Canadian House Church Resource Network
N E W S L E T T E R S
Page 4
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If you would like to receive future copies
of this e-newsletter directly, please contact: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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WELCOME! to the 9th edition of the
CANADIAN HOUSE CHURCH RESOURCE NETWORK
N e w s l e t t e r
February - September 2003 edition
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CANADIAN HOUSE CHURCH RESOURCE NETWORK:
1. Update on Regional House Churches/Networks & Events in Canada
* Upcoming WOLFGANG SIMSON Cross-Canada Visit
Events & Updates
· BC
+ Emerge
+ Fraser Valley House Church Network
* Alberta
+ Calgary
* Ontario
Updates Posted At…
HOUSE CHURCHES AS A VITAL PART OF DISCIPLING
THE NATION/S
2. Stories of What God is Doing In and Through House Churches
in Other Nations -
· NORTH KOREA: God Lives Behind the Curtain
· Colombian Marketplace Churches
· China House Church Raid
· Overwhelmed -Central Asia
· ASIA: Ministry Leaders Report on SARS Epidemic
· House Church in Togo, W. Africa
GREAT COMMISSION PERSPECTIVES
3. 'Mission' And the House Church
4. Free Tentmaking Seminar in Toronto - Sept 27, 2003
5. Missions in Cyberspace: The Strategic Front-Line Use of The Internet in Missions
6. What Christians Need to Know About Muslims
7. Christians in the Global Workplace
8. World Missions Via House Churches
9. The Art of Facilitating
10. Religious Beliefs Shifting
11. What About Kids in Organic Church?
12. The Miraculous & the House Church Movement
13. Disciple The Nations Quote
14. Practice Hospitality
15. 10 Hallmarks of a Servant Leader
CITY REACHING
16. Articles on City Reaching
17. Healing A Nation - Michael Cassidy - RealAudio
18. What?!! 'Starving Artists' No Longer Starving But THRIVING??
19. Opportunities for Photographers
20. FREE 'Christianity & the Arts' e-resources available
21. NETWORKING FORM You Can Adapt and Use in Your City/Region to Network your
Christian Musicians & Artists
22. Exploring House Church…The Simple Church - Conferences Across Canada
RESOURCES
23. House 2 House - House Church Events Calendar
24. Handbook for House Churches
25. ChurchShift - Toronto
26. Church Planting Bulletin - re house churches
27. Cutting Edge magazine
28. The House Church Manifesto
29. Canadian Issues - ie. Same Sex Marriages, etc.
30. Request for Related Articles / Resources, etc.
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1. UPDATE ON REGIONAL CONFERENCES ON HOUSE CHURCHES in Canada
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Upcoming WOLFGANG SIMSON Cross-Canada Visit
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We have been keeping you updated on the cross-Canada visit plans about having Wolfgang Simson, author of HOUSES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD, coming to speak and spending some time in a number of Canadian cities for a week in 2003. We trust that you received the more detailed information about this event by email from us the other day, including the registration form.
-- Toronto - house church conference beginning Nov. 13th, Thurs. and Fri.
the 14th.
-- Winnipeg - day long session to be held Sat. Nov. 15th.
-- Sun. day off
-- Vancouver -Nov. 17-19 - church planting event in Vancouver (in conjunction
with the National Church Planting Congress held in Vancouver in the same week)
with a plenary session Mon. p.m.
For more info on specifics to be held in your region, contact Ken Stade
at: kenstade@moderndigital.net
Seminary of Urban Ministry, 169 Provencher Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R2H 0G2 Tel: 204-237-4719;
Fax: 204-233-6400.
Additional EVENTS
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BC:
====
+ EMERGE - http://www.foursquare.ca/emerge
+ FRASER VALLEY HOUSE CHURCH NETWORK (FVHCN - http://disciplethenations.org/HC-fvhcn.html)
For info on upcoming events, contact: Doug H., facilitator, dahagey@shaw.ca
604-574-6208, Fraser Valley House Church Network, BC Regional Network of the
Canadian House Church Network, 17544 - 64th Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 1Y9. Next
meeting is Thurs. Oct 9., 7 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church, 15100 - 66A Avenue
in Surrey (about half a block west of 152nd Street, just north of 64th Avenue),
Surrey. Please let Doug know as soon as possible if you plan on coming.
UPDATES:
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ALBERTA
========
Calgary - http://disciplethenations.org/HC-CDNRegntwrkupdates.html#Alberta
ONTARIO
========
Greater TORONTO
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http://disciplethenations.org/HC-CDNRegntwrkupdates.html#GTR
MISSISSAUGA REGION:
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http://disciplethenations.org/HC-CDNRegntwrkupdates.html#Miss
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UPDATES POSTED AT: http://disciplethenations.org/HC-CDNRegNtwrkUpdates.html
If you are involved in a house church or network of house churches in Canada
and would like to share what God has been doing in your midst, some of the lessons
learned or some of your encouragements or prayer requests, please send that
to us at: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
Many thanks and many blessings!
#### HOUSE CHURCHES AS A VITAL PART OF DISCIPLING THE NATION/S ####
;';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';
2. Stories About What God is Doing In and Through House Churches Around the
World
;';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';';''
COLOMBIAN MARKETPLACE
CHURCHES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@@@@@@ GREAT COMMISSION PERSPECTIVES @@@@@@@
3. 'Mission' and the
House Church
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
4. FREE TENTMAKING SEMINAR IN TORONTO -- On 27 SEP, 2003, the Canadian Tentmaker
Network (CTN) & GLOBAL Opportunities join forces to run a half day tentmaking
seminar at Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto Ontario Canada.
This fast-paced four-session seminar continues to be well attended and many
have been inspired to use their professional skills to go where His name has
not been heard. For more information see http://www.tentmakernet.com/canada
and
http://www.globalopps.org To register
go directly to http://www.globalopps.org/seminar/index.htm
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Missions in Cyberspace:
The Strategic Front-Line Use of The Internet in Missions
………………………………………………………….
6. What Christians Need to Know About Muslims - David Irwin - pdf format
-
downloadable - free
http://www.cmmequip.org/booklets/whatcntk.pdf
- booklet
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7. CHRISTIANS IN THE GLOBAL WORKPLACE
AZTEM is an Australian based, non-denominational, tentmaking organization
whose purpose is to encourage and help Christians with marketable skills to
live and witness for Christ in cross cultural
situations, especially among people who have no easy access to the Gospel. .
The word "AZTEM" is a contraction of two interrelated thoughts. "AZ"
stands for Jesus Christ - the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last (Rev 1:8).
"TEM" is an abbreviation of the word "Tentmaker". At the
AZTEM web site (see above) you will find background information on the organization
(its goals and purposes), some background thoughts on tentmaking (the tentmaking
mandate etc.), a list of tentmaking books for sale and a Job Site list which
provides web links to sources of job information. (Thanks to CMD Net)
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8. World
Missions Via House Churches
@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MISCELLANEOUS @@@@@@@@@@@@@
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to see us include articles or discuss specific questions/topics in future editions, please do let us know. Many thanks! CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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10. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS SHIFTING
From CHURCH PLANTING CANADA - Outreach Canada
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CANADIAN RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: a recent government census has shown continued
decline, as a percentage of total population, among Canadian Catholics (-2%)
and Protestants (-5.5%), but increases among those with no religion (+ 4%) and
those holding to non-Christian religions (+2%) in the last 10 years. (Long-range
Chart: Lorne Hunter, OC Research, 2003.) While Christian leaders struggle to
interpret and respond to a complex situation, the results seem at least to mark
a beginning of the end for Christian nominalism and an additional step towards
the religious pluralism of the first century into which the Gospel was born.
The primary encouragement of the census was that Canadian Evangelicals grew
numerically with population growth during the decade, moving up slightly to
10.9% of the nation. The need for revival and increased church planting has
never been clearer.
(Further details: www.outreach.ca/cpc click 'Dawn Research')
Please PRAY for the four primary groupings depicted in the above graph:
* For Canadian believers networked into the Roman Catholic tradition - that
they may be renewed and encouraged to bring the Gospel to nominal Catholics
they encounter.
* For Mainline Protestants - that they may return to their roots in the authority
of Scripture.
* For Conservative Protestants (aka evangelicals) - that they may not compromise
the Gospel, become ever more missional and cross-cultural in evangelism and
discipleship and church planting.
* For the growing number of those with "no affiliation" - that in
their rejection of church structures, they would return to a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and King, lived out in some form of community.
· For "others" who are largely new Canadians from Muslim, Buddhist,
Sikh and Hindu backgrounds - that Canadian believers will reach out in love
and hospitality and live and speak the Gospel within reach of their lives.
· Pray for the Canadian church to return to bold, holy, loving relational
church planting to reach every people group in our vast and diverse nation.
Convict and compel your people, O Lord!
EVERY CHURCH A PLANTING CHURCH: Please continue to pray that every healthy
Canadian church would plant at least two churches in its ministry lifetime:
one to replace itself, another to extend the Kingdom. Please pray that:
* Pastors will come to see the local church as the seed, which is often to be
sown for the sake of the growth of the Kingdom.
· Pastors will be willing to seed their best leaders into church plants.
· Lay-leaders will welcome the opportunity to plough new ground by participating
in daughter churches.
BOLDNESS AND WISDOM IN THE FACE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: One of the greatest challenges of the Canadian church in discipling the nation is witnessing to the absolute claims of Christ in the face of an intimidating political correctness which requires Christians to embrace all religions, world views and cultural values as equally valid and "true" (even if contradictory). This pressure is especially great in academic, media, and political circles. Pray that Canadian Christians not be "squeezed into the world's mold" (Romans 12:2) but gain clear Biblical thinking and the courage to testify to the resurrection and it's implications with boldness and joy (Eph. 6:19-20)!
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11. What
About Kids in Organic Church?: Pt 1 - Integration is Better Than Segregation
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12. The Miraculous &
the House Church Movement
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13. DISCIPLE THE NATIONS QUOTE
If the church does not disciple the nations, the nations will disciple the
church.
- source unknown
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14. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY - by Joel D. Heck
From: http://www.logem.org/view/?pageID=60578
(Editor's Note) - Hospitality is a major aspect of encouraging the Body,
ministering to Jesus and reaching out to the lost. This article has some helpful
things to say about hospitality and gives the broader biblical understanding
of a word which has largely lost much of its meaning in our society.
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15. 10 HALLMARKS OF A SERVANT LEADER - see entire
article to get more out of this : )
Some points from: http://www.prayercommandpost.org
1. Servant leaders seek to affirm the worth of others.
2. Servant Leaders encourage others to look beyond where they are and to believe
in what they can be by grace.
3. Servant Leaders learn to trust God for the results and give him the credit.
4. Servant Leaders understand that accountability and discipleship are a part
of good leadership.
5. Servant Leaders are motivated by compassion and mercy more than the rewards
of success.
6. Servant Leaders seek to honor other leaders and see them as more important
then themselves.
7. Servant Leaders practice humility by being teachable and willing to receive
counsel from others.
8. Servant Leaders practice a lifestyle of forgiveness and grace.
9. Servant Leaders pursue intimacy with God and other Leaders.
10. Servant Leaders seek to walk in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in the
sphere of leadership God has called them to, as affirmed by the Lord and by
other leaders.
++++++++++++++++ C I T Y R E A C HI N G +++++++++++++++++
HEALING A NATION: Michael Cassidy - listen to excellent RealAudio message
%%%%%%%%%%%% MUSIC & THE ARTS %%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18. WHAT??
'Starving Artists' No Longer Starving But THRIVING??
(some possibilities for home-based businesses which can also encourage God's
musicians/artists in seeing musicians/artists and the arts reclaimed for His
glory)
================================================
19.
FREE 'Christianity & the Arts' e-resources available - which you can
also use to adapt to your situation to help build a networking community among
your regional Christian musicians/artists and the Church, etc. -
Subscribe to: GCWAC@DiscipleTheNations.org
=================================================
20. OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
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21. NETWORKING FORM You Can Adapt and Use in Your City/Region to Network your Christian Musicians & Artists - http://disciplethenations.org/networkingmaform.html
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVENTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22. EXPLORING HOUSE CHURCH…The Simple Church - Conferences Across Canada - see more info on this under #1 above - re Wolfgang Simson visit coming up in Nov.
Toronto: Nov. 13-14, 2003
Winnipeg: Nov.15, 2003
Vancouver: Nov. 17-19, 2003
A conference of encouragement and networking.
############## R E S O U R C E S ###############
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23. House 2 House - House Church
Events Calendar
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24. HANDBOOK FOR HOUSE CHURCHES
www.dickscoggins.com
http://www.dickscoggins.com/books/handbook.php
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Becoming the Church Beyond the Congregation -A New Way of "Church"
is Emerging...
An expression of church defined by the way people live and work rather than
one defined simply by the weekly gathering. Church that is people rather than
institution. Church that exists and is growing in every sphere of life: in family,
business, health, education, media, government, the arts and sport.
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26. CHURCH PLANTING BULLETIN
(re house churches)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
======================================================
28. The House Church Manifesto - written by Canadian Rad Zdero
I (Rad) am pleased to announce that my manuscript, The House Church Manifesto: A Guidebook for the Global House Church Movement, has been accepted by William Carey Library (Pasadena, California, USA) for publication. The contract has been signed and the process is now underway for the book to hit the streets, which may happen as early as this Christmas. There will be updates on our website www.housechurch.ca concerning its release.
The House Church Manifesto: A Guidebook for the Global House Church Movement
Chapter.1. The Vision: "The Once and Future Church"
Chapter.2. Personal Experiences: "My Journey along the Road Less Travelled"
Chapter.3. Biblical Foundations: "Church First Century Style"
Chapter.4. Historical Perspectives: "House Church Movements Then and Now"
Chapter.5. Practical Considerations: "Getting House Churches Going and
Growing"
Chapter.6. Strategic Directions: "Initiating House Church Movements"
Chapter.7. Conclusions: "Lessons for Today"
Appendix 1. Comparison Chart of Three Models of Church
Appendix 2. The Early Church as an Organized Movement
Appendix 3. Top 10 Reasons to Start House Churches
Appendix 4. Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Resources
The book is not meant to be a diatribe against the traditional church or its structures, although relevant comparisons are made between various models of church where appropriate. Rather, it is a guidebook that seeks to inspire, inform, instruct, invite, and involve those feeling a tug by God in this direction.
Lead-In Paragraph from Chapter 1
"…There is currently a global shift going on in the Church towards
the house church model. This phenomenon is sweeping across many parts of our
planet in places like China, India, and Cuba, to name a few, and is slowly gaining
momentum in North America. Research on missionary work around the globe demonstrates
that the most rapidly growing church planting and evangelistic movements today
utilize house churches and cell groups of 10-30 people. These efforts are outstripping
more traditional approaches to evangelism, church growth, and church planting.
Do you consider yourself a Great Commission Christian? Do you have a deep desire
to utilize a simple but effective model for reaching the nations for Christ?
If so, you need to read this manifesto. It is rooted in biblical principles,
historical perspectives, and personal experiences and offers practical and strategic
steps to help make this a reality in your personal ministry. In addition, because
some involved in this movement in the West are doing so merely out of reaction
to the flaws of traditional churches, their literature is overly negative, unbalanced,
and not well thought through. Therefore, this book provides a balanced, thoughtful,
yet revolutionary guide for those currently involved in house churches or those
feeling called by God to start them. Lastly, the book also doubles as a training
manual for (potential) house church leaders with its questions and interactive
exercises at the end of each chapter for use in a small group leaders huddle…"
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29. CANADIAN ISSUES
(ie. same sex marriages, etc.):
==================
30. REQUEST FOR RELATED ARTICLES / RESOURCES, etc.
For those of you that are gifted as teachers, evangelists, apostles, prophets,
pastors, etc. and feel that some of your articles or resources, etc. would be
of encouragement to the subscribers of the newsletter, please feel free to submit
them and we will consider them for future editions. CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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W E B S I T E S W E B S I T E S W E B S I T E S
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8
Characteristics of NT House Churches
Corinthian
House Church Communities
DE-WESTERNIZING
THE GOSPEL: The Recovery of A Biblical Worldview
Facing
Death with the Comfort of A House Church Family
Finding
Your Place in the Body
Leadership & Authority
- Hal Miller
Resources for Christians
Involved in Business (additional links constantly being added)
Spiritual Authority
- Hal Miller
The
Importance of Fellowship in a New Testament Church -
The Last
House Church Book You'll Ever Need
Urban
House Church Planting