Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Disaster Relief
The GOBA clean-up and recovery unit has been mobilized. The volunteer crew will leave for Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Sunday, September 4. Please pray for our crew as they join SBC disaster relief efforts along the Gulf coast.
Storm Refugees
Good News!
I just got off the phone with a pastor from Houston. Their church family is offering to provide housing for Paul and his crew. Praise God!
I just got off the phone with a pastor from Houston. Their church family is offering to provide housing for Paul and his crew. Praise God!
Displaced Families Need Help
Many of us know of people who have been displaced from their homes due to the effects of hurricane Katrina... I’ve been in touch with a friend who is a pastor in Mandeville, LA and has relocated to a hotel in Houston, Texas. There are 20 adults and children with him from his church. They are in need of temporary housing and basic necessities. I am attempting to connect them with churches in the area. Please pray for Paul Smith, his family and those with him.
Our hearts are heavy burdened for those who have been affected by this storm and its aftermath. We can pray, give and volunteer to help those in need. Here are some suggested prayer items:
To make a donation online, Click here.
For volunteer opportunities, check the following websites:
SBC Disaster Relief Operations
Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief
Our hearts are heavy burdened for those who have been affected by this storm and its aftermath. We can pray, give and volunteer to help those in need. Here are some suggested prayer items:
- Healing and health for the injured.
- Wisdom and strength for relief workers.
- Consolation for those who have lost loved ones.
- Peace and comfort for those who are displaced, particularly those housed in the Superdome.
- Cessation of looting and a spirit of lawfulness on the part of all.
- Restoration of power and water supplies.
- Food and water to come quickly to those stranded and homeless.
- Swift and efficient implementation of aid by government agencies.
To make a donation online, Click here.
For volunteer opportunities, check the following websites:
SBC Disaster Relief Operations
Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Godcasting and Spirtuality
Today, I would like to draw your attention to a couple of news article that I think are relevant to reaching our culture.
The first is the cover story of last week’s Newsweek magazine about Spirituality in America. The “God is Dead” movement has been dead itself for a long time. Americans are seeking experiential relationships with God, while most churches are still trying to prove that He exists.
The second is the International Herald Tribune’s article on “Godcasting.” Podcasting is proving to be an effective medium for reaching busy people with the message of Christ.
How are you changing your message delivery system to reach a changing culture?
The first is the cover story of last week’s Newsweek magazine about Spirituality in America. The “God is Dead” movement has been dead itself for a long time. Americans are seeking experiential relationships with God, while most churches are still trying to prove that He exists.
The second is the International Herald Tribune’s article on “Godcasting.” Podcasting is proving to be an effective medium for reaching busy people with the message of Christ.
How are you changing your message delivery system to reach a changing culture?
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Odyssey Worship Gathering
I had an awesome time with Odyssey Community Church today. Here is the video I shot while I was with them in worship. Odyssey is sponsored by East Orlando Baptist Church. Byron Kirkpatrick is the church planter.
If the video does not play immediately, rick click on the link and save it to your hard drive. This is a 160MB file.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Visionary Leader
I am enjoying a couple of days with the NAMB church planting mentoring team here in Atlanta. We are considering revisions for Church Planter Basic Training for 2006.
After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:10)
It is the leader’s job to cast a clear and compelling vision. If he can’t do that, he should consider letting someone else lead. Paul received the vision and shared it with his team. The team discerned that the vision was in line with God’s character and that Paul wasn’t off his rocker. Once the vision was confirmed, they acted on it immediately.
Followers are looking for leaders to set the agenda, to have direction and to present it in a clear, consistent and compelling manner. Nobody wants to gamble their precious resources on a leader who doesn’t know where he is leading. However, team members want to be consulted, included in the decision making process and have an opportunity to weigh in on the vision.
A Godly vision becomes obvious to followers of Jesus Christ. Those who live by faith don’t need much time to respond to God’s call for a change in direction. To borrow a phrase... they Just Do It! Make sure it’s real… make sure it’s clear… make sure it’s from God.
After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:10)
It is the leader’s job to cast a clear and compelling vision. If he can’t do that, he should consider letting someone else lead. Paul received the vision and shared it with his team. The team discerned that the vision was in line with God’s character and that Paul wasn’t off his rocker. Once the vision was confirmed, they acted on it immediately.
Followers are looking for leaders to set the agenda, to have direction and to present it in a clear, consistent and compelling manner. Nobody wants to gamble their precious resources on a leader who doesn’t know where he is leading. However, team members want to be consulted, included in the decision making process and have an opportunity to weigh in on the vision.
A Godly vision becomes obvious to followers of Jesus Christ. Those who live by faith don’t need much time to respond to God’s call for a change in direction. To borrow a phrase... they Just Do It! Make sure it’s real… make sure it’s clear… make sure it’s from God.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Vision Harmony
I am in the Orlando airport waiting for my flight to Atlanta. I will be participating in a workgroup with the Mentoring Team of the NAMB Church Planting Group. We are in the process of developing a Basic Training resource for sponsor churches
Re: Vision - A clear and compelling vision is what unites team members, core groups and congregations. In Acts 16, Paul received a revelation from God. The vision came from God to Paul, he shared it with his team, they concluded it was from God and they adjusted their plans immediately. It is interesting to note that Luke uses the word “we” for the first time in this passage. Obviously he bought in to the vision and made it his own. The result – the gospel was introduced to Europe!
Check it out…
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:9-10)
Re: Vision - A clear and compelling vision is what unites team members, core groups and congregations. In Acts 16, Paul received a revelation from God. The vision came from God to Paul, he shared it with his team, they concluded it was from God and they adjusted their plans immediately. It is interesting to note that Luke uses the word “we” for the first time in this passage. Obviously he bought in to the vision and made it his own. The result – the gospel was introduced to Europe!
Check it out…
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:9-10)
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Are you suffering from double vision?
Have you ever noticed that vision is the root word for division? According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the prefix di means “twice, twofold, double.” So, couldn’t we conclude that division in a church or organization stems from competing visions? This was a problem for the church at Corinth:
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." (I Corinthians: 10-12)
Vision harmony is a challenge for many church planters. This is especially true when a core group is developed with people from differing backgrounds and traditions. We will talk more about this tomorrow. For now, I am interested in your thoughts...
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." (I Corinthians: 10-12)
Vision harmony is a challenge for many church planters. This is especially true when a core group is developed with people from differing backgrounds and traditions. We will talk more about this tomorrow. For now, I am interested in your thoughts...
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Acts 1:8 Who will it take?
I am sitting in a meeting with our ministry staff and the question has been asked, “Who will it take to fulfill Acts 1:8.” One of our pastors has suggested the following:
Visionary Leaders - Getting the vision into the church
- See it clearly
- Say it continuously
- Show it creatively
- Locally
- Association
- Globally
- Home
- Neighborhood
- Marketplace
Friday, August 05, 2005
To the Ends of the Earth
I'm currently reading...
I am really enjoying this book. It is long overdue. Get more details at imb.org
I am really enjoying this book. It is long overdue. Get more details at imb.org
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
New Podcast
Westpoint Fellowship Church, a mission of Church at the Mall in Lakeland and FBC Orlando, is podcasting weekly news and events about doing life together. Check it out at http://feeds.feedburner.com/wfclife
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