3rd Annual New Year's Eve Party
at the Allebach's
New Years Eve
8pm
710 Northridge Dr. Norristown, Pa 19403
215.805.8288
It's time to break out your little black dress (or tie)! Come out to our 3rd annual New Year's Eve party and champagne toast.
Dress is formal.
Bring a fancy hors d'oeuvre (crablegs, crudités, sushi, ...or whatever Rachael Ray suggests) .
Drinks and champagne provided.
RSVP to Rachel at sleeplessnights82@msn.com or 215.805.8288
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Airport Anyone?
Sarah & I are flying out of the PHL airport on Friday, December 22 to go to TX for Christmas and we need to be there at 4pm. Would anyone be willing to take us and/or pick us up (December 26 @ 3:28pm)? Figured this would be the place to ask. Thanks for everything guys, we love you!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Blood Diamond
For those of you who have not seen the new movie "Blood Diamond" with Leo DiCaprio, I suggest you see it! It was very good... about smuggling diamonds out of Africa. Lots of good information in it. Some parts were hard to watch but overall it was an excellent movie!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Emerging community
Check out how this community formed.
Sound familiar?
http://benedictine-baptist.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-monasticism-day-notes-number-of.html
Sound familiar?
http://benedictine-baptist.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-monasticism-day-notes-number-of.html
Sunday, November 26, 2006
11.26.06 Convesation
Emerging Leaders in Missions: Characteristics of the next generation of ministry leadership and how they’re changing the face of missions.
Peter Greer, HOPE International
The differences with today’s ministry leaders go deeper than the casual dress, occasional body piercings or long hair. There is an emerging group of leaders who are beginning to influence and shape how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is seen in the West and they often do not look or act like the previous generation. Sometimes they’re feared, sometimes criticized, sometimes embraced. What do these individuals mean for the world’s missions movement? What will be their influence?
In some ways, these leaders bear similarities to the early church, the Jesus movement, and the post-modern culture in which they live. The following characteristics are generalizations and will not fit any one leader or organization. However, they represent trends from a growing number of young ministry leaders as noticed at a recent gathering.
1. Relational: There’s a renewed focus on community, in some ways resembling the Jesus movement of the seventies. Many are realizing that how they live and relate to each other is as important as what their ministry “does.”
2. Nondenominational: Young ministry leaders are reaching across denominational lines and often are wary of hierarchical church structures. Few of these new organizations are tied to denominations or care to be.
3. Word plus Deed: The majority of emerging ministries are designed with a dual focus of physical service and sharing Jesus. Social activism is intimately tied with their understanding of Jesus’ mission of redemption.
4. Theologically Vague: Often, there is a dislike of theological debates that divide rather than unite. Most ministry leaders are not seminary trained and have not spent hours studying church history. The focus is on living out the example of Jesus and seeking to better understand and apply His Word.
5. Not “Christian” but “followers of Jesus.” Many recognize that social trappings that are associated with the label “Christian” and instead have chosen to be associated solely with Jesus of Nazareth.
6. Video: The power of these new leaders to convey their messages is often tied to their masterful use of video. College students armed with digital cameras and a willingness to travel to remote places of the globe are bringing the needs of the world to America’s living rooms.
7. Motivated: Most leaders are leaving much higher paying opportunities to become involved in nonprofit ministries. Many explicitly state that they have no desire of waiting until “Halftime” to be involved with missions or following Christ’s call on their lives.
8. Personal: Almost without exception, today’s ministry leaders had their hearts touched by traveling. Short-term trips to visit the majority world where they worked alongside Mother Theresa or listened to children talk about their need for clean water left indelible impressions. Experiences, more than books or magazines, are setting hearts on fire.
9. International: Associated with the increasing number of short-term opportunities, many are recognizing the enormous wealth that the West enjoys. The result is that most organizations are focused on the suffering and hurting parts of the world and a much greater awareness of poverty.
10. Creative: Church planting and crusades are not the methods commonly embraced by the new leaders in sharing the Gospel. Business as missions and skate parks are almost more common. The emphasis is often on meeting the world where they are and not expecting them to come into Church buildings.
11. Little Strategic Planning: Most of these new leaders and ministries are in rapid stages of change and growth. There is recognition that the Lord put a key issue in their heart and they spend more time seeking His leading than crafting formal strategies.
To say that these changes are “good” or “bad” would be naively simplistic. It could be argued that elements of our relativistic society have crept into some organizations or that the emphasis on the social work has been done to the exclusion of presenting God’s plan of salvation. Yet the very fact that a growing number of individuals are lit by a passion for Jesus and are seeking to share His love in this hurting world should be celebrated and these leaders nurtured, encouraged and challenged.
Peter Greer, HOPE International
The differences with today’s ministry leaders go deeper than the casual dress, occasional body piercings or long hair. There is an emerging group of leaders who are beginning to influence and shape how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is seen in the West and they often do not look or act like the previous generation. Sometimes they’re feared, sometimes criticized, sometimes embraced. What do these individuals mean for the world’s missions movement? What will be their influence?
In some ways, these leaders bear similarities to the early church, the Jesus movement, and the post-modern culture in which they live. The following characteristics are generalizations and will not fit any one leader or organization. However, they represent trends from a growing number of young ministry leaders as noticed at a recent gathering.
1. Relational: There’s a renewed focus on community, in some ways resembling the Jesus movement of the seventies. Many are realizing that how they live and relate to each other is as important as what their ministry “does.”
2. Nondenominational: Young ministry leaders are reaching across denominational lines and often are wary of hierarchical church structures. Few of these new organizations are tied to denominations or care to be.
3. Word plus Deed: The majority of emerging ministries are designed with a dual focus of physical service and sharing Jesus. Social activism is intimately tied with their understanding of Jesus’ mission of redemption.
4. Theologically Vague: Often, there is a dislike of theological debates that divide rather than unite. Most ministry leaders are not seminary trained and have not spent hours studying church history. The focus is on living out the example of Jesus and seeking to better understand and apply His Word.
5. Not “Christian” but “followers of Jesus.” Many recognize that social trappings that are associated with the label “Christian” and instead have chosen to be associated solely with Jesus of Nazareth.
6. Video: The power of these new leaders to convey their messages is often tied to their masterful use of video. College students armed with digital cameras and a willingness to travel to remote places of the globe are bringing the needs of the world to America’s living rooms.
7. Motivated: Most leaders are leaving much higher paying opportunities to become involved in nonprofit ministries. Many explicitly state that they have no desire of waiting until “Halftime” to be involved with missions or following Christ’s call on their lives.
8. Personal: Almost without exception, today’s ministry leaders had their hearts touched by traveling. Short-term trips to visit the majority world where they worked alongside Mother Theresa or listened to children talk about their need for clean water left indelible impressions. Experiences, more than books or magazines, are setting hearts on fire.
9. International: Associated with the increasing number of short-term opportunities, many are recognizing the enormous wealth that the West enjoys. The result is that most organizations are focused on the suffering and hurting parts of the world and a much greater awareness of poverty.
10. Creative: Church planting and crusades are not the methods commonly embraced by the new leaders in sharing the Gospel. Business as missions and skate parks are almost more common. The emphasis is often on meeting the world where they are and not expecting them to come into Church buildings.
11. Little Strategic Planning: Most of these new leaders and ministries are in rapid stages of change and growth. There is recognition that the Lord put a key issue in their heart and they spend more time seeking His leading than crafting formal strategies.
To say that these changes are “good” or “bad” would be naively simplistic. It could be argued that elements of our relativistic society have crept into some organizations or that the emphasis on the social work has been done to the exclusion of presenting God’s plan of salvation. Yet the very fact that a growing number of individuals are lit by a passion for Jesus and are seeking to share His love in this hurting world should be celebrated and these leaders nurtured, encouraged and challenged.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Faith and Community
A poem by Scott Hackman
At times in life it is impossible to have faith.
All one has to do is look at the world to chaos and calamity.
Governments full of greed and deceit.
Communities treating leaders like gods they fall morally.
Faith in an individual is futile and there is need for change from this perspective.
There is need for individuals believing in more than their abilities to see beyond their own paradigm.
There is need for churches that proclaim fanatical blessings and personal fulfillment to cease.
There is need for institutions who want your time but not your whole person to be brought low.
Society dangles the carrot as though a person can attain fulfillment with enough consumption.
A culture based on personal fulfillment and giving into any desires one might have as a way of life.
No need for faith is something greater than self, when self fulfillment is the greatest goal of mankind.
A contributor to the collective mass, who has ceased to think, ceased to dream other than for personal fulfillment.
Individualism is god and technology is the glue holding people together.
Faith is needed in a transformational community.
When a group of people believe in a greater Kingdom there is hope.
When a group of people believe for the overlooked and under resourced.
There is need for a group of people to see themselves on a mission.
There is need for people to place themselves in the care of a community.
We do not get to pick the people involved in this community.
Those who want to be involved are involved, those who want to believe, believe.
When a community of believers joins a community of unbelievers miracles can happen.
When one person dares to love another not for any personal gain, just because they are human, the Kingdom has come.
Where is such a community of faith?
We are intentionally involving ourselves in one another’s lives. Daring to believe we can create culture in a depraved world. Daring to believe the Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven.
If all we have is today, how will you live?
If life is the gift, how will you live?
If death is the future, how will you live?
This group is intentional because we get together on purpose.
This group is missional because we are doing this to provide a safe space to ask questions and belong to the Kingdom.
What consumes your thoughts?
What helps you sleep at night and get up in the morning?
What is the driving force in your life?
Who/what do you have faith in?
A poem by Scott Hackman
At times in life it is impossible to have faith.
All one has to do is look at the world to chaos and calamity.
Governments full of greed and deceit.
Communities treating leaders like gods they fall morally.
Faith in an individual is futile and there is need for change from this perspective.
There is need for individuals believing in more than their abilities to see beyond their own paradigm.
There is need for churches that proclaim fanatical blessings and personal fulfillment to cease.
There is need for institutions who want your time but not your whole person to be brought low.
Society dangles the carrot as though a person can attain fulfillment with enough consumption.
A culture based on personal fulfillment and giving into any desires one might have as a way of life.
No need for faith is something greater than self, when self fulfillment is the greatest goal of mankind.
A contributor to the collective mass, who has ceased to think, ceased to dream other than for personal fulfillment.
Individualism is god and technology is the glue holding people together.
Faith is needed in a transformational community.
When a group of people believe in a greater Kingdom there is hope.
When a group of people believe for the overlooked and under resourced.
There is need for a group of people to see themselves on a mission.
There is need for people to place themselves in the care of a community.
We do not get to pick the people involved in this community.
Those who want to be involved are involved, those who want to believe, believe.
When a community of believers joins a community of unbelievers miracles can happen.
When one person dares to love another not for any personal gain, just because they are human, the Kingdom has come.
Where is such a community of faith?
We are intentionally involving ourselves in one another’s lives. Daring to believe we can create culture in a depraved world. Daring to believe the Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven.
If all we have is today, how will you live?
If life is the gift, how will you live?
If death is the future, how will you live?
This group is intentional because we get together on purpose.
This group is missional because we are doing this to provide a safe space to ask questions and belong to the Kingdom.
What consumes your thoughts?
What helps you sleep at night and get up in the morning?
What is the driving force in your life?
Who/what do you have faith in?
Calander for the rest of 2006
Coming soon
The Banqueting Table Party on Dec. 10th at the Hackman House at 6pm.
11.26.06 Next weeks topic:
Community... by Aaron Piazzoni
12.3.06 Two weeks topic:
What really matters... by Kristie Hackman
12.10.06 Three weeks:
The Gift Party... hosted by the Livingroom
12.17.06 Four weeks:
An Advent night... by Darryl Lang
12.24.06 Christmas eve:
Go to a service together
12.31.06 New Years eve:
Old fashioned sleep over TBA
1.7.07 first of the New year:
A year in review, our update and future from the formation team meeting
May I make a suggestion:
Who ever facilitate the discussion should post the notes on the Blog. What do you think?
The Banqueting Table Party on Dec. 10th at the Hackman House at 6pm.
11.26.06 Next weeks topic:
Community... by Aaron Piazzoni
12.3.06 Two weeks topic:
What really matters... by Kristie Hackman
12.10.06 Three weeks:
The Gift Party... hosted by the Livingroom
12.17.06 Four weeks:
An Advent night... by Darryl Lang
12.24.06 Christmas eve:
Go to a service together
12.31.06 New Years eve:
Old fashioned sleep over TBA
1.7.07 first of the New year:
A year in review, our update and future from the formation team meeting
May I make a suggestion:
Who ever facilitate the discussion should post the notes on the Blog. What do you think?
What are the simularities and differences to this quote and Livingroom?
Emerging Leaders in Missions: Characteristics of the next generation of ministry leadership and how they’re changing the face of missions.
Peter Greer, HOPE International
The differences with today’s ministry leaders go deeper than the casual dress, occasional body piercings or long hair. There is an emerging group of leaders who are beginning to influence and shape how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is seen in the West and they often do not look or act like the previous generation. Sometimes they’re feared, sometimes criticized, sometimes embraced. What do these individuals mean for the world’s missions movement? What will be their influence?
In some ways, these leaders bear similarities to the early church, the Jesus movement, and the post-modern culture in which they live. The following characteristics are generalizations and will not fit any one leader or organization. However, they represent trends from a growing number of young ministry leaders as noticed at a recent gathering.
1. Relational: There’s a renewed focus on community, in some ways resembling the Jesus movement of the seventies. Many are realizing that how they live and relate to each other is as important as what their ministry “does.”
2. Nondenominational: Young ministry leaders are reaching across denominational lines and often are wary of hierarchical church structures. Few of these new organizations are tied to denominations or care to be.
3. Word plus Deed: The majority of emerging ministries are designed with a dual focus of physical service and sharing Jesus. Social activism is intimately tied with their understanding of Jesus’ mission of redemption.
4. Theologically Vague: Often, there is a dislike of theological debates that divide rather than unite. Most ministry leaders are not seminary trained and have not spent hours studying church history. The focus is on living out the example of Jesus and seeking to better understand and apply His Word.
5. Not “Christian” but “followers of Jesus.” Many recognize that social trappings that are associated with the label “Christian” and instead have chosen to be associated solely with Jesus of Nazareth.
6. Video: The power of these new leaders to convey their messages is often tied to their masterful use of video. College students armed with digital cameras and a willingness to travel to remote places of the globe are bringing the needs of the world to America’s living rooms.
7. Motivated: Most leaders are leaving much higher paying opportunities to become involved in nonprofit ministries. Many explicitly state that they have no desire of waiting until “Halftime” to be involved with missions or following Christ’s call on their lives.
8. Personal: Almost without exception, today’s ministry leaders had their hearts touched by traveling. Short-term trips to visit the majority world where they worked alongside Mother Theresa or listened to children talk about their need for clean water left indelible impressions. Experiences, more than books or magazines, are setting hearts on fire.
9. International: Associated with the increasing number of short-term opportunities, many are recognizing the enormous wealth that the West enjoys. The result is that most organizations are focused on the suffering and hurting parts of the world and a much greater awareness of poverty.
10. Creative: Church planting and crusades are not the methods commonly embraced by the new leaders in sharing the Gospel. Business as missions and skate parks are almost more common. The emphasis is often on meeting the world where they are and not expecting them to come into Church buildings.
11. Little Strategic Planning: Most of these new leaders and ministries are in rapid stages of change and growth. There is recognition that the Lord put a key issue in their heart and they spend more time seeking His leading than crafting formal strategies.
To say that these changes are “good” or “bad” would be naively simplistic. It could be argued that elements of our relativistic society have crept into some organizations or that the emphasis on the social work has been done to the exclusion of presenting God’s plan of salvation. Yet the very fact that a growing number of individuals are lit by a passion for Jesus and are seeking to share His love in this hurting world should be celebrated and these leaders nurtured, encouraged and challenged.
Peter Greer, HOPE International
The differences with today’s ministry leaders go deeper than the casual dress, occasional body piercings or long hair. There is an emerging group of leaders who are beginning to influence and shape how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is seen in the West and they often do not look or act like the previous generation. Sometimes they’re feared, sometimes criticized, sometimes embraced. What do these individuals mean for the world’s missions movement? What will be their influence?
In some ways, these leaders bear similarities to the early church, the Jesus movement, and the post-modern culture in which they live. The following characteristics are generalizations and will not fit any one leader or organization. However, they represent trends from a growing number of young ministry leaders as noticed at a recent gathering.
1. Relational: There’s a renewed focus on community, in some ways resembling the Jesus movement of the seventies. Many are realizing that how they live and relate to each other is as important as what their ministry “does.”
2. Nondenominational: Young ministry leaders are reaching across denominational lines and often are wary of hierarchical church structures. Few of these new organizations are tied to denominations or care to be.
3. Word plus Deed: The majority of emerging ministries are designed with a dual focus of physical service and sharing Jesus. Social activism is intimately tied with their understanding of Jesus’ mission of redemption.
4. Theologically Vague: Often, there is a dislike of theological debates that divide rather than unite. Most ministry leaders are not seminary trained and have not spent hours studying church history. The focus is on living out the example of Jesus and seeking to better understand and apply His Word.
5. Not “Christian” but “followers of Jesus.” Many recognize that social trappings that are associated with the label “Christian” and instead have chosen to be associated solely with Jesus of Nazareth.
6. Video: The power of these new leaders to convey their messages is often tied to their masterful use of video. College students armed with digital cameras and a willingness to travel to remote places of the globe are bringing the needs of the world to America’s living rooms.
7. Motivated: Most leaders are leaving much higher paying opportunities to become involved in nonprofit ministries. Many explicitly state that they have no desire of waiting until “Halftime” to be involved with missions or following Christ’s call on their lives.
8. Personal: Almost without exception, today’s ministry leaders had their hearts touched by traveling. Short-term trips to visit the majority world where they worked alongside Mother Theresa or listened to children talk about their need for clean water left indelible impressions. Experiences, more than books or magazines, are setting hearts on fire.
9. International: Associated with the increasing number of short-term opportunities, many are recognizing the enormous wealth that the West enjoys. The result is that most organizations are focused on the suffering and hurting parts of the world and a much greater awareness of poverty.
10. Creative: Church planting and crusades are not the methods commonly embraced by the new leaders in sharing the Gospel. Business as missions and skate parks are almost more common. The emphasis is often on meeting the world where they are and not expecting them to come into Church buildings.
11. Little Strategic Planning: Most of these new leaders and ministries are in rapid stages of change and growth. There is recognition that the Lord put a key issue in their heart and they spend more time seeking His leading than crafting formal strategies.
To say that these changes are “good” or “bad” would be naively simplistic. It could be argued that elements of our relativistic society have crept into some organizations or that the emphasis on the social work has been done to the exclusion of presenting God’s plan of salvation. Yet the very fact that a growing number of individuals are lit by a passion for Jesus and are seeking to share His love in this hurting world should be celebrated and these leaders nurtured, encouraged and challenged.
Friday, November 24, 2006
All are Welcome
Good day everyone!
I wanted to let you all know my parents have booked a week's timeshare for Jared and I in the Poconos at the end of January and we would love for anyone who is free to come up and chill with us. The condo has two bedrooms plus a livingroom with a pull out bed and full kitchen. On site amenities include: Lake, Pool (Indoor/Outdoor), Children's Pool, Golf (Equipment available), Tennis (Equipment available), Horseback Riding, Exercise Equipment, Health Club, Sauna, Whirlpool/Hot Tub, Games Room, Playground, Live Entertainment...skiing and snow tubin are nearby. The room will comfortably sleep 8, but as many as would like to come are welcome as there is plenty of space for sleeping bags, etc. You are welcome to come up for a day or a few days, whatever fits in your schedule.
Dates: Friday, January 26th - Monday, January 29th, 2007.
I wanted to let you all know my parents have booked a week's timeshare for Jared and I in the Poconos at the end of January and we would love for anyone who is free to come up and chill with us. The condo has two bedrooms plus a livingroom with a pull out bed and full kitchen. On site amenities include: Lake, Pool (Indoor/Outdoor), Children's Pool, Golf (Equipment available), Tennis (Equipment available), Horseback Riding, Exercise Equipment, Health Club, Sauna, Whirlpool/Hot Tub, Games Room, Playground, Live Entertainment...skiing and snow tubin are nearby. The room will comfortably sleep 8, but as many as would like to come are welcome as there is plenty of space for sleeping bags, etc. You are welcome to come up for a day or a few days, whatever fits in your schedule.
Dates: Friday, January 26th - Monday, January 29th, 2007.
A challenging Question
A question and some recent thoughts that have challenged me.
I have been wrestling with a question that I feel is very important in life. It deals with personal contentment, faith, and so much more.
If all of the sudden everything was taken away from you... everything you love and cherish. (sort of similiar to the story of JOB)
For me since I love being active and outgoing, the question for me would be...
If I was paralyzed and couldn't speak anymore, would I still be able to go on, would I be content, would I give up on God or faith... could I be happy. If I had to sit in a wheelchair every day and rely on others to completely take care me.
This question could be asked in many different ways but I ask myself in this way because of what I love and becuase of who I am.
I have been in process of re-prioritizing and re-evaluating different areas of my life since I asked myself this question.
Thanks for reading!!
I would be glad to chat about this if anyone wants.
I have been wrestling with a question that I feel is very important in life. It deals with personal contentment, faith, and so much more.
If all of the sudden everything was taken away from you... everything you love and cherish. (sort of similiar to the story of JOB)
For me since I love being active and outgoing, the question for me would be...
If I was paralyzed and couldn't speak anymore, would I still be able to go on, would I be content, would I give up on God or faith... could I be happy. If I had to sit in a wheelchair every day and rely on others to completely take care me.
This question could be asked in many different ways but I ask myself in this way because of what I love and becuase of who I am.
I have been in process of re-prioritizing and re-evaluating different areas of my life since I asked myself this question.
Thanks for reading!!
I would be glad to chat about this if anyone wants.
Monday, November 20, 2006
11.19.06 Livingroom conversations 2
How can community support/challenge/foster faith?
Community is shared life, commitment is vital. Holistic - physical, emotional, spiritual.
It is easier to hide somewhere other than an intentional community.
Leadership has to be vulnerable in order for others to feel vulnerable
Set up to be hurt when we are vulnerable (not all the time), that is were grace come into the picture.
Take risks - faith issue, even if people fail you, Christ will sustain you.
How do we keep from becoming an isolated ghetto of people who agree and do not challenge each others faith?
Make friendships outside our faith/group invite them to hang out.
Topic ideas:
*Asking the why questions to our group...
*What are our fears?
*What pushes our buttons?
*What is your passion?
(Let that guide the topics)
*Literature/reading - books that take us to another culture ask the gut wrenching questions that the atheist down the street is asking. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
*fear uncertainty, broken people talk to broken people.
*Discuss mental illness
(Please post questions and ideas as we continue our conversation.)
Community is shared life, commitment is vital. Holistic - physical, emotional, spiritual.
It is easier to hide somewhere other than an intentional community.
Leadership has to be vulnerable in order for others to feel vulnerable
Set up to be hurt when we are vulnerable (not all the time), that is were grace come into the picture.
Take risks - faith issue, even if people fail you, Christ will sustain you.
How do we keep from becoming an isolated ghetto of people who agree and do not challenge each others faith?
Make friendships outside our faith/group invite them to hang out.
Topic ideas:
*Asking the why questions to our group...
*What are our fears?
*What pushes our buttons?
*What is your passion?
(Let that guide the topics)
*Literature/reading - books that take us to another culture ask the gut wrenching questions that the atheist down the street is asking. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
*fear uncertainty, broken people talk to broken people.
*Discuss mental illness
(Please post questions and ideas as we continue our conversation.)
11.19.06 Livingroom conversations 1
Quesion: How can the idea of community support our faith individually? How can we challenge these thoughts?
Thoughts/responses:
*Commitment to something despite own feelings/expectations.
*The undesire to be a part of something is usually when we need to be a part.
*The opportunity to get together and talk about anything with out being looked down upon
*Leverage different thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, and wisdom to be of service to each other.
*Challenge each other.
*Isolation
*Support in making yourself vulnerable in a safe place.
Topic ideas:
*Isolation in Christianity
*Fitting into the church/or not
Ideas of things we should try to do together more:
*How can we know what we might be going through before we arrive on Sundays?
*4 week focus on specific topics
*2 week
*short film
*Splitting into 2 groups (one room could be going through a 4 week topic - while another group could be doing something different i.e. nooma, 1 week topic, etc.
What we are about is being talked about a lot...
* How do we set an organized schedule?
* 8-10 weeks out at a time... of what we are doing
* Planned forums of what we will focus
*Leaders may need to make a decision and others will respect that decision - the idea of doing two different things gives people options.
*People come because they are needed - which is a positive thing - how do we make each other feel needed as a whole - empower each other
(This is what was discussed in one of the groups on Sunday night. Please post comments and questions as we continue our conversation.)
Thoughts/responses:
*Commitment to something despite own feelings/expectations.
*The undesire to be a part of something is usually when we need to be a part.
*The opportunity to get together and talk about anything with out being looked down upon
*Leverage different thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, and wisdom to be of service to each other.
*Challenge each other.
*Isolation
*Support in making yourself vulnerable in a safe place.
Topic ideas:
*Isolation in Christianity
*Fitting into the church/or not
Ideas of things we should try to do together more:
*How can we know what we might be going through before we arrive on Sundays?
*4 week focus on specific topics
*2 week
*short film
*Splitting into 2 groups (one room could be going through a 4 week topic - while another group could be doing something different i.e. nooma, 1 week topic, etc.
What we are about is being talked about a lot...
* How do we set an organized schedule?
* 8-10 weeks out at a time... of what we are doing
* Planned forums of what we will focus
*Leaders may need to make a decision and others will respect that decision - the idea of doing two different things gives people options.
*People come because they are needed - which is a positive thing - how do we make each other feel needed as a whole - empower each other
(This is what was discussed in one of the groups on Sunday night. Please post comments and questions as we continue our conversation.)
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
11.12.06 Topic: Faith and Community
Faith and Community
At times in life it is impossible to have faith.
All one has to do is look at the world to chaos and calamity.
Governments full of greed and deceit.
Communities treating leaders like gods they fall morally.
Faith in an individual is futile and there is need for change from this perspective.
There is need for individuals believing in more than their abilities to see beyond their own paradigm.
There is need for churches that proclaim fanatical blessings and personal fulfillment to cease.
There is need for institutions who want your time but not your whole person to be brought low.
Society dangles the carrot as though a person can attain fulfillment with enough consumption.
A culture based on personal fulfillment and giving into any desires one might have as a way of life.
No need for faith is something greater than self, when self fulfillment is the greatest goal of mankind.
A contributor to the collective mass, who has ceased to think, ceased to dream other than for personal fulfillment.
Individualism is god and technology is the glue holding people together.
Faith is needed in a transformational community.
When a group of people believe in a greater Kingdom there is hope.
When a group of people believe for the overlooked and under resourced.
There is need for a group of people to see themselves on a mission.
There is need for people to place themselves in the care of a community.
We do not get to pick the people involved in this community.
Those who want to be involved are involved, those who want to believe, believe.
When a community of believers joins a community of unbelievers miracles can happen.
When one person dares to love another not for any personal gain, just because they are human, the Kingdom has come.
Where is such a community of faith?
We are intentionally involving ourselves in one another’s lives. Daring to believe we can create culture in a depraved world. Daring to believe the Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven.
If all we have is today, how will you live?
If life is the gift, how will you live?
If death is the future, how will you live?
This group is intentional because we get together on purpose.
This group is missional because we are doing this to provide a safe space to ask questions and belong to the Kingdom.
What consumes your thoughts?
What helps you sleep at night and get up in the morning?
What is the driving force in your life?
Who/what do you have faith in?
Questions for the formation time:
In this moment together review the poem.
What lines stuck out to you?
What questions would you like to ask the group?
What questions would you like to answer?
At times in life it is impossible to have faith.
All one has to do is look at the world to chaos and calamity.
Governments full of greed and deceit.
Communities treating leaders like gods they fall morally.
Faith in an individual is futile and there is need for change from this perspective.
There is need for individuals believing in more than their abilities to see beyond their own paradigm.
There is need for churches that proclaim fanatical blessings and personal fulfillment to cease.
There is need for institutions who want your time but not your whole person to be brought low.
Society dangles the carrot as though a person can attain fulfillment with enough consumption.
A culture based on personal fulfillment and giving into any desires one might have as a way of life.
No need for faith is something greater than self, when self fulfillment is the greatest goal of mankind.
A contributor to the collective mass, who has ceased to think, ceased to dream other than for personal fulfillment.
Individualism is god and technology is the glue holding people together.
Faith is needed in a transformational community.
When a group of people believe in a greater Kingdom there is hope.
When a group of people believe for the overlooked and under resourced.
There is need for a group of people to see themselves on a mission.
There is need for people to place themselves in the care of a community.
We do not get to pick the people involved in this community.
Those who want to be involved are involved, those who want to believe, believe.
When a community of believers joins a community of unbelievers miracles can happen.
When one person dares to love another not for any personal gain, just because they are human, the Kingdom has come.
Where is such a community of faith?
We are intentionally involving ourselves in one another’s lives. Daring to believe we can create culture in a depraved world. Daring to believe the Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven.
If all we have is today, how will you live?
If life is the gift, how will you live?
If death is the future, how will you live?
This group is intentional because we get together on purpose.
This group is missional because we are doing this to provide a safe space to ask questions and belong to the Kingdom.
What consumes your thoughts?
What helps you sleep at night and get up in the morning?
What is the driving force in your life?
Who/what do you have faith in?
Questions for the formation time:
In this moment together review the poem.
What lines stuck out to you?
What questions would you like to ask the group?
What questions would you like to answer?
Friday, November 10, 2006
The Bishop's
Hey guys! I like the new livingroom blog! Very cool!
In the beginning of December we'll find out if it is a baby boy or baby girl! We have our next ultrasound scheduled! Whoo Hoo! Very fun!
On the sad side of things, I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that my Pop-Pop was sick.
He passed away this past Monday. Keep my family in your prayers.
We'd appreciate it!
Anyway, just stopping by to say Hello, and if you ever pass by Red Hill while you are driving to the new Super Wal-Mart stop on by!!
In the beginning of December we'll find out if it is a baby boy or baby girl! We have our next ultrasound scheduled! Whoo Hoo! Very fun!
On the sad side of things, I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that my Pop-Pop was sick.
He passed away this past Monday. Keep my family in your prayers.
We'd appreciate it!
Anyway, just stopping by to say Hello, and if you ever pass by Red Hill while you are driving to the new Super Wal-Mart stop on by!!
God Grew Tired of Us
God Grew Tired of Us
In the late 1980s, 27,000 Sudanese "lost boys"–some just toddlers–marched barefoot over thousands of miles of barren desert, seeking safe haven from the brutal civil war raging in their homeland. Half died from bombing raids and starvation; the others reside together in Kenya's Kakuna refugee camp, with few prospects. Recently, the U.S. invited some of the boys to settle in America. Moving and mind-expanding, Christopher Quinn's God Grew Tired of Us follows three unforgettable young men–John, Daniel, and Panther–on their unbelievable odyssey in a strange New World. The culture shock begins with airplane loudspeakers and processed food and continues as they orient themselves to refrigerators, running water, and fluorescent-lit supermarkets. It's fascinating to witness their wonder at Western customs, and even more gripping when the film monitors their spiritual temperatures. Things are tough as the boys juggle multiple menial jobs; for the first time, they find themselves well fed, yet painfully isolated from the brotherly fellowship that once enabled their survival. They face hints of racism and are perplexed by Americans' obsessive need for privacy and anxious about loved ones struggling in Africa. Yet John, Daniel, and Panther–each radiantly charismatic and thoughtful–meet their challenges, fueled by a desire to help others. Though they were bred in unspeakably dehumanizing circumstances, their integrity and honor are impeccable, raising profound questions about the conditions necessary to create a civilized society.
I have free tickets for the screening of this film in King of Prussia, November 14, 7:30pm. I will bring them on Sunday. Let me know if you are interested in going.
-Mike A.
Monday, November 06, 2006
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