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29.9.05
Final Moments Gallery
Got some pictures up in the gallery that sort of capture the last few months here in England. Stay tuned for more after Kristy and I get back from Dublin next week . . .
28.9.05
Windows of Opportunity in Modern Day Technology
I came across an article in “Wired” magazine early last month that gave a report on where the internet has come in the last 10 years. The article was intriguing on several different levels. It’s staggering to realize how the internet has changed the world we live in and how closely it’s tied in to the development of contemporary culture. In particular, I was fascinated by author, Kevin Kelly’s, take on how the web has influenced consumerism. Take note of Kelly’s insightful point at the end of this quote in particular:
“I run a blog about cool tools. I write it for my own delight and for the benefit of friends. The Web extends my passion to a far wider group for no extra cost or effort. In this way, my site is part of a vast and growing gift economy, a visible underground of valuable creations - text, music, film, software, tools, and services - all given away for free. This gift economy fuels an abundance of choices. It spurs the grateful to reciprocate. It permits easy modification and reuse, and thus promotes consumers into producers.”
Any pastor deeply committed to disciplemaking and equipping believers for missional living can testify to the roadblocks that are created by the consumer mentality that permeates the lives of Christians in the western world today. When I read this quote, I sat up and began to ponder this question: Could the internet be opening up a window of opportunity to loosen the grip of consumerism that wields so much power to trap Christians in our smug, passive, and apathetic inactivity? It seems that, as a result of how the internet is shaping our culture, there’s a growing potential to re-new a vision for all believers to be participators in God’s Kingdom agenda.
First, however, I really think that we as pastors must find ways to encourage participation in our congregations. Many churches who’ve taken on the “emerging church” label are pursuing this idea, with varying degrees of success and faithfulness to sound ecclesiolgy (which by the way, I don’t claim to have arrived at.) It will require pastors to think creatively outside the conventional boxes. For example, how can we adjust our preaching to include dialogue and self-discovery? How can we adjust our meeting places to be more relationally friendly (vs. staring at the back of people’s heads for 2 hours and then going home)? How can we deepen the potential for participation from the congregation in worship and lessen the central focus of stage performance by musicians?
And these are primarily questions directed at worship services! The bigger, more substantial questions should really be pointed at helping people see church as something bigger than a worship gathering, as a force of redemptive change in the world. This brings to mind the staggering potential for relational connection that emerging technology presents. Towards the end of the article, Kelly draws attention to the social networking created by the participation that the internet is stirring up.
“What happens when the data flow is asymmetrical - but in favor of creators? What happens when everyone is uploading far more than they download? If everyone is busy making, altering, mixing, and mashing, who will have time to sit back and veg out? Who will be a consumer? No one. And that's just fine. A world where production outpaces consumption should not be sustainable; that's a lesson from Economics 101. But online, where many ideas that don't work in theory succeed in practice, the audience increasingly doesn't matter. What matters is the network of social creation, the community of collaborative interaction that futurist Alvin Toffler called prosumption. As with blogging and BitTorrent, prosumers produce and consume at once. The producers are the audience, the act of making is the act of watching, and every link is both a point of departure and a destination.” (emphasis mine)
What would it look like for the Body of Christ to not only be a “community of collaborative interaction,” but to find ways of allowing that community to be connected to the greater social network of the world in redemptive, incarnational ways?
I love this idea of prosumption. I think it is a key ingredient in the healthy multiplication of Christ-followers and of churches. But I'll stop for now.
“I run a blog about cool tools. I write it for my own delight and for the benefit of friends. The Web extends my passion to a far wider group for no extra cost or effort. In this way, my site is part of a vast and growing gift economy, a visible underground of valuable creations - text, music, film, software, tools, and services - all given away for free. This gift economy fuels an abundance of choices. It spurs the grateful to reciprocate. It permits easy modification and reuse, and thus promotes consumers into producers.”
Any pastor deeply committed to disciplemaking and equipping believers for missional living can testify to the roadblocks that are created by the consumer mentality that permeates the lives of Christians in the western world today. When I read this quote, I sat up and began to ponder this question: Could the internet be opening up a window of opportunity to loosen the grip of consumerism that wields so much power to trap Christians in our smug, passive, and apathetic inactivity? It seems that, as a result of how the internet is shaping our culture, there’s a growing potential to re-new a vision for all believers to be participators in God’s Kingdom agenda.
First, however, I really think that we as pastors must find ways to encourage participation in our congregations. Many churches who’ve taken on the “emerging church” label are pursuing this idea, with varying degrees of success and faithfulness to sound ecclesiolgy (which by the way, I don’t claim to have arrived at.) It will require pastors to think creatively outside the conventional boxes. For example, how can we adjust our preaching to include dialogue and self-discovery? How can we adjust our meeting places to be more relationally friendly (vs. staring at the back of people’s heads for 2 hours and then going home)? How can we deepen the potential for participation from the congregation in worship and lessen the central focus of stage performance by musicians?
And these are primarily questions directed at worship services! The bigger, more substantial questions should really be pointed at helping people see church as something bigger than a worship gathering, as a force of redemptive change in the world. This brings to mind the staggering potential for relational connection that emerging technology presents. Towards the end of the article, Kelly draws attention to the social networking created by the participation that the internet is stirring up.
“What happens when the data flow is asymmetrical - but in favor of creators? What happens when everyone is uploading far more than they download? If everyone is busy making, altering, mixing, and mashing, who will have time to sit back and veg out? Who will be a consumer? No one. And that's just fine. A world where production outpaces consumption should not be sustainable; that's a lesson from Economics 101. But online, where many ideas that don't work in theory succeed in practice, the audience increasingly doesn't matter. What matters is the network of social creation, the community of collaborative interaction that futurist Alvin Toffler called prosumption. As with blogging and BitTorrent, prosumers produce and consume at once. The producers are the audience, the act of making is the act of watching, and every link is both a point of departure and a destination.” (emphasis mine)
What would it look like for the Body of Christ to not only be a “community of collaborative interaction,” but to find ways of allowing that community to be connected to the greater social network of the world in redemptive, incarnational ways?
I love this idea of prosumption. I think it is a key ingredient in the healthy multiplication of Christ-followers and of churches. But I'll stop for now.
26.9.05
Encouraging Signs
I sat in on a youth workers' meeting this evening and was so encouraged with how God is at work! One of the things that I'm most excited about is the intiative that Luke Royce is taking to plan a worship and fellowship event for Christian young people in Luton (on top of his key involvement in Momentum). This is a guy who, just a year ago, absolutely shuddered at the thought of actually leading people in worship with his newly-formed guitar skills. Now, he's wanting to gather the Christian young people of Luton to lead them in worshiping together and praying for one another! Fortunately, he's working with another young person from another church with the same vision and it really looks like it's got a great chance of coming together.
There are also two additions to our youth worker team, "Maz" Royce (Jason & Luke Royce's sister) and another young woman named Angela. Maz has done a fantastic job with administrative details for the team, as well as breathing new life into Friday night "Fusion Cafe" for the purpose of helping our young people share Christ with their non-Christian friends. Angela has worked hard to launch a special evening event to bring together adults and youth in the church for fellowship. She's also been instrumental in moving "Sudden IMPACT" (now called "IMPACTuesdays") ahead with new ways of building the faith of our young people through interactive prayer and scripture meditation/study.
Of course, our other youth workers who have been there all along (like Paul, Tina, Rhoda, and Bruce) continue to be faithful in pouring their lives into young people and making things like Momentum move ahead with creativity and effectiveness. And I haven't even begun to talk about the fresh new work that we're seeing God doing in young people like Jon West, Nick Willis, and Helena Bernard, just to name a few!
All this good stuff is making it all the more difficult to leave!
There are also two additions to our youth worker team, "Maz" Royce (Jason & Luke Royce's sister) and another young woman named Angela. Maz has done a fantastic job with administrative details for the team, as well as breathing new life into Friday night "Fusion Cafe" for the purpose of helping our young people share Christ with their non-Christian friends. Angela has worked hard to launch a special evening event to bring together adults and youth in the church for fellowship. She's also been instrumental in moving "Sudden IMPACT" (now called "IMPACTuesdays") ahead with new ways of building the faith of our young people through interactive prayer and scripture meditation/study.
Of course, our other youth workers who have been there all along (like Paul, Tina, Rhoda, and Bruce) continue to be faithful in pouring their lives into young people and making things like Momentum move ahead with creativity and effectiveness. And I haven't even begun to talk about the fresh new work that we're seeing God doing in young people like Jon West, Nick Willis, and Helena Bernard, just to name a few!
All this good stuff is making it all the more difficult to leave!
25.9.05
Emerging Church Discussion for Download
For those who are interested, I came across these presentations from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, available to be downloaded as MP3 files. Guest speakers/presenters include Brian McLaren, Mike Wittmer, and Ed Dobson. I also just happened to notice a guy by the name of Steve Argue as the moderator in session 5. Steve was involved in the leadership of Sonlife Ministries for a few years and spoke at the Portland SEMP conference that I had the privelege of leading worship at in 2002.
Packing Things Up
This week has been full of boxing things up, cancelling utilities, moving things into storage, etc., etc. I've also managed to meet with a few young people, particularly the guys the I've invested most in. Yesterday, I sold my car, which turned out to be really good timing. I was left a deposit and we made plans to transfer the rest of the funds and hand off the car by this next Friday. Kristy and I are in Ireland for most of the next week after that, before we head back to the States on October 9.
Last night, I had a great time hanging with lots of friends at Bruce Moulding's birthday party. (30 yrs. old, today.) We all got him gifts that reflected his personality and the creativity was impressive, if not hilarious at times. He's a good man.
Tonight, some people have planned some sort of "going away" party or social or something after the evening service at Hightown Baptist. All I know is that, at some point, I'll be interviewed about what I've learned in my 2 1/2 years here in England and that kind of thing. Knowing this group of people, there'll also be some embarrassing pictures, lots of laughs, and food.
Last night, I had a great time hanging with lots of friends at Bruce Moulding's birthday party. (30 yrs. old, today.) We all got him gifts that reflected his personality and the creativity was impressive, if not hilarious at times. He's a good man.
Tonight, some people have planned some sort of "going away" party or social or something after the evening service at Hightown Baptist. All I know is that, at some point, I'll be interviewed about what I've learned in my 2 1/2 years here in England and that kind of thing. Knowing this group of people, there'll also be some embarrassing pictures, lots of laughs, and food.
22.9.05
Continuing Crisis in Sudan
It's been a long time since we heard anything from major news networks regarding the genocide happening in Sudan, at least in Britain or the U.S. Yet, run "Darfur" through Google and you'll find plenty of up-to-date info. Needless to say, it's still a problem and the response of world leaders is less than satisfactory.
Focus on the Family has reported that "religious leaders" are trying to get the attention of the U.S. government regarding the crisis. LINK (I'm not always completely on the same page with Focus, but I know we're on the same team.)
A TV ad attempting to call media attention to the Sudan crisis (made by American Progress Action Fund) was rejected by all of the major American news networks. It's a great commercial. However, I'm not sure why APAF expected to get permission to run a commercial that slated the very networks that would run it.
I finally saw "Hotel Rwanda" when I was in the States this last summer and it immediately had me thinking, "I hope we've learned our lesson so the same thing doesn't happen in Sudan." Looks like Don Cheadle is thinking the same thing. LINK
Focus on the Family has reported that "religious leaders" are trying to get the attention of the U.S. government regarding the crisis. LINK (I'm not always completely on the same page with Focus, but I know we're on the same team.)
A TV ad attempting to call media attention to the Sudan crisis (made by American Progress Action Fund) was rejected by all of the major American news networks. It's a great commercial. However, I'm not sure why APAF expected to get permission to run a commercial that slated the very networks that would run it.
I finally saw "Hotel Rwanda" when I was in the States this last summer and it immediately had me thinking, "I hope we've learned our lesson so the same thing doesn't happen in Sudan." Looks like Don Cheadle is thinking the same thing. LINK
20.9.05
Meeting with Chris Curtis
I had a great time meeting with Chris Curtis over coffee today. Always enjoy our conversations. Today especially was nice because I was feeling a bit frazzled from the craziness of packing up and preparing to head to the States. I even offered to pay for Chris's coffee and bagel, only to discover that I didn't actually have enough cash on me and they didn't accept credit cards. Now there's a classy thing to do. Fortunately, Chris is classy enough to let it slide (of course, not without a few little friendly jabs.)
To my delight, as soon as we sat down, Chris jumped into explaining his latest movie craze. I could sit for hours and listen to that guy analyze and critique films. He's got a very thoughtful approach and he's somehow able to find the most obscure, but meaningful and though-provoking movies out there.
I'm really hoping to stay in touch with Chris. No matter where Kristy and I end up in Europe, he'll be a great resource to learn from and stay connected to. The work that he's doing with LCET is quality stuff. Although, as we discussed today, it would need to look totally different for individual churches (vs. a parachurch organization) to be involved in public schools, especially outside the UK. Having said that, I think his experience and expertise could prove helpful.
To my delight, as soon as we sat down, Chris jumped into explaining his latest movie craze. I could sit for hours and listen to that guy analyze and critique films. He's got a very thoughtful approach and he's somehow able to find the most obscure, but meaningful and though-provoking movies out there.
I'm really hoping to stay in touch with Chris. No matter where Kristy and I end up in Europe, he'll be a great resource to learn from and stay connected to. The work that he's doing with LCET is quality stuff. Although, as we discussed today, it would need to look totally different for individual churches (vs. a parachurch organization) to be involved in public schools, especially outside the UK. Having said that, I think his experience and expertise could prove helpful.
19.9.05
Dallas Willard & Richard Foster
Another great interview with one of my favourite authors, Dallas Willard, along with Richard Foster.
Starbucks Saturation
Those of you who know me can confirm I'm a big coffee fan. However, often I get confused with a "Starbucks fan," which is not necessarily the case. Starbucks coffee is all right. Not the best coffee in the world, but at least you know what you're going to get, whether you're in Vienna, Barcelona, or Seattle. The best coffee, however, is found in the little private places that you find all over Europe and even in the U.S. where they are very picky about where they get their coffee, and often roast their own beans. Having said that, after visiting Caribou Coffee in Chicago this last summer (infamous amongst mid-westerners), I personally think it's near the very top of the list.
The number of Starbucks in London, however, comes across to me as a little obnoxious. Check out this blog post and this article for a little taster of what I mean, if you've never been to London. Even in Cologne, Germany there are at least two Starbucks, though the coffee was comparably better everywhere else that I got it there last week. I must admit, I'm beginning to find the Starbucks mania a bit burdensome. Kinda like a pop tune that gets way over-played on the radio.
The number of Starbucks in London, however, comes across to me as a little obnoxious. Check out this blog post and this article for a little taster of what I mean, if you've never been to London. Even in Cologne, Germany there are at least two Starbucks, though the coffee was comparably better everywhere else that I got it there last week. I must admit, I'm beginning to find the Starbucks mania a bit burdensome. Kinda like a pop tune that gets way over-played on the radio.
18.9.05
Prayer for Romania
Romania has undgergone an incredible amount of change since the fall of communism here in December 1989. Please join me in praying for this country or add your own prayer.
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for the changes you have allowed in this country. Thank you that your church was not crushed under communism. I pray that people would not trade in their new freedoms for their dependence on you - but that they would pass on their faith in you to future generations. I pray for President Basescu, that you would give him wisdom and courage to continue fighting against the corruption that has gripped this country for so long. Keep him safe as he tries to root out those causing the problems. Provide a trustworthy staff for him to work with and be an example to leaders throughout the country.
Lord, I know you can see the plight of so many babies and children here. I claim your promises to take care of the fatherless. I pray that you would provide good homes for these children, where they will learn about how to have a relationship with You. Give these children peace in the midst of their situations. I know how these children long to be held - I pray that they would feel your arms around them as they lay in their cribs at night! Please give the staff an extraordinary tenderness and patience with the children each day.
In Jesus' name we ask these things. Amen.
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for the changes you have allowed in this country. Thank you that your church was not crushed under communism. I pray that people would not trade in their new freedoms for their dependence on you - but that they would pass on their faith in you to future generations. I pray for President Basescu, that you would give him wisdom and courage to continue fighting against the corruption that has gripped this country for so long. Keep him safe as he tries to root out those causing the problems. Provide a trustworthy staff for him to work with and be an example to leaders throughout the country.
Lord, I know you can see the plight of so many babies and children here. I claim your promises to take care of the fatherless. I pray that you would provide good homes for these children, where they will learn about how to have a relationship with You. Give these children peace in the midst of their situations. I know how these children long to be held - I pray that they would feel your arms around them as they lay in their cribs at night! Please give the staff an extraordinary tenderness and patience with the children each day.
In Jesus' name we ask these things. Amen.
16.9.05
I Repent
Recently, God has been dealing with me on some of my weaknesses that have been highlighted through various conversations, circumstances and whatever else God wants to use to show me my character flaws. By the time I made it to this blog post, I was getting the message loud and clear. Dang. And here I was, thinking that "dying to self" was just a profound principle to teach others. Even in thinking about it now, I realize that this process of death to self will take the rest of my life. It's a humbling thought. Even as much as I love to talk about humility and teach it to others, it seems that I just can't avoid a certain level of hypocrisy. Guess that's just a part of human fallenness. Fortunately there's hope in the midst of that fallenness. Hope that change can and will come.
12.9.05
More from Köln
Today we've enjoyed being a part of the church planting team meetings. The effort to connect with people in the community is an exciting part of the process. Something that's been discussed is how friendly the people are here in Cologne, especially compared to the rest of Germany. This cultural inconsistency provides some significant Kingdom opportunity for churches in this city and it's something that this team is wanting to jump on. There's also a significant effort by this team to connect with other churches in Cologne and communicate their desire to partner with them to be a Kingdom presence here.
Over the last few days, Kristy and I have had some significant conversations and prayer time about this opportunity. We would appreciate prayer as we seek God's face in regards to joining this church planting effort in Cologne! As we discuss things, I've been a bit surprised to find that, rather than gaining more clarity about this decision to move here or there after the wedding, we've actually gained more clarity and understanding about one another. This is encouraging, considering that our relationship will take first priority over our ministry location.
Over the last few days, Kristy and I have had some significant conversations and prayer time about this opportunity. We would appreciate prayer as we seek God's face in regards to joining this church planting effort in Cologne! As we discuss things, I've been a bit surprised to find that, rather than gaining more clarity about this decision to move here or there after the wedding, we've actually gained more clarity and understanding about one another. This is encouraging, considering that our relationship will take first priority over our ministry location.
11.9.05
From Köln
Kristy and I are enjoying our time in Köln with the Gascho family, Jared & Lori Bridges, & Carsten Meiβner. Below is a picture of (L-R) Kristy, Bethel, Adam, Lori and Jared, having dinner together outside under a tent near the Rhine. About half way through dinner it began raining rather heavily and we found ourselves surrounded by people fleeing their own tables (without tents) and crowding around us under our tent.
Today we attended Köln West Church with the Gaschos and Bridges. More later!
Today we attended Köln West Church with the Gaschos and Bridges. More later!
8.9.05
Off to Germany
This evening, I catch a flight to Cologne to meet up with Kristy and to spend some time with the team that has invited us to be a part of their church planting effort. I took the train to Gatwick airport early to get some work done. I like to believe that God takes pleasure in my giddiness towards Wi-Fi. =)
Had a great time with my younger brother this last weekend. I showed him around to the usual: London Tower, St. Paul's (which we climbed to the top of), London Eye (which we did not go up in), Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and about 3 or 4 London pubs.
The Sunday morning service at All Souls was interesting. It had a unique mix (unique in my own experience, anyway) of traditional Anglican and conservative evangelical elements to it. It was my first time seeing an Anglican infant baptism and there were responsive liturgical readings that were actually quite meaningful. The band included drums and a horn section, but wasn't lead very clearly by the two young people singing into microphones. There was one semi-contemporary song, while the others were older hymns that were actually quite triumphantly sung by the congregation. The pulpit was elevated on the stage such that it made the preacher (NOT John Stott, by the way) appear to hover in mid-air just above the heads of people in front of us. My guess is that this is intentional, so as to communicate the centrality and priority of the teaching of Scripture in the church. All in all, it was a pretty traditional, though lively church service.
It was good to chat with Jason about it afterwards, especially since he hasn't regularly attended church since high school. I prefaced my, "What'd ya think?" question to him with the thought that there have been findings of young adults actually preferring a more traditional and liturgical approach to church. He gave a thoughtful response that articulated a desire for a more personal, interactive, and creative church experience. I was impressed that his feedback addressed more than just issues of style, but reflected a desire for engagement. Now - if we can just get him to actually engage with a local church in Seattle. =)
Had a great time with my younger brother this last weekend. I showed him around to the usual: London Tower, St. Paul's (which we climbed to the top of), London Eye (which we did not go up in), Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and about 3 or 4 London pubs.
The Sunday morning service at All Souls was interesting. It had a unique mix (unique in my own experience, anyway) of traditional Anglican and conservative evangelical elements to it. It was my first time seeing an Anglican infant baptism and there were responsive liturgical readings that were actually quite meaningful. The band included drums and a horn section, but wasn't lead very clearly by the two young people singing into microphones. There was one semi-contemporary song, while the others were older hymns that were actually quite triumphantly sung by the congregation. The pulpit was elevated on the stage such that it made the preacher (NOT John Stott, by the way) appear to hover in mid-air just above the heads of people in front of us. My guess is that this is intentional, so as to communicate the centrality and priority of the teaching of Scripture in the church. All in all, it was a pretty traditional, though lively church service.
It was good to chat with Jason about it afterwards, especially since he hasn't regularly attended church since high school. I prefaced my, "What'd ya think?" question to him with the thought that there have been findings of young adults actually preferring a more traditional and liturgical approach to church. He gave a thoughtful response that articulated a desire for a more personal, interactive, and creative church experience. I was impressed that his feedback addressed more than just issues of style, but reflected a desire for engagement. Now - if we can just get him to actually engage with a local church in Seattle. =)
6.9.05
Unchanging Truth, Ever-changing Expression
Just came upon a very academic and philosophical treatment of the "traditional vs. contemporary" argument of church style, reminiscent of what I was attempting to say a few weeks ago. Very thought-provoking and concisely put, particularly this bit:
"Hart’s assumptions regarding musical preference and spiritual maturity are telling, but I’ll leave that aside to ask, Must truths be chained to an unchanging mode of expression in order to abide? The abiding truths of Christianity are both ancient and contemporary, and we should welcome their expression in various forms, whether ancient or contemporary. . . . The arguments against liturgies that employ contemporary cultural forms often rely upon a tacit assumption that the traditional forms are transcultural and universal, over against the contingency and specificity of the new symbols. This conceals the fact that the symbolic values of traditional worship are themselves culturally specific and contingent, having originated in the cultural idioms of particular times and places of the past. No eternal, acultural liturgy has dropped down from heaven! All liturgies are human responses to God in particular cultural forms. There is no escape from cultural specificity, just a choice of which culture and time to privilege."
Click here to read the whole post.
"Hart’s assumptions regarding musical preference and spiritual maturity are telling, but I’ll leave that aside to ask, Must truths be chained to an unchanging mode of expression in order to abide? The abiding truths of Christianity are both ancient and contemporary, and we should welcome their expression in various forms, whether ancient or contemporary. . . . The arguments against liturgies that employ contemporary cultural forms often rely upon a tacit assumption that the traditional forms are transcultural and universal, over against the contingency and specificity of the new symbols. This conceals the fact that the symbolic values of traditional worship are themselves culturally specific and contingent, having originated in the cultural idioms of particular times and places of the past. No eternal, acultural liturgy has dropped down from heaven! All liturgies are human responses to God in particular cultural forms. There is no escape from cultural specificity, just a choice of which culture and time to privilege."
Click here to read the whole post.
Prayer for Poland
Today I began praying for Portugal, but I realized that I hadn't posted a prayer for Poland from the last 7 days. So, if you're reading this, please add your own brief prayer for Poland in the comment section.
Prayer for Poland
God of heaven and earth, we thank you that Poland is a relatively free country, allowing for it’s people to worship freely. But we pray against the vanities of capitalism that have disillusioned the Polish since the fall of communism. Father, cause Polish Christ-followers to wrap their lives around something much more substantial and compelling than material wealth. May they see themselves as a pilgrim people on a journey to a much better place where love and truth are the most valuable commodities.
We also pray that the political influence of the Catholic church would diminish, making it easier for protestant Christians to worship without threat of discrimination.
Lastly, we pray that the leaders of the Body of Christ in Poland would make Jesus’ vision and mission of disciple making of vital importance. We pray for the multiplication of young leaders to be sent out to plant churches that announce and demonstrate Your Kingdom.
For further information on Poland and ways that you can pray for or serve there, go to the Josiah Venture web page.
Prayer for Poland
God of heaven and earth, we thank you that Poland is a relatively free country, allowing for it’s people to worship freely. But we pray against the vanities of capitalism that have disillusioned the Polish since the fall of communism. Father, cause Polish Christ-followers to wrap their lives around something much more substantial and compelling than material wealth. May they see themselves as a pilgrim people on a journey to a much better place where love and truth are the most valuable commodities.
We also pray that the political influence of the Catholic church would diminish, making it easier for protestant Christians to worship without threat of discrimination.
Lastly, we pray that the leaders of the Body of Christ in Poland would make Jesus’ vision and mission of disciple making of vital importance. We pray for the multiplication of young leaders to be sent out to plant churches that announce and demonstrate Your Kingdom.
For further information on Poland and ways that you can pray for or serve there, go to the Josiah Venture web page.
2.9.05
Hanging Out with Younger Bro
Tomorrow I'm off to see my little (er, rather, younger) brother, Jason, in London. He's staying in a hotel near the British Museum and is in town to work with the UK branch of Weber Shandwick, the PR firm he works for in Seattle. Looking forward to hanging out with him in London and showing him around. On Sunday, we're hoping to land over at All Souls Church for the morning service. All Souls is where John Stott has served for many years and also happens to be the church where Hightown Baptist's own Tim West has begun serving in a one year intership. Look for us Tim!
Lessons from an Aussie Church Planter
Just came across this article written by an Australian church planter. He lists and briefly explains 16 lessons that he's learned from his experience thus far. It's all very profound, but in a down-to-earth, practical kind of way. Many of these things totally resonate with things that I've been chewing on regarding church and with things that have come up in my own conversations with other folks about church planting. It's an area that I am excited to move into and articles like this one just serve to fuel that anticipation.
1.9.05
New Orleans Blogger
One of the crazy things about modern day technology is the glimpse you can get into people's lives. For example, ever wonder what it's like on the ground in New Orleans in the wake of hurricane Katrina? Click here for a blogger in the middle of it all who is providing regular reports about his own experience. The chaos that he describes is disturbing at times.
With that in mind, please continue to pray for the relief efforts of the government and volunteers. Pray that the government can bring order so that the right amount of relief can get to the greatest areas of need and that the rioting and looting will be put to rest.
With that in mind, please continue to pray for the relief efforts of the government and volunteers. Pray that the government can bring order so that the right amount of relief can get to the greatest areas of need and that the rioting and looting will be put to rest.
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