80% of Southern Baptist churches
baptized <u>one</u> (or less) young adults (age 18-29) in 2013. Their
leaders admit they are not being effective in winning and discipling the next
generation. In your opinion, why is that happening?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rob</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: There
seems to be a resistance to progress and change, which I would consider
necessary for growth in any capacity. What worked at one time is not working
now. If we are going to reach people we haven’t reached, we’re going to have to
do things we haven’t done. Many of us don’t know necessarily how to engage with
this younger generation, and we have got to learn—much like what you do with
overseas ministry. We have to learn the culture and be willing to do things
that we wouldn’t normally/traditionally do. It’s like trying to chop down a
tree with a dull ax. Some of us might be working really, really hard, but we’re
not working smart. We need to be in tune with what’s connecting with them and
keep them in our ministry focus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: What are some common characteristics we need to
know about this next generation?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: One of
the most important things we can learn about the younger generation is their
strong need for community, relationships, and connection. Our philosophy in
reaching them has to be connection-driven, and we’ve seen that as we’ve planted
churches on college campuses across the United States. The connection piece is
just massive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: That connection piece has to happen where--on
their turf? You can’t expect them to come to us automatically.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: Right.
The days of the Field of Dreams: “<i>If you build it they will come</i>” are
over. We have to go to where they are. In our churches, we need a responsible
person who knows the culture to go and to lead that charge to invade that
territory. That’s why we do what we do with the H2O network. We go to
them!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: In reaching 18-30 year olds, does the church
need a “hip pastor “who has been a star athlete, like yourself?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">:
(laughter) No, I don’t think so. The reality is, in our network of churches,
there are collegiate church pastors who are 50 or 60 years old and still
reaching young people. We just need people who are passionate and laser focused
on that demographic and know how to relate with them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: What is H2O doing differently than most churches
in being able to attract, reach, and disciple young adults?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> In
my estimation, two things (which may open up a can of worms with some people):
One is the whole attractional vs. missional discussion that started years ago.
We have embraced that we need to be as <u>attractional</u> as humanly
possible one day a week and as <u>missional</u> as humanly possible
every other day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: That’s a powerful way of saying it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: In
reaching young people, we found that attractional <u>is</u> missional.
We strive for <u>excellence</u> in everything we do. We try to create
a place where people want to be so they’ll come, meet Jesus, He changes their
life, and then they embrace the call to reach those around them. The second
thing we try to focus on is <u>intentionality</u> with everything we
do. We have a strategy and a process in what we’re trying to do. From the
minute we meet people, it’s about connections. In our strategy we know three
things: who we want people to become, where we want them to go, and what we
want them to do. It’s laser-focused on connections, showing them
Jesus, then equipping them for His mission.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: This generation really is into authenticity, but
they also value excellence. Can you really achieve both? Doesn’t the goal of
always striving to have a perfect presentation come off as too artificial?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: I heard
an older pastor once say that the authentic argument for the younger generation
is stupid because everybody desires that. But there is that tension; we try to
create an environment with the excellence component that really allows people
to experience God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: How important is “experience” for this new
generation?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> That’s
why they are at the bars. They are trying to feel something. Why do we go to
these concerts? We are trying to feel something. Psalm 34:8 says, “<i>Taste and
see that the Lord is good</i>…” With excellence in our services, we
strive to help them 'taste' and feel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: So how do you appeal to the senses at H2O?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pHlvQisEyepXz7lq02Q9yY31mTSsA9v-LW9w_fsOWjqQUaY_u1ju4CK_cnD34A2C2ys2tl12uRMzkkpHT35f3eq7QPnyEMMOq_kJLtgALFJSQ8d2ogTzMGepeB2wrus9XgKKW2wE8LDm/s1600/Rob+Warren+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pHlvQisEyepXz7lq02Q9yY31mTSsA9v-LW9w_fsOWjqQUaY_u1ju4CK_cnD34A2C2ys2tl12uRMzkkpHT35f3eq7QPnyEMMOq_kJLtgALFJSQ8d2ogTzMGepeB2wrus9XgKKW2wE8LDm/s1600/Rob+Warren+team.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: We try
to take out “the cringe factors” and really get them into a spirit of worship
so they feel comfortable. The cringe factors are the 30-45 second transition
where you are adjusting the mic. We want to take people on a journey to the
cross and to the empty tomb, so the excellence factor helps people really
experience something in our services, and then we inform them that it’s Jesus
they are experiencing, feeling, and longing for. That’s our mission: to <u>engage</u>
the campus of Bowling Green State University, <u>inform</u> people of the
Gospel of Christ and <u>inspire</u> our community to live like Jesus and change
the world. Part of the engagement process is to create a place and atmosphere
where people actually want to come. We’ve seen it. We have non-Christians,
un-churched and atheists coming because they see some value, they hear something,
or they experience something they like. It’s weird, I can’t explain it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: Hearing and seeing and feeling is obvious.
Tasting? Smelling?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (laughs)
We don’t use incense or anything like that. We try to do interactive things
which give people a place to express and move out of what they are feeling. We
try to create a lot of moving in our services. For example, once everyone was
handed a chain link when they walked into a service where we were talking about
how we are chained to sin and death. We gave everyone the opportunity to give
that chain back through faith in Jesus. We said, “<i>Hey, if that’s not for
you, then hold on to that chain</i>.” But there’s something experiential that
makes people think and feel, “<i>Dude, I’m really holding onto this chain. I’m
walking out of here chained, keeping me from God</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: Awesome! One argument against ministry to
university students is that you may reach them but have them only four years or
so. Why bother because it won’t translate to long-term growth, and the constant
turnover kills you. How do you respond to that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> That’s
exactly why we <u>need</u> to do it. We are so laser-focused on
discipleship and leadership development for the long term. We are
striving to help them create rhythms to their lives that revolve around Jesus.
Our goal is to equip students to be disciples and disciple-makers and send them
out. It’s a constant revolving door with H2O, which is the hardest thing about
collegiate church planting but, for us, it is the most strategic. We
do it because we’re sending people out around the world every year, every
semester, equipped for ministry in the church.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: Ok, so you’re not just about evangelism but
making disciples.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Oh,
yeah! It’s a two-fold thing. We want to reach them and attract them, but we ultimately
strive to equip them because that’s how we are going to change the world and
that’s why we go to college campuses. It’s not the most lucrative; it’s not the
easiest. But if you look at the history of the world, <b>every major
movement that has brought about significant change has started with young
people.</b> So we operate out of the idea that, if we can just grab them
for those four years…train them, disciple them, equip them, and then when they
graduate, send them out and say “<i>Get involved in a church. You’ve been
equipped, start serving</i>.” That’s why we do it, because it’s hard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: Do you attract a lot of students who consider
themselves drop-outs from a local church?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: It’s a
mixed bag. We get some students who cause us to ask, “<i>where did you come from</i>?”
Their parents and their church at home discipled them well, and they get it.
They are all about Jesus and they could probably come on staff with us as
freshmen. Those are the kind of people who really change things on campus from
day one! Then you have the people who have grown up in the traditional church
who often say: “<i>I only went because Mom and Dad told me I had to
go</i>.” A lot of those end up getting saved, and that’s an awesome thing.
Regardless of where they come from, we get the students and give them purpose…
(that’s another thing with this next generation: they want to be connected to
something purposeful)…when you show them how they fit in, they start bringing
atheists and completely unchurched people (like me).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: You are attracting a percentage of worshippers
who are not university students but from the local community, right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: I’d say
we are 75-80% university students: being undergrad or grad students. Then about
20-25% are recent graduates, community members, faculty, staff, coaches, and
we’ve tried to create a space for them. We’ve always said “<i>you’re welcome</i>,”
but our philosophy of ministry has a type of ‘stiff-arm’ because we just didn't
have anything for them. This past year we said “<i>Enough of that. Let’s use
some of these people to help reach college students</i>.” and it’s working.
We’ve created a kids program that we call “H2O Kids” where we utilize education
majors, and then we have small groups for community members.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: So you provide that to meet their needs, but you
still focus primarily on university students?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Yes.
Sometimes families will come but we tell them our expectations for them is to
adopt a life group of undergrad college students: have them over to
your house, feed them, deliver stuff to campus, give them care packages.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: So what’s the discipling process?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: Our
strategy is to get everybody in our front doors (Sunday services, Groups, and
Outreach), and we want everybody to go through “The Well.” The Well is where we
define what we want people to be (a disciple), and that’s all about
discipleship. It’s a seven week-long program that informs them, challenges
them, and connects them. Its also the first step in leadership at h2o as well.
The bar is high for the Well but we find that young people like a challenge.
We require them to get connected to a life group, serve in the church
every week, have a weekly meeting with a staff member or an older student, and
come to all the Well sessions. From there, we seek to get everyone into
“huddles”, which are groups of 5-8 people who meet for 12-week. Huddles
create a place for high obedience/accountability to occur. The two
questions that guide them in Huddles are: <i>What is God doing in your
life? And how can you respond and the group help? </i>They have a
curriculum to use with that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: Do you ever have push-back from students who say
“<i>I’m so busy with studies. I don’t have time to be involved in these small
groups</i>?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: No,
we’ve noticed that college students have a ton of time. As we’ve opened up the
doors to more city people, the city people are the ones who say “<i>I don’t
have the time for that</i>.” College students are sometimes giving us 20 hours
a week. It’s crazy. We set the bar really high intentionally, and say “<i>here’s
the radical minimum standard</i>.” We want them to pursue an intentional
lifestyle of following Jesus so by the time they are released out of college,
they’ve had a crazy amount of training and discipleship. The last step in
our strategy, after huddles, we have Leadership Training Group (LTG) which
equips people to know how to become a disciple maker.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: This generation responds well to a high
challenge?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> We’ve
seen that. We try to create a culture that’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">high invitation--high challenge</b>, which is what we have found to be
the best culture to create disciples and reach young people. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">High invitation--low challenge</b> is
self-righteous and apathetic. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Low
invitation--low challenge</b> is a bored culture. No one wants to be part of
it. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Low invitation--high challenge</b>
is a stressed out, convicted culture where everyone is miserable by being
yelled at and brow-beaten with the Bible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: They don’t deal well with guilt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: Exactly.
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">high invitation--high challenge</b>
is where Jesus camped out. He was constantly communicating “<i>Come have a
deeper relationship with me</i>,” but He was also saying “<i>you need to
represent me, the Father, and the Kingdom really, really well</i>.” That’s
where we try to be at. We’re an open door for everybody. You are going to feel
welcomed and cared for and connected. But you are also going to be confronted
with this high-challenge, this radical-minimum standard of what Jesus said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: What are a couple lessons about reaching the
next generation you’ve learned along the way?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: The
connection piece is massive, we can't move past that. People often don’t
respond well just getting together for bible study as it often times lacks the
'life connection' component. The best discipleship times are sitting on
the front porch of a fraternity house with ten guys. We talk about the Bible
and about life in a laid back environment; they’re asking me about my marriage
and why I am a Christian, its really great. So don’t forget that
connection piece, the relationships, and knowing where they are at. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also, I go into their space each week, and I bring
them to my house. That’s been one of the biggest things i have learned. The
church culture, no matter how 'cool' your church is, is not necessarily going
to appeal to them. What appeals to them is people really following Jesus and
being super intentional with discipleship and mission. This generation
has a hypersensitivity to hypocrisy and it keeps many from even wanting to
engage with 'church people'. I sit down with guys and they say “<i>I
understand the Jesus thing, but I’m not going to be one of those people because
I know that I’m going to mess up</i>.” They have this really high disdain for
hypocritical people. But we seek to help them work through that and show
them its all about Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: So it’s going to take lots of time and
intentional relationships, going where they are.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: It takes
time and it’s messy. People are messy. One of the big things we embrace is “<i>belong
before you behave</i>.” A lot of what the younger generation believes is that
“I have to behave before I belong,” and we tell them <i>“I don’t care if you
are drunk, come to small group. Don’t be an idiot, but come to small group.</i>”
One guy came to a group as an atheist, and he walked in thinking, ‘<i>I
shouldn’t be here</i>’ but he was baffled by the kindness and connectivity that
eventually showed him Jesus, and he became a Christian. So the “belong before
you behave” is huge for us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: If a church starts to reach out to university
students or young adults, and encounters resistance from an older generation
regarding, for example, style of worship, how should they respond?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: I’d say
“<i>you don’t have that option! You’re a generation away from dying. You can
hold on to what you are doing and enjoy the comfortable thing, but your church
is dead and you don’t even know it yet</i>.” That’s a hard thing for people to
hear, but it’s truth. We need to fight against resistance and reach the
young people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: How would you describe the worship style at H2O?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: We do a
lot of hymns and 'contemporary' songs with a full band. It’s loud, it’s
good, and it’s always about Jesus. And the college students love the
hymns sometimes more than the contemporary stuff. They are deep;
there’s a rich theology in them. People appreciate that. We have a big band,
and we try to create an environment where people think, “<i>This is awesome</i>!”
I see football players come in all the time who are not churched, who
don’t believe in God, and I sit behind them and watch their heads bob to the
music because the music and the band are so good. They are bobbing their heads
to ‘<i>How Deep the Father’s Love’</i>, and it’s funny because they don’t even
know what they are doing but that’s great.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">D: What advice would you give to a church wanting
to reach out to the next generation in their community? How do they start?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">R</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: The
biggest piece of advice I can give is to find a church or leaders who are
reaching the next generation and get with them. Ask them to come into
your world, look at all that you are doing, and critique and challenge your
process. I think the greatest leaders are the ones who have the courage
to face the reality that maybe the culture they’ve created is not working, but
then work to change it for the sake of progress. That’s the biggest thing
that’s blessed us, because I know that <u>without fresh eyes you’re
paralyzed</u>. You’re going to keep doing the same thing; that’s what we tend
to do until we’re challenged.</span></div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-87617202720031393242014-10-06T04:00:00.000-07:002014-10-06T04:00:10.665-07:00How to Think about Worship (Part 3)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<u>Implications for Worship
Planning</u><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As one who has
visited many different churches in recent years, it is the observation of this
writer that an increasing number of persons gathered in the North American Anglo
church on Sunday morning appear to be “spectators.” This is especially apparent
during times designed for congregational singing. The worshipers represented by
the other countries in this project tend to be much better participants than
the rest of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Why are so many attendees
disengaged in the process? Do they not like to sing? Do they not know the
songs? Or, do they see themselves more as an “audience” to be entertained by
talented leaders than as “participants” in the worship process? While this
trend is on the rise, it is not a new problem. Robert Webber, commenting on the
changes in worship back in the 4<sup>th</sup> century following the conversion
of Constantine
and the endorsement of Christianity as a legal religion, states: “This
worldview shift put the church into a friendly environment where, with gifts of
buildings in which to worship, the worship of the church shifted from intimacy
to theater.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Other
contemporary writers agree. Morgenthaler states: “We are not producing
worshipers in this country. Rather, we are producing a generation of
spectators, religious onlookers lacking, in many cases, any memory of a true
encounter with God, deprived of both the tangible sense of God’s presence and
the supernatural relationship their inmost spirits crave.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Those who plan
services must avoid the popular trend where pastors and musicians perform for
an audience of consumers. Worship is to be done <u>by</u> the people—not to
them or for them.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> Worship
planners must consider new methods of involving the people as participants
without imposing change just for the sake of novelty. For example, there is
great value in responsively reading a Psalm or chapter of scripture from the
Bible as some of these sample cultures do. Utilizing the historic forms of
worship from the ancient church such as creeds or other readings may bring a
newfound freshness to a service. While some may reject practices associated
with more formal churches, such distinctions as "formal" versus "informal" are more
rooted in personal preference than in theological conviction.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a>
Creativity requires more preparation time than some worship leaders are willing
to give to the process. But “good preparation gives you the freedom to be
spontaneous in the Spirit without sacrificing effectiveness.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
regard to creativity, Morgenthaler asserts, “We need ‘vehicles’ or forms of
expression for all the marvelous verbs of worship: praise, adoration,
thanksgiving, contrition, commitment, petition, intercession, and so on. Our
desire for relevance is a good thing. But we cannot keep taking worship away
from the people simply because we have not had the courage or the resolve to
create interactive worship expressions for our own generation.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Good worship must
be learned before it is experienced. This means that pastors and worship
leaders must be able to teach good worship practices, primarily through
modeling it themselves. This is the only way to combat poor worship. The
primary issue is not worship style or the kinds of instruments being used to
aid worship. Those are means to an end. What will best serve the congregation
by assisting them in a genuine God-encounter? “The end is to meet with Jesus,
to know his presence, to fully engage our hearts in authentic expressions of
love to him.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a> For this
reason, the body of Christ should be taught to celebrate, even during
traditionally solemn times such as the Lord’s Supper.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Singing
and praying and bowing in our corporate worship are expressions “…of the
essence of worship, but those things can happen and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> be worship. Worship is not first an outward act; it is an inner
spiritual treasuring of the character and the ways of God in Christ. It is a
cherishing Christ, a being satisfied with all that God is for us in Christ.
When these things are missing, there is no worship, no matter what forms or
expressions are present.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Worship isn’t just
about what happens on Sunday in a special building dedicated by God’s people.
In God’s economy, worship is life. It “…is a comprehensive category describing
the Christian’s total existence.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span></a>
When Paul described true worship as “offering our bodies as living sacrifices
which were holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1), he was talking about
everyday life. What happens in corporate worship is designed to embolden the
believer and to empower the church to serve God in the world. What happens on
Sunday when the saints gather to worship should be an expression of the
worshiper’s heart seven days a week. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
conclusion, the following principles offer guidance in the preparation and
implementation of biblical worship experiences in any culture:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>God’s glory, and our joyful celebration of it in
worship, should be the focus and goal of all life and ministry (I Corinthians 10:31)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Worship is first and foremost for God (Revelation 19:10; 22:9)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Worship is a dialogue between God and His people, a
rhythm of revelation and response. (Psalm 96:4)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>The Word must be central in our worship (Psalm 150:2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Worship is the responsibility of all of God’s people
(Psalm 79:13)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Our worship is acceptable in and through Christ our
High Priest (Hebrews 2:12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Our response of worship is enabled, motivated and
empowered by the Holy Spirit (Philippians 3:3)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Worship is the response of our entire lives to God
(Romans 12:1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>God is much more concerned with our heart than with the
form of our worship (I Samuel 16:7; Hosea 6:6)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Worship
should promote the unity and edification of the body (Romans 15:5-6)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Young
and old need each other in the Body of Christ (Psalm 148:12-13)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>These
things must be taught and re-taught (I Thessalonians 4:1)<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> Robert
E. Webber, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship Old & New</i>, 95</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> Sally
Morgenthaler, 17</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> Webber, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Worship Spectrum,</i>184.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> David
Peterson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Engaging with God:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Biblical Theology of Worship</i> (Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992), 160.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a>
Rognlien, 202.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a>
Morgenthaler, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship Evangelism, </i>118.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a> Joe
Horness, “Contemporary Music-Driven Worship, “ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Worship Spectrum (6 Views), 109.</i></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a> Piper,
226-227.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span></a>
Peterson, 18.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><span>Mann, Ron.<span>
</span>“Biblical Principles of Worship & Their Application to Local Church
Ministry,” <i>Worship Resources</i>,
2006-2007 (<a href="http://www.worr.org/">www.worr.org</a>). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-39707745486784980922014-10-05T04:00:00.000-07:002014-10-05T04:00:04.615-07:00How to Think about Worship (Part 2)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<u>The Influence of Culture on
Worship Practices</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Worship never
occurs in a vacuum but in a resident culture. “Although God exists totally
outside of culture…God chooses the cultural milieu in which humans are immersed
as the arena for his interaction with people.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> While
similarities have emerged from the Biblical and historical patterns, worship forms
will change with each succeeding generation and from one place to another.
Worship should always reflect the culture of the ones who are worshipping. “Broadly
speaking, the style of worship reflects culture.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> If
worship does not identify with or relate to that culture, then the content will
not be meaningful and the experience will not be effective.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
To us today, this
is most commonly expressed in the preferred worship styles (traditional,
contemporary, blended, etc.) in the congregation. But culture influences much
more than just musical tastes. “The Old Testament reveals varying emphases in
worship in different periods in Israel’s
history, while the New Testament unveils varying approaches to worship based on
different locations and cultures.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> Initially
the early church bore the mark of Jewish influence because it grew out of that
culture. As the gospel spread to the Gentile world, aspects of worship as well
as church life were increasingly shaped by that newer influence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The New Testament
does not dictate the outward forms of how or prescribe the places of where
God’s people should worship. Those criteria became less important as the church
moved outward. As the makeup of the church diversified, so did the manner in
which they expressed their allegiance to Christ in worship forms.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a>
Even the pattern of worship seen by some in Acts 2:42, which was followed and
advocated for centuries, eventually gave way to changes within the prevalent
culture.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
This is as it
should be. The indigenous cultures in which the church is planted and grows
should contribute to the content and manner of worship. The inhabitants of each
culture offer something uniquely their own in how they express themselves in
worship. “God can inspire and speak through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i>
culture, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i> language, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i> music system, regardless of
whether persons outside of that culture have an aesthetic response to it. To
deny this is to deny the universality of God.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a> Such
diversity is a reflection of a creative God. For this reason, the imposition of
European/western architecture, congregational structure, and worship styles
(including our hymns and choruses) displaces the uniqueness which each culture
contributes to the body of Christ. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As Douglas Hayward
comments:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 3.0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“…the most ethnocentric practice in the
world has been the forced replication of Western church services. Western
worship patterns, translations of Western hymns and monologic preaching are the
standard fare in churches all around the globe. A contextualized Gospel on the
other hand requires that worship be performed in a manner that truly excites
and elicits adoration, praise, submission and obedience to Almighty God.
Contextualized worship, therefore, may have to move outside the confines of a
church building, spend more time in singing and dancing than in preaching,
incorporate new liturgies or rituals that speak to the needs of a people that
evoke prayer times and confessionals and would speak to the deepest needs of
the human spirit.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
When this writer
visited the Philippines
and worshipped in Manila over 30 years ago, he was
amazed that the congregational songs, accompanied by a church organ, were all
imported from the USA!
Indigenous songs, instruments and other religious expressions identifying the
uniqueness of the Filipino culture were glaringly absent from the experience.
Fortunately, that pattern is changing. “The desire to track and connect with
one’s ethnic roots, including indigenous melodies, rhythms and instruments, has
grown enormously” in recent years.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Corporate worship
varies with every culture, even within the same denomination. Interviews with
ministry leaders for this project confirmed the writer’s experiences through field
visits to each setting. The place of worship may be in a home or open courtyard
or under a shade tree in the absence of a separate building dedicated for
worship. Once completed, that special building may be constructed of brick or
concrete block or mud or bamboo and banana leaves. Worshipers in Haiti may sit
on narrow benches while their brethren in Brazil sit on white plastic chairs.
Worshipers in our churches in India
and Bangladesh—in
keeping with their custom—will most often sit on the floor. It is also a
characteristic of their Indian subcontinent culture for men and women to be
seated on separate sides of the room. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
When a building
does exist, the décor of that facility will also vary. Most churches in India and Bangladesh will
have a simple cross on the wall and a table and chair up front. (The pastor
sits when he preaches.) Navajo facilities may be adorned with Native American
and Christian artwork. Brazilian churches will feature Christian drawings or
paintings. In contrast, crosses, statues or other symbols are absent from
Haitian church buildings to avoid the symbolism associated with the Roman
Catholic church and voodoo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
This writer has
always been impressed with how people of other cultures prepare for worship. It
is common for Hispanic, and often Brazilian, worshipers to kneel at their
pew/chair for prayer prior to being seated. Customs in India and Bangladesh
dictate that worshipers enter the church building barefoot with shoes left
outside (as when they enter their home, school, etc.). Being clean and dressing
in one’s best clothes also symbolizes preparation for worship in most of these
cultures. That contrasts with the growing trend in North American culture to
“dress down” and be more casual in appearance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vibrant worship is
the norm in both Haitian and Brazilian worship. Congregational songs are loud,
highly emotional, repititious and exuberantly sung. Hand clapping and raising
one’s hands in testimony are common during the singing. Haitians commonly sway
their bodies as they sing their praises. Brazilian churches often have female
interpretative dance teams which accompany some songs. While the people in
Indian and Bangladeshi culture enjoy singing, a celebrative spirit is not as
common. People there historically have been more reserved in worship as a sign
of their respect and reverence for the Lord. Navajo worship tends to provide a
balance between reverence and celebration. Spoken testimonies are also a
valuable part of their worship experience. This would also be true in Brazilian
churches.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A variety of
musical instruments accompany church singing in these cultures. Brazilian and
Navajo churches utilize guitars, keyboard, and drums. When electricity is
available, Haitian churches use a keyboard, along with drums, accordion and
brass instruments. This writer has visited mountain churches in Haiti where the
only instrument was a piece of iron suspended from a rafter that was struck
with a metal rod in time with the beat of the song. Typical instruments in
Indian and Bangladeshi churches include such native instruments as the
harmonium (a portable reed organ) and drums.</div>
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The majority of
Haitian Christians own their own hymnal. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chants D’Esperance</i> is used by most evangelical Haitians throughout
their homeland and in the United
States. It includes French and Creole
sections of songs. Bengali and tribal worshipers in India and Bangladesh use
a Bengali hymnal (when available). Many of the songs are Bengali translations
of English-speaking hymns, but Bangla and native language songs are also
commonplace. In Brazil,
few of our believers can afford the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cantor
Christao</i>, so projected transparencies have replaced hymnals in most of our
churches. Choruses are learned through repetition and mixed with hymns sung in
Brazilian Portuguese. Navajo churches may also sing from projected words—some
in English while others in traditional Navajo language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Different cultures
tend to focus on different members of the Trinity in their worship service.
Haitians focus more on Christ and the Spirit. Navajo and Brazilian seem to
emphasize the Holy Spirit more, whereas God the Father and His Son Jesus are
the central focus in Indian and Bangladeshi churches. This is not to suggest
that the other person(s) of the Trinity are ignored but just not emphasized as
much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
More formal
western European forms of worship continue to influence the Indian and Bangladeshi
church context. The service usually includes the following:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>songs, various kinds of prayers, scripture
readings (from both the Old and New Testament), a Psalm read responsively, the
offering, a message, and benediction. Unlike worship in the other cultures
surveyed, the Lord’s Prayer is prayed every Sunday in Indian and Bangladeshi
churches. Churches in a Brazilian and Navajo cultures tend to be less formal
and more revivalistic with altar calls given at the conclusion of the worship.
Haitian worship is also less complex with the majority of the time given to
singing, prayer and the message. In Navajo, Brazilian and Haitian worship,
believers may be encouraged to pray aloud as a group.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
In regard to time,
churches in other cultures are less bound by the clock than our own North
American culture. The length of worship services in India and Bangladesh is
brief compared to others. There the service typically lasts 75-90 minutes. In
Navajo, Brazilian, and Haitian culture, worship often continues for two to
three hours or more. The pastor can usually preach as long as he wishes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The Lord’s Supper
is practiced in these churches with varying degrees of frequency. Among Navajo
churches, it is not often practiced. In India and Haiti, it is
done once a month. In Bangladesh
and Brazil,
it is every three months. Communion is only for baptized members in these four cultures.
It is a very solemn occasion whenever offered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Despite
differences in worship among these cultures, each of them agrees that worship
is primarily for the gathered Christians. Evangelistic opportunities may exist
at the conclusion of the service in Haitian, Brazilian, or Navajo churches, but
the primary focus is for the person already a professing believer. The worship
strengthens them and deepens their faith through the word, prayers, and praise.
The fellowship with other believers also offers a much anticipated
encouragement to them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Wherever
Christians exist, we also form a culture with its own language. One vital question
is: how does our church culture relate to other cultures? At least four
responses are appropriate and necessary. (1)The church must have elements that
are <u>trans-cultural</u> or valid wherever the church exists. This includes
certain elements of worship (such as gathering, prayer, proclaiming the word)
as well as crucial beliefs (Jesus is Lord, God is alive and active, believers
are people of God, etc.) (2) The church must also be <u>contextual</u>. It is
incarnational wherever it is located. (3) The church must be <u>counter-cultural</u>
in that it challenges cultural trends from Scripture. (4)The church must be <u>cross-cultural</u>,
united to and accepting of other Christians regardless of their location or
ethnic origin or generation.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
(to be continued....)<br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> Charles
Kraft, “Ancient and Modern: Church Music and the Culture Gap,” by Martin Wroe, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Third Way </i>(August 1985), 22</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> Robert
Webber, “Blended Worship,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the
Worship Spectrum—6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Views, </i>182.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>
Rognlien, 168.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> Basden,
15.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a> Piper,
222.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a> Webber, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Worship Spectrum, </i>182.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a> Frank
Fortunato with Paul Neeley and Carol Brinneman, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All the World is Singing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Glorifying God through the Worship Music of the Nations</i> (Tyrone, GA:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Authentic Publishing, 2006), 56.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a> Douglas
Hayward, “Measuring Contextualization in Church and Missions,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">International Journal of Frontier Missions,</i>
Vol. 12:3 July-September, 1995, p. 135.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Frank Fortunato, xiii.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span></a>
Kreider, 27 March 2007.</div>
</div>
</div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-80005793766780768952014-10-04T11:24:00.000-07:002014-10-04T11:26:35.168-07:00How to Think About Worship (Part 1)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
No ministry of the church has
greater potential for shaping the lives of its constituency than the corporate
worship experience. When people consistently gather together to affirm God’s
role in their lives and to allow the Spirit to speak in fresh ways through the
word, a remarkable transformation can occur. In a worship setting, followers of
Christ should be edified and mobilized for more effective mission in the world.
Seekers should find a genuine connection which draws them closer to the One who
is Life and Truth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Unfortunately,
such life-changing experiences are not typical in worship, especially in the
North American church. “If we are honest, we will admit that our services can
easily slip into meaningless rote, driven more by habit than spiritual passion,
and that many people attend every week and leave unchanged.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> Why
does this happen? Could it be that transformation is not occurring because the limited
nature of our experiences in worship do not fully express Christ’s great
command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27)?<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> When
people are either unprepared for worship, disengaged from worship, or
restricted in worship—then the experience becomes less than what God intended.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The purpose for
this project is to provide a biblical and theological foundation for the
practice of worship in the Churches of God, General Conference and to encourage ministry leaders who seek to improve the quality of the worship
experience they design and implement. This writer values what can be learned
about worship from Christ’s followers in other cultures. Interviews conducted
with ministry leaders in cross-cultural settings will be cited to demonstrate
not only how worship varies but what we can learn from one another.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>
Some differences in worship practice reflect the culture in which those churches
reside. A portion of this writing will emphasize the importance of respecting and
adapting worship to the dominant culture of the worshippers. At the same time,
caution must be exercised so that worship does not become captive to the
culture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Worship is often
associated with our feelings. People may evaluate or describe the influence of
a worship service by the presence or absence of certain emotions. But biblical
worship results in more than just good feelings. “It leaves us with changed
hearts and calls us to changed lives. Very simply, to experience God’s presence
is to be transformed from the inside out.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
More important
questions than “how did I feel about it?” are: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Did it glorify God? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Did we experience God as we gathered together in
worship? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Did it build up individual Christians as well as
the corporate community to be Christlike? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Did it align us with God’s mission of what He is
doing in the world?<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fulfilling that kind of criteria
depends (in part) upon the extent to which scripture has informed one’s
expectations about worship.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>A Theological Basis for Worship</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The Old Testament
reveals the God of Israel who was different from all the other gods known to
mankind. For example, He was (1) the One and Only God worthy of worship; (2)
personal and active revealing Himself in history; (3) presently available through
symbols or objects such as the ark of the covenant and places like the holy of
holies, the tabernacle and the temple; and (4) in spirit form rather than a
specific image.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Most significant of
all in the Old Testament was the persistent nature of God in taking the
initiative to reveal Himself. The variety of names by which He is known (such
as Jehovah, Elohim, etc.) indicates just some of the ways He surpasses all
other gods. For this reason, the term “glory” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kabod = weight, honor)</i> is often associated with God. He<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>alone is worthy of our praise and
worship.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Three worship
words are commonly associated with the New Testament church. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Latreia</i> refers to the formal practice of
worship, especially sacrifice. The word describes worship that envelopes life.
It is used of the prophetess Anna who “worshipped night and day, fasting and
praying” (Luke 2:37). The
Roman Christians were urged to offer their bodies “…as a living sacrifice, holy
and pleasing to God—this is a true worship” (12:1). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Latreia </i>as an image of worship which holds nothing back from God is
a radical concept.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leitourgia</i> is an active word, suggesting
service or work. It was used of practical service offered by one person to
another, such as when Epaphroditus ministered to Paul’s needs (Philippians 2:25); and the collection received
for the saints in Jerusalem
(Romans 15:27; 2
Corinthians 9:12). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leitourgia</i> was the word used in regard
to Zechariah’s service to God as a priest (Luke 1:23). It was likewise used to simply describe
congregational worship at Antioch,
“while they were worshiping…”(Acts 13:2). Worship as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leitourgia</i> describes how God acts in new ways and works through
Christians to serve others in very practical ways.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The third word is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">proskuneo</i> focuses on experience. It is
rooted in the actions of “kissing, bowing or falling down to worship a deity”
and expresses the emotion and action of using one’s whole body to worship.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span></a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Proskuneo</i> frequently occurs in Matthew’s
gospel to describe those falling down to worship Jesus, such as the magi with
the infant (2:11), and a
leper (8:2). In his conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4, this is
the kind of “worship” discussed. In Acts 10:25, Cornelius falls down and
worships Peter when he arrives in Caesarea.
Revelation describes constant and repeated <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">proskuneo</i>
where worshipers are on their knees (Revelation 4:10; 5:14;
7:11; 11:16; 19:4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
These biblical
expressions and descriptions suggest that worship is not only multifaceted but
also difficult to understand. In describing the essence and nature of worship,
Franklin Segler has summarized biblical worship in the following manner. It is
(1) <u>both revelation and mystery</u>. While God has made Himself known in
various ways, one can never fully comprehend Him; (2) a <u>celebration</u> of
God’s powerful and redemptive acts in history, especially through Jesus Christ;
(3) <u>life.</u> If everything belongs to God, then worship is not something
reserved for specific acts on the Lord’s Day but to be expressed every day in
all we do; (4) a <u>dialogue</u> in the sense that it includes both His
revelation and our response; (5) an <u>offering</u> of oneself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worshiper’s primary objective should not
be to receive blessings but to give oneself more completely to a worthy God;
and (6) <u>eschatological fulfillment</u> in the sense that worship always
anticipates that final gathering around God’s throne.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn11;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
It becomes
apparent that worship is not something that happens to us. It is never the
result of passivity. One must approach worship intentionally with a keen desire
for God, as expressed by the Psalmist:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my
God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (42:1-2a).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stated more forcefully, people “…ought to
come <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">starved for God</i>…(He) is mightily
honored when a people know that they will die of hunger and thirst unless they
have God.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn12;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
While worship may
include many things, at the heart of every definition of worship is the idea of
our response to God’s revelation of who He is and what He has done.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn13;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span></span></span></a>
In fact, “…the God who has acted in history continues to act within the
worshipping community in a saving and healing way as the community remembers,
proclaims, enacts and celebrates with thanksgiving.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn14;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span></span></span></a>
This makes worship the most important expression of our Christian faith. It is
ultimately more important than even evangelism or missions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus was quite
clear in John 4:23:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is seeking
worshipers, not more evangelists. “The true goal of evangelism is to produce
more and better worshipers….The biblical goal of evangelism is to produce
worshipers, not just to save the lost from the fires of hell or to enlist more
recruits.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn15;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[15]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
John Piper agrees
that worship rather than missions is the goal of the church. “Missions exists
because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate…because God is ultimate….When this
age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces
before the throne of God, missions will be no more. But worship abides
forever.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn16;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[16]</span></span></span></span></a> In this
perspective, the goal of evangelism and missions is to increase the number and
diversity of worshipers throughout the world so that God may receive the
maximum glory and honor that is due Him.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">[to be continued....] </span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> Bob
Rognlien, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Experiential
Worship—Encountering God with Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength</i> (Colorado Springs, CO:
NavPress, 2005), 25.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
Rognlien, 46.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>
Interviews were limited within the Churches of God, General Conference and
conducted with a Haitian pastor, Bengali ministry leaders in both Bangladesh
and India, an American missionary and his Brazilian wife serving in Brazil, and
a Navajo lay leader in New Mexico. </div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a>
Morgenthaler, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship Evangelism:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inviting Unbelievers into the Presence of God
</i>(Grand Rapids, MI:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zondervan, 1995,
1999), 52.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a> Kreider,
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship and Mission” </i>seminar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New
Haven, CT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overseas Ministries Study
Center, 26 March 2007.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Phil Harrold, “Biblical Foundations of Christian
Worship,” Plenary Session #1, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CM 586:
Christian Worship.</i> Winebrenner Theological Seminary, January 24, 2006.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a> Harrold,
24 January 2006.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Kreider, 26 March 2007.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span></span></span></a> Kreider,
26 March 2007.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span></span></span></a>
Kreider, 26 March 2007.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn11" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn11;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span></span></span></a>
Franklin M. Segler, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Understanding,
Preparing for, and Practicing Christian Worship</i>, 2<sup>nd</sup> ed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Nashville, TN:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Broadman & Holman Publishing, 1996), 7.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn12" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn12;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span></span></span></a> John Piper,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let the Nations be Glad! The Supremacy of
God in Missions</i>, 2<sup>nd</sup> ed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Grand Rapids, MI:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Baker Academic, 2003), 227.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn13" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn13;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span></span></span></a> Paul
Basden, gen. ed., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Worship
Spectrum—6 Views</i>, (Grand Rapids,
MI:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zondervan, 2004), 13. Also, see Morgenthaler,
47, 88; </div>
</div>
<div id="ftn14" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn14;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span></span></span></a> Robert
E. Webber, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship Old & New</i>
(rev.)(Grand Rapids, MI:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zondervan,
1994), 262.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn15" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn15;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[15]</span></span></span></span></a>
Morgenthaler, 39.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn16" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn16;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[16]</span></span></span></span></a> Piper,
17.</div>
</div>
</div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-65810411542961126962014-08-08T05:00:00.000-07:002014-08-08T05:13:30.194-07:00Do You Love the City? (Part 3)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b>Practical Implications for Urban Ministry<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b> </b>Seeing the city as
a strategic center for kingdom outreach begins with a godly perspective of the
city. The Old Testament book of Ezekiel ends with the words, “And the name of
the city from that time on shall be, ‘The Lord is there’” (48:35). While the
prophet is describing the restoration of God’s people to <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city> following their captivity in <st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city>, followers of
Christ today can be encouraged by the reminder that—regardless of the city—God
is there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
If
the church accepts the reality that God is already at work in the city, then
the church can more easily see the potential for making a difference. Most
international urban centers are fraught with systemic problems that cannot be
resolved with just another church program. Instead of echoing the despair voiced
by so many skeptics, the church can be a beacon of hope by working with
community leaders toward improving how the city functions on behalf of its
residents. Linthicum describes Christians as being advocates in and for the
city:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
The church is to
be the people of action—those who call the city’s structures and systems to
accountability, who defend those oppressed and exploited by those systems, and
who minister to those who are deceived but who benefit from that city’s
principalities. We Christians cannot bring into being such a city, but we can
work, pray, proclaim, and be on the side of the angels! To do so means that we
must commit ourselves to work toward the transformation of our city’s inner
spirituality. That transformation happens only through the Gospel. This is the
vocation or mission of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">church</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Jesus Christ</st1:placename></st1:place> in each
city of the world (1991, 144).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
While spiritual issues may lie at
the core of urban needs, effective ministry <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">seeks to address the physical
consequences of evil as well as the spiritual needs</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">. Of course, the church actively pursues this approach
to ministry, not for the purpose of increasing their membership rolls, but
simply because Christ’s transforming love demands it of those who have already
been changed by the gospel. By doing so, the church serves as a prophet
(speaking and acting on behalf of justice and mercy) and as a priest
(representing God to the people and interceding on their behalf).</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Intercessory
prayer is one of the normal spiritual practices of any church. The urban church
values this form of prayer as a primary force for good. The typical public
prayers in worship might (among other things) request God’s protection and blessings
upon the church family and express a desire for the city to be reached with the
message of Christ. But such prayers tend to be self-serving and limit the scope
of what God wishes to accomplish through His body as well as in the city
(Linthicum 1991, 49). Is there a better, more biblical model to follow in
praying for the city?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Jeremiah’s letter
to the exiled Judean leaders in <st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city>
called for a more extensive approach to prayer: “…pray to the Lord on its [the
city’s] behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (29:7).
Linthicum applauds this model prayer and adds these specific instructions:
“…the prayers of God’s people are to cover all aspects of a city. This includes
praying for the city’s economic health, for safety from conflict, for an end to
violent crime, for a reformation of the political process, for the well-being
and happiness of all who live in that city, and for justice for all, but
especially justice for the poor” (1991, 163). Such prayers are pro-active
rather than defensive-oriented (protecting God’s people against an evil city)
and encompass a wide range of urban needs which impact all its citizens. This
approach toward prayer recognizes the spiritual conflict facing the urban
church and engages the enemy in every battle. It also recognizes that God is
not just concerned about the spiritual needs of the people but every felt need.
So must His people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Aggressively
ministering to the city may require some of Christ’s followers to reverse the
church’s historic flight to the suburbs. There are signs that with inner city
revitalization taking place in many North American cities, younger generations
are choosing to live in city centers to benefit from closer proximity to their
work as well as to cultural events. The church should pursue this strategy by
encouraging a portion of their members to prayerfully consider this option. But
their purpose for living in the city must be very intentional and redemptive.
As Tim Keller points out, “If Christians go to urban centers simply to acquire
power, they will never achieve cultural influence and change that is deep,
lasting, and embraced by the broader society. We must live in the city to serve
all the peoples in it, not just our own tribe. We must lose our power to find
our (true) power. Christianity will not be attractive enough to win influence
except through sacrificial service to all people, regardless of their beliefs”
(2006, 39). Choosing this path is risky. Modeling a Christ-like spirit in the
city is countercultural. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Living in the city
with a missionary-mindset can be beneficial for both the church and the
community. Bakke affirms, “There is a relationship always between the presence
of the godly and the preservation of urban communities” (1997, 39). When
churches fled the city, they not only abandoned the mission but also allowed
other non-Christian religions to become more easily established, often in
buildings where Christ was once proclaimed (<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state> and Ortiz 2001, 320)! Returning to the
city opens the door for meaningful ministry once again and communicates to the
residents that the church has not given up on them. Ministering through
occasional forays into enemy territory does not make a lasting impact. But putting
down roots in the community with a long-term commitment and building
relationships through serving needs as Jesus did will make a difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
In the days of
Nehemiah after the city walls of <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>
were rebuilt, an effort was made to intentionally recruit one of every ten
godly people to live in the city (11:1-2). Their presence would be a good
influence on other residents. Ten percent could provide the necessary “tipping
point” to insure that <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>
would maintain the historic values of the faith recently instilled in them once
again (Bakke 1997:45). Tim Keller shares a similar viewpoint about impacting greater
<st1:city w:st="on">New York City</st1:city>
by increasing the percentage of Christ followers in the metro area (2006, 38). Continuing
to ignore the city by being prejudiced against it because it is too corrupt or
too difficult will simply marginalize the church’s influence and forfeit opportunities
for global impact (Charles 2009, 20).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Not everyone wants
to relocate to the inner city. “…Living in a concrete jungle or squalid slum is
far less attractive, and undesirable as a place of ministry” when compared to
many of the more exotic locations where this generation of God’s people are
focused in ministry (Johnstone 1998, 243). But Greenway reminds us, “The
question is not whether we prefer to live in cities. The question is whether we
will go where workers are needed and where God wants us to go…. Cities offer
unique opportunities to reach great numbers of people with the gospel of Jesus
Christ and extend his kingdom on earth” (1999, 119). The masses of people and
the diversity of languages and cultures make the city one of the most strategic
mission fields in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The need to
establish the gospel and a reproducing church among unreached people groups
today is no less important. But urban areas of the world may provide open doors
to some of these hidden peoples when groups of them relocate to a city for
greater economic opportunities. Since people in transition are more open to the
gospel, could it be that the massive migration of people to urban centers
around the world is a part of God’s providential strategy to expose all the nations
to the gospel (Greenway 1999, 117)? Many of them migrate to western cities from
countries where doing traditional mission work is either illegal or very
restrictive. In addition, major population centers referred to as “gateway
cities” have been identified in <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> and <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place> “…as portals
to unreached and least-evangelized peoples of the world” (Gailey and Culbertson
2007, 166). As a result of the world coming to the city, the mobilized church
can close the gap on reaching the unreached.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
There is a difference
between the churches’ potential for kingdom impact in cities in <st1:place w:st="on">North America</st1:place> and those in other areas of the world.
While churches do exist in most, if not all, of the cities of the 10/40 Window,
few of them “…have sufficient numbers of believers and churches to effectively
evangelize their city” (Grigg 1995, 22). The global church must make a more
concerted effort to plant reproducing churches in these strategic cities of the
world, knowing that the faith historically expands out beyond the cities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
In regard to urban
areas in <st1:place w:st="on">North America</st1:place>, Tony Campolo takes the
position that many inner city churches are already serving their communities
well but are still not doing enough. “…Too often they do not see the larger
role that they are being called to assume. Seldom do they realize that the
Church is called to be the lead institution that can govern the direction and
the character of social change in urban <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>. Rarely are they aware that
the hour has come for them to step out of their societal background and claim
control over the destiny of <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>’s
cities. Often these churches already have the human and material resources to
get the job done. They must be made to realize that to whom much is given, much
is expected” (2000, 60-61). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
For many Americans,
a mission harvest awaits only a block or two away. Geographically close but
culturally distant, their Jerusalem may look more and more every day like
Samaria or the ends of the earth, but God is still there. And He is already at
work to effect life change and community transformation through people who will
love the city as He does.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Reference List<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Allen,
Roland. 1927. <i>Missionary methods: <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Paul</st1:place></st1:city>’s
or ours? </i>rev ed.. <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>:
World Dominion Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Bakke, Ray. 1987. <i>The
urban Christian: effective ministry in today’s urban world. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Downers Grove</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place>:
InterVarsity Press. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
------. 1997. <i>A
theology as big as the city.</i> <i> </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Downers
Grove</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place>:
InterVarsity Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Barrett, David
and Todd Johnson. 2005. Annual
statistical tables. <i>International Bulletin
of Missionary Research </i>29, no 1 (January); 28-30.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Bosch, David
J. 1991. <i>Transforming mission: paradigm shifts in theology of mission. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Maryknoll</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">NY</st1:state></st1:place>: Orbis Books.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Campolo,
Tony. 2000. <i>Revolution and renewal: how churches are saving our cities. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Louisville</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">KY</st1:state></st1:place>: <st1:city w:st="on">Westminster</st1:city> John Knox Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Charles,
Duky. 2009. The importance and strategic role of the city
in missio dei. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i>Lausanne</i></st1:place></st1:city><i> World Pulse</i> (May): 16-20.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state>, Harvie M. and Manuel Ortiz. 2001. <i>Urban
ministry: the kingdom, the city and the people of God. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Downers
Grove</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place>: InterVarsity Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gailey, Charles
R. and Howard Culbertson. 2007. <i>Discovering missions.</i> <st1:city w:st="on">Kansas
City</st1:city>: <st1:place w:st="on">Beacon Hill</st1:place> Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Greenway, Roger
S. 1978. <i>Apostles to the city: biblical strategies for urban missions. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Grand
Rapids</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MI</st1:state></st1:place>: Baker Book House.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
------. 1999. <i>Go
and make disciples: an introduction to Christian missions. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Phillipsburg</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">NJ</st1:state></st1:place>: P & R Publishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Grigg, Viv. 1995. Spiritual warfare and the poor in the
gateway cities. In <i>Praying through the
100 gateway cities of the 10/40 window</i>, eds. C. Peter Wagner, Stephen
Peters and Mark Wilson, 22-27. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">WA</st1:state></st1:place>: YWAM Publishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Johnstone,
Patrick. 1998. <i>The church is bigger than you think: the unfinished work of world
evangelization</i>. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ross-Shire</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Great Britain</st1:country-region></st1:place>:
Geanies House.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Keller, Timothy
J. 1993. An evangelical mission in a
secular city. In <i>Center city churches:
the new urban frontier</i>, ed Lyle Schaller, 34-41. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nashville</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">TN</st1:state></st1:place>: Abingdon Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
------. 2006.
A new king of urban Christian. <i>Christianity
Today</i> (May): 36-39.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Latourette,
Kenneth Scott. 1975. <i>A history of
Christianity beginnings to 1500</i>. Vol. 1. Rev. ed. <st1:state w:st="on">New
York</st1:state>: Harper
& Row Publishers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Linthicum, Robert
C. 1991.
<i>City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">God</st1:place></st1:city>, city of S<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">atan</st1:place></st1:city>.
</i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Grand Rapids</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MI</st1:state></st1:place>: Zondervan Publishing House.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Maluga, Tom. 1999. Multiplying churches to take cities for
Christ: New life for the city through church planting and prayer. In <i>A heart for the city</i>, ed. John Fuder,
171-186. <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city>: Moody Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Newbigin,
Lesslie. 1989. <i>The gospel in a pluralist society.
</i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Grand Rapids</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MI</st1:state></st1:place>:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Pier, Mac. 2009. Greater New York and the five boroughs:
prayer<i>. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lausanne</st1:place></st1:city> World Pulse</i>. (July): 24-31.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Roberts, Bob
Jr. 2007. <i>Glocalization:
how followers of Jesus engage a flat world.
</i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Grand Rapids</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MI</st1:state></st1:place>:
Zondervan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
------. 2008. <i>The multiplying church: the new math for
starting new churches. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Grand Rapids</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MI</st1:state></st1:place>: Zondervan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Schnabel, Eckhard
J. 2008.
<i>Paul the missionary: realities, strategies and methods. </i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Downers
Grove</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place>: IVP Academic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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White,
Randy. 2006. The road to urban mission
in the new global city. <i> Common Ground Journal: Perspectives on the
church in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. </i>4, no. 1 (Fall): 37-48.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-19874857933547099372014-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:002014-08-06T05:14:15.436-07:00Do You Love the City? (Part 2)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Biblical Foundations
for Urban Ministry<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The word “city”
occurs more than 1,200 times in Scripture, and at least 100 cities are mentioned
by name—many of them significant in size and influence. “…Abraham’s city of <st1:city w:st="on">Ur</st1:city> numbered 250,000.
Ancient Ninevah was so large that it took three days to cross it on foot (Jonah
3:3). Babylon at the time of Nebuchadnezzar was an amazing city with eleven
miles of walls and a water and irrigation system…not equaled again until the
end of the nineteenth century” (Linthicum 1991, 21). These are prominent
cities, and it is the nature of cities for their influence to expand far beyond
their geographical boundaries. Roger Greenway states that, “whatever happens in
cities affects entire nations. The world goes in the direction that cities go”
(1999, 113). This is certainly more true today than 4,000 years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
At first glance,
the city appears to be antithetical to everything that is godly. In the Old
Testament, cities like <st1:city w:st="on">Babel</st1:city>
(<st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city>), <st1:city w:st="on">Sodom</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on">Gomorrah</st1:city>, and Ninevah all
have a negative history. Only <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>
is presented in a positive light.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> But
that does not mean God wanted His people to ignore opportunities for ministry
in the city in those times (as this paper will later prove).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
While in rebellion
against God, the murderer Cain built the first city, which he named for his
firstborn, Enoch (Gen <st1:time hour="16" minute="17" w:st="on">4:17</st1:time>).
The later construction of the city <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">tower</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Babel</st1:placename></st1:place> was in direct
violation of the command of God (Gen <st1:time hour="13" minute="28" w:st="on">1:28</st1:time>;
11:4). In response, God instituted the diversity of languages, which confused
the residents of <st1:city w:st="on">Babel</st1:city>
and caused them to disperse over the face of the earth.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <st1:city w:st="on">Babel</st1:city> eventually gave
rise to <st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city>—a
city-state that casts a dark shadow over the people of God in the Old
Testament and even serves as a symbol of evil in the New Testament (Linthicum
1991, 24). Yet God would later reveal Himself through His people in a place
like that.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The wickedness of
the ancient cities of <st1:city w:st="on">Sodom</st1:city>
and <st1:city w:st="on">Gomorrah</st1:city> was
a great offense to God (Gen <st1:time hour="13" minute="13" w:st="on">13:13</st1:time>;
<st1:time hour="18" minute="20" w:st="on">18:20</st1:time>), and He destroyed
them both by fire (Gen 19:1-29). Multiple references to <st1:city w:st="on">Sodom</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on">Gomorrah</st1:city> are found in Scripture as evidence
of God’s judgment upon the wicked cities. They repeatedly serve as examples of
what happens to the ungodly (such as Deut 29:23; Jer <st1:time hour="23" minute="14" w:st="on">23:14</st1:time>; Matt <st1:time hour="11" minute="23" w:st="on">11:23</st1:time>-24; 2 Pet 2:6; Jude 7). Missionary theologian
Lesslie Newbigin asserts that “the picture of <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place>
and his wife fleeing <st1:city w:st="on">Sodom</st1:city>
has been an immensely powerful one in shaping Christian imagination”
(1989, 237). It fosters the notion that Godly people flee the city!<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> However,
it is noteworthy that Abraham intercedes for the city in spite of its many ills
(Gen <st1:time hour="18" minute="22" w:st="on">18:22</st1:time>-33). He serves
as a model for all who would pray for God to preserve their city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The prophet Jonah
did not share Abraham’s compassion. When called to warn the great and evil city
of <st1:city w:st="on">Ninevah</st1:city> of
God’s impending judgment, he rejected that call and sought to evade both God
and his responsibility (Jonah 1:1-3). Ninevah’s wickedness was legendary, and
its atrocities against <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>
were especially offensive to Jonah. But Ninevah is described as “a great city
to God” (Jonah 3:3)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, and He
has great compassion for it in spite of its tendency toward evil. Jonah eventually
(but reluctantly) obeys, and the city responds in repentance (3:6-9). As a
result, God spares the city from destruction—an act that displeases and angers
Jonah (4:1). His selfish ethnocentrism is revealed in the closing verses of the
book as he waits in the suburbs, expressing more concern over his own comfort
than the fate of the city. Jonah’s distance from the city and his contempt for
it epitomizes the attitude of so many in the modern church who do not look at
cities with God’s eyes (Maluga 1999, 186). Like Jonah, they seem more focused
on the problems rather than the potential for transformation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The writings of
the prophet Jeremiah also reveal God’s heart for another wicked city: <st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city>. It was here
where the people of God would be forced to live for 70 years. God spoke through
Jeremiah to remind the people that, though He was responsible for sending them
into exile, He had not abandoned them or forgotten them in their plight. In
chapter 29, God gave His people specific instructions on how to conduct their
lives in the city: “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their
produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and
give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters;
multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I
have sent you into exile, and pray to the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> on
its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (29:5-7).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The exiles were
encouraged to put down some roots in the city, pray for the city and be a
blessing to the city. More surprising than hearing they were to be in captivity
for a long time was the affirmation that they could find God in (what they
perceived to be) a godless city! The comforting assurance of God’s activity (29:11)
seems out of place when one considers the context of city life: “For I know the
plans I have for you, declares the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, plans
for welfare<span class="footnote"> </span>and not for evil, to give you a
future and a hope.” As Linthicum states, this is an important and powerful reminder
for city-dwellers today: “Why are you in the city in which you find yourself?
You are there, Jeremiah suggests, for one reason and one reason alone. You are
in your city because God has <i>called</i>
you there. You are in your city by God’s design, by God’s will. Whether God’s
plans for you in that city turn out to be plans for your peace and not for your
disaster depend on whether you can see yourself as being called by God into
your city, and then whether you can seek to live faithfully according to that
call” (1991, 148). God can and does work through His people on behalf of their
city no matter what the circumstances are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
In the New
Testament, the city was the focal point of ministry in the early church. The
church was birthed in a city. Just prior to His ascension to heaven, Jesus
commissioned His disciples to be witnesses “…in all <st1:place w:st="on">Judea</st1:place>
and <st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city> and
to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), but they were to begin in <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>—a city! As the gospel of Jesus
Christ spreads out from there, cities such as <st1:city w:st="on">Antioch</st1:city>, <st1:place w:st="on">Philippi</st1:place>,
Thessalonica, <st1:city w:st="on">Corinth</st1:city>,
<st1:city w:st="on">Ephesus</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Athens</st1:city>, and eventually <st1:city w:st="on">Rome</st1:city> become centers of
church expansion. In fact, “it is no exaggeration to say that the book of Acts
deals almost entirely with cities; missionary work is almost limited to them” (<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state> and Ortiz 2001, 128).
Church historian Kenneth Latourette confirms this perspective by saying: “At
the outset, Christianity was predominately urban. It moved along the trade
routes from city to city. By the second decade of its second century in at
least some parts of <st1:place w:st="on">Asia Minor</st1:place>, it had spread
widely into towns and even into the countryside, but its strength was in the cities
which were so prominent a feature of the <st1:place w:st="on">Roman Empire</st1:place>”
(1953, 75). But, in addition to following the trade routes, was there any other
strategy that resulted in this focus on the city?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The Apostle
Paul—the church’s premier missionary—initially pursued a strategy in keeping
with his own ethnic heritage. When he and Barnabas began their first missionary
journey, they “…proclaimed the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews” (Acts
13:4). In seeking out Jews, they “…were bound to focus on cities: in the
provinces outside of <st1:place w:st="on">Judea</st1:place>, Jewish communities
could only be found in cities” (Schnabel 2008, 282). Going where a Jewish
audience could be found meant going to the city. Later, as Paul turned away
from the Jews to give primary attention to Gentiles, cities continued to be the
center of activity. Eckhard Schnabel describes Paul’s evangelistic ministry in
the city as focusing on five specific areas: “…synagogues, marketplaces, lecture halls, workshops
and private homes” (2008, 288). He concentrated on urban areas, not only
because of the masses of people, but for their potential of influence on the
surrounding region. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
For this reason,
Paul had an urban strategy. He was selective where he chose to focus his
attention. “He concentrates on the district or provincial capitals, each of
which stands for a whole region: Philippi for Macedonia (Phil 4:15),
Thessalonica for Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess 1:7), Corinth for Achaia (1 Cor
16:15; 2 Cor 1:1), and Ephesus for Asia (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Cor
1:8.…These ‘metropolises’ are the main centers as far as communication,
culture, commerce, politics and religion are concerned” (Bosch 1991, 130). As a
result of this strategy, churches were planted in the cities, villages and
countryside of each specific region.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Establishing
churches in major cities was essential to Paul’s plan. However, it was not
enough just to plant a church. “Most of Paul’s letters were written to city
churches as primers on how the church can effectively carry on ministry in a
city” (Linthicum 1991, 22). To be effective, they had to understand their
unique context (Linthicum 1991, 66). Every city was different, and thus, every
church was different. Paul either personally invested sufficient time in some
of these Christian centers (such as <st1:city w:st="on">Corinth</st1:city>
or <st1:place w:st="on">Philippi</st1:place>), or sent a co-worker who would
(such as Timothy to Thessalonica), so that the believers would be discipled and
grow toward maturity. These congregations were expected to possess a vital
faith that would be passed on to the surrounding areas (Allen 1927, 18). This
“trickle-down” approach resulted in a rapid spread of the gospel as the message
originally accepted in the city was then disseminated to outlying areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
However, some of
the New Testament churches did not fare so well in fulfilling this purpose. Instead,
the influence of the city seemed to have overwhelmed their mission. The Corinthian
church, with its numerous problems, is an example. In writing about the
effectiveness of the churches in the cities of Asia Minor (Rev 2-3), Linthicum
states, “Some of these churches were seduced by their cities, in one way or
another allowing the Gospel to conform to the world rather than becoming agents
to enable the world to be transformed by the Gospel” (1991, 310). This is
always a danger—regardless of the setting. But “if the city shapes the church,
we can be sure that the church will no longer be the servant of God with
redeeming power for the salvation of men, but will have become a slave to the
secular thinking and lifestyles of the urban society” (Greenway 1978, 12). The
effective church remains conformed to the image of Christ so that it can
provide a transforming influence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
What is commendable
about the <st1:place w:st="on">Asia Minor</st1:place> cities is “…they assumed
a pro-active role toward their cities, rather than a reactive role. The
essential response of these seven urban churches was to engage the interior
spirituality of their cities” (Linthicum 1991, 310). This engagement with their
cities is exemplary for churches today. Urban communities should not just be
localities where congregations have a presence through worship but areas where
the body of Christ is resident, engaged with the culture and making a difference
for the kingdom. This requires ministry leaders having the ability to interpret
the community as well as interpret the <span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Scriptures so they can address the essential issues of life in the city (Bakke
1987, 62).</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
This pattern of
beginning in the cities and spreading to outlying areas is how the early church
“…turned the world upside down…(Acts 17:6). For much of Christian history, the
church was an urban phenomenon. “…The church saw cities as gifts of God, royal
routes to the evangelization of the world” (<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state> and Ortiz 2001, 79). When the modern
missionary movement of the 18<sup>th</sup> century began to spread to the
coastlands of <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> and <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place>,
cities continued to receive the primary focus with the expectation that the
faith would spread outward (as it did in Paul’s day). However, it did not
permeate the beyond the coasts sufficiently. Vast interior populations were
remained untouched by the gospel. For this reason, the missionary focus turned
toward the interiors of continents and, more recently, to the unreached or
hidden peoples of the world.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As a result, it has
been suggested by some that the attention given to these more remote areas of
the world has been at the expense of urban mission (Roberts 2007, 58). Numerous
urban church strategists decry this perceived abandonment of the city at a time
when the cities of the world have exploded with unprecedented population gains.
In emphasizing this urban challenge as a major unfinished task for the church
today, missiologist Patrick Johnstone writes, “We have been winning the
countryside and losing the cities, and all the time our rural constituency has
been draining away to the cities” (1998, 243). History indicates that the key
to reaching the countryside has always been to reach the cities first (Roberts
2008, 130). In the words of Ray Bakke, “large cities are both <i>magnets</i>, drawing the nations into them,
and <i>magnifiers</i>, broadcasting the
gospel out into the hinterlands” (1997, 168). The gospel never flows from the
rural areas to the city. It begins in the city. “The engine for societal change
is in the cities,…used wisely, it could be the dynamo for the growth of the
Kingdom” (Johnstone 1998, 241). If that
is true, ministering in cities must be a major focus of the overall strategy
for fulfilling the Great Commission in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div>
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<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> For
example, Isa 2:2-4 depicts how the peoples of the earth would be drawn to <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city> as God’s glory
was made manifest in the holy city (<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state>
and Ortiz 2001, 90-91).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> One
could interpret God’s action at <st1:city w:st="on">Babel</st1:city>
as His opposition to cities in general. That is not the issue here. He
dispersed the residents of <st1:city w:st="on">Babel</st1:city>
for their attempt at self-sufficiency apart from Him and for their direct
disobedience to His command to fill the earth. Bob Roberts makes the point that
while the garden is the metaphor for creation, “…the metaphor for the future is
the city. The ultimate city the Bible describes is…a perfect city because it
belongs to God” (2007, 61). Therefore, apart from the image of the city as a
wicked place, there is the image of the holy city where God dwells and our much
anticipated destination (Newbigin 1989, 237).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> See Jer
29 explanation on p. 6-7 of this paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Was it
ever God’s will for a city church to close their doors and relocate to the
suburbs? The Jesus who prayed, “I do not ask that you take them out of the
world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (Jn <st1:time hour="17" minute="15" w:st="on">17:15</st1:time>) is the same Jesus who can protect His
people in the city.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The
English Standard Version (ESV) provides this meaning in the footnote.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> This
shift in focus was in large part due to the desire of missiologists to “finish
the task” of world evangelization by making sure that every unreached people
group had the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Christ. It was
not that they believed the city was unimportant, but that a reproducing church
was already present in urban areas. Places where the message of Christ had never
been proclaimed needed to be reached!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-48727055048761229112014-08-04T11:46:00.001-07:002014-08-04T11:46:45.209-07:00Do You Love the City? (Part 1)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<i><span style="color: red;">The following is the 1st in a series on "The City as a Strategic Center for Kingdom Outreach." A full bibliography will appear at the end of the final post.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Urban centers of the world pose one
of the more significant challenges for world evangelization. Just the sheer
numbers of people in mega-cities present enormous opportunities as well as
obstacles for the 21<sup>st</sup> century church. Today over one-half of the world’s
population has become urbanized. That trend will only continue in the coming
years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Densely
populated cities are becoming larger and more numerous on every major continent.
In <st1:city w:st="on">New York City</st1:city>
alone, one of every 300 people on earth lives within 50 miles of <st1:place w:st="on">Times Square</st1:place>. That totals more than 21 million people
(Pier 2009, 28). High-rise apartment buildings, especially in <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place>,
have become cities unto themselves! One district in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Shanghai</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>
averages 126,000 people per square kilometer (Gailey and Clubertson 2007, 166).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
There are more than 8,000 cities in the world with populations of 100,000 or greater. Today there are 400 cities of one million or more inhabitants (Barrett
and Johnson 2005, 29). Much of this urban sprawl is a recent phenomenon. More
than a billion people—or one-sixth of the world’s population—have migrated to
urban centers in the past fifty years. Greenway describes it as “…the world’s
largest population movement in history” (1999, 113). Such an influx of people
creates an enormous strain on the infrastructures of those cities, which, in
most cases, have not been able to keep pace with the growth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
As
the world becomes more urbanized, the church has not responded in proportion to
the challenge. The trend in the North American church during the last half of
the previous century was to escape the urban centers as congregational members
relocated to the suburbs. Their church buildings, as well as their influence in
the neighborhoods, were often left abandoned in the process. For those who did
remain, ministry has been difficult, “…and Protestantism in particular has
found the metropolis an unfavorable environment in which to grow” (Greenway
1978, 18). However, neither the departure of the church that “gave up” on the
city nor the reluctance of the church to re-engage urban ministry means that
God has abandoned the city. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
There
are a variety of reasons why the church resists urban ministry. The expanding
cultural and ethnic diversity of cities present an overwhelming challenge to
congregations with a mono-cultural mindset. While racial, caste and economic prejudices
do manifest themselves among some Christians, the more imposing obstacle may be
the inability to know how to minister among various ethnic groups. Ethnic
diversity usually brings religious pluralism, which can be intimidating to the
typical church. Societal problems such as poverty, crime and gangs are not
unique to urban areas but always seem amplified in the inner city. The economics
of doing ministry in the city are also a unique challenge. Building costs can
be astronomical and prohibitive for new churches seeking to enter the city with
a traditional ministry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
All
of these familiar impediments contribute to an additional challenge, which may
present the greatest hindrance to urban ministry: an anti-city bias held
by Christians who live in rural areas, small towns and quiet suburbs. Some may
go so far as to suggest that God’s creativity is best seen in the rural landscape
(one feels “…closer to Him in the country than in the city?”), while the devil is
responsible for creating the city (<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state>
and Ortiz 2001, 85). <st1:city w:st="on">New York City</st1:city>
pastor Tim Keller describes how “…fears of inner cities have clouded our views
of the ministry opportunities there. We are controlled by many myths: that the
city is by nature irreligious, that stable ministries cannot grow there, that
there is no one there but the poor” (1993, 40). On the contrary, megacities all
over the world are filled with people with intense spiritual longings, many of
whom belong to a growing middle-class with a love for the city (White 2006,
41-42). What are the possibilities if the church overcame its bias and saw the
potential of reaching this generation? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Cities tend to be
overwhelming and intimidating to most people. Constant changes in urban centers
produce new challenges. The fact that urban dwellers tend to be more open to
change creates unique opportunities for existing churches to minister (<st1:state w:st="on">Conn</st1:state> and Ortiz 2001, 26).
However, a church with an anti-city bias or a change-resistant mindset will
neither be attracted to nor flourish in that environment. Instead the plight of
cities will only worsen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Urban
researcher and strategist Ray Bakke asks urban pastors around the world to list
the greatest barriers they face in evangelizing their cities. Their answers are
always surprising. “Nearly all barriers are created by church politics,
policies, priorities or personalities, and not by the big, bad city itself.”
Bakke then adds, “We will reach out to the urban masses far beyond the existing
churches only when we understand what our barriers are” (1987, 60). His
analysis reveals that the greatest obstacle to city ministry is not the city
but the church itself. Since the city will not change to accommodate the
church, then the church—whether an existing congregation struggling to maintain
a presence in the inner city or a new ministry seeking to gain a foothold in a
community—must rethink how God views the city and how He wants the church to
respond to urban opportunities. Traditional ways of doing evangelism will not
be effective. Christians must first understand the worldview of urban dwellers
and be able to contextualize the gospel in ways that address how they think
and live, which is different from most churches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Christians tend to
view the church with a rural mindset, and the reason for that is quite simple. Most
of the ministry of Jesus—the founder and head of the church—was set in the
countryside or at the seashore. His teachings grew out of the everyday
experiences of the people He encountered and seem more applicable to rural
tenants than city dwellers. He was quite comfortable with “common” people such
as farmers and fishermen and shepherds. His parabolic teachings focusing on
soils, seeds and sheep and were delivered to anxious crowds who gladly heard
Him whether they gathered on a plain, hillside, roadway or seaside. When Jesus got
into trouble with the authorities in the city—which He frequently did—He distanced
Himself from the place of controversy as much as possible. Yet, He who wept over
<st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>
obviously loved the city. So must the church today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
If the church is
called to make disciples of all peoples, and the majority of the world’s
population increasingly resides in urban areas, then the church must not
forsake the city. Robert Linthicum reminds us, “A crucial way for the church to
look at the city is to recognize that the church is not foreign to the city. It
has been placed by God in the city….” (1991, 176). Therefore, in God’s eyes, both
the city and ministry to the city are important to Him. Certainly both are rooted
in Scripture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Don.CGGC/Documents/CIU.DMin/Missiological%20Reflections%20Summer%2009/Missiological%20Reflections.Research%20Paper.The%20City%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Center%20for%20Kingdom%20Outreach.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Compare
this to the most densely populated city in the West which is Paris, France with
25,000 people per square kilometer; or to Los Angeles, CA with a mere 2,730
people per square kilometer (Gailey and Culbertson 2007, 166).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-49224661243618083432014-02-28T14:24:00.002-08:002014-02-28T14:24:46.203-08:00Celebrating Missions Advancement Volunteers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdgIE7J6ItJWtDdrPIkX-7rgUKbOlux9o0b2YEsspkz8C-Jw0nJW6BXDazlB0N-55iAhJ3pV1qKR2bdkXonLazVzmHIQAkt8caLk2mbKjqe19Ql4IPgYYFakvwBMhnjwigsQVfiTU0UN6/s1600/Ryan+Myers+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdgIE7J6ItJWtDdrPIkX-7rgUKbOlux9o0b2YEsspkz8C-Jw0nJW6BXDazlB0N-55iAhJ3pV1qKR2bdkXonLazVzmHIQAkt8caLk2mbKjqe19Ql4IPgYYFakvwBMhnjwigsQVfiTU0UN6/s1600/Ryan+Myers+Family.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
We welcome <b>Ryan & Karla Myers</b> as our newest Missions Advancement Volunteers for CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries. The Myers are members of Liberty Community Church in Manassas, VA. They have two sons: Hunter (9) and Bronson (4).<br />
<br />
<u>Ryan </u>teaches IT classes at Northern Virginia Community College, while <u>Karla</u> is an auditor for the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. They lead our Haiti ACTS teams and are eager to share with churches about their missions experiences, especially churches in Virginia, Maryland and the Carolinas. They can be reached at <a href="mailto:ryanmyers366@hotmail.com" target="_blank">ryanmyers366@hotmail.com</a>.<br />
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Missions Advancement Volunteers (MAV's) assist with missions education and mobilization on behalf of CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries. They are available to speak in churches and can be available to lead eyewitness or ministry teams to various CCM fields. Our previous Volunteers have opened doors for greater missions awareness in churches where the CCM Director staff have never been able to go!<br />
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The Myers join <u>three other couples</u> serving as CCM Missions Advancement Volunteers. They are:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>George & Martha Yerger</b> (Allegheny & Eastern Regions) <a href="mailto:geymmy@embarqmail.com" target="_blank">geymmy@embarqmail.com</a></li>
<li><b>Ken & Betty McIntyre</b> (Western Region, plus Iowa and Illinois) <a href="mailto:bkmcintyre@hotmail.com" target="_blank">bkmcintyre@hotmail.com</a></li>
<li><b>Jim & Kasie Brinson</b> (Midwest: Indiana & Illinois) <a href="mailto:brinsonj@hotmail.com" target="_blank">brinsonj@hotmail.com</a></li>
</ul>
While these are their primary geographical areas of focus, they do accept requests to speak in other areas. We appreciate their heart for missions and their passionate desire to serve local churches.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">George & Martha Yerger</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ken & Betty McIntyre</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jim & Kasie Brinson</span></td></tr>
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<br />Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-59751002633910557782014-01-04T15:40:00.001-08:002014-01-04T15:40:31.581-08:00More Work for Short-Term Missions<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first exploration into overseas missions was 1980 when Phyllis and I lived with a pastoral couple in rural Jamaica. I think it was an 8-10 day trip in which we visited churches and ministered through encouragement, preaching and teaching. For the past (nearly) 19 years, I have made nearly a hundred trips to our foreign mission fields, not counting domestic missions visits. In my ministry, I promote <b>short-term missions trips</b> (when properly planned and executed) as valuable experiences for (1) the field, (2) the sending church, and (3) the individual. Yes, I know, there is much criticism of STMT (short-term missions trips) today, and some of it is well-deserved. But the cure is to do them better, rather than reject the concept. The CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries staff is committed to doing everything possible to make your STMT a very positive, God-glorifying, life-changing experience.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having said that...STMT are demanding. I have made the statement that "<i>I don't go on many missions <u>work</u> trips....because they are a lot of work!" </i>The ones in which I have participated have been very rewarding in numerous ways. But I'm not talking just about "demanding" from the viewpoint of those who go; it's hard work for those who <u>receive</u> the team. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The missionaries and/or national field leaders do an enormous amount of detailed preparation for a visiting team. So many arrangements have to be made to transport, house, feed, protect, equip, and communicate so that teams have the best possible experience. I have witnessed this preparation firsthand and been amazed at how they overcome enormous obstacles (limited supplies, vehicles that break down, roadblocks, money exchange issues, meal planning vs. dietary restrictions, weather, etc.) to serve those who come. "<i>But we send them enough money to take care of all these things! you say?"</i> Maybe that's true but consider this...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While STMT should always complement and enhance ministry (and ultimately be a blessing to the field), the extra work required by missionaries and national leaders to host teams takes most of them <u>away</u> from their primary tasks on the field. The only exception would be those whose job description is focused on <u>hosting</u> teams. Otherwise, teams usually add more work to an already busy schedule. STMT add complexity to a missionary's routine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't hear what I'm not saying...most missionaries I know appreciate visiting teams and want teams. But sending churches and STM teams can do certain things to make their "intrusion" into the life of the missionary more enjoyable. Here are some suggestions:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) In your pre-trip communication with the missionary or field leader, <b>ask</b>: <i>"is there something you want or need that we can bring along?" </i>Sometimes returning teams don't even have to ask; they <u>know</u> from experience what the missionary appreciates.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) begin early in your planning stages to <b>pray</b> for the missionary, field leaders, and national staff who will host you. Pray that your team will be a blessing rather than make their lives more difficult.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) financially <b>support</b> the missionary or national leader. If you are already invested in their lives and ministry, it is easier for them to view your visit as a partnership rather than an intrusion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4) <b>express</b> interest in their ministry as well as their spiritual walk with Christ. They are not just tour hosts or culture guides; they are sharing the fruit of their ministry with you. Let them know you appreciate them for who they are in Christ and how they serve Him (and you).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5) <b>trust</b> their advice on cultural and personnel issues. They know from experience what is acceptable and who can be trusted. They know the ropes and what can trip you up. Value their insights. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6) always go as a <b>learner</b>, no matter how many times you've been there! On every STMT, God wants to teach us something more about (1) Himself, (2) His work in a particular place and culture, and (3) ourselves. Always be on the look-out for what God wants to teach you in each of these three areas.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The work is always worth it when we're doing His work His way. May your next STMT confirm that truth in your life.</span></span>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-51291925540756945732014-01-01T13:04:00.002-08:002014-01-01T13:04:51.289-08:00My 2013 Book Reading List<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span class="ptbrand"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I'll admit it; I like to read. Most of the books I read relate to my ministry leadership. Looking back over the past year, I've been blessed by some excellent reads! Here's my list. I recommend them to you.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKWtNQtVSP6NVhEOk7pEcnuFyzZy98NwJUiX_Xkyk1ld8BngUlGFf9YKFvb1g8OjpuXq8v6Ym60lD9nb3OEeJqGG6fREJ5lexwRRbFkuKZkFfQL-FCyqDLHWgUqnDS7MK-VbCYsZFjliD/s1600/Center+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKWtNQtVSP6NVhEOk7pEcnuFyzZy98NwJUiX_Xkyk1ld8BngUlGFf9YKFvb1g8OjpuXq8v6Ym60lD9nb3OEeJqGG6fREJ5lexwRRbFkuKZkFfQL-FCyqDLHWgUqnDS7MK-VbCYsZFjliD/s200/Center+Church.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l8e8JfbwNCvzVmR7Olgn_70uf-rzvT0HOtyC2Q8FCkh3aN_v5pcYtBWIxvJrwpU1mccUNGRYr_4T-mAXemNhlZv1qexqsMhvKQpz90BBmJp1SJgMJr6rJk4-5yTunx7zshV6wHcT8hT0/s1600/Replenish.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l8e8JfbwNCvzVmR7Olgn_70uf-rzvT0HOtyC2Q8FCkh3aN_v5pcYtBWIxvJrwpU1mccUNGRYr_4T-mAXemNhlZv1qexqsMhvKQpz90BBmJp1SJgMJr6rJk4-5yTunx7zshV6wHcT8hT0/s200/Replenish.png" width="128" /></a>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Culture making: recovering our creative calling </span></i></span><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">(Andy Crouch)</span></span><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership
tested by time: Those who followed them…and those who didn’t </i>(James
Garlow)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Right here right now:
everyday mission for everyday people </i>(Alan Hirsch & Lance Ford)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Common roots: The original call to an
ancient-future faith </i>(Robert Webber)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grounded in the gospel: Building believers the old-fashioned way </i>(J.I.
Packer & Gary Parrett) </span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The king
Jesus gospel: The original good news revisited </i>(Scot McKnight)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When helping hurts: How to alleviate
poverty without hurting the poor and yourself </i>(Scott Corbett &
Brian Fikkert)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Center church: Doing
balanced, gospel-centered ministry in your city </i>(Timothy Keller) </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span class="ptbrand"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Replenish: Leading from a healthy soul</span></i></span><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> (Lance Witt)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Toxic charity: How churches and
charities hurt those they help and how to reverse it </i>(Robert Lupton)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the verge: A journey into the
apostolic future of the church </i>(Alan Hirsch & Dave Ferguson)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Godly servants: Discipleship and
spiritual formation for missionaries </i>(David Teague)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Missional God, missional church: Hope
for re-evangelizing the west </i>(Ross Hastings)</span></span></li>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">T<span style="font-family: inherit;">he gift of rest: Rediscovering the beauty of the
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<![endif]--><span class="ptbrand"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Relentless pursuit: God’s love of outsiders
including the outsider in all of us </span></i></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">(Ken Gire) </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We
are not the hero: A missionary’s guide for sharing Christ, not a culture
of dependency </i>(Jean Johnson)</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></li>
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</span><span class="ptbrand"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The faith of the outsider: Exclusion and
inclusion in the Biblical story </span></i></span><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">(Frank Spina)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christianophobia: A faith under attack </i>(Rupert Shortt) </span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Western Christians in global mission:
What’s the role of the North American church?</i> (Paul Borthwick)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="ptbrand"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I am a follower: The way, the truth,
the life of following Jesus </i></span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">(Leonard
Sweet)</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></li>
<li><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Leading across cultures: Effective ministry and
mission in the global church </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">(James
Plueddemann)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unfinished: Believing
is only the beginning </i>(Richard Stearns)</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXYRqB6RGBMKNUFU7muAAuGdKkghJhv9MuxEeHJZjv-XUECHO2mIogupfJpGbL1lIfw8c4UPQWiFvUtF7tM7WGXLDU22gqEfjOfltTStOpSeQdBo1AxoNuafTmXhYXpzaGYXhsBNVToYS/s1600/His+People+on+Mission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXYRqB6RGBMKNUFU7muAAuGdKkghJhv9MuxEeHJZjv-XUECHO2mIogupfJpGbL1lIfw8c4UPQWiFvUtF7tM7WGXLDU22gqEfjOfltTStOpSeQdBo1AxoNuafTmXhYXpzaGYXhsBNVToYS/s200/His+People+on+Mission.jpg" width="123" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And how could I forget...</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>His people on mission: Mobilizing churches for cross-cultural outreach </i>(Don Dennison) </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span>
</li>
</ul>
Blessings to you!Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-9353143740901033992013-11-06T08:34:00.000-08:002013-11-06T08:34:20.014-08:00New Book Available: "His People on Mission"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPO526_S_soN1AiMAWjf7KsAW3k5yLig18e9RMBSh6sDpB7rrX2HidrxfasICgP5Z6hzh5mXNsSBFnEV4fKciiD5WylRHou7gS9CDcli1Y-cja_Ki3z5YMgKZa5h4r8TqjYxhdWwMGKnl/s1600/phpIClFs6PM(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPO526_S_soN1AiMAWjf7KsAW3k5yLig18e9RMBSh6sDpB7rrX2HidrxfasICgP5Z6hzh5mXNsSBFnEV4fKciiD5WylRHou7gS9CDcli1Y-cja_Ki3z5YMgKZa5h4r8TqjYxhdWwMGKnl/s320/phpIClFs6PM(1).jpg" width="196" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I am pleased to announce the publication of <b>His People on Mission: Mobilizing Churches for Cross-Cultural Outreach</b>. The product of my D.Min dissertation, this project was adapted for use in local churches. The contents include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 - Introduction: Why this study?</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Part One: Biblical Foundations for Cross-Cultural Missions</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 - His People on Mission in the Old Testament</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a) centrifugal missions</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> b) centripetal missions </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />3 - His People on Mission in the New Testament</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a) example and teachings of Jesus</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> b) example of the early church</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 - Theological Implications for the Local Church</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Discussion Questions</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Part Two: Becoming a Missions-Active Church</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5 - Common Characteristics of Missions-Active Churches</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a) the pastoral staff</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> b) missions leadership team</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> c) missions education</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> d) missionary care</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> e) prayer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> f) mobilizing workers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> g) missions funding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> h) local ethnic outreach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> i) summary</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6 - Case Studies of CGGC Missions-Active Churches</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a) Greenvillage Church of God</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> b) Indian Head Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> c) Duncannon Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> d) Casey White Oak Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> e) Mt. Pleasant Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> f) Hanover First Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> g) High View Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> h) Olive Branch Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> i) Germantown Church of God </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> j) Swatara Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> k) New Providence Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> l) Shippensburg First Church of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> m) Central Manor Church of God <b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Discussion Questions</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Part Three: Common Factors and Recommendations</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7 - Research Findings</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b> a) the role of the missions leadership team</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> b) the place of missions policy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> c) the influence of person(s) or event(s)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> d) the communication of missions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> e) the role of the pastoral staff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> f) denominational loyalty and engagement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> g) the factor of church size</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">8 - Conclusions</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> a) Recommendations for CGGC churches</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> b) Recommendations for future consideration</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Discussion Questions</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Copies of the book may be purchased now from CGGC Publications by calling 419-424-1961 or by emailing<u> <a href="mailto:publications@cggc.org" target="_blank">publications@cggc.org</a></u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">The cost is <b>$10.95 per book</b> plus shipping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><u> </u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>SPECIAL</u>: Order <u>3 or more</u> copies by <b>March 1, 2014</b> and pay <b>only $10 per book</b> plus shipping</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></span>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-78583058440984513852013-10-04T05:37:00.000-07:002013-10-04T05:37:48.418-07:00Two Interns Approved for 2014<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Last month, the CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries Commission approved the
appointment of two <u>new missionary internships</u> for 2014.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ9XrXviaFmh4J9gZcMIfjjxKk1ivlRtQ7gbU1TQdme9kAl3MMo22pjM_MjAx9FkESBbb-gSe-z-Z_quvEsbAvkRxSEU8YMK6tRElPCYPLu4g5a_XikDp-mFkpEqzzRQLBiL3Yn9Qrg6Y/s1600/Isaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ9XrXviaFmh4J9gZcMIfjjxKk1ivlRtQ7gbU1TQdme9kAl3MMo22pjM_MjAx9FkESBbb-gSe-z-Z_quvEsbAvkRxSEU8YMK6tRElPCYPLu4g5a_XikDp-mFkpEqzzRQLBiL3Yn9Qrg6Y/s1600/Isaac.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span> </span>Isaac Acosta</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> has
been approved for a summer 2014 internship at Gamerco Church of God (NM). His
primary focus will be reaching out to Spanish-speaking children and youth<i> </i>in the neighborhood and assist in
developing a Latino ministry. Pastor John Thumma will serve as Isaac’s
supervisor at Gamerco.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span> </span>Isaac is a member
of Sanidad Divina Church in Columbia, PA where he serves as their youth leader.
A freshman at Lancaster Bible University, Isaac has ministered in Venezuela and
was on the 2013 Kenya Acts Team. His parents are Pastors Caleb & Christina
Acosta. Funding for Isaac should be designated for <b>CC 2809.008</b>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span> </span><span><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdnieUGfIBa6kBTtozZwaO-iWqB-PiRYF1Skbh5t2Wsg5UL8TrYxy8PW_U7_1GLApsBB8_bhtDEyYEs0dNiFmsoHB8GpTKJdje-ZZs-rCjYKxsip45QGeDfvyRSgpTl7vmuqA-zTFbENw/s1600/Caroline+Tatum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdnieUGfIBa6kBTtozZwaO-iWqB-PiRYF1Skbh5t2Wsg5UL8TrYxy8PW_U7_1GLApsBB8_bhtDEyYEs0dNiFmsoHB8GpTKJdje-ZZs-rCjYKxsip45QGeDfvyRSgpTl7vmuqA-zTFbENw/s200/Caroline+Tatum.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span></span><b>Caroline Tatum</b> plans to join the
Project Help staff in Haiti for five months as a tutor to the three Snyder
children. Miranda, Ariel, and Zack are enrolled in an online course of
instruction through their school back home in central PA. Caroline will work
alongside the students to guide them in their learning experiences.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span> </span>Caroline
attends Chambersburg First Church of God (ERC). She recently completed training
with Global Expeditions <span> </span>and has several short-term
cross-cultural experiences, including a summer ministry in South Africa.
Caroline is the daughter of Pastor Paul & Debbie Tatum. Funding for
Caroline should be designated for <b>CC 2809.009</b>. Since she begins her internship in January, funding is urgent!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span> </span><span> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The CGGC missionary internship
program is a way to (1) help persons discern God’s will for future missionary
service; (2) provide short-term leadership to a mission church or field with a
particular ministry need; and (3) motivate the person to have a lifelong
missions vision.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Support for these interns should be sent to CGGC, Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839. Be sure to use the specific designated code. 100% of your gift will go to their support account. </span></span></div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-33672072879140557922013-09-26T05:44:00.000-07:002013-09-26T06:12:51.047-07:00We Need You!<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>(this article will appear in the upcoming October-November issue of </i>The Church Advocate) </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Every church which ever existed began as a
church plant. For this reason alone, I grow weary when tensions surface between
established churches and church planting advocates. Label me naïve, but it is
unnecessary and avoidable. Just as the human race is motivated to reproduce, so
the church is designed to have children (e.g. to give birth to other churches).
Can we agree on this? --<b>we need new
church plants</b>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Churches have a natural life cycle. They were
born and, unless they are continually renewed, they will die. Even Rick Warren
said, “<i>No local church, including
Saddleback, is meant to last forever</i>” (<i>Christianity
Today</i>, April 2013, p.36). That is painful but the reality. Hundreds of CGGC
churches have died through the years. Some died in infancy without ever
reaching their full potential. Others lived a long life, blessed succeeding
generations, even sent pastors and missionaries into ministry, and then
succumbed to old age; why they died is the subject of another article. Some
congregations today are barely surviving—the sounds of death rattles can be
heard even as the seriousness of the affliction is ignored. Because churches
have a life-cycle, <b>we need new church
plants</b> to replace those that do not survive.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Should established churches be ignored
for the sake of church planting? Absolutely not! Some churches can be
renewed—must be renewed. Churches which struggle to survive need
intervention…if it is not too late. My years of ministry experience have taught
me that declining or stalled churches only experience renewal if they are
desperate enough to change, which may mean a willingness to sacrifice some
sacred cows and follow visionary leadership. However, it is easier to give
birth than to raise the dead! Having said all this, my plea to church planters
is…<b>we need you</b>! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The obvious reason is that <b>we need you</b> and your people to replenish those who are no longer
with us. Your churches replenish those which have closed, and new disciples
fill the ranks of those who have passed on to glory. But we don’t want to just
hold our own. We know that if we are only keeping pace with attrition, we are
losing ground. The population is growing. Society is more unchurched. We relish
the enthusiasm and need the life which new church plants bring to the body.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We need
you</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
for the way you infuse a denomination with vitality. Tim Keller emphasizes how
“…<i>planting a lot of new churches is one
of the best ways to renew existing churches</i>” (p. 360, Center Church, 2012).
How does that work? The growth of church plants often force plateaued and
declining churches to evaluate their identity and vision—and then make radical
adjustments in the face of reality. That outcome is preferred over criticism of
new churches! You can help us. Church plants serve as the Research &
Development department in attempting new ministry approaches which established
churches otherwise are often too reluctant to adopt. Motivate us; show us how
to do better.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We need
you</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
to partner with nearby existing churches to teach concepts and principles which
can enliven those churches. That would go a long way to demonstrate that you
are about the kingdom. You have something to teach established churches about
children’s ministry, small groups, relevant worship, and ministry focus. Yes,
your ideas may scare existing churches, but if you offer help, they can’t say
you didn’t care or didn’t offer assistance. As a result, you may discover that
established churches offer a few resources which could bless your church plant
in return.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We need
you</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
because new churches reach people established churches usually don’t and can’t
reach. The disciples you produce were not being reached before you came into
existence. All of us applaud you for that! In many cities and even small
communities, there are not enough churches in existence if everyone decided to
attend worship on any given Sunday. And we need different kinds of
churches: varied styles of worship,
churches focused on ethnic identities and international churches, churches
which worship on Saturday as well as Sunday, and churches which don’t have a
“church building” at all. We need new church plants like this…and many more models
that we have not yet even imagined. It will take all kinds of churches to reach
all kinds of people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We need
you</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
to contribute to the denomination’s united expression of domestic and
international mission. I know you have connections and interests in ways and
places that the CGGC is not involved. I get that—but don’t turn your back on
the mother who gave you birth. Attending denominational events to learn more
about the DNA of who we are and how we function goes a long way towards gaining
acceptance…and a voice for greater change in the denomination. Contributing
generously to cooperative and designated ministries helps to convince “legacy”
churches that you are really committed to our family. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Speaking of terminology, <b>we need you</b> to communicate in ways that existing churches
understand. I am familiar with “insider” missiology language which seems
foreign to the average Christian. Church planters have similar insider
vocabulary which often includes acronyms or initials which carry meaning for planters
but make no sense to those who are not involved in planting. You may be students
of culture and experts in contextualizing the gospel to unchurched people, but when
it comes to selling your message to existing churches (i.e., convincing them to
support church planting), you create barriers by communicating in ways that
make others feel belittled or (worse) insulted. We all care deeply about the
church. Maybe it’s not always just the fault of established churches that they don’t
get it! <b>We need you</b> to make it
plain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Us vs. them” attitudes should not exist in
the church. They are the product of fear. Since “<i>perfect love drives out fear</i>” (1 John 4:18), it seems only natural
(but is really supernatural) that both new church plants and established
churches can benefit from a close relationship. Remember…we’re in this
together. <b>We need each other</b>!</span></span></div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-76643712687915925952013-08-15T11:46:00.000-07:002013-08-15T11:49:32.382-07:00UnveilinGLORY Seminar Updated<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0lDriucaHPBbzFpVuu7Y7i1TeHE43yHXhXkjLwFpnrXuV30Q07Hy7u9YfqihI2av0OkBAbIBVRz-_JKDuPQorBFlc5QznUNwjuIZvbg7WQHvxcfeqFNI2pQAMBy2EPXBDpYeMjj-Tnfx/s1600/UnveilinGLORY+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0lDriucaHPBbzFpVuu7Y7i1TeHE43yHXhXkjLwFpnrXuV30Q07Hy7u9YfqihI2av0OkBAbIBVRz-_JKDuPQorBFlc5QznUNwjuIZvbg7WQHvxcfeqFNI2pQAMBy2EPXBDpYeMjj-Tnfx/s320/UnveilinGLORY+image.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The <b>UnveilinGLORY seminar</b> has
been revised. The content has been updated and reduced to <u>four sessions</u>. Here's a summary:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cat
& Dog Theology </span></u></b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">– (Session #1)</span></u></i><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Using
“Cat & Dog Theology,” participants learn how the</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> glory of God</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> has been lost, ignored, and hidden among the peoples of the human race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A </span> “paradigm
shift” is needed from a man-centered theology back to God-centered thinking, from “ME-ow-logy”
to “THEOlogy”, from believing “God exists for me” to “I exist for God," ultimately for His
pleasure, His purposes, His glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Story of the Bible </span></u></b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">– (Session #2)</span></u></i><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus
did <i>not</i> initiate the idea of the Great Commission!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that startling announcement, this Bible
workshop begins in Genesis and finds that the Old Testament has always decreed
God’s desire to reach people from every tongue, every tribe and every
nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see that while the message
of the Bible has always been two-fold, much of the modern gospel is limited to
only one message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll begin to see
the Bible, <i>not</i> as 66 books – but as one book, with one introduction, one
story and one conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible will
be understood as many stories that tell <i>one</i> story, His-Story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll know what that story is, and how all
of history has pointed us toward that one dramatic conclusion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Missing Half of Your Bible </span></u></b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">– (Session #3)</span></u></i><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If
the gospel has always consisted of 2 messages (Top-Line and Bottom-Line) and
we’ve only been hearing half the story, how do we find the missing half of our
Bible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where and what is the missing
message in the stories of Daniel and the lion’s den, David fighting Goliath,
Solomon and his wisdom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll leave
this session with a new appreciation for missions in the major stories of the
Bible… and a new motivation to seek them out every time you open your Bible!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
State of the Gospel </span></u></b><i><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">– (Session #4)</span></u></i><b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In view of our new understanding of God’s glory, our
purpose in life, God’s purpose in history and our view of the main message of
the Bible, how should we live and what should we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this dramatic conclusion, you’ll discover
what God’s doing to make Himself famous and what He asks of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll also be pointed to practical things
you and your church can do <i>now</i> to fulfill God’s greatest desire and
design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are excited about giving
God his greatest glory… at the end of this presentation you’ll know what to do!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sessions 1, 2, & 4 are
“stand-alone” sessions and can be presented anytime. The seminar is usually held on <b>Saturdays</b> (for area churches to attend) or
on <b>Sundays</b> (to maximize teaching with one congregation). My desire is best serve your church or ministry!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There are limited dates available for this fall, but I'm also scheduling for spring dates. For more information
on availability in a local church, district or region, contact Don Dennison at
419-424-1961 or <a href="mailto:missions@cggc.org">missions@cggc.org</a>. </span></span></div>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-36162352300686830442013-07-28T19:16:00.000-07:002013-07-29T12:20:09.819-07:00Positive Response to Missionary Retreat <span id="goog_719650917"></span><span id="goog_719650918"></span><br />
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Ten days ago, all of our CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries missionary staff met at Pokagon State Park in NE Indiana for a <b>Missionary Retreat.</b> Joining them was a national field director family from Bangladesh (the Dewans), plus several members of the CCM Commission and their spouses. A total of 53 persons, including MK's (missionary kids), gathered for spiritual refreshment, worship, fellowship, and recreation. This was the first time that some of them had ever met! The event sponsored and led by the CCM Commission was two years in the making. The schedule began on Thursday, July 18 and concluded by 1pm on Saturday, the 20th. <br />
CCM Associate Director <b>Ben Tobias</b> managed the retreat with the help of Administrative Assistant <b>Pam Lopez</b>. A veteran missionary from the Brethren in Christ, <b>Eleanor Poe, </b>served as guest facilitator challenging the group to set spiritual goals and maintain accountability with others. Based on the responses, the greatest benefit from the Retreat was the interaction the missionaries had with one another. <br />
The following are some pics from the event.<br />
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Guest facilitator<b> </b>Eleanor Poe leads one of the sessions. </div>
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Table discussions on timely topics.</div>
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<u>Front Table</u>: Caleb, Christina, & Calina Acosta</div>
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<u>Back Left Table</u>: Phil & Kris Wallace, Kendall & Donna Highes, and Andy & Theresa Snyder</div>
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<u>Back Right Table</u>: Donna Binkley, Ken & Betty McIntyre, Steve & Shirley Mossburg<br />
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<u>Washing Feet </u></div>
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Michael Wheeler</div>
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Mike Poe</div>
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Gordon Avey</div>
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John Thumma</div>
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Taylor Helms and Jim Brinson led the group in inspiring worship during the Retreat</div>
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<u>Prayer was a powerful encouragement during the schedule!</u></div>
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Michael & Marcia Wheeler join with Ben Tobias in praying for Mike & Natinha Poe and Uttam, Liza, Arron, & Ellin Dewan</div>
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<u>Conversations during a break</u></div>
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Martha Yerger & Annie Avey</div>
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Gordon Avey & George Yerger</div>
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Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-54319004068537761662013-05-02T07:44:00.000-07:002013-05-02T07:44:01.456-07:00New Beginnings for the Sarver Family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi73LD-8-itUGv44ABvqbveHgRiZKxenfeiVSKdW-Wo9Cy2e39KtSirELcURflhNJKzCStJ3Tv9tEDMPpC8ga-ofCdyx7ApjyL2EJfurg064UYGPhDU1eHx2TeJ6Vr7apsUGp1pIsR7kAt/s1600/May+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi73LD-8-itUGv44ABvqbveHgRiZKxenfeiVSKdW-Wo9Cy2e39KtSirELcURflhNJKzCStJ3Tv9tEDMPpC8ga-ofCdyx7ApjyL2EJfurg064UYGPhDU1eHx2TeJ6Vr7apsUGp1pIsR7kAt/s400/May+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Over the past few months back in the States, it has been incredible to see how the questions we had about what would happen while we are here and what should come next have been being answered. We have been blessed through our time of rest and feel more than ready to jump back into full-time ministry again. As we have watched, waited, and prayed about how God is writing the story of our family, we have seen how all things do, in fact, work together for our good and how perfect His timing can be if we are faithful and patient.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> That being said, as we write this letter to you, we find it bittersweet that this will probably be the last one for a while. After much prayer and consideration, we have decided that it will be best for our family to go on leave of absence from our service as missionaries in Thailand and<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>instead continue our life in ministry Stateside. Our intention upon returning home was not to settle in or find a new job. Rather, it was to take the time we were given to really reflect on our time in Thailand and use what we have learned in order to move forward in life and in ministry. Throughout this time of Sabbatical, we have decided that there are some changes that must be<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>made before we can return to the field (different field partners, returning with a team, etc.), and<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>we realize that these things will need more than our scheduled year of home assignment to fulfill.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>As evidence yet again of God’s perfect timing, not long after returning home, Brook was presented with the opportunity to apply for an opening pastoral position at our home church, Olive Branch Church of God in Roann, IN. After going through a 2 month candidacy, Brook has accepted the role of Worship and Media Arts Pastor and will begin working as of May 6. This means that his primary responsibilities will be leading musical worship on Sundays and at midweek meetings, as well as designing and coordinating all video, media, and tech for the church. He is eager to use his gifts and abilities in these areas to help Olive Branch continue in their mission of developing authentic followers of Jesus Christ.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We are excited to see how God will use our experiences in Thailand to help us minister more effectively here in Indiana, as well as how he will allow us to remain connected with the work in Southeast Asia. Even though we will be staying Stateside in the coming years, we do<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>not, however, believe that our calling to serve the Thai people is over. We firmly believe that God will keep us involved with Thailand whether it be through prayer, short-term trips, or even returning ourselves at some point farther down the road.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Our journey together with you began when we first spoke, about our vision of moving to Thailand, in your churches in the Spring of 2007. Since then, we have had the opportunity to meet with an incredible number of gracious, generous, and kind people who decided that it would be a good idea to join us in pursuing God’s calling to work among the people of Southeast Asia. You, reading this letter, are one of those people, and we are ever so thankful for you.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It has been humbling to be the receivers of such generous financial support. You have sustained our family by hosting us in your homes when we have traveled, by providing the funds we needed in order to have a roof over our heads, food on the table, seek out medical care when we needed it, rebuild lives after the massive flood, supply materials for reaching out to our communities, enable local lay leaders in following their pursuit of preaching the Gospel, and so much more. We could not have done any of this without you.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> You have also ministered to us by being faithful in lifting up our family in prayer. Thank you for joining us in bringing both our praises and prayer needs before the Lord. You have encouraged us and built us up at times when you didn’t even know we needed it. For that, we are thankful.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We look forward to what it is that God has for us in the coming years, and we hope that we can still maintain our connection with you. After all, you have become a sort of extended family to us, and that is not a bond so easily broken! Again, we thank you from the depths of our hearts, and we pray that God will bless each one of you for your sacrifice and commitment to enabling us to go out and serve.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Points for Prayer:</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">✤ </span>Praise God for His perfect timing and provision.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">✤ Praise God for the rest and refreshment that we needed in these past few months.<br />✤ Praise God for the opportunity to share daily life with family and friends once again.<br />✤ Praise God for Hailey’s continued adjustment to life in the States.<br />✤ Pray for leaders to step up within the Khlong Luang and Rapeepat churches in our absence.<br />✤ Pray for Brook as he transitions back into a pastoral role here in the States.<br />✤ Pray for clarity, guidance, and peace as we continue to reflect on our ministry in Thailand and<br />plan for a new season of life back in our home country.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Keep in Touch</u>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Throughout the past several years, we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know each of you. Even though we may not be returning to the field as active missionaries in the near future, we would still love to keep up our relationship with you as we continue to minister Stateside, and as we seek out ways to still be involved in God’s story in Thailand.<br /> Please feel free to email us at any time with further questions about our ministry in Thailand, to let us know if you are nearby and would like to meet, or even just to say hello. We would love to hear from you!<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sara - <a href="mailto:saraj.sarver@gmail.com">saraj.sarver@gmail.com</a><br />Brook - <a href="mailto:brook.sarver@gmail.com">brook.sarver@gmail.com</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-32142201765304737622013-04-05T08:25:00.000-07:002013-04-05T08:25:09.369-07:00India Trip Highlights<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In February, Great Lakes Director <b>Earl Mills</b> and CCM Director <b>Don Dennison</b> visited <b>India </b>after being in Bangladesh with a team from Mt.Carmel Church of God (see Feb. 15 blog). Earl and Don walked across the border from Bangladesh to India at <b>Hili</b> in the Dinajpur District on Saturday, May 2. They were the <u>first</u> Americans to be processed at that Bangladesh checkpoint using a new computerized system! India Field Director <b>Samir Singha</b> met them and took them to the city of <b>Malda</b> (in the Malda District of West Bengal, India). Malda district has at least 4 million people, and the Malda urban area is roughly 325,000 in population.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bhawar congregation worships outdoors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harmonium accompanies singing.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earl preaches to the Udaypur congregation.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> While in that area, they worshipped with <b>8 churches</b> from Sunday morning to Tuesday night and met with field evangelists who are leading an effective ministry among tribal peoples. On a few occasions <b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(as pictured <span style="font-size: x-small;">below</span>)</span></b>, Don and Earl's messages were translated first into Bengali, then Santali. (That process was difficult but necessary in </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">those contexts.)</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the challenges the evangelists face is a growing religious opposition from tribal parties who want their people to retain their animist backgrounds rather than become followers of Christ. These workers need our prayers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> On Tuesday night, Feb. 5th, Samir, Earl and Don took the overnight train from Malda to Kolkata (about an 8-hour trip) and went to <b>Uluberia</b> where our Churches of God Mission is based. From there, they visited <b>3 </b>(newer) <b>churches</b> in the <b>Midnapur</b> and <b>Hoogli</b> districts. One of the Bengali churches baptized 27 new believers last year. Another church planted just last May already has 49 baptized believers!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samir, Madhumita & Charusheela Singha</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cultural dance by Child Development Center</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> While at Uluberia, Earl and Don also visited the historic <b>Uluberia Town Mission School</b>--founded by pioneer missionary Clara Landes; the <b>Uluberia Mission House School</b> (started by the Singhas); and the <b>Child Development Center</b> (in partnership with Compassion East India). Retired missionaries <b>Solomon & Betty Biswas</b> continue to do well and were preparing to visit Kolkata for an upcoming Keswick meeting and then a week of holiday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b>Appreciation is expressed to all who contributed to the <u>2012 "Share the Blessing" Christmas offering</u> designated for <b>India Churches & Evangelism (CC2720). </b>Monies are still coming in for the project. Last year, 216 baptisms were reported among our churches there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Additional designated categories for India include: <b> CC 2722 India Field Director Support</b>; <b>CC 2723 Mission Compound Maintenance</b>; and <b>CC 2827 Mission Schools.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-10443811424946229942013-03-21T07:21:00.000-07:002013-03-21T07:21:02.787-07:00A New Feetwashing Experience<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I've participated in <b>feetwashing</b> services m<span style="font-size: small;">ost of my life<span style="font-size: small;"> and led more than a few of them wh<span style="font-size: small;">ile pastoring in <span style="font-size: small;">four congregations<span style="font-size: small;"> over 28 years. In addition to the annual Maundy Thursday observance (<u>note</u>: the word "Maundy" <span style="font-size: small;">c<span style="font-size: small;">omes from the <span style="font-size: small;">Latin word <i>mandatum</i>, meaning "mandate" or "commandment<span style="font-size: small;">)<span style="font-size: small;">, feetwashing services were also held at <span style="font-size: small;">special times during <span style="font-size: small;">the ye<span style="font-size: small;">ar<span style="font-size: small;">, including annual denominational <span style="font-size: small;">meetings. <span style="font-size: small;">John 13<span style="font-size: small;"> was al<span style="font-size: small;">ways read as <span style="font-size: small;">a reminder of Jesus' example<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "oughtness" of <span style="font-size: small;">His words in v<span style="font-size: small;">erse 14</span></span> are taken literally as something we actually do a<span style="font-size: small;">s a<span style="font-size: small;"> reminder of the <span style="font-size: small;">servant at<span style="font-size: small;">titude we should have<span style="font-size: small;"> as followers of Jesus. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Years ago w</span>he<span style="font-size: small;">n I did my M.A. at Olivet Nazarene Unive<span style="font-size: small;">rsity, I <span style="font-size: small;">selected the topic <span style="font-size: small;">"The </span> History and Pra<span style="font-size: small;">ctice of Fe<span style="font-size: small;">etwashing" for my <span style="font-size: small;">research the<span style="font-size: small;">sis. <span style="font-size: small;">While this p<span style="font-size: small;">ractice <span style="font-size: small;">may seem odd to many people, </span>s</span>everal Chr<span style="font-size: small;">istian groups still practice feetwashing as a religious rit<span style="font-size: small;">e or ordinance of their church<span style="font-size: small;">, mostly on Maundy Thur<span style="font-size: small;">sday.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>There's nothing like <span style="font-size: small;">kneeling in front of a fellow<span style="font-size: small;"> be<span style="font-size: small;">liever and washing their feet <span style="font-size: small;">to<span style="font-size: small;"> remind us of the proper attitude we sh<span style="font-size: small;">ould <u>always</u> have towards others</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>I recall how <span style="font-size: small;">an </span>older neighboring pastor in southern Illinois preceded all church business meetings with feetwashing. He said it <span style="font-size: small;">improved the spirit of the meetings! In an ego-driven world, the virtue of humility needs demonstrations<span style="font-size: small;"> as well as verbal reminders.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn6FlbjephpesNUBx4FR4JTX9uhBajhfZn7SKwPQK3zUw9hyphenhyphenT5zlj0cCSm1Sxm-fKd7-X-bKndkhYtTkLSbMUHj8PIcyExE_5D7Qz23hTgBOWmSI5I1MUqiE2bCwpMDOoOkkPf74BVIfU/s1600/300740_354886697964589_1166891669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn6FlbjephpesNUBx4FR4JTX9uhBajhfZn7SKwPQK3zUw9hyphenhyphenT5zlj0cCSm1Sxm-fKd7-X-bKndkhYtTkLSbMUHj8PIcyExE_5D7Qz23hTgBOWmSI5I1MUqiE2bCwpMDOoOkkPf74BVIfU/s320/300740_354886697964589_1166891669_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I write these w<span style="font-size: small;">ords from <b><span style="font-size: small;">Brazil</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> where <span style="font-size: small;">the 14th </span>annual conference of <span style="font-size: small;">our</span> Igreja Biblical Boas Novas (Good News Bible Church<span style="font-size: small;">es) concluded a few days ago in Campinas in the State of Sao Paulo. Feetwashing is typically a part of the weekend experience. Over the yea<span style="font-size: small;">rs, I<span style="font-size: small;">'ve had the privilege<span style="font-size: small;"> of participating in se<span style="font-size: small;">veral of those serv<span style="font-size: small;">ices and especially blessed by those who were doing it for the very first time. <span style="font-size: small;">Tears flowed freely as separate circles<span style="font-size: small;"> of men and women followed the example of Jesus <span style="font-size: small;">in</span> washing the fee<span style="font-size: small;">t of modern-day disciples. <span style="font-size: small;">For participants, it's been one of the highlights each year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Following <span style="font-size: small;">my</span> morning pre<span style="font-size: small;">sentation on missions<span style="font-size: small;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">the Campo Grande worship space was prepared for feetwashing with two circles of chairs. It is typical for men and women to be separated for this practice. There were approximately 25 men and 1<span style="font-size: small;">2</span> women present. One basin and a towel were placed in the c<span style="font-size: small;">enter of each circle. </span>Following
some <span style="font-size: small;">explanation</span> by <b>Pastor Samuel</b> <span style="font-size: small;">from the</span> John 13 passage, we commenced the ordinance in typical
fashion—around the circle where we were seate<span style="font-size: small;">d. <span style="font-size: small;">Then I noticed that in t<span style="font-size: small;">he <span style="font-size: small;">adjacent women's circle, some<span style="font-size: small;"> of them <span style="font-size: small;">had gone to other women (besides the person next to t<span style="font-size: small;">hem) to wash their feet. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>When the men com<span style="font-size: small;">pleted the circle, </span><b>Pastor Jimenez</b>
announced that we could wash the feet of anyone else in the group as an act of
our appreciation <span style="font-size: small;">for them. </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""></a> In turn, a couple of the
men washed their pastor’s feet. Some men washed missionary <b>Gordon Avey</b>’s feet<span style="font-size: small;"> in <span style="font-size: small;">recognition for his <span style="font-size: small;">years of servant leadership<span style="font-size: small;"> and blessing to<span style="font-size: small;"> their church.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Then somethi<span style="font-size: small;">ng else began to happen. A</span>t least two
men went to the women’s circle and washed their wife’s feet. Then <b>Claudia
Jimenez</b><span style="font-size: small;">, the pastor's wife at Campo Grande, </span>came over to o<span style="font-size: small;">ur circle</span> and washed Gordon Avey’s feet<span style="font-size: small;"> a<span style="font-size: small;">longside men who <span style="font-size: small;">were <span style="font-size: small;">contining to wash the fee<span style="font-size: small;">t of their <span style="font-size: small;">Christian brother<span style="font-size: small;">s. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Then <b>Alexandria</b> (one of the Campo
Grande leaders) came<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>to o<span style="font-size: small;">ur circle </span>and washed (in turn) the feet of (her) Pastor Jimenez,
Gordon, me, and then her husband….and wiped our feet with her long hair…and
kissed our feet. Many of us sat their weeping... as <span style="font-size: small;">the story of <b>Luke 7:36-50</b> (you gotta read it!) took on new meaning <span style="font-size: small;">w<span style="font-size: small;">ith <span style="font-size: small;">Alexandria's</span> visible</span></span> demonstrat<span style="font-size: small;">ion. I had never before experienced such a h<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">artwarming and awe-<span style="font-size: small;">inspiring feetwashing service.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Rel<span style="font-size: small;">igious practices<span style="font-size: small;">--even tho<span style="font-size: small;">se done only once a year--can easily become r<span style="font-size: small;">outine. We do them the same way ea<span style="font-size: small;">ch time with <span style="font-size: small;">little variation. I thank God for <span style="font-size: small;">allowing me to experience different cultures where more freedom <span style="font-size: small;">is permitt<span style="font-size: small;">ed than <span style="font-size: small;">is found <span style="font-size: small;">typically in my home culture. We in t<span style="font-size: small;">he USA <span style="font-size: small;"><u>need</u></span> to learn from other cultures!</span> I thank God for <span style="font-size: small;">my Brazilian b<span style="font-size: small;">rethren </span></span>wh<span style="font-size: small;">o</span> provided<span style="font-size: small;"> an unforgettable image that will forever accompany my feetwashing experien<span style="font-size: small;">ces.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=801819019310671308#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""></a>
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Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-73788650929913756202013-03-04T22:32:00.001-08:002013-03-04T22:32:53.753-08:00Norris Baby Arrives!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5U9s140D4V3q83WM7TzwFFvfhoL_ty8WYrW5pg6TZ5btX7FGJf08Lvr5LFmcMnTSIjwbSoxdXs2TAk72AUE4ODyw67j5APGelPVfjWG95Bxzr3Bmb13LEImxhdVCuqh8SC3Z8rM3PTyGp/s1600/644178_10151794583049392_1863516859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5U9s140D4V3q83WM7TzwFFvfhoL_ty8WYrW5pg6TZ5btX7FGJf08Lvr5LFmcMnTSIjwbSoxdXs2TAk72AUE4ODyw67j5APGelPVfjWG95Bxzr3Bmb13LEImxhdVCuqh8SC3Z8rM3PTyGp/s400/644178_10151794583049392_1863516859_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Many of you know that <b>Kara Norris--</b>the former Administrative Assistant for CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries--and her husband, <b>Dr. Charles Norris</b>, have been anticipating the arrival of their first child. </span></span></span></span></h5>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">We rejoice in announcing that <b>Benjamin Daniel Norris</b> entered into the world on Friday, March 1 in Toledo. He is a healthy baby weighing in at 6 lbs, 10 oz. and 20.5 inches long.</span></span></span></span></h5>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhZAxudKrqGyzcS3BJvz8G_-Yx48D3TIYlCe9NDyojdrH59zz-fxED0N0LI54ubVFWikDyyLDWx0Q7IcHw2vuohLbL5X6SIq1-4RD0h2gLysGO8k04TQlAIvEj1mV21R_u1vLzP_tt3s5/s1600/Benjamin+Norris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhZAxudKrqGyzcS3BJvz8G_-Yx48D3TIYlCe9NDyojdrH59zz-fxED0N0LI54ubVFWikDyyLDWx0Q7IcHw2vuohLbL5X6SIq1-4RD0h2gLysGO8k04TQlAIvEj1mV21R_u1vLzP_tt3s5/s320/Benjamin+Norris.jpg" width="191" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Kara writes: "<i>We
are beyond blessed and give all praise to the Giver of All Good Things!
Thank you for all of your faithful support.</i>"</span></span></span></span></h5>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations to Chuck & Kara for the blessing of God's favor. Your lives will never be the same! </span> </span></span></span></span></h5>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L4Lb3X0M97LPh0YW_Yxz1HP5pRPJ0hs0fGHpZsoBUyn2dqZv9IvAqlayMfNMtKL108OfVxcBFdWLSDJP-0kYgaNblwg-7UnFxgwf3B7p4Z79taCpyKnPQgUUbecEfo62AnRVfbGgYBXt/s1600/Benjamin+Norris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-90929647757666348842013-02-15T12:17:00.001-08:002013-02-15T12:18:26.078-08:00Bangladesh Trip Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP6V3oLH9vYyiuSjbDcMEPBwidurYKXNxVEtCuSvwTEz6sDWKpfxlcrZn34th12cd_0uOXNFaBd4szdiKl7ks-uDGSMHuL85B7j_2cUAEKT2boM-2kRRPbwBDYD__-c0rnVTDBdVMmaZd/s1600/DSC05303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP6V3oLH9vYyiuSjbDcMEPBwidurYKXNxVEtCuSvwTEz6sDWKpfxlcrZn34th12cd_0uOXNFaBd4szdiKl7ks-uDGSMHuL85B7j_2cUAEKT2boM-2kRRPbwBDYD__-c0rnVTDBdVMmaZd/s400/DSC05303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An 8-person team from Ohio recently visited some of our ministries in <b>Bangladesh</b>. The trip was initiated by the the <b>Mt.Carmel Church of God</b> which </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">has given over $7,000 the last three years to drill tube
wells and provide slab latrines for communities where
churches are located. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
team included (L to R): CCM Director<b> Don Dennison</b>, GLC Director <b>Earl Mills</b>, <b>Larry Fennig</b>, <b>Tyra Roberts,</b> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mike & Lori Hayes,</b></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pastor
Mark & Tammy Wakeland. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bangladesh now reports 165 churches (7 new ones in 2012) with a total membership of 7,394. Last year they celebrated 177 baptisms. We rejoice in what God is doing among Bengali and tribal people groups in the northwest districts of the country! Continue to pray that the fame of God's name will continue to spread to other villages. Here are just a few pictures from our visit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhUkH29kGRB3-bsvJ8Wke4CeyDBztJBBz3UB9NL4mlygTL4zHT9826QZeOLJXYNxDX-CY3gU_UiSVv_wYkfHYUDH15fYOwvUABICBhFm2sZLuD4PmS6Guc1rwQP3zV9jqypcSIuzI0X5V/s1600/P1260389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhUkH29kGRB3-bsvJ8Wke4CeyDBztJBBz3UB9NL4mlygTL4zHT9826QZeOLJXYNxDX-CY3gU_UiSVv_wYkfHYUDH15fYOwvUABICBhFm2sZLuD4PmS6Guc1rwQP3zV9jqypcSIuzI0X5V/s400/P1260389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The <b>girls hostel</b> at <b>Khanjanpur </b>always give visitors a special welcome! There are 150 girls and 60 boys in their respective hostels at Khanjanpur.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Members and friends at <b>Farangachi Church</b> in front of their new recently dedicated church building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Their previous building was of mud construction (below). What an improvement!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Here's Don cutting the ribbon to officially open the new <b>Bairachand Church</b> building. This is in the Ghoraghat area. This congregation has 59 members.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The expansion of the Churches of God Mission into seven districts has resulted in opening <u>area offices</u> outside of the Bogra and Khanjanpur centers. Here (right) the team met with the field evangelists in the <b>Fulbari</b> area site where they tend to <b>40 churches</b>...with only one of them having a building! Today there are area offices in Ghoraghat, Fulbari, and Setabganj (Thakurgaon). </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVpzJi3wmz6f7iPanIDc8hIbn5MOSUNs4bBb3gUr-Hd7ELQnSdHitJAhZYmf86DE3c1zOuel-STHgtk0ADXQxhT30o_wlZvXXCi1GonB9KelpvIVXOORPq5MFNwNlWiq_pD7tk2HjuY_W/s1600/P1290621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVpzJi3wmz6f7iPanIDc8hIbn5MOSUNs4bBb3gUr-Hd7ELQnSdHitJAhZYmf86DE3c1zOuel-STHgtk0ADXQxhT30o_wlZvXXCi1GonB9KelpvIVXOORPq5MFNwNlWiq_pD7tk2HjuY_W/s400/P1290621.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Team members are welcomed by the <b>Bishnawpur Church</b> with 47 members. They have no building.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The church in Bangladesh cannot be confined to a bulding. The church is...where the people are! Filled with joy from their new-found faith, they take the message of Jesus to the next village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As God provides, would you prayerfully consider helping to fund these ministries which are making a world of difference in Bangladesh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CC 2702 Education & Schools</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CC 2709 Churches & Evangelism</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CC 2710 Medical Ministries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CC 2701 Field Director's Support</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Contributions should be sent to CGGC, Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Or...you can give through our website at <a href="http://secure.cggc.org/bangladesh">http://secure.cggc.org/bangladesh</a></span><br />
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Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-83962020490926891422013-01-14T10:42:00.000-08:002013-01-14T10:43:22.131-08:00God Loves the City!<!--[if !mso]>
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">In 2013, CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries is focusing on “the city” as one of the remaining frontiers for world evangelization.
Today more than 50% of the world’s 7+ billion people live in urban areas. Many
Christians have abandoned the city while others simply avoid the city. But
God’s closing challenge to Jonah should open our eyes and soften our
hearts: “<i>Should I not be concerned about that great city?” </i>(Jonah 4:11).</span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bk9hqnEWwHBpi7tqDnWAFcwNq-l4AjxHnihpQEqEbl0iryxr5ZbnWsWw7xALNY5MFr5eN4HiRaEujlYFuOZKMT4LAwuf_O1S9vAk2EQff38bvRyJwgDv3AkvhowfNgJZzD7pKumCIK3f/s1600/Seek+God+for+the+City+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bk9hqnEWwHBpi7tqDnWAFcwNq-l4AjxHnihpQEqEbl0iryxr5ZbnWsWw7xALNY5MFr5eN4HiRaEujlYFuOZKMT4LAwuf_O1S9vAk2EQff38bvRyJwgDv3AkvhowfNgJZzD7pKumCIK3f/s320/Seek+God+for+the+City+cover.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">CGGC churches are encouraged
throughout the year to:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">become more informed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> about major cities of the world and specifically cities in
countries where the CGGC has a witness</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">pray</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> for the
people and ministries in cities, including needs in your own community (no
matter how large or small it may be)</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">use the “Seek God for the City” 40-day Lenten prayer guide</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> designed for use between February 13 –
March 24, 2013. It is filled with scriptural prayers of hope to guide
participants in praying. A complimentary copy of this prayer guide has
already been mailed to every CGGC church. Additional copies can be ordered
from <a href="http://www.waymakers.org/">www.waymakers.org</a>. Spanish and
children’s versions are also available, as well as an “app” for
smartphones and tablets. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">join with other churches</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> in your community for a “<b>Love
Your City</b>” weekend “kindness explosion” any time during 2013. Go to <a href="http://www.loveyourcity.com/">www.loveyourcity.com</a> for ideas on
how to organize and promote this community event.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">organize “prayer walks”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> in your community. Go to <a href="http://www.newchurches.com/mediafiles/PrayerWalkManual.pdf">www.newchurches.com/mediafiles/PrayerWalkManual.pdf</a>
for specifics on how to conduct a “prayer walk”</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">get outside your “comfort zone”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> by visiting an unfamiliar major city for the purpose of seeing
the challenges and hearing God’s voice on behalf of the people who live
there. Consider doing a prayer walk in that city!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">plan a missions event in your church</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> which provides information about and
prayer for cities. Use CGGC “Seek God for the City” placemats for your
missions dinner. Order placemats from the CGGC office (<a href="mailto:pam@cggc.org">pam@cggc.org</a>). Your church will be billed
$5 per 25 mats plus shipping</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">learn to love the city</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> because God loves the city, and He is at work there!</span></span></li>
</ul>
Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-49694649977695301272012-11-13T13:58:00.000-08:002012-11-13T13:58:37.241-08:00Book review: Movements That Change the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgQaxAjXv_6mx0X7CrP14RbzmFNKPYOzxGXlJI1nJCPcsOwd2MRT1SiVtOuo6pqVn6GdBBlgK8VMQ-9iMtui3tuTG-ORNOXloNoL2OPbN7_o48mgFOv00sDCd7itQA4rFVT8dG_GjVS12/s1600/Movements+that+Change+the+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgQaxAjXv_6mx0X7CrP14RbzmFNKPYOzxGXlJI1nJCPcsOwd2MRT1SiVtOuo6pqVn6GdBBlgK8VMQ-9iMtui3tuTG-ORNOXloNoL2OPbN7_o48mgFOv00sDCd7itQA4rFVT8dG_GjVS12/s320/Movements+that+Change+the+world.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> "<i>What is Christianity? At its heart, Christianity is a missionary movement founded by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Like many such movements, it changed the world. Unlike most movements, which have their historical moment and then fade away, Christianity is actively, continually changing the world for the better"</i> (back cover)</span><br />
That being said..author Steve Addison describes how God has used movements <u>within</u> Christianity to affect renewal and expansion of the church. <b>Movements That Change the World: Five Keys to Spreading the Gospel</b> was one of those "easy reads" that I didn't want to put down. It pulled me in! Maybe that's why the book is endorsed by the likes of Bob Roberts, Neil Cole, Ed Stetzer, Alan Hirsch, Bob Logan, David Garrison, and Ralph Moore. This guy from "down under" (Australia) is at the top of his game. He understands mission and what should matter to the church.<br />
So what are the 5 keys? Glad you asked:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>White-hot faith</b>: men and women who encounter the living God and surrender in loving obedience to His call</li>
<li><b>Commitment to a cause:</b> people whose lives are aligned with their beliefs</li>
<li><b>Contagious relationships</b>: the faith spreads through preexisting networks of relationships</li>
<li><b>Rapid mobilization:</b> "non-professional" converts immediately begin sharing their faith and making disciples</li>
<li><b>Adaptive Methods</b>: all forms and strategies must fit the context to serve the needs of those whom one seeks to reach</li>
</ul>
This resource is ideal for ministry leaders, including local church boards. The structure is simple: introduction, five chapters, and conclusion; followed by a nine-session "study guide" to help leaders process the information as well as other recommendations. Addison takes the reader beyond theory into very specific examples from history as well as modern-day context.<br />
I highly recommend <b>Movements That Change the World</b>! Order your copy from Kris at <a href="mailto:publications@cggc.org">publications@cggc.org</a> for $13.99, plus shipping.Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-52733088120026384812012-09-26T12:38:00.002-07:002012-09-26T12:39:18.557-07:00New Affiliate Missionaries Approved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP_WwUataq6uQJO9C_FOJTjE8jtKmEpQihJqFk6Zb-4VufOSm4Uia2Zi3pnFJLoh2We6pPo_VaK_gYkBKcAXIY_drfb7u-jzgD_jswwUEKge5SfkYhN-x2lsf6Krv8HprEOpR5MO9nmhr/s1600/Tim_Bim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <b>"affiliate missionary</b>" status recognizes members of the Churches of God who are serving with other faith missions organizations. At present, 23 affiliate missionary units have been approved by CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries. The full list can be found on our website at <a href="http://www.cggc.org/ministries/cross-cultural-home-page/affiliate-missionaries/">affiliate list. </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP_WwUataq6uQJO9C_FOJTjE8jtKmEpQihJqFk6Zb-4VufOSm4Uia2Zi3pnFJLoh2We6pPo_VaK_gYkBKcAXIY_drfb7u-jzgD_jswwUEKge5SfkYhN-x2lsf6Krv8HprEOpR5MO9nmhr/s1600/Tim_Bim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP_WwUataq6uQJO9C_FOJTjE8jtKmEpQihJqFk6Zb-4VufOSm4Uia2Zi3pnFJLoh2We6pPo_VaK_gYkBKcAXIY_drfb7u-jzgD_jswwUEKge5SfkYhN-x2lsf6Krv8HprEOpR5MO9nmhr/s320/Tim_Bim.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week, our CCM Commission approved 2 new affiliates! They are <b>Tim & Bim Arthun</b> of the Caring Community Church of God in Hummelstown, PA (Eastern). The Arthuns recently became missionaries with Water Project for Haiti [<a href="http://www.waterprojectforhaiti.com/">waterprojectforhaiti</a>] which is based in Vernon, British Columbia and has been recognized as a partner with Project Help. Their "specialty" is manufacturing bio-sand water filters for use in Haitian homes. The organization is leasing space at the back of our Borel compound. Tim & Bim will live in one of the missionary residences and assist Project Help ministries whenever possible.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKMFYRG0jMl2CGDsFEaVZUdLslT918w7y65SPUk366L-HqD1x0k8jY73Vr3lkXv8q83Ws-QWSWnNyU6sTFmSaBRH4FyLVejJGmJPUcDwV9l6yTOmWWfpjtnWENVqDVjPflfuQf9yteCdd/s1600/Julie+Snyder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKMFYRG0jMl2CGDsFEaVZUdLslT918w7y65SPUk366L-HqD1x0k8jY73Vr3lkXv8q83Ws-QWSWnNyU6sTFmSaBRH4FyLVejJGmJPUcDwV9l6yTOmWWfpjtnWENVqDVjPflfuQf9yteCdd/s320/Julie+Snyder.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The other new affiliate is <b>Julie Snyder</b> who is serving with Immanuel Mission [<a href="http://www.immanuelmission.org/">www.immanuelmission.org]</a> with offices in Sweetwater, AZ. Julie teaches 2nd grade at Immanuel Mission School located at Teec Nos Pos, AZ on the Navajo Reservation. Julie is a graduate of Liberty University and a member of the Chambersburg First Church of God (Eastern).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We welcome Julie, Tim & Bim to our affiliate staff!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries exercises <u>no</u> administrative control over affiliates. The "affiliate" status is simply a way to recognize "our own" who are serving with other organization in the common task of making more and better disciples. We encourage CGGC churches to pray for these missionaries, invite them to your church to share their story, and to support them financially as the Lord may guide you. We're all in this together!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-65633343422473390942012-08-02T07:50:00.000-07:002012-08-02T07:50:02.746-07:00WHAT ARE YOU READING??I grew up loving books. While in grade school, I frequented the local library to check out American history texts and read every volume in the "Hardy Boys" series. I'm not much of a novel reader today.<br />
<br />
E-books have now become popular. While on vacation, I just finished my first one on a Kindle app on my Blackberry. My wife, Phyllis, loves her Nook. But I prefer "real" books. I want to hold them, highlight them, write in them. (I make note of illustrations that can later be used in speaking and writing.)<br />
<br />
Years ago I learned that "leaders are readers!" So what are YOU reading?? My choice of books usually focuses on themes of missions, leadership, church growth & outreach, and spiritual formation. I often have several books going at once--at home, in the office, in the car (while I'm waiting, not driving). My travel schedule often allows me to read 2-3 books on a trip while waiting in airports, on flights, relaxing at night, etc. These days I invest much more time in reading than in watching TV. How about you?<br />
<br />
Churches should provide their pastors with book allowances as a way of encouraging personal and professional growth for more effective ministry. Does your church make that benefit available??<br />
<br />
Here's a list of books I've read thus far in 2012. Some are old...some are new.<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Orthodoxy </i>(G.K.
Chesterton)</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>The power of a whisper: Hearing God, having the guts to respond
</i>(Bill Hybels)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"> <i>Practicing greatness: 7 disciplines of
extraordinary spiritual leaders </i></span><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;">(Reggie McNeal)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i> Introducing the missional church: What it is, why it matters, how
to become one </i>(Alan Roxburgh & M. Scott Boren)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>The art of mentoring: Embracing the
great generational transition </i>(Darlene Zschech)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>Untamed: Reactivating a missional form of discipleship </i>(Alan
& Debra Hirsch)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>Churchmorph: How megatrends are reshaping
Christian communities </i>(Eddie Gibbs)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>Choosing to preach: A
comprehensive introduction to sermon options and structures </i>(Kenton
Anderson)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>Rumors of God: Experience the kind of faith
you’ve only heard about </i>(Whitehead &
Tyson)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>All that Jesus Asks: How his
questions can teach and transform us </i>(Stan Guthrie)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>America</i></span><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>: The last best hope, v.2-From a world at war to
the triumph of freedom </i>(William J. Bennett)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>The irresistible church: 12 traits of a church heaven applauds </i>(Wayne
Cordeiro)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>The gospel commission: Recovering God’s strategy for making
disciples</i> (Michael Horton)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>Paul the
missionary: Realities, Strategies, and Methods </i>(Eckhard Schnabel)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-size: small;"><i>Maximize: How to develop extravagant givers
in your church </i>(Nelson Searcy)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Radical
together: Unleashing the people of God for the purpose of God </i>(David Platt)</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">All of these books can be ordered from Kris at CGGC Publications. Email her at <a href="mailto:publications@cggc.org">publications@cggc.org</a></span><br />
<span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So...what are YOU reading???</span><br /><span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br /><span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br /><span class="ptbrand" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i>Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801819019310671308.post-12352806230791271242012-07-05T06:38:00.000-07:002012-07-05T06:38:45.876-07:00A Graduate's Unusual RequestAs <b>Lindsey Keck</b> was preparing to graduate from Port Clinton High School this year, she made an unusual request. She asked that family and friends <u>not</u> give her personal gifts; instead she asked they donate school supplies! Most graduates don't want more school supplies. So why this request?<br />
<br />
In April 2011, Lindsey had been one of eighteen persons on a work team at our Project Help facilities in Borel. The group was from the <b>St. John Lutheran Church</b> in Port Clinton, OH where Lindsey's father, <b>Dan Keck</b>, is one of the pastors. Dan is a graduate of Winebrenner Theological Seminary and took an independent study course in Haiti with CCM Director Don Dennison in 2005. When members of the St.John congregation expressed interest in sending a missions team somewhere, Dan inquired about Haiti through the CGGC office, because he had a great experience on his previous trip. The St.John team was able to work on projects at Borel as well as visit Lutheran ministries closer to the capital of Port-au-Prince. But Lindsey never forgot the Haitian children she encountered last year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKf44TY-UVWOEC6St-ltPffXd7-ItyDPijYJAUshPSqBRpmwE3QdQEm8yTbqc6gvF5BLSYEkJZeEHeLYNZPJLwvEMTVChYQIs8ekDF4BZhCAfO1Yoqqndj2KJbAeRIiqRNV91d43zTOUC/s1600/Lindsay+Keck+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKf44TY-UVWOEC6St-ltPffXd7-ItyDPijYJAUshPSqBRpmwE3QdQEm8yTbqc6gvF5BLSYEkJZeEHeLYNZPJLwvEMTVChYQIs8ekDF4BZhCAfO1Yoqqndj2KJbAeRIiqRNV91d43zTOUC/s400/Lindsay+Keck+3.JPG" width="400" /></a>This Tuesday, July 3, Lindsey and her mother, Chris, brought to our office the school supplies she received as her graduation gift. There were backpacks, pencils, erasers, glue, scissors, paper, rulers, rubber bands, sharpeners, crayons, chalk, personal chalkpads, folders, and more. <b>202 pounds </b>of supplies!!! These will certainly be a blessing to our school children in Haiti.<br />
<br />
Lindsey is headed for NYU this fall to major in their Global Liberal Studies Program. We think God has something special in mind for her in the future. His love and generosity has already been evident through this young life.<br />
<br />
Thanks, Lindsey! And thanks to Dan and Chris for your inspiration to youth who are already making a difference!Don Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12443149699641535310noreply@blogger.com