Monday
DISCOVER YOUR GIFTINGS - PART 2
Tonight we did Part 2 of the course. I must say it was very enlightening for some of us. It was also very interesting to see what kind of careers our giftings would put us in. Most of us agreed with it but we did have a complaint from Wayne as his career (horse dentistry) was not on the list. Alison has decided to leave us to pursue a career in bandage rolling. We broke for dinner which was scrumptious. After dinner we broke up into small groups and spent some time in prayer and encouragement. Thank you Alison - we all enjoyed the course.
Discover your Giftings
We had a great evening with Alison facilitating. We started off with the first of a two week course on discovering our unique giftings. There are three categories of gifts. These motiviational gifts, ministry gifts and manifestation gifts. Everyone had a great time discovering their unique gifts and talents. There was a lot of fun and laughing. Should you wish that you had attended and need more info please call Alison to find out about slotting in. We ended the evening with another sumptuous meal and pudding was the order of the day. We had so much that we started the evening with it and ended with it.
Wednesday
When God grew tired of us
Saturday 9 May 2009
Facilitator: Mario
We watched a dvd called ‘When God grew tired of us” (NU metro release, available in regular stores). A National Geographic documentary records the orphaned boys of south Sudan who had to flee for their lives when the Muslim Government killed all their parents. The boys between 5 – 12 years old fled into the bushes and then walked bare foot to Ethiopia. 3 years later they were evicted and had to take another murderous bare feet 1000 mile journey to Kenya –26 000 boys left and 12 000 arrived. Since then they have been locked up in a refugee camp with high fences and no adults. The USA/UN started the “lost boys” resettlement program by taking individuals to the United States and offering them a chance to work and start their lives over. The documentary shows the lives of a couple of young men over a four-year period. The documentary leaves one with some real questions to ask…. There was some comment made on the spiritual background of these boys and how its plays out in the States – valid comments on our western beliefs systems indeed and the power of the Name that is above every other name.
At supper we started the discussions - we were all challenged! Some in the group felt quite overwhelmed, some felt great shame on behalf of the church, who was too busy with others things to have been there in their darkest hour, some wondered how they would have persevered under the same circumstances. Malcolm related the story of the starfish – when millions washed up on the beach, one man walked on the waterline, throwing back starfish into the sea as far as he went. Another man on the beach asked him why bother if there are so many and his reply as he threw another starfish back “ it makes the world of a difference for that one”.
Do what we can while we can to make a difference.
Facilitator: Mario
We watched a dvd called ‘When God grew tired of us” (NU metro release, available in regular stores). A National Geographic documentary records the orphaned boys of south Sudan who had to flee for their lives when the Muslim Government killed all their parents. The boys between 5 – 12 years old fled into the bushes and then walked bare foot to Ethiopia. 3 years later they were evicted and had to take another murderous bare feet 1000 mile journey to Kenya –26 000 boys left and 12 000 arrived. Since then they have been locked up in a refugee camp with high fences and no adults. The USA/UN started the “lost boys” resettlement program by taking individuals to the United States and offering them a chance to work and start their lives over. The documentary shows the lives of a couple of young men over a four-year period. The documentary leaves one with some real questions to ask…. There was some comment made on the spiritual background of these boys and how its plays out in the States – valid comments on our western beliefs systems indeed and the power of the Name that is above every other name.
At supper we started the discussions - we were all challenged! Some in the group felt quite overwhelmed, some felt great shame on behalf of the church, who was too busy with others things to have been there in their darkest hour, some wondered how they would have persevered under the same circumstances. Malcolm related the story of the starfish – when millions washed up on the beach, one man walked on the waterline, throwing back starfish into the sea as far as he went. Another man on the beach asked him why bother if there are so many and his reply as he threw another starfish back “ it makes the world of a difference for that one”.
Do what we can while we can to make a difference.
Monday
Wednesday
Is the Western Culture Unreached?
Saturday 2 May 2009
Facilitator: JJ
After opening in prayer, JJ invited comment on the last week’s happenings. Mario told us about his hiking trip to Durban and taking up Mrs. Dutrieux’s offer to use her timeshare – only to get there and find out that the accommodation was for the previous 2 weeks – and so his adventure started! God inspired and purposed - Mario went to see his Zulu brother Pastor Phillip and his wife in Hammersdale. He says that people are desperate; the world is being shaken now so that people can see bigger. If we take the correct steps a lot of people can benefit. Where are our lives going i.t.o. plan & purpose – GIIC (God is in control!). PS: Pst Phillip is a full time Pastor and also works fulltime…. He also bought Mario a bus ticket back to Jhb! Sela.
Llewellen Skyped with JP. Even though JP ‘s passport came through the travel plans are still rocky – we prayed for their travel docs and plans iJn.
JJ said there are many titles 4 todays group such as ‘is the Western Christian culture un-reached?’ and ‘what is the purpose of this fellowship’. He reminded us about one of the challenges JP left us with namely what can each of us do differently to get involved in our area. The group talked about individual efforts/projects endeavored.
Marlene, Mark & Paulien are meeting with Mama Flora on this Wednesday, 6 May at 12h30 at Boulders Wimpy and are going from there to her premises in Thembisa. Please call her if you want to get involved in this project in order to get busy with the making of a documentary so as to get funds in. She also started with a proposal to EHFCSA (everyhome4christ) but the felt need must be established first.
Hershiela asked what is the definition of discipleship? Marlene ventured to say that in the beginning the bible doesn’t make sense. The gospels work together – salvation & kingdom. The steps are to be educated in the Word and for the Holy Spirit to work in order to become a mature believer, in turn educating children 2 hear God’s voice.
JJ and Llewellen talked about the 4 steps in World Perspective's course: Pioneering (evangelise), Parenting (helping to walk), Participating (doing it self and repeat the cycle) and Partnershiping.
A suggestion was made that discipleship is discussed as a future topic.
Paulien related the talk by David Watson on the FEET program where unbelievers are introduced to Genesis and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It has changed her thinking about discipleship completely as everything learned before has to be questioned/thrown out (toxic) so that the bible truth can become real.
Alison referred to the Rocket diagram – from redemptive to maturity. She also reminded us that she is taking the sessions on 16 and 23 May to present the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to the group. Please come at 4pm.
JJ then talked about the book by KP Yohannen (Gospel for Asia), Revolutionise Missions. He also wrote Road to Reality). Missions have become a charity; knowledge has become a substitute for service. In the western world church life is centered on food – we are not blessed to over indulge! Christian bookshops are for the converted. 0,1% of Christian radio is for the un-reached. There are on average 4 bibles per Christian home. There are 1 religious leader per 182 people VS 1 per 78 000 un-reached Indian people. Today Indian needs 500 000 missionaries. He asks when is the church going to make a real impact? It takes 30 dollars per month to keep a native missionary going VS 30 000 dollars per month to keep an American missionary going.
Mario asked whether this model is an effective missions model? It ticks on many levels and something is effectively being done as we speak.
If you haven’t found your calling, where are you at? We can all endeavour stepping-stones in the meantime as help is needed all around us - just go and do something! Ask yourself: is your investment in good ground? Are we merely paying to take care of our kingdom chores? Remember that nothing will change until people change their world view/vision. JJ said "you can’t put shoulder to the wheel if you haven’t investigated it properly" (telescope vision).
Mark said that church outreaches don’t change people’s output/lives. At this time the church is only providing so many avenues for people to act/sow and that in it self dictates the outcome. Back to warehousing.
Hershiela asked if cross-cultural is necessary?
Love is the salt! Reaching out forces us to love and care and so grow. Love dissolves color! People’s barriers drop when one shows love but defenses go up when we evangelise/preach. The nations are our checks and balances 4 the true gospel.
Mark said the tower of Babel where God created the nations and put something of Himself in each nation. When we go cross-cultural we unlock that part in them to make our gospel whole. The bride consists of all nations.
Mans plan - to stand together and become like God
God’s plan – nations have to stand together
Paulien referred to Rob Bell dvd with the truck where he plants 2 trees on a pavement. The first tree, as in Eden, and the second tree, as in Revelations. The river in Revelations is for the healing of the nations and we live between these two trees…
JP said when they are back we’ll do a case study on the sending cells not properly educated and the devastating consequences it can have 10/12 years down the line.
Facilitator: JJ
After opening in prayer, JJ invited comment on the last week’s happenings. Mario told us about his hiking trip to Durban and taking up Mrs. Dutrieux’s offer to use her timeshare – only to get there and find out that the accommodation was for the previous 2 weeks – and so his adventure started! God inspired and purposed - Mario went to see his Zulu brother Pastor Phillip and his wife in Hammersdale. He says that people are desperate; the world is being shaken now so that people can see bigger. If we take the correct steps a lot of people can benefit. Where are our lives going i.t.o. plan & purpose – GIIC (God is in control!). PS: Pst Phillip is a full time Pastor and also works fulltime…. He also bought Mario a bus ticket back to Jhb! Sela.
Llewellen Skyped with JP. Even though JP ‘s passport came through the travel plans are still rocky – we prayed for their travel docs and plans iJn.
JJ said there are many titles 4 todays group such as ‘is the Western Christian culture un-reached?’ and ‘what is the purpose of this fellowship’. He reminded us about one of the challenges JP left us with namely what can each of us do differently to get involved in our area. The group talked about individual efforts/projects endeavored.
Marlene, Mark & Paulien are meeting with Mama Flora on this Wednesday, 6 May at 12h30 at Boulders Wimpy and are going from there to her premises in Thembisa. Please call her if you want to get involved in this project in order to get busy with the making of a documentary so as to get funds in. She also started with a proposal to EHFCSA (everyhome4christ) but the felt need must be established first.
Hershiela asked what is the definition of discipleship? Marlene ventured to say that in the beginning the bible doesn’t make sense. The gospels work together – salvation & kingdom. The steps are to be educated in the Word and for the Holy Spirit to work in order to become a mature believer, in turn educating children 2 hear God’s voice.
JJ and Llewellen talked about the 4 steps in World Perspective's course: Pioneering (evangelise), Parenting (helping to walk), Participating (doing it self and repeat the cycle) and Partnershiping.
A suggestion was made that discipleship is discussed as a future topic.
Paulien related the talk by David Watson on the FEET program where unbelievers are introduced to Genesis and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It has changed her thinking about discipleship completely as everything learned before has to be questioned/thrown out (toxic) so that the bible truth can become real.
Alison referred to the Rocket diagram – from redemptive to maturity. She also reminded us that she is taking the sessions on 16 and 23 May to present the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to the group. Please come at 4pm.
JJ then talked about the book by KP Yohannen (Gospel for Asia), Revolutionise Missions. He also wrote Road to Reality). Missions have become a charity; knowledge has become a substitute for service. In the western world church life is centered on food – we are not blessed to over indulge! Christian bookshops are for the converted. 0,1% of Christian radio is for the un-reached. There are on average 4 bibles per Christian home. There are 1 religious leader per 182 people VS 1 per 78 000 un-reached Indian people. Today Indian needs 500 000 missionaries. He asks when is the church going to make a real impact? It takes 30 dollars per month to keep a native missionary going VS 30 000 dollars per month to keep an American missionary going.
Mario asked whether this model is an effective missions model? It ticks on many levels and something is effectively being done as we speak.
If you haven’t found your calling, where are you at? We can all endeavour stepping-stones in the meantime as help is needed all around us - just go and do something! Ask yourself: is your investment in good ground? Are we merely paying to take care of our kingdom chores? Remember that nothing will change until people change their world view/vision. JJ said "you can’t put shoulder to the wheel if you haven’t investigated it properly" (telescope vision).
Mark said that church outreaches don’t change people’s output/lives. At this time the church is only providing so many avenues for people to act/sow and that in it self dictates the outcome. Back to warehousing.
Hershiela asked if cross-cultural is necessary?
Love is the salt! Reaching out forces us to love and care and so grow. Love dissolves color! People’s barriers drop when one shows love but defenses go up when we evangelise/preach. The nations are our checks and balances 4 the true gospel.
Mark said the tower of Babel where God created the nations and put something of Himself in each nation. When we go cross-cultural we unlock that part in them to make our gospel whole. The bride consists of all nations.
Mans plan - to stand together and become like God
God’s plan – nations have to stand together
Paulien referred to Rob Bell dvd with the truck where he plants 2 trees on a pavement. The first tree, as in Eden, and the second tree, as in Revelations. The river in Revelations is for the healing of the nations and we live between these two trees…
JP said when they are back we’ll do a case study on the sending cells not properly educated and the devastating consequences it can have 10/12 years down the line.
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