GATEWAY RESTORATION NETWORK
RESOURCES
Community Development / Dealing With Addictions / God's Heart for the Nations / Prayerwalking / Watchmen / Worldview /
"God is Most Glorified In Us When We Are Most Satisfied in Him" - John Piper
GOD'S
COVENANT WITH ALL NATIONS, called FAVOUR, BEAUTY, GRACE, TENDER LOVE -
Pieter Bos
THE CITY
AS BEAUTIFUL AS SHE COULD BE - Pieter Bos
THE GODS OF THE NATIONS - Pieter Bos
The Nations Called: Theology of the Nations and Their Redemption - a trilogy of books on the subject - by Pieter Bos
Christian Community Development
Theology of Ministry - by Dr. Wayne L. Gordon
from: http://www.ccda.org
Nehemiah begins with lamenting over the city of Jerusalem. "Those back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire." Neh 1:3b. This describes the situation in parts of most American cities today. They have been neglected and allowed to deteriorate for almost forty years. The church of Jesus Christ has at best sat back and watched this happen yet in many areas has contributed to the problem. The words of Nehemiah, "great trouble and disgrace," ring true for us in the church today.
The question arises as to what the response as Christians will be to the
troubles of the poor and the inner cities today. The desperate conditions
that face the poor call for a revolution in the church's attempts at a solution.
Through years of experience among the poor, many have come to see these desperate
problems cannot be solved without strong commitment and risky actions on the
part of ordinary Christians with heroic faith.
There are many philosophies to solve the problems, but most fall short of
any lasting change. The most creative long-term solutions to the problems
of the poor are coming from grass roots and church-based efforts. The solutions
are coming from people who see themselves as the replacements, the agents,
for Jesus here on earth, in their own neighborhoods and communities.
This philosophy is known as Christian Community Development, which is not a concept that was developed in a classroom, nor formulated by people foreign to the poor community. These are Biblical, practical principles evolved from years of living and working among the poor. John Perkins in Mississippi first developed this philosophy. John and Vera Mae Perkins moved back to their homeland of Mississippi from California in 1960 to help alleviate poverty and oppression. Through their work and ministry, Christian Community Development was conceived. Christian Community Development has a proven track record with over 600 models around the country making great progress in difficult communities. (Perkins 1995, 239)
Christian Community Development has eight essential components that have evolved over the last forty years. The first three are based on John Perkins' Three R's of community development: relocation, reconciliation and redistribution. (Perkins 1995, 21-22) The rest have been developed by many Christians working together to find ways to rebuild poor neighborhoods. The following is a brief description of the eight key components to Christian Community Development. (Fuder 1999, 74)
Relocation: Living Among the People
Living out the gospel means desiring for one's neighbor and neighbor's family that which one desires for one's self and family. Living out the gospel means bettering the quality of other people's lives spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally as one betters one's own. Living out the gospel means sharing in the suffering and pain of others.
How did Jesus love? "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1:14) Jesus relocated. He became one of us. He didn't commute back and forth to heaven. Similarly, the most effective messenger of the gospel to the poor will also live among the poor that God has called the person to. A key phrase to understand relocation is incarnational ministry.
By relocating, a person will understand most clearly the real problems facing the poor; and then he or she may begin to look for real solutions. For example, if a person ministering in a poor community has children, one can be sure that person will do whatever possible to ensure that the children of the community get a good education. Relocation transforms "you, them, and theirs" to "we, us, and ours." Effective ministries plant and build communities of believers that have a personal stake in the development of their neighborhoods.
Relocation is community based in the very essence of the word. There are three kinds of people who live in the community. First "relocators" are people who, like the project director, were not born in the inner city but moved into the neighborhood. Second, are the "returners." These are the people born and raised in their community and then left for a better life. Usually they return from college or the military. They are no longer trapped by the surrounding poverty of their neighborhood. Yet, they choose to return and live in the community they once tried to escape. Lastly are the "remainers." These are the ones that could have fled the problems of the inner city but chose to stay and be part of the solution to the problems surrounding them.
In 1975 the author moved into the neighborhood of North Lawndale on Chicago's West Side. This was a community, typical of most inner city neighborhoods with a high crime rate, inferior education, and abandonment by government neglect and white flight. There is no question that relocation is the linchpin of Christian Community Development and that all other principles of development draw upon for meaning.
Reconciliation
People To God
Reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God, and love thy neighbor. (Mt 22:37-39) First, Christian Community Development is concerned with reconciling people to God and bringing them into a church fellowship where they can be discipled in their faith.
Evangelism is very much a part of Christian Community Development. It is recognized that the answer is not just a job or a decent place to live but having a true relationship with Jesus Christ. It is essential that the good news of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and that individuals place their faith in Christ for salvation. Christian discipleship is very much a part of this philosophy also.
The gospel, rightly understood, is wholistic. It responds to people as whole people; it does not single out just spiritual or just physical needs and speak to those. Christian Community Development begins with people transformed by the love of God, who then respond to God's call to share the gospel with others through evangelism, social action, economic development, and justice.
People To People
The most segregated time of the week in our nation is Sunday morning during church services. American churches rarely are integrated and weaken the gospel because of this practice. Christians pray in the model prayer that the Lord taught: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Mt 6:9 Churches should reflect heaven on earth, and heaven will be the most integrated place in the world. People of every nation and every tongue will worship Christ together. This is the picture of the church Christ presents to his people.
The question is: Can a gospel that reconciles people to God without reconciling people to people be the true gospel of Jesus Christ? A person's love for Christ should break down every racial, ethnic and economic barrier. As Christians come together to solve the problems of their community, the great challenge is to partner and witness together across these barriers. Christian Community Development recognizes that the task of loving the poor is shared by the entire body of Christ, black, white, brown, and yellow; rich and poor; urban and suburban; educated and uneducated. The Bible transcends culture and race, but the church is still having a hard time with these essentials.
Christian Community Development is intentional about reconciliation and works hard to bring people of all races and cultures into the one worshipping body of Christ. This comes not so much through a program but through a commitment to living together in the same neighborhood. This is why relocation is so important and how each of the other principals builds upon it. Glen Kehrein and Raleigh Washington are both very active in Christian Community Development in the inner-city of Chicago and have written a book on racial reconciliation. They provide the church with the following eight principles for being reconciled to one another: 1) Commitment to relationship; 2) Intentionality; 3) Sincerity; 4) Sensitivity; 5) Interdependence; 6) Sacrifice; 7) Empowerment; 8) Call. (Kehrein, Washington 1983, 5)
Redistribution
When the body of Christ is visibly present and living among the poor (relocation), and when people are loving their neighbor and their neighbor's family the way a person loves him or herself and family (reconciliation), the result is redistribution. If God's people with resources are living in the poor community and are a part of it, the skills and resources will be applied to the problems of that community.
Redistribution brings the principles of Justice back to the underserved communities. Justice has left communities of color and lower economic status, leaving an unjust criminal court and prison system, unjust hiring practices, unjust housing development and injustice in the educational institutions. Justice has been available only to people with the economic means to acquire just treatment.
Redistribution brings new skills, new educations, new resources and puts them to work to empower people in a community of need. This is redistribution. Christian Community Development ministries find creative avenues to create jobs, schools, health centers, home ownership, and other enterprises of long-term development.
Helping people help themselves, that is redistribution.
Leadership Development
The primary goal of redistribution is to restore the stabilizing glue and fill the vacuum of moral, spiritual, and economic leadership that is so prevalent in poor communities. This is most effectively done by raising up Christian leaders from the community of need who will remain in the community. Most Christian Community Development ministries put a strong accent on youth development, winning youth to Christ as early as kindergarten and then following them all the way through college with spiritual and educational nurturing. After that a ministry creates opportunities for leadership upon their return to the community. At the core of the leadership vacuum in inner city communities is an attitude of flight. For many, success is defined as being able to move out of communities like North Lawndale, not remaining there. The erroneous goal is to help a few people leave the neighborhood so that they can escape the problems of inner city communities. This core value of escapism has caused a major drain on the community. Success in the world’s eyes is leaving the neighborhood and owning a home in a more affluent community.
Leadership development is possible only when there is longevity of ministry. All too often people are guilty of trying to have quick fixes in poor neighborhoods. Leadership development is of the highest priority in Christian Community Development. Each ministry must have a dynamic youth ministry that is reaching young people with the good news of Jesus Christ and then discipling them in their faith. This will take at least fifteen years to accomplish, so a worker must plan to stay in the neighborhood for at least that long.
Felt Need Concept
The great question is: "How do we affirm the dignity of people, motivate them, and help them take responsibility for their own lives?" By beginning with the people's felt needs, it is possible to establish a relationship and a trust, which then enables the minister to move to deeper issues of development. This idea of beginning with people's felt needs is called the felt need concept. There are two major strands of community development that are prevalent today, the first being a needs-based development. This is development based on the needs in poor communities. The other is asset-based community development that focuses on the assets of a community and building upon them.
The felt-need concept of Christian Community Development strives to use the best of both of these philosophies. First, it gathers the community and discovers the wonderful talents, abilities and skills in the community. Every community has assets, but often these are neglected. It then realistically points out, through community meetings and efforts, some of the areas that people in the community would like to see improved. The areas to be focused upon are not looked at from some outside group or some demographic study that is laid upon the community. Instead, it is the community members themselves that decide what area they would like to improve.
After a community has decided where they want to focus some of their attention, it is then directed to the means with which they themselves can bring this about. What qualities, talents, and abilities does the community have that can help solve these problems? The focus is on the community members seeing themselves as the solution to the problem, not some government program or outside group that is going to be their salvation.
It is essential for the leadership to help facilitate the community to focus on their strengths and abilities to make a difference. The philosophy of Christian Community Development believes that the people with the problem have the best solutions and opportunities to solve those problems.
One danger of the felt-need concept is a preoccupation with the problems and needs in a community. The felt-need concept is only a tool for the beginning of development to listen to the people and give them hope for life-changing solutions. Quickly, this should then move to seeing the great potential that is in their community.
Church-Based
It is the writer's position that nothing other than the community of God's people is capable of affirming the dignity of the poor and enabling them to meet their own needs. It is practically impossible to do effective wholistic ministry apart from the local church. A nurturing community of faith can best provide the thrusts of evangelism, discipleship, spiritual accountability, and relationships by which disciples grow in their walk with God. One problem today has been that the church is not involved in developing its communities. Often, the church has been an unfriendly neighbor in communities across our country. Churches are guilty of being open only on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights and being almost irrelevant to the needs of the people around them. Because of this, many parachurch organizations have started to do the work of loving their neighbor that the church had neglected. Christian Community Development sees the church as taking action towards the development of its community.
It is the responsibility of the church to evangelize, disciple and nurture people in the Kingdom. Yet, from the command of Jesus, it is also the responsibility of the church to love their neighbor and their neighborhood. Churches should be seen as lovers of their community and neighborhoods. It is out of the church body that ideas and programs should emerge.
This concept is certainly not new in the black community. The black church has spawned most of the substantial community efforts in housing and economic development. There have been shopping centers built, senior housing units developed and communities transformed by the church. As natural as these transformations have been for the black church, they continue to be foreign to the traditional white church. Often, opposition to the church's involvement in community development still occurs among many white denominations and church groups.
Lastly, probably the greatest sustaining power of community development is the community building of a local church. Because Christian community is based on relocation and people living in the community, having a local church to worship together is essential. It is the church where people gather to be rejuvenated and have their personal needs met. This is true of staff members and non-staff members. How exciting it is to see doctors at a local health center worshipping and sitting next to their patients on a Sunday morning. This is community building at its best. The church helps people to understand that each person has gifts and talents and all must utilize those for the greater good of the community. A worshipping church breaks down many of the barriers including racial, educational and cultural barriers that often separate people in communities.
Wholistic Approach
Oftentimes, many in ministry get passionate and involved in one area of need and think if they solve this particular problem that all else will be resolved. Christians, of course, often focus this area on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Of course, the most essential element to Christian Community Development is evangelism and discipleship. Yet solving problems with lasting solutions is more than evangelism and discipleship.
There is never a simplistic answer to the problems in poor communities. Often, people will say that the problem is spiritual, social or educational. Of course these are problems, but they are only part of the larger problems. Solving the housing problem does not solve the emotional struggles that a person has. Christian Community Development has a wholistic approach to ministry that deals with the spiritual, social, economic, political, cultural, emotional, physical, moral, judicial, educational and familial issues of each person.
Of course, the wholistic approach is difficult because there are so many aspects to a person’s life. That is why there is no better way of helping a person than having him or her committed to a local church. A church that is committed to Christian Community Development sees not only the soul of a person as significant, but also his or her whole of life on earth. It is being completely pro-life for a person, not only eternally, but also as the person lives on this earth.
Therefore, Christian Community Development sees the church must be involved in every aspect of a person’s life. It is important to network with other churches and organizations in communities. In order to accomplish the wholistic aspect of ministry, pastors and leaders must be networkers. Christian Community Development builds coalitions in communities so that they can work together to solve the problems.
Empowerment
Empowering people as community developers meet their needs is an important element to Christian Community Development. How does a pastor ensure that people are able to help themselves after they have been helped? Oftentimes, Christian ministry, particularly in poor communities, creates dependency. This is no better than the federal government welfare program. The Bible teaches empowerment, not dependency.
In the Old Testament, empowerment is an important aspect to God’s care for the poor. In Deuteronomy 24 and Leviticus 19, God instituted the gleaning system. The farmers harvested their crops but were only allowed to go through the field one time. What was left behind or dropped on the ground was available for any widow, alien, orphan or poor person to come and harvest. This program was one that empowered people.
Three principles come out of God’s welfare system in the Old Testament. First, there must be opportunity for people to get their needs met. In Deuteronomy and Leviticus, this happened to be a field with food in it. Secondly, the person who had a need must be willing to work for it. The widow, alien, orphan or poor person must go into the field and pick up the crops. This, then, involved work on the part of the poor. This is also found in 2 Thes 3:10 which says, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.”
Thirdly, when these first two principles are working, a person's dignity is affirmed. All people have inherited dignity by being created in the image of God. Oftentimes, charity demeans a person and strips him or her of dignity. The last principle of empowerment affirms a person's God-given dignity.
Track Record
There are over 600 organizations in over 200 cities and forty states practicing Christian Community Development. These churches and ministries are showing that it is possible that the church can live out the love of God in the world; that black and white and yellow and brown, rich and poor together, can be reconciled; and that we can make a difference; that we can rescue the ghettoes and barrios of this nation.
In these hundreds of communities and cities across the world, these defining principles of Christian Community Development are proving that grass roots, community-based ministries led by people who have made the community their own are the most effective agents for healing of the poor. (Fuder 1999, 84-85 )
The following poem is used as a philosophical guide to those working on Christian Community Development.
Go to the people Live among them Learn from them Love them Start with what they know Build on what they have: But of the best leaders When their task is done The people will remark "We have done it ourselves."(Perkins 1995, 18)
Conclusion
Clearly there are great needs in poor inner city communities such as North Lawndale. There is a lack of leadership in these communities, and it is essential that new leadership be developed from among the indigenous people. Within the context of these cultural and environmental factors, new leadership needs to be developed.
The principles of Christian Community Development and the theological implications discussed in this chapter will now be applied in a practical program designed to produce competent indigenous leaders. The literature suggests through the leadership theory that leaders can be made and that there is a process through which this might be done. The implication that indigenous leaders can be developed from among the poor in underclass communities like North Lawndale has been explored and applied in a leadership development class at Lawndale Community Church. Lawndale Community Church has helped to empower leaders in all aspects of society and the community
Reaching the Addicted Community
LAYING FOUNDATIONS FOR MUSIC/ARTS MINISTRIES THROUGH PRAYERWALKING
"Understanding
the Ministry of the Watchman" - by Rick Joyner
De-Westernizing the Gospel: The Recovery of a Biblical Worldview
Worldview articles
Canada / Community Transformation / Healing the Land / Health / Prayer / Redemption re Cities & Nations /
Following are some very helpful books for those whose
hearts are being increasingly stirred to 'stand in the gap' for Canada and
to see her coming into her God-ordained destiny.
-----------
STAND
ON GUARD: A Prophetic Call & Research on the Righteous Foundations of
Canada - Faytene Kryskow - (from Vancouver, BC) - copyright 2005
For more info or to order: fkryskow@yahoo.ca
"Every generation and every nation has had righteous radicals for God. These were mighty men and women who laid down their lives to see righteousness established in their generation and in their nation. Canada is no different. STAND ON GUARD is full of the stories and statements of Canadian heroes who did just that. However, more than a compilation of research, this book is a trumpet call - a CALL to the current generation to rise up and do the same! It is a call to bring into view, restablish, and steward the righteous foundations laid by generations past but that are no longer in plain sight, and it is a call to reformation of the unrighteousness, ideals and systems that have taken root in Canada. STAND ON GUARD reminds us of our righteous inheritance, so that we can STANT with added confidence in our generation to see the dominion of Jesus Christ manifested in every arena of the nation". Faytene
CANADA AND GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN - Len Lindstrom (from Kelowna,
BC)
http://www.lenlindstromministries.com/content/ShopProduct.phtml?0/0/8
"Captures and documents in a most unique way the marvelous spiritual
heritage and history of Canada. But more importantly this book will challenge
you to the awesome responsibility we have of handing down the legacy of God's
truth and love to the next generation.
This book is endorsed by over 30 of North America´s key spiritual leaders
and is an excellent teaching text."
THE
NATIONS CALLED:Theology of the Nations and Their Redemption - Pieter Bos
http://www.servingthenations.org/booktnc.htm
volume 1 of a planned Trilogy "The City Redeemed."
ISBN 1-85240-307-1
To wet your appetite, see the core paragraph of the book: "God's covenant
with the nations." It describes the beauty of nations in general and
of 16 specific nations; the nine anti-covenants with which the evil one tries
to block nations from covenanting to God; and the responsibility of the Church
towards its nation.
Can your city or nation be redeemed? What does Scripture say about the destiny
and the spiritual role of cities and nations? What is the source of nationalism
and of discrimination, and what is the church's response to it? How can the
Church discover God's plan for her nation and help her to prepare for the
endtime? - see more at: http://www.servingthenations.org/nations.asp
+ + +
See also SONGS & POEMS
Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together and Doing It Right - John Perkins (see under RESOURCES and under BOOKSTORE - also available through local Christian bookstores)
Restoring At Risk Comminities
John Perkins, Editor $10.95 (US)
This is an in-depth how-to manual for those involved in or interested in Christian
community development among our nation's poor. Dr. Perkins, along with fourteen
other urban ministry professionals, shares a wealth of experience in this
practical handbook
excellent book!!! very inspiring!!!
+ + +
TAKING
IT TO THE STREETS: Using
the Arts to Transform Your Community
J. Nathan Corbitt and Vivian Nix- Early
This practical handbook combines reallife stories with tested methodologies to create a new paradigm for the role of the arts in Christian ministry and mission. Taking It to the Streets provides a historical perspective and theology for understanding the transforming power of the arts, a vocabulary for discussing the arts outside the sanctuary, and creative methods for turning faith into action in society. An ideal textbook for urban missions and youth ministry courses, Taking It to the Streets will also be a valued resource for churches devoted to creative mission.
Available through most Christian bookstores - House of James /
HEAL THE LAND Handbook - by Inuit Ministry International
(34 pgs.)
----------------------------------------
Very helpful in beginning to consider the need to deal with land and First
Nations issues. ¡§¡KIf my people with humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear
from heaven and will forgive their sins and HEAL THEIR LAND.¨ (Chron.)
To order contact: IMI, PO Box 81270, Fairbanks, AK 99708 908-455-6342
Email: imi1@juno.com Fax: 907-479-3613
BEYOND RAVEN'S VEIL: Spiritual Mapping Canada¡¦s
West Coast
------------------------------------
by Darryl Jones
Gives some very helpful insight into the foundations of N. American nations
and the need to deal with these issues through prayer and spiritual warfare
as a crucial and priority aspect of seeing our nation transformed. First Nations
spirits and practices impacting our nations are looked at as a major aspect
of this.
To order this 132 page book, for further information contact: Darryl Jones, PO Box 66, Tlell, BC V0T 1Y0 Canada
A MORE EXCELLENT WAY: Spiritual Roots of Disease - Pathways to Wholeness - by Henry Wright
"The material in this book serves as an excellent resource in assisting spiritual leaders, healthcare professionals, and individuals in understanding the spiritual dynamics behind diseases of the spirit, soul, and body. The book will help you discover: Why Mankind has Disease, Spiritual Roots of Disease, Blocks to Healing, Disease Prevention, Spiritual Pathways to Wholeness and Health"
WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING - Dr. Rex Russell
"Dr. Russell presents three main principles for healthy living. They are: "I: Eat only substances created for food. II: Eat foods as they were created. III: Don't let any food or drink become your god." In the rest of the book he then elaborates on these three principles.
In regards to the first, he quotes verses where God specifically gives certain foods to human beings for food. He then presents a list of foods mentioned in the Bible. And later in the book he goes into further details on each of these foods and the health benefits science is now showing are associated with eating them. One point he dwells on is the distinction between clean and unclean meats.
He notes some of the health problems that have been caused by people eating unclean meats. He also includes an interesting chart of clean and unclean meats. Besides each kind of meat is an indication of it's toxicity level. All clean meats have much lower levels of toxins than unclean meats. However, these toxicity levels are taken from a study done in 1953. It would be helpful if a more recent study were cited.
In regards to the second principle, he first enlarges it beyond food to look at what God said about aspects of healthy living besides food. He notes that God's directives in regards to personal hygiene and sex give health benefits to the person following them. Then later he looks at foods. He notes that the processing of foods, such as turning whole grains into refined grains, "strips away" many of the nutrients God placed in the original whole foods.
In regards to principle III, he notes the many problems that addictions to food and other substances can cause a person.
Overall, this book is excellent. Russell presents a lot of Scripture verses and supporting scientific research for what the Bible teaches. It is similar to my book Creationist Diet. Reading these two books together would give the reader a good grasp of what the Bible teaches about nutrition and how science is finally catching up to the Bible's teachings."
GOD'S WAY TO ULTIMATE HEALTH - Rev. George Malkmus
NUTRITION & THE BIBLE - book reviews
EATING ALIVE - John Matsen
An Adventurous Journey Through the Digestive System to Find the Mysterious
Cause of Disease
Original cartoon illustrations help demonstrate that disease is a result of
inefficient digestion due to nutritional and/or emotional stress. More importantly
there are simple tips that have helped hundreds of people reverse chronic
disease that you can easily adopt.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Jonn Matsen developed poor circulation in his fingers
during his late teens that could have led to amputation but instead led to
his exploration of health and healing. He became a Chartered Herbalist in
1976. Later, in 1983, he graduated from the John Bastyr College of Naturopathic
Medicine in Seattle, Washington. Since then he has operated the North Shore
Naturopathic Clinic in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
LAYING FOUNDATIONS FOR MUSIC/ARTS MINISTRIES THROUGH PRAYERWALKING
#########################################
NEEDLESS CASUALTIES OF WAR - John Paul Jackson
#########################################
(Editor's Note) - For those of you that are intercessors
and praying for God's purposes to be accomplished in the Gateway region and
in the rest of Canada, etc., the following very helpful book is something
which is, I believe, very timely and very much needed in these days. Although
we are very aware that our prayers seem to stir up the onslaughts of the enemy
in increasing ways because of the spiritual battle we are in, many times I
have wondered whether we are experiencing more onslaughts than are necessary.
Also, are we, in fact, sometimes unwittingly bringing them onto ourselves
due to ignorance about certain things the Bible says about dealing with principalities,
powers, etc. The following book addresses some of these issues and I do hope
you will find it very helpful and encouraging, and that it will help to protect
you from being a NEEDLESS CASUALTY OF WAR…
--------------
You can order the following book through any Christian bookstore and through the internet.
Says one reader (from the intro) - "…'Needless Casualties of War' brings great wisdom to the task of spiritual warfare and gives us clear direction on how to do spiritual warfare without opening us up to unnecessary attack. I highly recommend this book to pastors and intercessors…" Dr. Daniel Juster, Tikkun Ministries
From the back cover of the book: "…Are you fighting
a deadly force? Did you know there are certain types of prayer Satan would
like you to pray? Is the enemy wounding you with your own sword? Are you or
your church experiencing calamities that prayer does not remedy?
Ie. heart attacks, miscarriages, runaway children, sudden illnesses, cancer,
untimely deaths…
In this timely book…John Paul Jackson reveals some startling insights that will uncover spiritual strategies of the dark side. Find out how you can protect yourself from Satan's onslaught and escape his unforeseen and unperceived attacks.""
=====================================================
THE
NATIONS CALLED: Theology of the Nations and their Redemption trilogy of
books
http://www.servingthenations.org/booktnc.htm
by Pieter Bos
--------------------------------
- volume 1 of a planned Trilogy The City Redeemed.ISBN 1-85240-307-1
To wet your appetite, see the core paragraph of the book: God's covenant with the nations.It describes the beauty of nations in general and of 16 specific nations; the nine anti-covenants with which the evil one tries to block nations from covenanting to God; and the responsibility of the Church towards its nation.
A PARADIGM-SHIFTING BOOK ON GODS PLAN FOR THE NATIONS IN THE 21st CENTURY.The City Redeemed is a trilogy exploring Gods destiny for the nations and cities of the earth. This ground-breaking work provides a much-needed theological basis for the practical advances already being made by those involved in international intercession, reconciliation, city-reaching and the transformation of society.
It presents God's glorious covenant with all nations, also with nations in our time. Of sixteen nations a brief sketch from this perspective is included. This makes clear why the nations and cities are the main stake in the spiritual battle. In that battle the focus is not on fighting but on disarming the enemy; it is not fighting against an enemy but fighting for the nations. And even more important: it is a battle by the Church: is the Church aware of this commission, and of its authority to perform it, and of the circumstances in which she must prevail, even in the end-time?
"This book is written for God-seekers and thinkers, for intercessors and socially involved theologians, for missionaries who take the cross-cultural aspect of their task seriously and for discerning readers of the news, for visionaries who have faith for societal change through the power of God, and for those who are prepared to think corporately and historically and to function spiritually."
"The Nations Called" is a paradigm-shifting book,
fit to be discussed in Bible study groups and seminars, on church councils
and mission boards, and in political circles at municipal and national level.
It is not an historical-international overview for interest sake; it analyses
the spiritual dynamics reaching from the ark of Noah to the headlines of your
daily newspaper, and rocking the foundations of the church you attend next
Sunday morning!
CHRISTIAN LAWYERS
See what these professionals have been doing to stop Bill C-250.
COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION RESOURCES
Christian Community Development
Association
See their Philosophy
Christian Community Development Association Resources - tapes, videos, etc.
Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together and Doing It Right - John Perkins (see under RESOURCES and under BOOKSTORE - also available through local Christian bookstores)
Restoring At Risk Comminities
John Perkins, Editor $10.95 (US)
This is an in-depth how-to manual for those involved in or interested in Christian
community development among our nation's poor. Dr. Perkins, along with fourteen
other urban ministry professionals, shares a wealth of experience in this
practical handbook
excellent book!!! very inspiring!!!
+ + +
TAKING
IT TO THE STREETS: Using
the Arts to Transform Your Community
J. Nathan Corbitt and Vivian Nix- Early
This practical handbook combines reallife stories with tested methodologies to create a new paradigm for the role of the arts in Christian ministry and mission. Taking It to the Streets provides a historical perspective and theology for understanding the transforming power of the arts, a vocabulary for discussing the arts outside the sanctuary, and creative methods for turning faith into action in society. An ideal textbook for urban missions and youth ministry courses, Taking It to the Streets will also be a valued resource for churches devoted to creative mission.
Available through most Christian bookstores - House of James /
Video: How
Should We Then Live (curriculum)
Author: Schaeffer, Francis Publisher: Gospel Films
Category: History
Year: 1992 ID: 99469 Product Type: Video
Retail Price: $79.99 Sale Price: $59.99 (25%)
Title usually Ships: within 4 to 6 working days. Shipping Class: 3
This is Dr. Francis Schaeffer's spectacular series on the rise and decline
of Western culture from a Christian perspective. This special edition includes
an intimate in-depth interview with Francis and Edith Schaeffer, which is
available only in this package. This program presents profound truths in simple
language and concludes that man's only hope is a return to God's biblical
absolute--the Truth revealed in Christ through the Scriptures. Each episode
focuses on a significant era of history while presenting answers to modern
problems. (Twelve 30-minute episodes on three tapes. Study guide included.)
Tape 1: The Roman Age, The Middle Ages, The Renaissance, The Reformation Tape
2: The Revolutionary Age, The Scientific Age, The Age of Non-reason, The Age
of Fragmentation Tape 3: The Age of Personal Peace & Affluence, Final
Choices, and the two-segment interview with Francis & Edith Shaeffer:
Living with Suffering & Sickness, God's Leading in L'Abri & Our Lives
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LET
THE SEA RESOUND
http://www.irndirect.co.nz
LET THE SEA RESOUND is the title of the fourth video in the Sentinel Group's
Transformations video series. It highlights transformations that have been
taking place in Fiji. In an earlier, but not so distant, age the nation of
Fiji groaned under the weight of superstition and sorcery; ancestral spirits
roamed freely promising abundance, and demanding their due; tribal fighting
was gruesome and frequent. Fueled by revenge and greed, violent warriors depopulated
entire villages - even islands. Today's Fiji bears no resemblance to its former
self. This 79-minute documentary covers the astonishing revival that is currently
sweeping through the nation. It is a moving and instructive testament of unprecedented
Christian unity, contemporary signs and wonders, rapid church growth and genuine
socio-political transformation. Two-and-half years in the making and distilling
more than 300 hours of footage, this may well be The Sentinel Group's most
powerful documentary to date. For more information and to order a copy, visit
the Sentinel Group website above. Note the video is currently available in
New Zealand through International Resource Network. For more information visit
the IRN Direct website above or send a message to Max Palmer: max@irn.org.nz
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Video/Workbk: Old
Testament Template
Author: Cope, Landa Publisher: Procla-Media
Category: Video/DVD Teaching
Year: 1999 ID: vid-ot-templ Product Type: Video
Retail Price: $125.00 Sale Price: $100.00 (20%)
Title usually Ships: within 1 to 4 working days. Shipping Class: 4
Ten 45-minute sessions (five videos). Cope discusses the role of the church
in the world, and what the Bible says about discipling the nations God's way.
(incl one free workbook). If your video order is for outside the USA, PLEASE
let us know (in Customer Comments field) if you require it in PAL video standard,
or if NTSC is sufficient.
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The Quickening
- Enter the Firestorm of God's Grace - VHS - NTSC
A message of hope that is stirring an appetite for God's presence in the church,
the state house, and the marketplace.
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Transformations
I - A Documentary - VHS - NTSC
From a hillside metropolis run by Colombian drug lords to a rural village
in Kenya and even Metropolitan Southern California, whole communities are
changing because the invading, transforming presence of God. This award-winning
video documentary chronicles specific case histories while inspiring and challenging
prayer warriors around the world to petition God to visit their own communities.
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Transformations
II - The Glory Spreads - VHS - NTSC
Alcoholism. Sexual abuse. Drug addiction. Suicide. Violence. Civil war. Can
anything stem the tide of rampant evil? God's heart is as big as the sea,
so join The Sentinel Group as they continue the journey to seek how God's
grace destroys wickedness and transforms people and communities. Visit Canada's
Arctic, the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the nation of Uganda as the wind
of the Spirit blows revival across the lands.
|
Intro |
Networking |
Discipling the Nations - seven influential sectors of society!