BY THE GRACE OF GOD, BECOMING TRANSFORMED INTO THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST
- Make Ready a People Prepared for the Lord - (Luke 1)
FRASER VALLEY
House Church Network
Newsletter
-- Discipling the Nations: Seven Influential Sectors of Society Hold the Key --
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If you live in the Fraser Valley and are not receiving this newsletter but would like to be included in the free email subscription list in the future, please contact Email
Also, please let us know of those you know that share similar heart/vision and whom you think would appreciate being aware of this free resource. OR let them know of the availability of this resource so they can request it if they are interested. Feel free to make photocopies of these newsletters for those that are not email accessible. Thank you!
________________________FVHCN Newsletter Index______________________________
WELCOME! to the 1st edition of the
FRASER VALLEY HOUSE CHURCH NETWORK
N e w s l e t t e r
March 2005 edition
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+Please note, not all aspects in the email version are available online due to privacy matters.
=========== INTRODUCTION & WELCOME ============
In an email of several months ago, we requested your input about the idea of potentially beginning to connect together with local believers that are involved or interested in being involved in house/simple churches in the Fraser Valley. This was to be a way to further assist the Body locally to know Jesus more intimately, to love each other more deeply, become increasingly built up and equip each other - by the power of the Holy Spirit - to BE the Church in this region, impacting not only the marketplace here but beyond, as well.
There were some very enthusiastic responses to that initial
'feeler' that was sent out, so we are proceeding and we'll see how the Holy
Spirit leads as we continue to connect.
If you did not receive a copy of that email and would like to have one sent
to you, please let us know: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FVHCN e-newsletter
and the CHCRN (Canadian House Church Resource Network) e-newsletter?
The CHCRN e-newsletter is focused on house/simple churches
NATIONALLY, and includes many resources/articles re house/simple churches
as a whole, as well as including stories about what God is doing among house/simple
churches internationally, to help give a global perspective.
The purpose of the FVHCN e-newsletter is to help to meet the needs of those
involved in / or who sense the Holy Spirit leading them to become a part of
house/simple churches LOCALLY in the Fraser Valley. Plans are to include opportunities
for interested parties to network locally, be able to work together to celebrate
Jesus together, equip each other, minister to those around us together, pray
for each other, discuss issues pertinent to local folks, help resource each
other, etc.
Hopefully both newsletters will help to serve you in different ways.
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A Quick Review of the Vision Statement of the CANADIAN HOUSE CHURCH RESOURCE NETWORK
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-- By the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, we seek to mobilize, resource, encourage, network, train and facilitate those that God is raising up in Canada who, while complimenting other forms of Christian gatherings in Canada, share and carry out the vision of establishing Christ-centered, easily reproducible, multiplying house churches in house church networks as a vital part of seeing Canada discipled and taking a more effective role in discipling the nations, in order that Jesus will be glorified as King of Kings among all nations. We desire to see His life lived out through us in every aspect of life --
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We welcome your input and thoughts/ideas/recommendations regarding the newsletter and its development, and would ask you to let us know of questions you may have which would like for us to explore in coming editions. Please feel free to submit items that you feel would be helpful to include for those receiving the newsletters, and we will consider them for future editions.
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May God use these newsletters to encourage and inspire you and to help equip you to fully enter into the role that He has for you in seeing His Kingdom expanded in your neighborhood or region in Canada (and beyond) as He uses you to raise up whole-hearted, total-life worshippers/disciples of Jesus Christ!
It is our privilege to serve you!
Warmly,
Editor
Fraser Valley House
Church Network e-newsletter
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1. NETWORKING SHEET - do you wish to be included in the next edition of this newsletter?
If you are interested in / or involved in house churches
in the Fraser Valley, and would like for your contact/networking info to be
included in a coming edition of the Fraser Valley House Church Network e-newsletter;
OR if you are interested in seeing an informal house church network of house
churches in your particular region of the Valley coming into being, please
email us and we will send you a Networking Sheet which you can fill in as
you desire, which you can then send (preferably email) to:
Email: CHRCN@DiscipleTheNations.org
This form includes questions about various aspects which will hopefully help you and others in the region connect, and then you can see how the Holy Spirit leads you from there…
Let us know if you would like for us to email you the filled out networking sheets of others that have already responded.
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2. ABBOTSFORD & MISSION Network of House/Simple Churches
Developing
In the past several months it has been very encouraging to hear how things are beginning to develop further in the Abbotsford & Mission region!
Some excerpts from an update about a recent networking meeting:
Says Larry: "....we had a profitable 3+ hour "get acquainted meeting" at the Mark Centre in Abbotsford…we simply shared our personal testimonies in order that we might get started in getting to know each other…there were about 16 of us men ranging in age from the 20's to the 70's...it was a gathering rich with experience, sincerity and enthusiasm, and augurs well for a network getting started in the Fraser Valley ..."
If you are interested in connecting with these folks, contact us at: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org and we can get you connected.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
3.
IMAGO DEI CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY - network of house churches in N. Vancouver
Contact: Rob Des Cotes - imago@shaw.ca
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
4. HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN STARTING A HOUSE / SIMPLE CHURCH ?
HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOCAL HOUSE / SIMPLE CHURCH FOR 1 or MORE YEARS?
If so, perhaps you would consider sharing your journey with us? And let us know approx. how long you have been fellowshipping together in this way…How would you describe your fellowship times?
ARE YOU CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A HOUSE / SIMPLE CHURCH which has been in existence for one or more years IN THE FRASER VALLEY? If so, please tell us more about this…your relationship with Jesus in this type of environment, lessons learned, blessings received, struggles you're growing through, etc. Your stories will be of great value to the others!
##################### RESOURCES ######################
6. STARTING HOUSE CHURCHES - if you would like some resources to be emailed to you about starting house churches, please let us know and we can get that to you. CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
My personal (editor's note) recommendation on this, though, is that as helpful as it is to find out what others are doing or have done, only the Holy Spirit knows what the best situation is for YOU and those He wants to bring into your situation. Only He knows what He wants to do in and through you in your neighbourhood/region and what His timing is. He knows the gifts, experience and vision He's given you, and He knows all of your backgrounds.
I firmly believe that as you wait on the Lord to connect you with the people He wants you to move forward with in His timing, He will bring things to pass as He leads you ONE STEP AT A TIME.
I have found that often (this happened in my experience as well), although many people want to begin to move ahead with house/simple churches as soon as they sense God calling them in these directions, that He often seems to bring them through a time where they are in a 'no man's land' where they are no longer a part of a traditional church, but are not yet part of a house/simple church.
However, they are often finding deepening fellowship with all kinds of believers and often becoming increasingly convinced of the need for the kind of Body life that is more easily possible in a house/simple church gathering. It is often during this time that God is increasingly changing their paradigm at not only a head level but a heart level, and also beginning to remove from their hearts more and more of the 'religious SYSTEMS' of traditional ways of experiencing life as the Church, in order to prevent them from bringing these same systems into the type of FAMILY LIFE He wants them to experience as He moves them forward in His timing…It also often seems to be a time of Him testing us to see how serious we are about this, and a time when we experience misunderstandings from believing friends around us who do not understand the direction we sense the Holy Spirit leading us. He will not leave you nor forsake you and is your Wonderful Counsellor. He will lead you in His timing and ways as you continue to seek Him!
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7. CANADIAN HOUSE CHURCH NETWORK e-newsletter (free)
If you are not currently receiving the CHCRN e-newsletter, we would be happy to send you this quarterly (approx.) free e-newsletter. More about the CHCRN newsletter under the Intro in this newsletter…ie. What's the Difference between the FVHCN newsletter and the CHCRN newsletter?
Back Issues: there are about 10 back issues which we will be happy to send you if you have not received them and would like to have us send them. Contact: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
INDEX according to topic: updated version should be included in the coming edition of the CHCRN newsletter - or shortly thereafter. This can also be sent to you if you haven't yet subscribed to the CHCRN newsletter if you want to know what has been included in the past so you can request specific editions.
CHCRN - http://DiscipleTheNations.org/HCHome.html
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8. ANY RESOURCES YOU WOULD
LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED IN FUTURE EDITIONS?
Please send us the needed info at: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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9. RESOURCES FROM SURREY to help build up/equip the Body
'Christianity & the Arts' free e-newsletter
- focused on encouraging/building up the Body in the Fraser Valley re the
arts from a biblical perspective. Networking/resourcing/providing opportunities
for Christian musicians/artists, including in the marketplace. To subscribe:
GCWAC@DiscipleTheNations.org
INDEX of all editions: http://disciplethenations.org/CANLIndex.html
---
Disciple The Nations - Great Commission
resources
http://DiscipleTheNations.org
---
Ethnic Worship & Arts Focus free e-newsletter - similar to the 'Christianity & the Arts' e-newsletter but an international and multi-cultural focus. Networking/resourcing/providing opportunities for Christian musicians/artists, including in the marketplace locally and overseas. To subscribe: GCWAC@DiscipleTheNations.org
---
Great Commission Worship & Arts
Center - Surrey
http://DiscipleTheNations.org/index9.html
GCWAC@DiscipleTheNations.org
---
Business as a Vital Part of the
Great Commission
http://disciplethenations.org/index3.html
@@@@@@@@ FRASER VALLEY MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES @@@@@@@@@
10. Lower Mainland Ethnic Ministries
Network - Surrey-based
http://DiscipleTheNations.org/LMEMN.html
free e-newsletter available - contact: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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11. NEED: Bunk Bed and Queen Size or Double Bed
Some Christian Sudanese friends of mine (New Westminster) who are struggling financially and who live in a small place are in major need of a couple of beds...
In order to save some room in their place, they would be grateful if you know of anyone that has a set of bunk beds to give away so their two little girls can sleep on them.
Also, my friend has been sleeping directly on the floor and it is very difficult to keep working and raising the family with so little sleep. They are in need of either a double bed - (box spring, mattress and hopefully the frame/headboard, etc.) or a queen size bed. I think a queen sized bed would be better for them since they are both tall Sudanese.
I said I would put the word out for them and if you know of anyone that might be able to contribute these kinds of beds to this couple, they would be soo grateful! (and so would I!!)
Thanks so much for your considerations in this regard!
I will look forward to hearing from you about this!
Many blessings, Grace - CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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12. HAVE A HEART FOR THE HOMELESS
(thanks Rob Des Cotes!)
Pat Nisbet writes;
'Have a Heart for the Homeless' is a fundraiser, awareness concert we are
holding at St. Patricks Church at Main and 12th Ave. on Saturday, March 12th
at 7:00 pm. This concert is interdenominational and is being held to help
raise funds and awareness on the plight of the poor and homeless in our city.
This is the second year we will be holding this concert. Last year's concert was held at Shaughnessy Heights United Church and the following churches were involved and will be again. (First United, First Baptist, Holy Rosary, Guardian Angels, 10th Ave. Alliance, Central Presbyterian, Kitsilano Christian Community, Fairview Baptist Church, Trinity Baptist, West Point Grey Baptist, Granville Chapel, St. James Anglican, St. Helens Anglican, South Fraser Vineyard, St. Johns United, Congregation of Beth Israel, Unitarian Church, Shaughnessy Heights United)
We managed to raise $800.00 for each of 8 different charities that are working with the homeless - namely St. James Society, First United, Catholic Charities Mens Hostel, Sisters of Atonement, Door is Open, Central Presbyterian's Breakfast programme, First Baptist's and Grandview Calvary Baptists Shelter Programmes. We also will be adding 10th Ave. Alliance's Shelter Programme which just started this year. The concert will be family oriented and will only go for one and a half hours with no intermission. After the concert we will hold a reception in the hall (with donations from bakeries etc.) and a small silent auction of local artists. The admission will be kept low $12.00 for pre-buying and $15.00 at the door.
For more info contact Pat Nisbet
Phone: 604-313-6851
Fax: 604-683-8410
email
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% LOCAL EVENTS %%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Are there any upcoming LOCAL training/equipping gatherings, prayer/intercession opportunities, ministry partnership opportunities, networking meetings, corporate worship celebrations for those involved/interested in house/simple churches, etc. that you are aware of?
If so, please let us know for future editions… Many thanks! CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
Also, if you are facilitating a house/simple church and would like for others to know when you meet so they can consider visiting, we will be happy to include that info if you send it to us.
&&& PERTINENT ISSUES TO DISCUSS IN COMING EDITIONS &&&
If there are some issues which you feel are a high priority
for us to discuss in the next few editions of the newsletter, please let us
know. CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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FYI: A couple responses to the initial email about a potential newsletter, etc. follow:
Says one person: "…Interest in House Churches
there seems to be plenty, but actual functioning house churches are still
rare - in our experience. House meetings too are a-plenty but bonafide, NT
house churches, we are still looking for.
We see three distinct categories:
1. Believers interested in house churches but not yet in one.
2. House "meetings" which are not yet house "churches."
3. Functioning house churches.
It's good for the sake of clarity to keep these distinct. They are all good,
but they are different. It might be good to begin by sharing what we believe
are some of the essential characteristics
of a bonafide, NT-kind of house church.
These are a few things I would believe we are looking for in a house church:
* whole families are involved i.e children too, of all ages.
* disciples sharing their lives together, including a common meal i.e. not
just coffee and cookies
* a deliberate intention [covenanting is the NT term] on the part of the group
to be the church
before God and before one another (regardless of what outsiders or neighbors
think it is)
i.e. you don't become a house church accidentally or by meeting often enough…
…By all this I'm saying we definitely believe that house-churches is
a "God-thing" at this point in God's economy -- i.e. in His timetable
for the Fraser Valley. Countries like China and India are leading the way
- we're just in the beginning stages (is the way it feels to us)…"
(this person wished to remain anonymous at this time). - From Abbotsford
-----
Bill says:
"…I think that your idea of a local newsletter would be great! Louise
and I had the privilege of visiting a house church in Lacey, WA recently and
were greatly blessed. Sharing what is happening and learning to know who else
is involved in house church would be a tremendous aid and blessing. We in
White Rock are still in infancy and await to see how things unfold as He leads
us into intimacy with Him. May He give you wisdom in this venture!
Bill - White Rock
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Jan says:
"…Just a quick response to your recent email concerning the proposal
for a network newsletter. In answer to the section "Your Thoughts"
I would suggest:
1. Yes, I would be interested.
2. At least every two months, going to every month once it begins to get off
the ground. Would prefer to have it little and often in order to foster a
sense of connectedness with other groups
3. As soon as possible
4. Perhaps a focus on some of the individual groups in the area in order to
know what is out there, e.g. some focus on youth, some are just women, etc.
Also if they have a special area of interest, e.g. support the local food
bank, etc. Perhaps individual groups could be asked to submit a short piece
on their group…"
Jan - Surrey
======================= PRAYER / PRAISE ITEMS =======================
Do you have any prayer / praise items you wish to see included in the coming edition? If so, please send to us at: 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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Houses
that Change the World - Wolfgang Simson book - free download - very helpful
book!
Some
Differences Between House Churches, Cell Groups and Home Groups
House
Churches are a Vital Part of Discipling the Nations
Marks
of a Church - by Murray Moerman - powerpoint presentation - download from
CANADIAN CONTRIBUTORS page
What
Is a Church? - Robert Fitts
The
Process of Seeing Our Visions Becoming Reality
NETWORKING:
A Biblical Model of Cooperation the Nehemiah Strategy
THE
ART OF FACILITATING
Leadership & Authority
- Hal Miller - excellent & very helpful article on biblical authority
and leadership a very helpful perspective for house churchers!
Why Do House Churches
Fail?
Dangers
to Keep in Mind as you Prayerfully Consider Going in House Church Directions
Expectations
Re House Churches - Realistic or Unrealistic?
Starting
House Churches With New Converts
CHCRN power point presentation - helps to describe house/simple churches to those you may wish to communicate with about this - this is not an updated version but will hopefully be of help to you. If you would like for us to send this to you as an attached file, contact: CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
Going
Through a Spiritual Wilderness? - some resources to encourage you
Prophetic
words for Lower Mainland
Prophetic
words for Canada
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Your input and submissions in all areas related to the theme of this newsletter will be gratefully received! If you have stories of how God is working in and through home-based churches in your neighbourhood/region that you are willing to share, if you have questions that you would like to see us address/discuss in future editions, if you know of resources or events which you think our readers would be interested in, etc.,we would deeply appreciate your input and would be happy to consider your recommendations for future editions. Thank you! CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org - Surrey, BC, Canada.
Fraser Valley House Church Network
http://DiscipleTheNations.org/HC-FVHCN.html
We do not necessarily agree with everything we have linked to as we have not had time to read through all of the articles & sites