| |
|
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Subject: Arsonists for Christ UNITE!
Time: 1:39:23 PM EST
Author: team1min
Arsonists for Christ UNITE!
We all know what an arsonist is. It's a person who goes around STARTING fires. In the world of the everyday mundane activities of life, quite often we hear the phrase, "I've got too many fires to put out!" Certainly, we are each presented with obstacles as occasionally we find ourselves blind-sided by some unexpected trial that throws us for a loop. Whether it's a car crash on the way to work or a computer crash once we get there, the diagnoses of a life-ending disease or a project-ending computer virus, we are constantly beset upon by things that will either make us or break us, bind us together or tear us apart.
It's been said that there are THREE kinds of people in this world: Those who MAKE things happen, those who WATCH things happen and then there are those who ask "What happened?"
Where are those "Firestarters" among us who will lift their heads from among the ranks and find a better way to do what's always been done?
Where are the Christians on the roster who recognize the need to be a "thermostat" - changing the environment - rather than another one of the many "thermometers" - responding to the temperature - in the crowd?
Where are those "Bold as a Lion" Believers who dare to head west when all others are headed east?
There are Pioneers and there are Settlers. It's your choice.
When I was diagnosed with a spinal disease at age 28, I'll admit that there were times when, just as pitiful Job did, I despaired of life itself. While I was at my sickest, even more personal tragedy came my way. After I renewed my mind by radically changing my personal input, I began to see the opportunities God was placing in front of me each and every day. Now, I'm totally healed and motivated in drastically new directions with my life than I ever imagined.
Where I once saw crowds of people gathering for an event, suddenly I saw opportunities to share my faith with one or two. These days, I'm reaching tens of thousands WEEKLY by email, phone and in-person.
When we are faithful with the small stuff, God gives us MORE stuff.
Where I once saw my own personal tragedies, I began to see opportunities to grow, to better relate to the masses and embrace compassion for those who are hurting.
I could get bitter or get BETTER!
So, how are things in YOUR world? How are things at work? In your relationships? On a deeply personal level? Are you reacting to them or ACTING as Jesus would act?
EACH of us is one radical decision AWAY from drastically changing our world - and subsequently, the world of others.
So, go start a fire today. Jesus started His ministry with the word, "REPENT!" In the original language, He was literally saying, "Change your minds!" Like the jar full of fleas who will only jump as high as the lid will allow, they'll continue to only jump that same height even AFTER the lid is removed. Change your mind! Jump HIGHER! If it's broken, fix it! but it all starts upon that famous battlefield, the human mind.
It's been said that the largest nation on earth is the Imagi-NATION. In my opinion, far too many Christians live there, imagining how bad things are, how they will never improve, how this must be "it" for them...thoughts that simply can NOT be backed up by Scripture. We are encouraged to "be transformed by the RENEWING of our minds."
Hey! There's a GREAT place to start...renewing our minds so that we can CHANGE our minds about how we're going to look at life. Sure, bad things will continue happening to good people. Jesus taught us that "It rains upon the just and the unjust." The difference will always remain in how YOU choose to handle the tough stuff.
Three simple steps to becoming an Arsonist for Christ:
STEP 1: Change your input..garbage in, garbage out. STEP 2: Change your friends...are you going to flock with the turkeys or soar with the eagles? STEP 3: Change your habits...if you want something you don't have, do something you're NOT currently doing. A bible study perhaps? STEP 4: Make something happen. The worst you can do is fail. Dust yourself off and try something else. Quitters never win and winners never quit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR His mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body ofChrist. Since '99, he has broadcast over 600 inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects sure to interest the thinking Christian and accelerate the process of spiritual development. He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries. An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are read around the globe. Subscribe at team1min@aol.com A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is the Workplace Chaplain for a Texas firm, overseeing the Spiritual Development of over 500 employees at ten facilities throughout the state. He is a strong advocate for the House Church Movement, readily available to assist Christians feeling that same inclination. A Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network, he may be available to speak to your church or Christian group.
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Time: 10:25:54 AM EST
Author: team1min
The Five-Fold Ministry
Part 1: Historically-speaking
As a child, I spent a few years living in a town called Zion in northeast Illinois. In recent years, I've done some research on the town and discovered that quite a few evangelists and ministers from America's past actually hailed from that small town as well, or had some sort of "Zion Connection." Gordon Lindsay, the founder of Christ for the Nations institute, Dallas, Texas, was from Zion. So was Finis Jennings Dake of Dake's Bible fame. Jerry Jenkins, co-Author of the popular "Left Behind" series is from Zion. John G. Lake's ministry was jump-started there when his wife was actually healed by Zion's founder, John Alexander Dowie, a Congregational minister who founded and oversaw the Christian Catholic Church, established in 1896. In 1901, with 5,000 followers, Dowie established the “City of Zion” and ran the town as a Puritan theocracy. In 1904, he revealed that he had been Divinely commissioned to be the “First Apostle” and told his followers to anticipate the full restoration of apostolic Christianity. Many thought Dowie was nuts after this and, in 1906, the believers in the Zion community began to diminish. Dowie passed away the following year.
According to author Frank Viola in his article on the five-fold Ministry, "In 19th century England, Christians were ripe to flock to apocalyptic prophecies about the coming Millennial Age. The upheaval that the French Revolution had produced left God’s people wishing for a reign of peace under their Lord that would set all things right. In the year 1824, Edward Irving, a Presbyterian pastor in Scotland, began teaching that “the five-fold ministry” of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers had disappeared from the church and were in need of restoration. According to Irving, the restoration of these ministries would usher in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on the earth. As a result of Irving’s teachings, he and his followers began the Catholic Apostolic Church in 1832. Its chief purpose was to restore “the five-fold ministry” and usher in the Millennial Kingdom. The church ordained twelve “apostles” who were to be the last days equivalent of the original Twelve whom Jesus appointed. Henry Drummond, a wealthy banker from England, became the leader of the church. Drummond himself took the highest position . . . the “apostle to Scotland." It was prophesied that these twelve apostles would be the last apostles to appear on the earth before Christ’s return. (This is a throwback to Mani of Persia of the third century who labeled himself the “Apostle of Light,” the very last apostle of Jesus to exist on the earth.) Eventually these twelve apostles died (the last one dying in 1901). Upon their death, the Catholic Apostolic Church died in England. In Germany, however, the Catholic Apostolic Church ordained twelve more apostles and took the name New Apostolic Church."
After Dowie's "Heaven on Earth" in Illinois went up in smoke (the town still exists by the way - Go, ZeeBees!), and following the Azusa Street outpouring in Los Angeles, many Christians began to ponder what was being referred to as “the five-fold ministry” and the mighty "outpouring of the Holy Spirit” that would usher in the return of Christ. Sound familiar? In his article, Viola goes on to describe historical movement after movement whereby new generations of apostles appeared on the scene, supposedly to restore the five-fold ministry to the earth.
The churches involved in these apostolic movements were charismatic in nature offering the same ol' fare from edifice to edifice, era to era. Even today, they include the same 500 year-old order of worship, the office of "pastor" (often referred to as “apostle”), nurseries, well-rehearsed singers, and ridiculously high overhead. Yawn. Nothing new under the sun, is there?
What IS the five-fold ministry? It's based upon the "ascension gifts" referred to in Ephesians 4:8,11 "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men...And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers..."
The five-fold ministry is based upon the doma gifts, the ascension gifts. The word doma comes from the Greek word "gifts" used in Ephesians 4:8. These doma gifts did not come into the Church until Jesus ascended (hence the term "ascension gifts"). Before this time, there were apostles, prophets, and teachers, but they were not doma gifts to the Church; they were gifts from the Old Covenant.
Though I'm already aware that this message will step on some delicate theological toes, and I'm also aware there are many Christians who will remain clueless as to what this subject is all about, all I'm asking is that you read it, weigh it, pray about it, and extend grace if you disagree. If this treatise proves to be a revelation to anybody, the individuals who accept it and receive it as truth are bound to experience a brand new, deeper level of fulfillment in ministry than they EVER imagined was possible. All I know is that the so-called "restoration of the five-fold ministry”has apparently been occurring off and on for over 180 years, has been warmed-over continually, failed to ever fully materialize (and with good reason as you will see), and has been repeatedly repackaged for different target audiences.
Please, Lord...do a NEW thing.
Please request "Part 2: INTRODUCING: God's New Thing."
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Subject: Making Love Last
Time: 9:58:26 AM EST
Author: team1min
Over the years, I have done quite a bit of PRE-Marital and RE-Marital Counseling, some of it by eMail and telephone. I am currently involved in counseling a couple named Kathy and Pete; she's an office girl in Texas while he's serving in the Royal Marine Corps overseas. Today, I sent the couple a counseling message and felt compelled to send something like it to those thousands across the globe who are recipients of my MARRIAGE HOW-TO series. Be blessed!
Michael
-------------------------------------------------------------
MAKING LOVE LAST
Some of the top rationalizations for DIVORCE are:
A) Our kids would be better off if they weren’t exposed to this fighting all the time.
B) We just don’t love each other any more.
C) I need to leave the marriage to find myself, realize my potential.
D) We’ve grown in different directions.
Counselor Ron Kemp agreed said that Christian marriages may fail more often because the spouses’ expectations of marriage were higher than those of non-Christians.
“People in the church tend to idealize things,” says Kemp, a member of First Baptist Church, Bolivar, Mo. “Husbands are supposed to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, and when wives find out a Christian husband can be just as much of a jerk as anybody else, they get disappointed. The same is true for men. They tend to idealize this Christian woman who is supposed to be loving and supportive, and they find out she can be just as critical as anybody.”
Consultant Jim Talley shocked everyone when he said that the reason for a higher divorce rate among Christians is simple. “The divorce rate is high because people are committing adultery, and the people in the church are committing adultery at a higher rate than outside the church,” says Talley, president of Oklahoma City-based Relationship Resources and the web site www.drtalley.com.
An Ounce of Prevention
The Barna Research Group released a revealing study revealing a high number of Christian divorces in September of 2004 (http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170). According to federal census numbers, the so-called Bible Belt states have the highest divorce rates in the nation. Except for Nevada, where fast divorces are traditionally easy to get, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee lead the nation in divorces.
Anthony Jordan, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma agreed that the age at marriage plays an important role in divorce.
“Getting married younger tends to put people of immaturity in a place where they are not ready to tackle the pressures marriage brings,” Jordan says.
Clergy and state government leaders in Oklahoma are trying to curb the state’s high divorce rate. Jordan and other faith leaders, along with the governor, recently signed a community marriage policy. The policy prevents a clergy member from marrying a couple that has not undergone premarital counseling.
“Since 75 percent of marriages are done in places of worship, our state initiative decided that if we’re going to impact marriage, we’ve got to do it through the faith community,” Jordan says. “The state realizes the social impact of divorce and the millions of dollars it takes to put Band-Aids on social ills.”
“In our desire to be inclusive to reaching out to people in the hurt of divorce, sometimes the message gets mixed. The strong message of sanctity of marriage, that God hates divorce, gets watered down in our attempt to reach those that are in the pain of divorce.”
Are you "Divorce Proofing" your marriage?
What can be done to divorce-proof YOUR marriage? Use these “6 Keys to a Better Marriage Today.” If you want to strengthen your marriage right away, start showing your spouse . . . .
- Forgiving Love: Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, all of our sins have been forgiving. The Forgiving Love He has shown us is essential in a marriage. It offers a fresh start after one spouse hurts or offends another. Without forgiveness, no marriage will ever last.
- Serving Love: Do you know your spouse’s deepest needs? Loving him or her with a servant’s heart is the best and quickest way to find out. Serve one another in love (after all – the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve).
- Persevering Love: Marriage is a marathon – not a sprint. Are you in it for the long haul . . . or do you have the tendency to “bail out” or "clam up" when the going gets tough? Persevering Love sustains us through the trials of life (and trials are what makes any marriage real).
- Guarding Love: In other words, let him or her know that you’ll do anything to keep the marriage together (as long as its legal and moral, of course). The modern culture isn’t all that keen on marriage -- even though it’s the backbone of our society. Guarding Love protects your heart and the heart of your spouse from the threats to your marriage . . . and believe me they’re out there!
- Celebrating Love: That’s right – celebrate your marriage! What a gift the two of you have been given! Celebrating Love equips you to maintain a satisfying emotional, physical and spiritual connection with your mate . . . so celebrate it! All the time, NOT merely on Valentine's Day or your Anniversary.
- Renewing Love: No marriage will survive if either or both spouses constantly challenge its integrity by threatening to leave. The fact is, Renewing Love enables both husband and wife to regard the marriage covenant as unbreakable (just like God does). So share this gift with your spouse every day. Rejoice in the fact that you’ll be together forever . . . “for better or worse!”
These six vital expressions of love will make your marriage better. They’ll also help you teach your children how to understand what biblical love and marriage are all about. Love takes time – any good relationship does. So stay the course . . . keep praying . . . and start “divorce-proofing” your marriage by loving your spouse! (Excerpted from the book, Divorce-Proof Your Marriage by Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg.
If you would like to SUBSCRIBE to my MARRIAGE HOW-TO series, just hit REPLY and type "I DO" in the SUBJECT BAR.
Pastors: YOUR CONGREGATION needs these daily messages!
Every blessing,
Michael
A servant of God
t.e.a.m. ministries
A Ministry of Discipleship & Encouragement
to the Body of Christ across Planet Earth
P.O. Box 633
Stephenville, Texas 76401
YourTown4Jesus!
Your Town for Jesus! BLOG
Philemon 2 ...and to the church that meets in your house:
Colossians 4 ...and the church in her house.
Romans 16 ...also the church that meets at their house
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Subject: The Battle of Cealum Moor: A True Story
Time: 9:49:50 AM EST
Author: team1min
The Battle of Caelum Moor: A True Story
It was January of 1986. I remember hearing that singer Ricky Nelson had been killed in a plane crash when a fire broke out in his small plane. They were headed to Dallas to do a New Year’s Eve performance as I recall. In China, thousands of students had just spent twenty days protesting for democracy and the demonstrations spread from Shanghai to Beijing, culminating three years later with that unforgettable massacre in Tiananmen Square in June of 89.
Deep in the heart of Texas, we were fighting a different kind of battle. When I say we I’m referring to the Christians in the city of Arlington. It was a spiritual battle, one which, I now realize, we had no business being involved in.
Not that way.
Not the way we did it. Fact is, despite our kicking of the largest hornet’s nest any of us could have ever imagined, the vast majority of Arlington Christians were unaware that there was a battle raging among them at all.
Making matters worse, in my opinion, those who dared to get involved were clueless as to how it was supposed to have been waged and fought. Like the charge of the Light Brigade, our well-intentioned heroics proved meaningless and devastating to the local Church.
My hope, and my reason for writing this treatise is that, despite the many teachings by spiritual leaders on the subject of Spiritual Warfare in books, from pulpits, and on Christian television across the USA, that someone, somewhere, will read it and spare themselves and their community the agony of what one well-meaning but misguided Church Body in Texas went through...and the spiritual, unrelenting backlash that ensued.
Norm Hines was a graduate and tenured professor of art at Pamona College in Claremont, California in 1984 when he was commissioned by Jane Mathes Kelton, CEO and COB of the Kelton Mathes Development Corporation (and an heir to the Scottish-American television magnet, Curtis Mathes), to take on the Caelum Moor project. It was a monumental work of art that would become the signature and focal point of The Highlands Business Park, a 340-acre multi-use business community in Arlington, Texas.
Norm made$1.5 million for the project, a task that would take him over two years to complete. The sculpture would consist of 540 tons of freestanding pink Texas granite - 22 pieces in all, ranging from 15 to 34 feet high - and was named Caelum after a remote constellation in the Southern skies which comes from a Latin word meaning “sculptor’s tool," and Moor after the windswept, mystical moors of Scotland. The Stonehenge-like work of art, situated on 5.5 acres of a gently rolling park, included a small, winding lake, a fountain, seasonal landscaping, and a 350-seat natural amphitheater. The stones were set into 5 separate groupings, each being given its own Celtic name including Tan Tara, De’Danaan, Morna Linn, Tolmen Barrow and Sarsen Caer. Caelum Moor was one of the largest environmental sculptures in the Western Hemisphere.
From 1986 until 1997, this collection of twenty-two pinkish stones stood at the headwaters of Johnson Creek in Arlington. I vividly recall driving back to my home in DeSoto, through Arlington from Fort Worth in ‘86 when I was passed on my left by a rambling convoy of some sixteen 18-wheeler flatbed trucks carrying the enormous pink stones for what was to become known as Caelum Moor. Instantly, I knew they would be trouble in whatever place they wound up. I never once considered that the stones were headed for Arlington. I figured they were just passing through.
Boy, was I wrong.
In time, Caelum Moor - and the war that we waged over that piece of ground - would be broadcast on CNN, FOX, Dallas-Fort Worth television, and in newspapers and on web sites all over the planet.
How it all began... In those days, I was attending a "Bapti-Costal" church called Arlington Christian Center (ACC) which boasted of having 3,000 members. ACC was located on Bardin Road and was situated on the (please write Pastor Michael at team1min@aol.com to obtain this book in its entirety)
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Subject: Halloween: In case you were curious
Time: 11:07:48 AM EST
Author: team1min
Halloween: In case you were curious
Talk about a subject on which there are TONS of questions from confused Christians... that's Halloween.
October 31st IS a day the Lord has made and we Christians must rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). Romans 14:5 says, "One man esteems one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Just as one might claim October 31st is the devil's high holy day, another may choose to "redeem" the day by taking part in their church's "Holy Ween" Fall Festival or some such thing. We Christians seem to naturally tend to heap up as many rules as we can, standards by which we expect all other men to live by. typically, however, we judge others by what they DO and judge ourselves by our good INTENTIONS.
Even if there were no devil (trust me, there IS) the fact is that hideous things are done in Satan's honor on this day all around the globe. Halloween's history is very tainted. The file is pretty thick on its evil history and current practices, not to mention crime statistics from law enforcement officials. Flipping through the files, it's
strange how quickly the information flows into the subject of Witchcraft, Satanism and violent crime.
Halloween is the most important festival of witchcraft. Its history goes back 2000 years to the Druids, an ancient pre-Celtic priestly order of Gaul, in honor of Samhain (pronounced Sa-Ween), Lord of the dead. Very depraved people, these Druids! They're believed to have built Stonehenge, the monolithic stone carvings in England where human sacrifices took place. Stonehenge is believed to have been erected to calculate the sun's movements and determine the exact day on which to honor the Earth Mother goddess through human sacrifices. Which day would that be? Halloween, of course.
The name "Halloween" is derived from the phrase, "All Hallow's Eve," October 31st, the Eve of Samhain, the Celtic New Year. Samhain supposedly called up all the evil souls who had died the previous year and demons, fairies, elves, ghosts sprang up from the netherworld. To ensure fertility to cattle and crops, firstborn children were offered as living sacrifices to satisfy theses evil creatures. Today, we emulate these folkloric and demonic practices by dressing up like monsters, demons, skeletons, the undead, as we go to Halloween parties and "trick or treat." As Christians, Scripture instructs us to think about that which is "...true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable...," (Phil. 4:8) and "...avoid the appearance of evil," (1 Thess. 5:22). Can we do that when dressed some horrible, ghastly, blood-covered creature? Probably not. Can we dress up as something sill or funny and pass out candy and cartoon Gospel tracts? Will a self-righteous statement such as, "I'm a Christian and I don't DO Halloween" do anything but scare away our unsaved co-workers and neighbors? Even our own kids?
It was believed that these demons insisted upon "treats" to keep them from performing their "tricks," or curses, on people's lives. So, people would leave the finest food and drink for them on their doorsteps, usually devoured by stray dogs, cats, wild animals and vagabonds. If dissatisfied with the treats, it was feared they might enter the house causing destruction of property or person, i.e., ruining a water well, killing cattle, souring milk, sickness and even death.
In 834 A.D., the Catholic Church moved All Saints Day from May to November 1st (to placate the Roman worshippers of Pomona, goddess of fruit and trees), as well as the newly conquered descendants of the Druids in Germany and Scandinavia. Thus, Halloween is often celebrated as the eve of All Saints Day with the same reverence for the dead. Biblical Christianity is about LIFE! Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the LIFE," (Jn 14:6). He said He came that we may have "...LIFE and LIFE more abundantly,"(Jn 10:10). Our faith is not about death. We serve a Savior who said, "Death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55). A Christian's focus should be on bringing that resurrected, eternal life to others, and on making disciples, NOT praying TO, FOR or FEARING the dead.
Demons are not merely things of superstition. Symbols are the very things used by those who have embraced the occult in the conjuring of the spirits they represent. Hey, if symbols were meaningless, we could adorn the walls of your church as safely with swastikas as with crosses! Bobbing for apples? Originally a means of divining the future. Jack-o'-lanterns? Came from a tale of a man who tricked the devil into leaving him alone and was denied both Heaven and hell but lights his way at night carrying a glowing coal in a carved out turnip. Witches are often pictured with black cats, owls or rats. Practitioners of witchcraft believe these creatures are the best lodging place for familiar spirits, the demons who predict the future and act as spirit guides for a single witch or an entire coven. Ravens, owls, broomsticks, cauldrons ... there is a wicked history to every aspect of Halloween's symbols and traditions. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour," (1 Peter 5:8).
Kids who are on the fringe, loners and thrill seekers desiring acceptance or involvement are most prone to getting involved with deeper levels of occult practices. Lots of these practices are ultimately on a criminal level, not only spiritual. Many of our nation's convicts are behind bars as a result of some crime committed in the name of Satan. Horror movies are one way that multitudes of children are exposed to the occult, not to mention how easily accessible this type of material is in the libraries. In schools, books pertaining to spooky things are available to every age. Sure, they're generally comical cartoons. Some are quite well-written. If you were Satan, how would you lure a kid or disarm an already uninformed parent?
As parents, if you're convicted of the spiritual significance of Halloween, train your children accordingly. Train them not to be condemning of those who DO celebrate Halloween, too. Use the occasion to be a loving witness for Christ. If anyone asks why you do NOT celebrate if that describes you - go ahead and share. Not in a condemning or holier-than-thou manner, but speak the truth in love. You may wish to pass out candy and gospel tracts to the kids who stop by. In effort to substitute traditions (It's generally best to NEVER just say 'no,' without giving kids a replacement), watch old black & white comedies and eat junk food while handing candy and tracts to costumed visitors. I did that with my own kids and instilled a love for Hollywood's Golden Age of films, its songs and made memories they STILL talk about. A pumpkin carved with the words "Jesus saves" or something similar may even illuminate your window. As a family, pray for the safety of those who unwittingly, or knowingly, participate, Christian or not. Make the evening downright holy...and fun! Prayagainst those who may use the opportunity to physically harm or kill an innocent person, with tainted candies or through involvement in Satanic practices.
Yes, human sacrifices STILL take place in the name of Satan. While Christian children (adults, too) are cajoling about in costumes and enjoying the party atmosphere, REAL servants of the Dark Side are celebrating the dead as they have for 2000 years, some with tax exempt status from the IRS, which recognizes the religious nature of their beliefs. Satanists fellowship with the devil himself; this is not a day to be scoffed at for them. It is their high unholy day, a direct attack on Christianity for they blaspheme the beliefs of no other major world religion.
Harvest festivals and hayrides are great fun but stay away from things that conjure up that spirit (demon) of Fear. Horror movies and haunted houses, for example. Without asking, someone once dragged my youngest off to a haunted house one Halloween and it took a great deal of prayer to get the nightmares and constant fearfulness to cease (I was livid)! "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," (Joshua 24:15).
Pray for wisdom and guidance. Don't be accusatory or condemning toward others. Take advantage of every opportunity to share Christ and speak the truth in love, as I'm sure you will!
READ 'EM & REAP!!
1 Peter 2:9
2 Cor 6:14
Deut 18
James 4:4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't obey the Christian "rule" to ignore Halloween. Don't follow the
direction of your church tradition either, or the comments of unconcerned Christian friends who are throwing a Halloween party and want you to attend, the pressure of your excitable children, or the council of a friend or pastor who may be uninformed on this subject. They may simply be unaware. You may wish to share this article with others and request their prayerful comments.
Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit to see what He will have YOU do
differently, if anything, on the subject of Halloween. Then, do the right
thing! Your house, too, must serve the Lord!
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Friday, October 27, 2006
Subject: Relationship before Function.
Time: 5:29:13 PM EDT
Author: team1min
Relationship before Function.
As many are aware, I'm quite an advocate for the growing house church "movement" and love helping others to establish churches in their homes, coffee shops, office breakrooms, etc. I'm having a ball doing this and it's VERY rewarding. I was recently looking at Luke Chapter 10 verses 1-9 and there are some principles found there that will not only prove beneficial to the "house churchers" among us, but ANY Christian whose heart is set on advancing the Kingdom of God.
Let's take a look at the Amplified version. Here it is:
1...the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit).
2And He [Jesus] said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant [there is much ripe grain], but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
3Go your way; behold, I send you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.
4Carry no purse, no provisions bag, no [change of] sandals; refrain from [retarding your journey by] saluting and wishing anyone well along the way.
5Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household! [Freedom from all the distresses that result from sin be with this family].
6And if anyone [worthy] of peace and blessedness is there, the peace and blessedness you wish shall come upon him; but if not, it shall come back to you.
7And stay on in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.
8Whenever you go into a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you;
9And heal the sick in it and say to them, The kingdom of God has come close to you.
Known for his ministry as a House Church planter, author and speaker Tony Dale emphasizes the fact that House Church is NOT merely a gathering or even a location; it's a way of life. As he says, there must surely be something more to this than exchanging pews for couches. How can it be anything else for Christianity is not merely another of the world's great religions; it's a moment-to-moment relationship with the Creator. Bearing this in mind, it's more easily conceivable that wherever we Christians find ourselves at any moment, that may well be the spot where we can begin to influence people for the Kingdom and see lives transformed.
Verse 1: We see that Jesus "sent them out ahead of Him." That means they went FIRST but He would soon be coming onto the scene. As disciples ourselves, have you found that to be the case today as well? All we have to be is available!
Verse 2: Despite having assembled an outreach team of 72 (some say even more), Jesus laments that there's so much work to do and 72 is simply not enough. We need more of us!
Verse 3: The team is reminded that they are vulnerable and are about to engage in Spiritual Warfare. Yet, they were trained. The call to serve is really a call to prepare. Have you been preparing?
Verse 4: They're instructed not to bring anything with them because they won't be staying. They are also told, essentially, not to dilly-dally. There was to be no chit-chatting with others they meet along the way; they were on a mission, after all. Instead, they were to keep a look out for someone VERY important. Who? Read on.
Verse 5: Jesus told them something very interesting. He said, "Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household!" Today, He might have said, "When you go to the office, the plant, Starbuck's, class, a Chamber of Commerce mixer, BE to them the expression of God that you are and let them experience the Peace of Christ through you. If you feel that same peace returned to you by another, THIS is the person you can build a church with (minister to, pray for, etc.)!" Here's a tip: Instead of inviting these people to church - asking them to abandon THEIR culture in exchange for YOUR church's friendly confines - why not get to know THEM in THEIR world? Chances are, they'll gladly invite family and friends to meet you and... POOF...instant Church! I heard about an East Indian Christian woman who was walking around a village, praying. When someone asked what she was doing, she said she was looking for people to pray for. She was invited in by many. Eventually, she established 50 house churches, that in a nation with millions of gods (note the lower case "g").
Verse 6: Jesus added, "And if anyone of peace and blessedness is there, the peace and blessedness you wish shall come upon him..." In other words, if that person is someone you can work with, you'll know it by the Spirit! In Acts 16:14, Paul was preaching by the river and one who was listening was a woman named Lydia. The verse says, "She was [already] a worshiper of God, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." No, she wasn't a Christian - and she may have not yet even heard the story of Jesus and His Kingdom message. Yet, she was referred to as "a worshipper of God." She could have been a Muslim, a Satanist, a New Age guru, a Buddhist...she was probably not a Jew because it was the Sabbath and she was not in the temple AND she was working besides. Scripture clearly says, however, says she was a worshipper of God and a Church was started at her house.
I'm convinced that the Lord's primary method of evangelism was probably not open-air crusades. Yes, we have a few examples of that, but I think there were far more one-on-one situations - the kind of opportunities constantly available to you and me today as well. ALL Christians can penetrate pockets of darkness by crossing over to where we are no longer "culturally comfortable." We have to get out of our Christian ghetto and rub shoulders with others in order to find those "worshippers of God." They'reout there, trust me.
Personally, there was a time in my life when I was quite a devout "worshipper of God." Christian girls often mistook me for one of "them." Sadly, the "god" to whom I paid my homage was named "Mike." It was ME all along. I KNEW there was a GOD "out there" but all I saw around me was Religion - not relationship - and condemnation. Trying to "be good" seemed impossible for me to do no matter how hard I tried. Sure, I heard the old Bible stories, but I wasn't meeting anyone who testified of what He was doing NOW, at this moment in time, and that He wanted an intimate relationship with me. I remember thinking He was mad at me and, when I REALLY messed up, I was that much farther away from Him than I had been. Regardless, I still worshipped Him, too scared to do otherwise.
Sadly, there are millions like that! The harvest is abundant, as Jesus said. Multitudes need to know that God is not "out there" but wants to live large "IN THEM," for WE are the temple of the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
Verses 7 and 8: They were told to "...stay on in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whenever you go into a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you..." Stay with them? Imagine it's Tom's first day at work and a fellow named Jerry comes by and invites him to join the gang at the local bar to have a TGIF celebration. A Christian, Tom hardens his brow and says to Jerry, "No, thank you, I'm a Christian and I don't go to places like that." What happened? Tom hasn't merely turned down Jerry's invitation; he's turned Jerry down, turned him off and turned him away in the process.
How much more effective would it have been had Tom RECEIVED Jerry's hospitality - the only kind he knew how to offer, by the way. He was being KIND to Tom - a godly quality - and may well be a worshipper of God, the best he knew how at any rate. He was extending his hand of friendship and inviting Tom into his world to meet his friends, maybe even family at some point. "Come and eat and drink with us, TOM!" was what he was saying. But Tom said, "No!" A door had been shut by Tom's reaction, when Jerry had graciously opened his culture to him.
Remember verse one? JESUS is planning to show up but He's sending out His team FIRST.
Guys like Tom.
Guys like us.
He allowed Tom to have that job, not merely so he could eat or pay bills, but as a means for advancing the Kingdom of God. Jesus WILL show up, but not if Christians go springing religion and self-righteousness on everyone and squelching those Divine opportunities. Granted, there are times when we MUST graciously bow out. Time constraints might cause us to say, "Sounds like fun, but can I take a raincheck?" Leave the door open. Now, if Jerry's gang had been going to a topless club, by all means, use discernment. "Jerry, I'd love to hang out with you guys but I'm not comfortable in places like that...can we go somewhere else? How 'bout lunch tomorrow...my treat?" He would probably respect that and, at the very least, invite you to something more to your liking another time.
Verse 8 essentially encourages us to move into THEIR environment. Jesus is our example of that. Didn't He leave HIS culture for the sake of planet Earth?
A lady asked me if I'd speak at her Brisket, Beer and Bible Study. I didn't hesitate to commit myself. The people she said she'll be inviting are kids who've done drugs, been in jail, people who don't feel accepted in churches. If like-minded Christians would join forces in a similar manner, we could have an incredible impact on our community. (Anybody care to throw a party?)
When you get there - to that place outside your element - love those you find there. Let the expression of Christ flow through you. I once officiated a wedding that was held in a bar. Everyone, including the groom, was sipping beer before the wedding even began. That was the most enjoyable wedding I can remember. I mingled and "worked the crowd." Afterward, I sat down and ate with an Hispanic man about my age, with a shaved head and a 2-foot braided pony tail hanging down his back. We enjoyed each other's company, laughed quite a bit as I recall. I told him how to reach me and made myself available. Another man asked me if I made a pretty good living doing weddings. When I told him that I don't charge, he grabbed a $50 bill from his wallet and said, "Here ya go, I need a blessing and I believe in reapin' and sowin'." The next day, the bride came by my office and gleefully said "everyone just loved you at the wedding."
Verse 9: Jesus says, "heal the sick in it and say to them, the Kingdom of God has come close to you..." Be discerning and see if there's a need where God could step in. As I minister in nursing homes and when I've gone to jails and hospitals, I've NEVER had a single person say they did NOT want me to pray for them. What I HAVE heard is people who say, "I don't know how to pray." I've even seen people cry while I prayed and afterward admit to me that NO ONE has EVER prayed for them.
Imagine!
Sure, we could offer to literally pray for the sick as we enter into these strange cultures, but how about those with sick marriages or sick finances, sick emotions, a sick spirit, sick of being unemployed, or just sick of being addicted and failing all the time? The verse says to tell them about the Kingdom of God. It doesn't tell us to tell them they're sinners. They already know that, I assure you. Tell them there's a King who loves them and cares about them. The woman at the well is a grand example of that. Jesus said to her, "Does anyone condemn you? Neither do I." He's been called a Friend of Sinners, more comfortable with the down and outers than with the religious crowd. He loved them and they loved Him; the self righteous got His indignation.
We can always find a way to bless and give hope. People are too often being cursed by the Church, condemned and reminded of how bad they are. "You're a sinner, bud." We forget that, if not for God's grace, so are we. Just as God said to Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?", I can hear Him asking the Church today, "Who told you that you were divorced, illegitimate, a fornicator, a drunkard...who told you - a child that I love - one I sent My Son to die for...that you were the scum of the Earth? I call you My friend, My child, My warrior, my priest, my chosen one. Who told you all those lies about yourself?"
Let us remember to DEMONSTRATE the presence of God before our preaching will ever be received. Spurgeon said, "Before you give a man a tract, wrap it in a sandwich." The same principle applies. It's called "Relationship before Function." They want to know how much you care before they care how much you know. As God intervenes, your testimony, your ministry will be more than welcome.
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Subject: CHURCH AS UNUSUAL
Time: 7:38:09 PM EDT
Author: team1min
CHURCH AS UNUSUAL
In a vision the Lord gave me, I saw small white castles across the landscape, all flying white flags with red crosses on them, dotting the countryside as far as I could see. I instantly knew these represented "pastoral kingdoms." These were places where the local villagers could run in and find refuge when they felt threatened by their enemy. This verse came to mind: "The Name of the Lord is like a strong tower that the righteous will run into and be glad." Notice, there was no mention in that verse of a literal tower; it's God Himself who is our Protector. That's where our help comes from; the One who made the Heavens and the Earth.
These "castles" were a demonic deception for they were NOT really a place of safety; not the "sanctuary" they were thought to be. Today, too many perceive or expect these "pastoral kingdoms" (church buildings) to be places of holiness inhabited by the Lord where they will be accepted by all, loved unconditionally, and have their troubles cared for and needs met. Too often, these same individuals ultimately leave after failing to find what they thought they were looking for, i.e., their personal salvation. Sure, many will "get their ticket punched" and consider themselves "saved" or "born again" but, in time, they discover that these sanctuaries are mere buildings and that they were better off BEFORE they ever entered the doors. Many attest to feelings of having been judged, weighed, measured and found wanting and wind up turning their back on Christianity all together, some embracing false Christs and false religions. Church splits, poor leadership, boredom...it seems there's always something to prune the trees.
Jesus said there'd be days like this.
A KINGDOM OF DENOMINATIONS?
In the early 1500s, a German monk named Martin Luther became so convicted of his sins that he spent up to six hours confessing them. As he studied the Scriptures he found that salvation didn’t come through anything he did, but simply through trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Notice: Salvation was the key. He listed the contradictions between what the Scriptures said and what his church taught on the matter, and nailed his "95 Theses" to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther became the first to "protest" against the established church, and thus has been called the father of the Protestant Church.
Since that time, there have been many MORE disagreements causing many MORE splits. How much water one should baptize with? Dunk or sprinkle? How to sing what and why? Who should govern whom, etc. These things and many others have caused thousands of Christian splinter groups. Many of these groups are convinced that they alone are right and that all others are wrong.
How can any one of them call themselves 'the true Church" when the best any of them can truly be called is the first "true denomination"?
Religious division is not a new concept. When the kingdom of Israel split into the northern and southern segments, each chose a different style of worship. Jeroboam and his advisors wanted Bethel to be Israel's chief religious center, intending to compete with Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:25-33). Though Jeroboam was a charismatic leader and organizer who had popular support, Bethel's religion became idolatry leading to Israel's eventual downfall. We can go all the way back to Cane and Abel and find division where the people's service and love of God are concerned.
A denomination might hold fast to a man-made tradition that was handed down over centuries and ratified by the clergy. If the authorities believe that tradition is equal to the Scriptures, then the practice often becomes infallible. Divisions flourish when individuals are unable to differentiate between God's ordinances and man-made practices.
When the church at Corinth was faced with many elements of division, Paul encouraged cooperation among members, both Jew and Gentile (1 Corinthians 12:12). Despite their differences, each believer had one thing in common; faith in Christ. This truth is where the Church found its unity. Paul wanted to reinforce the relationship between the Jew and Gentile in the early Church while discouraging competition. "May God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," (Romans 15:5-6).
Despite all the confusion, Christian churches DO manage to subscribe to certain foundational beliefs such as the deity, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "The foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his," (2 Timothy 2:19). So, despite all our manmade dogmas, doctrine and traditions, God knows who belongs to Him and whose hearts are far from Him. He is not fooled by false piety, self-righteousness and mere religion. Thomas Jefferson wrote about a preacher, Richard Mote, who "exclaimed aloud to his congregation that he did not believe there was a Quaker, Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist in Heaven, having paused to give his hearers time to stare and to wonder. He added that, in Heaven, God knew no distinctions."
As Believers in Jesus, we all must share the same essentials of our Christian faith. God gives us unique personalities and abilities to worship, serve, and follow Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church; our King. "There is one body and one Spirit . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all," (Ephesians 4:4-6). As one retired Church of Christ minister said at a conference, "Don't fool yourselves! Not every individual sitting in your pews believes the things you want them to believe. That being the case, we might as WELL encourage unity in the Body of Christ!" It's true. I've spoken with scores of people who are not only unfamiliar with the basic tenets of their denomination, but have admitted to attending a particular church solely because of family pressure or for societal reasons.
MORE...
Please write team1min@aol.com for the remainder of this article.
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Friday, October 20, 2006
Subject: Are YOU part of this “Movement”?
Time: 12:30:59 PM EDT
Author: team1min
Are YOU part of this “Movement”?
Have you ever been part of “a movement”? The employees of Pyramid HealthCare, headquartered in Whitney, Texas, certainly have been. On September 25, 2006, Mike Tummillo, a licensed/ordained non-denominational minister was hired on by owner Diane Ward to serve the spiritual needs of the organization's 500-plus employees spread out located in ten facilities ranging from Baird to Paris, Stephenville to Grand Saline. Tummillo, previously the Communications Director for the award-winning Stephenville Chamber of Commerce, has served on the staffs of several churches in Grand Prairie, Arlington and Stephenville, and said, "I've been wanting to serve as a Workplace Chaplain since I met a man who was serving in that role for Gerber Baby Foods about 12 years ago. He had been a traditional church pastor previously and told me he'd never go back to that after serving in Workplace Ministry. I guess the Lord saw that I was finally prepared to handle the task."
Laura Nash, a Business Ethicist at Harvard University, affirms the need saying, "Spirituality in the workplace is exploding." Fortune Magazine, 2001, reported that, “… a mostly unorganized mass of believers--a counterculture bubbling up all over corporate America--who want to bridge the traditional divide between spirituality and work. Historically, such folk operated below the radar, on their own or in small workplace groups where they prayed or studied the Bible. But now they are getting organized and going public to agitate for change.” The article continued: "People who want to mix God and business are rebels on several fronts. They reject the centuries-old American conviction that spirituality is a private matter. They challenge religious thinkers who disdain business as an inherently impure pursuit. They disagree with business people who say that religion is unavoidably divisive.”
Hear that, Pyramid? They're calling you a rebel.
IS THIS MOVEMENT SCRIPTURAL?
“Indeed, as with first-century Christianity, it all begins in the marketplace, where the disciples of Jesus daily rub shoulders with the lost.” - Bill McCartney of Promise Keepers in his book, Anointed for Business
Is that true? Where’s the Biblical precedent for such a movement? In the New Testament, it’s recorded that Jesus made 132 public appearances. Of these, 122 were in the marketplace, not the synagogue. He spent half of His adult life as a carpenter until age 30 before taking His ministry into the workplace. Stands to reason. After all, that’s where most people spend the majority of their lives.
Jesus could have built His ministry team around clergymen, but He chose 12 working men instead. Of His 52 parables, 45 had a workplace context. In the Book of Acts, of 40 divine interventions recorded there, 39 occurred in the marketplace. Someone did the math and determined that 54% of Jesus’ reported teaching ministry arose out of issues posed by others in the scope of daily life experience. Let’s face it, when a person has issues at home, they bring those issues to work. Jesus met them where they were.
MIXING SECULAR WITH SACRED
“The spiritual manifests itself in a life which knows no division into sacred and secular.” - Oswald Chambers, Author of My Utmost for His Highest
According to Tummillo, the truth is, Work is Worship. "The Hebrew word "avodah" is the root for the word from which we get the words “work” and “worship.” Work, in its many forms, is mentioned over 800 times in Scripture. That’s more than all the words used to express worship, praise, music and singing combined!"
Some of the most well-known ministers in the western world are recognizing the legitimacy of this Faith at Work movement. Dr. Billy Graham said, "I believe one of the next great moves of God is going to be through the believers in the workplace.” His son, Franklin, of Samaritan's Purse Ministry, put it in the present tense: "God has begun an evangelism movement in the workplace that has the potential to transform our society as we know it."
Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, meets regularly with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to discuss what it means to bring Christ into the workplace. He states: "I've never seen the activity of God this deeply in the business community as I do rightnow....God is marshalling his people in the workplace as never before in history. God is up to something. The next spiritual awakening could take place in the marketplace.”
Dorothy Sayers, writer and theologian, put it wonderfully. She says, "In nothing has the church so lost Her hold on reality as in Her failure to understand and respect the secular vocation. She has allowed work and religion to become separate departments, and is astonished to find that, as a result, the secular work of the world is turned to purely selfish and destructive ends, and that the greater part of the world's intelligent workers have become irreligious, or at least, uninterested in religion. But is it astonishing? How can anyone remain interested in a religion which seems to have no concern with nine-tenths of life? The church's approach to an intelligent carpenter is usually confined to exhorting him not to be drunk and disorderly in his leisure hours, and to come to church on Sundays. What the church should be telling him is this: that the very first demand that his religion makes on him is to make good tables."
Respected researcher, George Barna, in his book Boiling Point, writes: “Workplace ministry will be one of the core future innovations in church ministry.”
COUNTERING THE CULTURES
“Societal transformation is high on God’s agenda and the chief catalytic force to bring it about will be Christians ministering in the marketplace.” - C. Peter Wagner, Chancellor, Wagner Leadership Institute
Tummillo states, "Christianity is not merely another sub-culture; it’s a counter culture. It’s not merely another religion; it’s a relationship. A relationship with Jesus is the ONLY way provided for human beings to secure that relationship with their Creator. We, as Christians, are part of a Kingdom of priests and Kings, Most of us just don’t know it yet."
Land Cope of YWAM hit the nail on the head with these words: "We have more Christians today per capita with less impact on the culture than ever before. We are big and we are weak."
As we read and hear reports about the nations of China and India and how committed they are to taking the lead in this global economy, we see opportunity for well-equipped, savvy Christians to boldly declare, “Bring ‘em on!” Tummillo adds, "I don’t know about you, but I can’t get to China and India to minister to them and shine the light of truth. God, in His infinite wisdom, is bringing them to US instead! Come West, young men...women, too! I recall a minister in Bible College who had spent years in South Africa speaking prophetically to his class, warning us that Islam was on the rise. I remember taking it with a grain of salt. “I don’t even know anybody from the Middle East, “I said to myself. God’s bringing them HERE to attend universities and participate in commerce. What are we going to do with the opportunity?"
The Christian business community should take note. Bill Pollard, Chairman of ServiceMaster, wisely said: “In today’s global community, the greatest channel of distribution for ‘salt and light’ is the business community… the marketplace.”
Poultry producers, Pilgrim’s Pride, reportedly spends hundreds of thousand of dollars annually on Workplace Chaplains to come into the plant and minister to their 35,000 employees. Cliff Butler, vice chairman of the company, says: "Although it's intangible, we feel we've had a good return on every dime we spent [on workplace ministers]. We believe there's a payoff, and it's not always with dollars, It's with the feeling of gratitude of the employees to us."
WHERE DOES THE LOCAL CHURCH FIT INTO THIS MOVEMENT?
"Workplace believers seldom feel served by their churches in their jobs and careers on issues of faith and biblical ethics." - Pete Hammond, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Is Workplace Ministry part of most local churches today? Sadly, no. In many cases, where it CAN be found, it’s merely as another bolt-on evangelism program that isn’t taken too seriously by leadership. "Personally, though I’ve spoken in my share of churches across denominations, I’ve yet to see one workplace ministry launched from a church," Tummillo said.
Consider this statement by Doug Sherman, author of Your Work Matters to God. "Our surveys reveal that 90-97% of Christians have never heard a sermon relating biblical principles to their work life." Tummillo concurs, "Most church members have never been trained, equipped and released into the workplace by their church leaders, the one place where they spend 60-70% of their waking hours. The problem is that the teaching Christians DO receive is often not relevant for what most Christians need in order to impact their workplaces...Workplace Ministry can change the world. One employee at a time."
THE ROLE OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP IN THIS MOVEMENT
"I believe pastors will be the last to really embrace this movement because it is such a new paradigm. However, ultimately, they will be the instruments God will use to make the greatest impact in the movement because of their influence in so many people's lives." - Os Hillman, Director, International Coalition of Workplace Ministries
“The most common self-inflicted put-down is ‘I am not a pastor—I am just a layperson.’ This is all part of a clever satanic scheme to neutralize apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers along with the entire army of disciples, already positioned in the marketplace.” - Ed Silvoso, Anointed for Business, Harvest Evangelism
Tummillo, agrees saying, "The world needs ministers and Christian leaders to equip their people to be effective where they spend the majority of their time: the workplace. In order to do this it has to be intentional, long term and foundational to the church. Church leaders must buy into the concept completely...it's interesting how we tell people to COME to Church while the Scriptures repeatedly tell us to GO!"
Pastor Dick Halverson once said, "There is a distinction between church work and the work of the church. Church work is what you do for the organized institution of the church. The work of the church is what is done between Sundays when the church is scattered all over the metropolitan area where it is located - in homes, schools, offices, on construction jobs, in market places."
Os Hillman wrote, “The church in the workplace is the purest form of the body of Christ today due to its diversity. Workplace believers are less prone to denominational differences because they have a common goal of representing Christ in their workplaces. The movement will break down denominational barriers that have been held in the past.”
Dallas Willard writes in The Spirit of Discipline: “There is truly is no division between sacred and secular except what we have created. And that is why the division of the legitimate roles and functions of human life into the sacred and secular does incalculable damage to our individual lives and the cause of Christ. Holy people must stop going into “church work” as their natural course of action and take up holy orders in farming, industry, law, education, banking, and journalism with the same zeal previously given to evangelism or to pastoral and missionary work.”
SO, IS IT A MOVEMENT?
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” - God Almighty, from His Book, The Holy Bible, Isa. 43:19
Is God doing something new?
Is the cloud moving?
You decide.
If you’re a minister and need help getting this message across to your congregation, Tummillo makes himself available. "If you want help, it’s there for you. Books, tapes, CD’s abound on the subject where once there was none. Get online and Google “Workplace Ministry,” “Faith at Work,” something like that."
In a speech he made on the subject of Workplace Ministry, Tummillo said, "John 21:6 reveals Jesus telling His disciples, “...Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes..” Consider what was happening here:
1) They were working; doing their usual jobs as fishermen, 2) They were STILL doing their same ol’ job when Jesus suggested they fish on the OTHER side. Not much changed...but their perspective, and 3) The simple act of obedience ultimately resulted in a miracle, increased their faith in Him as they began to know him as Lord experientially. So, get on board with what God is doing. Could it be we've all been strategically placed in our job for a godly purpose? Could it be we were born for such a time as this?"
Pastor Mike and 4,000 other Workplace Chaplains across the nation seem to think so.
Written by team1min
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Subject: There's gonna be...an Evolution?
Time: 2:46:21 PM EDT
Author: team1min
There's gonna be...an Evolution?
In September of '68, the Beatles released a song entitled "Revolution." The first verse goes like this:
"You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right"
As the song implies, like the remodeling of a home, sometimes the only way anything can get to the next step is for destruction of the old stuff to occur.
George Barna (Barna Research Group) is a respected author, speaker, researcher and sociologist. He has a new book out that I highly recommend. It's called "REVOLUTION." It's about the current state of the Church and is loaded with eye-opening, very sobering statistics about what's happening right under our noses, good and bad.
In my car, as I often travel hundreds of miles daily in my job as a Workplace Chaplain, I have been listening to Mr. Barna's CD recording of himself reading excerpts from his book. I believe I've listened at least 20 times, probably more. I think the book was misnamed. It should not have been "Revolution." Instead, I think the appropriate title should have been "EVOLUTION." I like the dictionary definition of the word which reads: "...a process of change in a certain direction." To many Christians, to revolt against the established, prescribed ways of traditional Christianity smacks of a rebellious spirit. Christians - especially Christian leaders - despite their own major differences from denomination to denomination - don't appreciate that. On the other hand, some Christians, a smaller group of people like myself, have discovered the fun of tipping sacred cows (it's where we'll find the best cuts of meat actually).
Why do I prefer the title "EVOLUTION" to "Revolution"? Because the Church IS in a state of evolution, currently undergoing some of the most dramatic changes it's ever undergone in its 2,000 year history, all across denominational lines. It's changing and the direction, at least from Heaven's perspective, is certain. Jesus wants His Church back. It appears God is actually taking Her back to square one all over the planet. Read what Scripture says about the early Church. No buildings, no church staff, no paid clergy or passive laity. Take a look:
Romans 16:5 ("Likewise greet the church that is in their house")
1 Corinthians 16:19 ("The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.")
Colossians 4:15 ("Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.")
Philemon verse 2, ("...to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home.").
Based on a regular series of national surveys conducted by his company, the Barna Research Group, during the past 25 years, Barna discovered that discontent with congregational churches, changes in lifestyles, and even a desire to get closer to God, have caused many people to seek new ways of being in relationship with God and other God-seeking people.
In 2000, most of the nation’s organized religious activity took place at or through local churches. Barna’s research reveals that. Today, the action is shifting to different forms of corporate religious commitment. Different, yes, but by no means are they new. Barna found that, in a typical week, 9% of all American adults participate in a house church. An even greater proportion – 22% - engages in spiritual encounters that take place in the marketplace (e.g., with groups of people while they are at their place of work or play, or in other typical daily contexts). At the Workplace Bible Studies I lead, many attendees confess that they are not, or can not, attending an organized, traditional church, either because of time constraints, schedules or perceived hypocrisy or pressure to conform or face rejection. Even the Internet serves as the foundation for interactive faith experiences for more than one tenth of all adults, usually in tandem with other forms of religious group experiences. I can attest to that as well. People are flocking to the web for answers and we Christians had better be there when they come knocking. The cults certainly are!
Jon Zens, editor of the quarterly publication, "Searching Together," and an advocate of New Testament church life being lived-out today, has observed a growing exodus of people from institutional churches across America. He explains. "After years of starving in the institutional church, they leave to find New Testament realities. People study their Bibles and come to perceive a huge chasm between the New Testament and the traditional church and often they leave after the institutional church disregards their pleas for change."
GOING TO vs BEING THE CHURCH
The New Testament writers referred to the PEOPLE of God as God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:19-22), God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), God's house (1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 3:6, 10:21, 1 Peter 2:17), God's household (Ephesians 2:19, Galatians 6:10) and Christ's body (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 3:6, 5:23, 30). Though most Christians - even ministers - would say 'Amen" to that, such a response is generally little more than mere lip service.
Did Christians in the New Testament GO to church? No, for the first three centuries of her existence, the thought never entered their minds. They WERE the Church! They understood that they WERE God's dwelling place - everywhere they went. They were His temple! As Howard Snyder writes in "The Problem of Wineskins Today," "A church building cannot properly be "the Lord's house" because, in the new covenant, this title is reserved for the Church as people. So, if church buildings have any justification, it can only be practical; simply a place to m
|
