HOUSE CHURCH ARTICLES
Page Three
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A Historical Perspective on the House Churches in Johannesburg
A Picture of the "Unencumbered Church"?
Is Networking Entering a New Season?
Report from Wolfgang Simson Seminar
Robert Fitts Church in the House Report
Sample Invitation to Your Neighbours
Should We Call Them 'Simple Churches' or 'House Churches'?
Some Thoughts About Developing Curriculum to Train House Church Planters
The Transition from David to Solomon
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A PICTURE OF THE "UNENCUMBERED CHURCH"?
- G. Wiebe, Aug, 2002 - CHCRN@DiscipleTheNations.org
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Recently, as I was doing some work on my computer, suddenly a picture came to mind of David and Goliath and of David using his sling to sling the 5 SMOOTH STONES at Goliath.
As soon as I saw this, the thought came to me that the '5 smooth stones' are the honed/developed godly God-lovers who have the five-fold ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, evangelist to equip the Church (made 'smooth' through suffering and the knocks of life as they've responded correctly to God in the midst of these trials)...and the thought came to me that they are all needed to defeat the Church's Goliath - it was almost as if I saw the 5 stones at the end of David's hand (one at the end of each finger? or all being flung out at Goliath at the same time?)- all 5 stones together - like apostolic teams I think...
Then I saw Goliath - so seemingly insurmountable and who had been hassling the Jews for so long......and David seemingly sooo small and insignificant (looking very foolish to the armies on both sides) against a giant/trained warrior who seemed so much more sophisticated in his approach and looked like he would be the obvious conqueror - BUT he lost of course...And in the midst of this, here I saw David, as the unencumbered, true Church of Jesus-lovers/disciples in the earth - nothing to look at - no reputation - looking foolish and unitimidating, but sending out powerfully anointed 5 fold gift ministers to defeat the enemy by knocking him dead by a blow in his head as they were equipping and releasing the Church into her God-ordained role in His Kingdom purposes.
Later in the day as I was doing something else, suddenly I felt God bring David to my attention more clearly - David - small, trained in secret, servant hearted, one who had the fear of God rather than the fear of man, who had a humble heart and was a whole-hearted, total-life worshipper, small, nothing to look at, not loaded down with the sophistication (heavy armor) that the others expected him to have to be able to fight Goliath - David - confident in the Lord, humble, not seen as able or worthy by his brothers, etc. - David - a picture of the 'unencumbered Church' - the whole-hearted, total-life WORSHIPPING Church...
Later in the day while I was doing something else, I felt that God was bringing my attention to the armor more specifically - the heavy armor David's brothers and the king etc wanted and expected him to wear to PROTECT him from Goliath....I felt like this was a picture of the traditional 'church systems' which are supposedly there to protect us from the enemy, when really they are weighing us down and keeping us as the Church from being free to move freely and be fully released into living the LIFE IN THE KINGDOM He has called us to - defeating the enemy, which can only be done by the foolish-looking, unencumbered Church which is functioning as she was created to function.
This picture made a lot of sense to me and really encouraged me as I meditated on it, and perhaps it will be of some encouragement to you as well.
Many blessings!
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE HOUSE CHURCHES IN JOHANNESBURG
- by Henrik _______ (Henrik, please send me your last name and contact info pls - it got lost in an email problem - many thanks!!)
1. Introduction
1.1 John & Amanda Taylor received direction from the
Lord to minister to young people from their own native people. John responded
by attempting to evangelise many people with little success. The Taylors later
received a word from the Lord that He will send the people to them.
1.2 A Christian student at the Rand Afrikaans University met the Taylors during
the last semester of 1993. He endeavoured for some time to share the gospel
of Jesus Christ with some of his friends from dormitory with little response
from the said friends. However, during October 1994 a few of his friends did
respond to an invitation to accompany him to the Taylors for a visit.
1.3 John presented the gospel and some of them responded favourably by repentance
towards God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and by asking the Lord Jesus to
fill them with Holy Spirit. They were initially reluctant to be baptised due
to their history as nominal Christians with a Calvinistic reformed background.
They in turn introduced their friends to the Taylors who in turn introduced
them to the Lord Jesus. The result was that eight people within a period of
a week viewed the Taylors as their spiritual parents. It was evident to all
that this was by God's doing.
1.4 The new believers gathered once a week at the Taylor residence for prayer,
teaching from the Scriptures and fellowship. The steady flow of new converts
continued during the last months of the academic year. John later invited
a few of the men for personal discipleship.
1.5 The majority of these students viewed the Taylor's house as their only
spiritual home. The Bible studies and discipleship relationships spontaneously
progressed with the effect that the group realised that it was a Church early
in 1995. A weekly body ministry meeting was added to the regular bible studies.
1.6 A church leader from Brazil, one Webber, ministered to the church in 1996.
The gist of his message was that God's plan is for the perfection of the church
and the reaching of the lost. Consequently it became evident that the Lord's
Spirit wanted to send the church's most mature people out in order to reach
the lost.
1.7 Their church's understanding of quantitative growth is simply growth by
multiplication, i.e. to divide the church when she is mature enough to handle
the trauma associated with the said process. A division was attempted during
1997. However, this proved to be premature and the church continued to operate
as a single unit of approximately 35 people.
1.8 It became evident during the last months of 1997 that God wanted the Taylor's
to heed a call to Kazakhstan. This was increasingly confirmed during 1998
with the church preparing herself for this intervention. Focussed attention
was given to leadership development in a discipleship context.
1.9 The next attempt at multiplying was during the Taylors' month long reconnaissance
trip to Kazakhstan. The one church stayed in Sharonlea and the other one meet
in the Honeydew area. This round proved to be successful although teething
problems were experienced. The Taylor family finally left for Kazakhstan during
April of 1999 with the two independent, albeit interdependent house churches
as their major financial, emotional and spiritual sponsors.
PROFILE OF THE HOUSE CHURCHES IN THE SHARONLEA AND HONEYDEW AREAS OF JOHANNESBURG
1. The church in Sharonlea has 15 members. Eight of these
members are married. The gender composition is eight men and seven women -
not one of these members is older than 30 years. Nearly all the members are
of Afrikaans stock. The church meets in the former Taylor residence. This
house is also now the home of four of the single men (two from each church).
There are also others who visit often.
2. Twelve people are members at the church that meets in Honeydew. Three members
are older than 30 years of age. The gender composition is seven men and five
women. The ethnic and socio-economic profile of this church is reminiscent
of our sister church. The church meets in a house that is owned by one of
the brothers. Four unmarried sisters (once again two from each church) rent
this house.
B. MAJOR AREAS OF EMPHASIS
A synopsis of the major emphasis and attention
1. "Normal Christian birth"
1.1 The church(s) has grown primarily through conversion growth, although
quite a few members have entered the kingdom of Jesus prior to becoming members
of any of the house churches.
1.2 Precedent from Scripture (vide Acts) and confirming experience have shown
that it is of paramount importance that new converts are duly initiated into
the kingdom and that their foundations (Heb 6:1-3) are firmly and timeously
established. The foundations of believers who are added to the churches are
also accordingly "scrutinised".
2. Spiritual discipline
2.1 Spiritual disciplines are viewed as the actions that are taken by a believer
to commune with God and to know Him better. These actions are, inter alia,
prayer, bible reading, journal keeping, fasting, singing et cetera.
2.2 As it is impossible to be involved in a good relationship with God (or
any other person for that matter) without spending regular quality time with
them, the spiritual disciplines are stressed to be every believer's first
responsibility and joy.
2.3 Church is viewed as the result of individuals' relationship with God -
one needs to receive life from God in order to be in position to pass life
on. Consequently church can only take place if there is sufficient interchange
of life.
3. Church at home
The spontaneous result of a healthy relationship with the Lord Jesus is to
share it with those closest to one. This implies that the first person with
whom one will share life with should be one's spouse (alternatively housemates
for single disciples). If church at home is lacking it is rather difficult
to make a positive contribution at the meetings of the local church.
4. Personal discipleship/apprenticeship
John discipled some of the men since August 1994. What this means in practical/logistical
terms is:
John had weekly meetings for about three hours with certain men on a one on
two basis. Individual walks would be reviewed, teaching would be presented,
time spent in prayer occasionally. Personal discipleship/apprenticeship is
viewed as the main tool for disciple development. Literally hundreds of hours
were spent in this context. Gradually as some men matured did they in turn
start to disciple other men. The sisters have similar discipleship meetings,
albeit in larger groups and with a rather distinctive "feminine emphasis
on fellowship".
5. Meetings
The churches function as a family community and circle of friends - hence
the bulk of contact between members is spontaneous, informal and unorganised.
5.1 However, Wednesday evenings are reserved for teaching by members who have
prepared a teaching. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to teach. There are
also gifted teachers ("five-fold ministry teachers") to be found
in the ranks of the churches, especially in the Sharonlea church.
5.2 Body ministry meetings are held every Sunday (the Honeydew church had
their meetings on Friday evenings for a while) the emphasis is to share out
of personal relationship, to receive something from Holy Spirit during the
meeting, to sing to the Lord, to fellowship and to minister to each other.
5.3 The leadership of both churches meet on a monthly basis.
5.4 The churches attend quarterly camps together. These camps are primarily
devoted to teaching.
6. The authority of scripture is respected (Acts 17:11 etc) while the charismata are encouraged, desired and practised by some members.
7. Priesthood of all believers. Since the whole body is responsible for ministry - house church/body ministry can not properly function if only driven by a few. Therefore every member is aware of his responsibility towards the rest of the local body of Christ. Nearly all the original members of the churches were university students during the inceptive stage. However, no-one enrolled for courses in theology or divinity studies, save for Pierre who completed his under graduate studies in classic languages and theology. Nevertheless he is perceived to be a "non-professional" (layman) by himself and his brothers. All the members, except those sisters who happen to be mothers, are economically active for their own accounts.
8. Leadership - A major emphasis of John's ministry, albeit
in the context of general discipleship, was (and is via e-mail) in leadership
development. No formal or direct appointment of leaders has taken place.
Those who perceive that they have received a calling in this regard and who
attempt to serve as functional leaders are in Sharonlea: John de Kock, Rian
Cloete, Dries van Niekerk and Hennie Becker. They are supported and assisted
by their wives in this regard save Dries who is not married or engaged. Those
in Honeydew are Pierre le Roux and Hendrik de Bruin supported and assisted
by their wives.
9. Evangelism - no formal evangelism programs or efforts
are in existence. The emphasis is rather on personal evangelism. Nearly everyone
was added to the church via either a close friend, biological brother/sister
or colleague from work. However it is excepted that God's plan is primarily
the reaching of the lost and the perfection of the global (as well as local)
church.
10. Contact with the larger body of Christ
Fellowship with any person who has been born of the Spirit of God is encouraged
and takes place. However, a more circumspect approach is followed concerning
ministry from external ministers. We have received ministry from many people
from various places on the globe.
Nevertheless, the churches are aware of the potential dangers of becoming
intra focused. Consequently fellowship, input and ministry from the larger
body of Christ are appreciated.
11. The future
We perceive God wants us to grow through multiplication, i.e. once a church
shows numeric growth as well as a level of maturity is the church divided
into two. Those who were in leadership would either continue as leaders or
would be available to heed a call at another geographical location viz the
Taylors, were called to Kazakhstan during this round.
Sincere regards
Hendrik.
SHOULD WE CALL THEM 'SIMPLE CHURCHES' or 'HOUSE CHURCHES'?
=======================
In the fall of 2002, some regional house church networkers in Canada were wondering whether the Canadian House Church Resource Network should keep or exchange the words 'HOUSE CHURCH" with "SIMPLE CHURCH', since our understanding of 'house churches' also includes other simple churches - ie. gatherings in parks, restaurants, in schools or offices, etc.
Following are the responses we received. In the final end, we decided to keep the name as we have it because we felt that changing it would cause unnecessary confusion and require additional explanation to the regular questions already received about 'house churches'. We thought the dialogue would be of interest to others, as well:
From: R.R.
I have been following this discussion on "simple church"
and felt this was
an appropriate place to insert my two cents. The term "simple" does
not
convey the image of church I would like to convey to others. The term
"simple" brings to mind too many negative images.
I did not grow up in the church. In fact when I was growing
up the only time
I attended church was either for a wedding or a funeral. Having been a
believer for many years now I understand what Sam is saying about the
negativity that is sometimes conveyed by the word "church". However,
when I
was a pre-christian I can remember the positive picture that the word
"church" always conveyed to me.
The phrase "home church" or "New Testament
Church" best reflects my
understanding of "house church", "gathering" or "simple
church". Many of the
pre-christians I have had discussions with understand the word "church"
but
don't have much understanding of the concepts of "gathering" or
"body of
Christ". Therefore, I use the word "church" as a starting place
for
explaining to pre-christians what our "home church" is all about.
===========
From: S.B.
Having grown up in the church, and having been the son
of missionaries/pastors, I have a great distaste for the term "church".
It is offensive to me that the term as it currently and historically has evolved
has a repulsiveness to it and as such, I have abandoned its usage as it contravenes
what the "church" should be about. As such we have embraced the
following biblical terms:
1. gathering - any size of group of believers that gather in the Name and
authority of Jesus
2. body of Christ - any size of multiple gatherings of various expressions
of the body of Christ
For us the 'gatherings' are the house church gatherings. And the 'body of Christ' are those gatherings that include the network and others within the regional expression of the body.
The term "cummunity of faith" is too long and too connected to medeival Christianity which further perverted the faith. And the term community has been so much a key word in the vocabulary of the last two decaded in society at large, that we will have to define even more who we are and what we represent.
The term gathering defines our function, plain and simple, and also denotes that the gathering itself is NOT the church, but the people, and it is easier for me to explain and defend. Also, there is more acceptance of the term 'body of Christ' and it is easily explained when defining the larger expression of the church.
For ease of understanding we have habitually been using the expression, "NT gatherings". This has given images right away to most people of house/small group gatherings.
============
From: V.S.
I think that I would be inclined to agree with the writers
of these notes, but having to explain the term could be a good thing! The
only thing is that is is not as clear a communication (something that you
can grasp immediately when you see the words) You could put *a return to simplicity*
under the words, kind of the way Robert
Fitts puts below the title of his book........
================
From: F.D.
I am responding to simple church or house church. I have a different idea.
House is too much focused on a place and simple is too focused on a method.
If you do a study on church you find that church doesn't have to be used because
in it's time church could mean a variety of groups or meetings. Anyway I think
the focus has to be the people themselves. I have always liked communities
of faith. If I was going to re title Wolfgangs book it would be "communities
of faith" that change the world because if you do some real deep thinking
about it houses kinda just sit there. It's the people with Jesus as the Great
Shepherd. Here is a Quote from Elizabeth O'Connor from the church of the Saviour.
"We can discover the twentieth century structures, learn modern techniques
and originate challenging programs, but those in themselves are not enough.
They may win people to our organization, but not to the living Christ. For
this we need men and women abandoned to God." You know how people are
turned off by "church" well I wonder if the term church is not a
repellant term for many people. As God is changing the church we can walk
into each others camps if we are communities of faith. We can work together
with cell groups , intentional communities and a wide range of what God is
doing instead of just focusing on house groups. But if we hold on to house
or simple then I think needless tension is created. I personally can no longer
support house church (nor the five fold ministries) as a way that can be defended
as a mandate or as the correct biblical way. So my vote is communities of
faith.
=========
From: D.W.
Just a note regarding "Simple" vs. "House". I heard the reasoning and the enthusiasm for the term "simple". However, I'm just not convinced. My focus is to see the planting and growing of churches that will identify far better with the concept and language of a church meeting in a home or house than with the implications of the "simple" church. I will personally make the connection with the term, "simple", of course and will read whatever comes across my desk or computer that uses that term. But it will not be a term that I would promote or use among those groups with which we will be involved --- or in the materials that we are producing. But I am happy for whoever else chooses to identify with the concept and term "simple".
=============
From: J.S.
Grace, regarding changing the name to "simple church"
instead of "house church" network. I can understand that there would
be some advantages to changing it (not all house churches meet in houses,
but some may be in the
workplace, dormitories, Tim Horton's etc) but I suspect the name "simple
church" will require additional explanation all the time which might
be too taxing and combursome. I slightly lean towards keeping the term "house
church" but I'm realatively easy going on the matter. Whatever you think
best!
========
From: R.Z.
Hi Grace, regarding the potential name change from "house"
to "simple" .... I lean towards "house" because it requires
less explanation to people .... other words that some people use like "open"
or "simple" or "relational" or "biblical" church
don't address the structural issues as clearly as "house" ......
some try to soften "house" by using the phrase "home church",
which maybe communicates the relational element a bit better , but nonetheless
"house church" seems to have become the most recognizable standard
for many and requires less qualifying .... for these reasons, that's the term
we use in these parts and will continue to use ....that's my view anyway
==========
If you wish to see your view expressed and it is not already included above, feel free to submit it to: info@DiscipleTheNations.org and we will consider including it. Many blessings!
Thank you so much for those who have already contributed!
The Transition from David to Solomon
-- David McLain -- mclains@thurston.com, 2002
For the past couple of decades, we've been walking in the pattern of King David.
In the late 1980s, God spoke to the church about a new generation of warriors He was raising up, and He used the young David as the model. The new warriors would be anointed by God in anonymity (1 Samuel 16:13). They would be unafraid of the enemy 17:26), and would be willing to step into the war that the generation of Saul had no heart for (17:32). They would initially be disdained by the church of the previous generation (17:28), then the church would try unsuccessfully to clothe them with the old armor, the old methods of waging the war (17:38-39). After the miraculous victories in the Name of the Lord (17:51), finally the old army pays attention (17:55), and draws them into its influence (18:2), which ends up in a sour match (18:8).
It was in this season that God raised up many young "Davids," and formed key alliances with supportive partners, "Jonathans," and brought the new warriors out of the old form of religion into a new model. While many ministries were birthed in this season, there were far more young warriors that fell from the favor of the traditional churches, and were forced by Divine strategy into the wilderness where they began to learn from God. There, they began to gather with others who were "...in distress... in debt, and ... discontented." (22:2)
Then in the middle of the 1990s, God was speaking of David again, this time from the story of where he brought the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6 & 1 Chronicles 13 & 15). God taught us that the desire for His presence (the Ark) was good and right, but we must seek for His presence in His way. Jokes were made in pulpits all across the land that the use of "boards and big wheels" (the components used to make a cart, 1 Samuel 6:3) is the wrong way: that's the way of the Philistines. Uzzah (lit. "strength", speaking of man's strength) was killed when he touched the presence of God (the Ark, 6:6,7). David was angry (6:8), afraid & confused (6:9), and put off the project for months or years (1 Chronicles 14). A holy fear came on some as God judged His church.
Later, David submitted to the Law of God & brought the Ark (God's presence) into Jerusalem (the church) using the methods God had commanded (1 Chronicles 15:13), and was lavish with sacrifice (speaking of holiness, 1 Samuel 6:13) and praise (6:14). The house of Saul again expresses disdain, and is judged for it (Michal, in 6:20-23), but the power over the new warriors was broken off: never again would David be subject to the house of Saul.
During this season, the worship movement exploded across America (with Integrity Music & Vineyard Music in their prime), and the cry for holiness was heard, albeit less vigorously. And God's presence did indeed begin to come back into His church. Cities like Toronto and Brownsville became famous for God's presence, but many communities began to see His presence in less publicized outpourings.
The presence of God is hidden away in "David's Tabernacle," which is little more than a pup tent in a back bedroom or courtyard in David's palace, but God's presence is there, and David himself undoubtedly leads the band of palace employees in worship there.
Now there were two places of worship. David and his household worship in God's presence in the back bedroom. But the nation - or those who worship God - still worship at the tabernacle of Moses, which is still in operation on Shiloh's hill. They're obeying the Law there, like their fathers did before them, and God's blessing is on them. The pagentry of the priesthood and the Levites continues in full swing, and the people's offerings support that worship. Israel is obeying God when they worship at the tabernacle. But God's presence, the ark of the covenant, is now gone.
David was the only historic figure who walked in all three anointed offices of prophet, priest and king, and those three ministries are being released on the church again, in the prophetic, intercessory and apostolic movements, and the Lord Himself leads the movements. David's psalmist spirit is being released again, through prophetic song or "ode pneumaticus," the "song of the Spirit."
During the recent years, much was made of the requirements needed to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, but little or nothing was said of what happened to the ark once it got there. In the past few years, God has been speaking of this: there is an established, obedient, liturgical church that is walking in obedience to what God had commanded, and they enjoy power, prestige, position and possessions. But the Ark of God's presence is no longer among them. There is no judgment on them, they are obeying God; but His presence is not among them.
God's presence is more often found in the little bands of God chasers, gathered in small storefronts, converted warehouses and living rooms, led by the Son of David Himself. These are the modern Tabernacles of David.
During those historic years, David worshipped at that little tent in his back yard, but he also worshipped "in the temple" (Psalm 27:4), though it wouldn't be actually built until David was dead and buried. David worshipped in faith, seeing with the eyes of faith that which mortal eyes wouldn't see for another generation. God is beginning to release a faith for the work that God is beginning for the next generation. With eyes of faith, some have seen His outpouring in the generation that is now in its youth. Those visionaries - like David - are beginning to prepare plans, materials and workers for the richest, most glorious outpouring of God since the angels sang to startled shepherds outside of Bethlehem two millennia ago. Many of those preparing and interceding for the outpouring will never see this house with their mortal eyes, but having seen it in faith, that's almost irrelevant: the tidal wave is coming.
This move of God's Spirit, this message, is not yet established in the Church. The preparations are not yet complete, but the waves are coming more quickly now. I believe that another wave of His Spirit is already beginning. This is not the tidal wave, the move of God that will compare to the glory of God in the completed temple, the outpouring that will bring the harvest of perhaps a billion souls in a single generation. This is merely another lesson, and not necessarily the next one, in preparation for that day which is still yet to come.
The vision is certainly not yet clear, but here are some shadows to be discerned in the approaching wave. 1 Kings 1 documents the transition of leadership from the generation of David to the generation of Solomon.
But there comes a challenge for the succession to the throne, and this is where we must now focus our attention. God's purposes call for Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, to be on the throne. But Adonijah son of Haggith ("rejoicing" or "festive") declares "I will be king" (1 Kings 1:5; see also the "I will" statements of Isaiah 14:13), and he has some claim to the title, being the eldest surviving son of David. (He is also brother to the now-dead Absalom, born from the same mother.) He sets up a coronation with a group of leaders, including some from Saul's days: Joab , the great general & traitor, and Abaithar the priest, the last priestly descendant from Eli. Notably absent are the true leaders of David's generation.
The self-coronation is revealed to the prophet Nathan, who involves Bathsheba, a picture of redemption and forgiveness, and King David himself. The plot is stopped, the right son, Solomon, is sat upon the throne (1:35), blessed (1 Kings 1:37) anointed (1:39). Adonijah repents and is spared (1:51-53) for a season. After David instructs Solomon & dies, Adonijah makes a manipulative try for the crown in the guise of proper relationship (2:13-18), but he's found out & executed (2:22, 25).
I believe that God is raising up a "Solomon generation." These will be characterized by wisdom (Solomon's great gift), by peace (the literal translation of "Solomon") inwardly if not outwardly, by God's favor (Solomon was offered something no one else has ever been, 1 Kings 3:5), and by the great outpouring of God's grace (the "tidal wave" mentioned above).
This generation is also known as the "Samuel generation," for like Samuel, God is preparing them from a very early age to move powerfully in the prophetic and to turn the tide of history. While they will not fight the wars of the older generation, they will lead an entire generation into the glory of God. Of course, they will not go unchallenged by the enemy.
When the present generation of leadership is dying off, I expect that my children's generation will be challenged for the right to shepherd the move of God. There will be some who will rise up from a background of religious obedience, or even the evangelical movement (Adonijah means "the Lord is my master"), and some from a background of the renewal movement (Haggith means "rejoicing" or "festive") to lay claim to the leadership of that generation, and indeed they will have the natural right to claim the position; and they are natural leaders. And they will augment their claim with leaders from the Saul generation, persons (formerly?) of influence in the denominational or traditional church structures. But they will not be God's choice to lead their generation.
Those chosen by God will be brushed right by, and it will seem like they never had a chance, but our generation must recognize the new leaders, and place them in the office that is being wrested from them.
It is interesting that although the attack is against the Solomon generation, it is the David Generation that must identify & overcome the enemy at this time. Our prophets must see the challenge (as Nathan did) and speak out, our pastors must cry out (as Bathsheba did), and our apostles (in the role of David) must designate and anoint the leaders whom God has chosen. They must be brought into leadership, even ahead of us, while yet God's grace is still upon our generation (the throne: 1:35), and this process must be public (1:39). The Solomons will sit on the throne, but it is our war to fight, not theirs, which will make that happen. However, the final victory over the Adonijah rebellion will be theirs.
I believe God has reason for bringing this to light now:
* Our generation will require years of preparation before we ourselves are ready to carry out our responsibilities at the end of our time of glory.
* God will anoint the new generation before the old generation is gone. (I told you the waves were coming faster now.) By that point, before we are through with our own ministry, we must have conquered the Philistines, and have handed the kingdom - and the preparations for the great temple - to the divinely chosen leaders of the next generation.
* The plans, materials and workers must be in place before the next generation is ready, or even understands the vision. We must train the children and the youth in the ways that God has given us: intercession, prophecy and apostolic leadership must be in their blood before they reach adulthood.
* We must intercede for the battle over leadership that is yet to come. A war can be turned by little effort spent before battle is joined. If comes to full combat, the cost will be much greater. We must pray for those chosen by God to be raised up instead of the natural leaders.
=========================================================
THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID
From the 36-pg small booklet called THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID by Russell Stendal
To order: Ransom Press, 10160 Main Dr., Bonita Springs,
FL, 34135 USA 941-992-2881 Email: gstendal@aol.com
=========================================================
(Editor’s Note) The following excerpts from this very helpful booklet (I would encourage you to order a copy/ies of the entire booklet!) will give you some good food for thought/prayer re what God is doing in our day and our role in that. May it be a blessing to you as it has been to me!
“…Acts 15:13-17, 19, 20) v.14-17…Simeon
hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of
them a people for His Name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as
it is written, ‘After this I will return, and will build again the TABERNACLE
OF DAVID, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof,
and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and
all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all
these things…”
…What was this Tabernacle of David? Why were these
dogmatic Jews (some were Pharisees) convinced by such a strange argument?…
…The raising up of the Tabernacle of David is a perfect
picture of the intimate and personal communion that all who have died to their
own ways to enter into the Way of the ’greater son of David’ can
enjoy in uninterrupted fullness with God the Father without any need for an
intermediary clergy, religious rites, structures, organizations or denominations.
The simple tent or tabernacle speaks of us in union with Him and the ark of
God speaks of our access to the glory, unction and presence of God the Father.
We do now know much about the material design of the Tabernacle of David.
God did not see fit to mention the dimensions…but the apostle resolved
the controversy of the council of Jerusalem regarding what should be the model
for receiving the Gentiles into the Israel of God, leaving no question in
the minds of all who were present that day…that the model for the age
of the Gentiles is the Tabernacle of David…
…In that day will I raise up the TABERNACLE OF DAVID
that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up His
ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old; that those who are called
by My Name may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the Gentiles…(Amos
9:11,12)…the word ‘tabernacle’ (Heb.- ’cukkah) is used
in the feminine gender and is identical to the word used in Leviticus 23 for
Feast of Tabernacles. This speaks to us of the bride of Christ under His covering
and in the fullness of communion with His Father…
The ministry of the Tabernacle of David exists to join
others to Christ and to exhort each and every one to enter into vital and
intimate communion with God like David, and also to warn others when their
communion with God has been broken and they have lost the ability to personally
hear from God…the Tabernacle of David is the model of the priesthood
of all believers…
In the New Testament there are many examples of what seemed
good to the Holy Spirit at a certain time and place and situation…And
it is true that all these examples are of value to us. But only by means of
vital and individual contact with Jesus and His Father through the Holy Spirit
will we receive the wisdom and power to face the situations of today. This
is the model of the Tabernacle of David. If we try to repeat what God did
in the past when God is no longer doing the same thing today (and God never
repeats Himself exactly), we will end up in another old order of the letter
that kills instead of being ruled by the freedom of the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus.
In the Tabernacle of David there is a fundamental change
in the priesthood….For those who dwell in the Tabernacle of David, the
check or restraint is not the clergical ministry or Levitical priesthood as
in the Tabernacle of Moses under the law of death. The restraint is the Spirit
of life under the law of liberty, ministrated by the priesthood of Melchizidek.
The covering of those in the Tabernacle of David is the Holy Spirit…
Heb 8:1,2…If David had dared to pitch this tabernacle of intimate communion
with God on his own, without having a clear word from God to do so, it would
have cost him his life just as the new cart cost Uzzah his life. According
to the revelation given by God to the prophet Isaiah even the judgment from
the throne of mercy is accomplished in the Tabernacle of David…
…The Tabernacle of David is the site where the materials
are prepared for the edification of the true Temple of God (which we are).
David could not build the temple because the LORD said him: “Thou hast
shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house
unto My Name, because thou has shed much blood upon the earth in My sight.’
(1 Chron 22:8). Nevertheless, throughout the age of the Church there have
been many individuals and groups involved in ‘wars’ and with ‘blood’
on their hands who have not hesitate to attempt to build the Temple of the
Lord in the form of a given denomination, group, or organized movement. These
attempts have ended up building dead monuments instead of joining living stones
that would truly be a light unto the nations. Man measures success by the
number of ‘participants’, or by the installations according to the
criteria of this world, while God measures success by righteousness in the
heart and by obedience to His Word by those who have learned His ways.
And our human efforts to build the corporate Temple of God will continue to
fail until we understand that first the materials (the individual stones in
their natural state) must be processed in the Tabernacle of David before the
Throne of Mercy by Him who ‘judges, seeks judgment, and hastens righteousness…’
in each individual stone. If the individual stones are not ready it is vain
to attempt to join them one to another…”Except the LORD build the
house, they labor in vain that build it:…(Psalm 127)
Under the old covenant, everything that God required could
be fulfilled in family except the three annual Feasts of the LORD and certain
sacrifices that had to be offered in Jerusalem. With time, men added worship
in the synagogues with their ‘seats of honor’ and the possibility
of being ‘thrown out of the synagogues’ for offending the Jews who
occupied these seats as a measure for intensifying human control. The same
thing happened in the Christian era as capable and organized men did not content
themselves with the Tabernacle of David where each believer had sweet communion
with God and the Holy Spirit was in charge of the when and how of the meetings
or assemblies in addition to giving out the gifts and ministries according
to the sovereign will of God.
For those corporate expressions that are ordained of God,
HE will set the proper ‘governments’ in place to ensure that His
work is accomplished according to His ‘due order’ and under certain
circumstances He will intervene directly if the authority He has delegated
is despised. Those who receive authority and responsibility from God do not
have to consciously defend it, for as in the case of Moses and David and Elijah
and Peter and Paul, God will justify and defend that which in truth is an
extension of Himself. Instead of defending and justifying their ministry and
authority, those in God’s true government will often find themselves
in intercession, pleading with God to show mercy on those who have despised
their authority in the Lord.
When man precipitates horizontal union outside of the timing
and ways of God, leaven will be incorporated into the lump (Luke 13:21) and
in order to maintain order, human ministry with a strong hand will be required
to control the ‘goats’ that are in the sheepfold disguised as sheep.
When this happens, the ministry often ends up mistreating and hurting the
true sheep, slowing their growth, and delaying their maturity. Nevertheless,
the Lord promises that ‘all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). God
has permitted all the human attempts and endeavors to build kingdoms in His
name because He is an expert in using adversity and injustice to dress and
purify the true living stones that He is planning to use in the construction
His true Temple when the time comes. Men can continue with their grandiose
plans and programs…and Jesus, the Christ, continues ‘seated in truth
in the Tabernacle of David’, preparing and purifying each individual
stone one by one until the time comes to put together His true Temple built
without hands ‘without the sound of a hammer’.
In the Tabernacle of David, the meeting of two or three
in the Name of the Lord produces glorious happenings in the course of a daily
walk with Jesus…In the Tabernacle of David, the presence of God can be
as real to a solitary prisoner in a cell or to someone who has been kidnapped
by guerillas in the jungles of South America as in the assembly of hundreds
or of thousands of Christians…
…The ‘manner’ of Paul, all his life was to not forsake the congregation of the Hebrews who did not have the revelation that he had. Even after being jailed for years as a result of the opposition of the Jews, when he arrived in Rome in chains, the first thing he did was to call a meeting of the congregation of the Jews in Rome that he might ‘exhort’ them regarding the intimate relationship that is available with God through the Lord Jesus Christ (acts 28:17-29).
What Paul meant when he wrote about ‘not forsaking
our congregation’ (a phrase which has been mistranslated in a number
of English Bibles) was that he continued to have a place in his heart for
the Jews and was willing to risk his own life to keep on exhorting them to
receive the truth. He did not mean that we should take a wiling part in the
dead legalistic ritual and in the Babylonian type human control over others
that is continually practiced by those who do not have a revelation of the
Tabernacle of David.
Sadly, today ‘the manner of some’ who have received
the great revelation of the intimacy with God that is available in the Tabernacle
of David is to never return to the religious prisons…to ‘exhort’
those that they left behind that they also might be converted to the truth
and escape the great tribulation of the Day of the Lord that is about to descend
upon the Church. Others twist this verse to order the people to attend their
endless man-ordained meetings…
…This gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 28:23,24) will have
to be preached in all the religious world, as well as to those who are worldly
before the end shall come…
…In our present day, there are many who twist the
concept of praise to mean that which is done in a meeting with good musicians,
good voices, and a high powered sound system even if the lives of many of
the participants are still in sin and defeat. True praise before God comes
from a daily walk in victory and in holiness….The praise of David was
the product of a walk in holiness and victory before the Lord. His praise
was the product of the discipline and of the severe dealings of God in the
life of David as he said that only: “One thing have I desired of the
Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all
the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His
temple (God gave David the plans to the Temple while he ‘beheld the beauty
of the Lord’ in the Tabernacle of David because He is the pattern! And
the Temple is us conformed to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ in a
body of many members”.
…we see three important features regarding the construction
of the true habitation of God (the corporate Temple) which is us. 1) Only
Solomon was chosen to direct this work. And for the Age of the Kingdom, which
his at the door, God has also chose only one man, a corporate man to direct
this work. 2) The participation of all those to be involved was completely
voluntary; it was only for those who wished to do so willingly and with a
‘perfect heart’. There was no mention of tithes or obligation….This
Temple that will be for the habitation of God and not for man will be constituted
by those who have given themselves over unto Him of their own free will to
be dressed and perfected as individual stones by His hand in the Tabernacle
of David until they can come forth with a ‘perfect heart’ to be
joined to others.
3) The Temple was constructed over a threshing floor (where a harvest had
been thrashed). At the end of the Age of the Church, the harvest will be thrashed
and not only are the tares separated from the wheat, but the chaff must also
be separated from the wheat before God will have the materials ready to commence
construction. The great Temple of God for a light unto the nation (which is
His redeemed and victorious people) will be constructed over the threshing
floor of the Feast of Tabernacles to bring the fullness of the Kingdom of
God in the earth. In the present moment of perplexity and uncertainty regarding
what should be our next individual or corporate step, let us be reminded that
in all of the examples in Scripture God chose His human vessels, gave them
revelation with great clarity regarding what they were to do, and guided them
step by step when it was HIS time for them to act…. …Let us be patient,
brethren, and wait for the Lord. It is sad and hopeless to begin an apostolic
work of joining stones in the construction of His Temple without having a
sharp and clear revelation of the fire of the glory of God and of his perfect
will regarding the matter. Let us desist from doing work in His name that
will have to be dismantled or that will be consumed in the fire of the great
and terrible Day of the Lord that is even now at the door. If we are uneasy
or uncertain regarding our role in the unfolding of the plans and purposes
of God, let it be enough for us, as it was for King David in the days of old,
to seek rest in the Tabernacle of David that we might ask ONE THING ONLY OF
THE LORD: Psalm 27:4,5,14…)
To order: Ransom Press, 10160 Main Dr., Bonita Springs, FL, 34135 USA 941-992-2881 Email: gstendal@aol.com
Robert Fitts Church in the House Report
From: The Dwelling Place <the_dwelling_place@hotmail.com>
Robert arrived in Toronto on Thursday the 7'th of June, 2002. The conference kicked off on Friday evening at Good Samaritan Church, pastored by Ralph Rutledge. Ralph is apostolic and prophetic and really had a sense that he should not only support our conference but make the church facilities available to us.
Friday night, Robert spoke on the anointing of the Spirit
and it was powerfully received by the 220 people there. A precious time was
spent in prayer before the Lord. Many people received body ministry and some
were
healed.
Saturday morning we had the CHURCH IN THE HOUSE seminar, in which Robert taught on the nature and mission of the church. There was some historical overview and during each session there was interaction between people in attendance. He did a really good job in presenting truth and the need to have a vision for the city that embraces all that Jesus embraces.
We struck a chord in that we have long believed that we
need to embrace the whole body of Christ in our city, regardless of structures
and expression. We want to see the Kingdom of God come in fullness in our
cities. Robert
accentuated these points in powerful ways. He encouraged those from traditional
churches that they cannot do the job on their own and that there is much to
be valued from the CHURCH IN THE HOUSE model....
TheThe Lord showed up big time on Saturday evening. I had words of knowledge and many instantaneous healings took place all across the sanctuary.
The Lord showed me in a powerful way that we could bless
this church. When the words of knowledge came, I released everyone in the
body assembled to pray for those who had acknowledged a need for prayer. I
passed out
anointing oil and we all interceded "Korean style", shouting out
fervently to the Lord for these healings. And it happened! Many were healed
on the spot!
There was prayer for Pastor Rutledge, and he testified the next day that he had never seen prophetic ministry breakout as it did the next day (Sunday morning).
The worship during all the services were done as we worship in the house church, with CD's on the sound system! It was great! Quite awesome worship! We put the lyrics on the computer projection system, and WOW!
Robert spoke a powerful message on investing in your vision.
He spoke how the Lord gives each one of us a vision. He asked us to invest
in it as if it depended upon us. He said this shows in practical terms that
we are
placing our trust and faith in what God has spoken to us.
Sunday (10 June) we had CHURCH IN THE HOUSE and Robert
took us through how ABC works (Alpha-Omega Bible College) in homes. This is
a home based study through the Bible with practical ministry training that
covers a whole year. Every time you meet you have:
- Praise
- Prayer
- Personal ministry
- Refreshments
- Reports (testimonies)
- Reading (discussion Bible study)
These six things incorporate the body life you would have in a house church.
The goal is that by the time the ABC is finished, each person will choose
to either begin another ABC or plant a house church!
We spent six hours together! The time flew by!
Sunday night Robert spoke on having a vision for the whole city as a CHURCH IN THE CITY, a church without walls. It was the kickoff of the first of monthly city church worship celebrations! It was tremendous!
On the Monday to Wednesday mornings we had personal prophetic ministry under the guidance of Robert. The body got to minister to one another in a very powerful way.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday evenings were spent in going step by step in how to establish and do ABC Bible Colleges. We all got to go through it.
My wife Lori and I were appointed by Robert to be Canadian Director for Alpha Omega Ministries in Canada, to see ABC colleges established across the nation and to see CHURCH IN THE HOUSE established city by city. I am deeply humbled and very excited at what the future holds.
BTW, Robert has published his book, THE CHURCH IN THE HOUSE, and it is available from him. We could not keep it in stock!
We made some good contacts with other house churches and
those interested in starting them. The most exciting news is that two traditional
churches are in the midst of transforming their churches into a multitude
of churches in
the houses! I believe God is in the midst of a powerful move in restoring
intimacy and ministry at the most basic level.
You can check out the Simple Bible College - ABC
Bible colleges
Blessings from the east!
Sam, The Dwelling Place
=============
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT DEVELOPING CURRICULUM TO TRAIN HOUSE CHURCH PLANTERS, etc.
--------
We recently asked some regional house church networkers in Canada for their thoughts about potentially working together to develop curriculum to train house church planters. Following are the responses we received. We thought this may be of interest to you. If you have some thoughts which you think should be included and which aren't already represented, please submit them to us at: info@DiscipleTheNations.org and we will consider them. Many blessings!
----------
From: R.Z.
i think this is a good idea and vital step, and something that we started last fall for a season and are getting underway again this september, involving people in the greater Toronto area and a house church in waterloo... but, at this point, it is by invite only .... just FYI ....
J. and I took a glance at the curriculum ideas you sent us (see below) and feel there are some good things, but perhaps, in my view, a little too much emphasis on the five fold elements .... no biggie .... we are creating our own curriculum for our networks use so you know ....
In addition, just to let you know, Ihave just finished writing a book on house churches tentatively titled "Join the World Wide House Church Movement", that I have several friends and key people editing for me at the moment .... I would like to have it out in people's hands this fall .... we plan on using it especially as we meet with people several times a month in the Toronto area and beyond who want to start house churches .... as well, I feel it may be a useful tool for training leaders ....
---
From: L.H.
Responding to: "...>wondering about your thoughts on the possibility
of having regional
networks in various cities partnering together to potentially see some kind
of local training re house churches made available to those God is raising
up in these directions...
>I think if it's
done in conjunction with house churches/networks and with hands on training
and spiritual mentoring and includes godly character-building, etc., that
it could be very effective...what are your thoughts on this?..."
**
L.H.: This is the key.. if it isn't relational and hands
on, it ain't much use
:(
A friend and I were talking about Jesus method of training
disciples versus our modern method. The modern pattern in orient, equip, involve.
Jesus in the Gospels uses orient, involve, equip. That is, he sends out the
twelve before they are fully equipped, and then they come back with questions
that are relevant. We only truly learn when we learn in life situations.
Another friend puts it this way. In the modern military it is "Ready, aim, fire!"
In the kingdom it is, "Ready, fire, aim!" We need to actually DO the stuff and then we can refine our thought and method as we learn.
The key for me is a learning environment connected to real life.
While I kind of like the idea of a defined curriculum,
I wonder whether the classroom environment is really helpful. It pushes toward
the paradigm that it is what I know, and not who I know. While we are nowhere
without
knowledge, knowledge is not equal to learning.
Instead, I think informal mentoring relationships are more useful. The amount of formal teaching that Jesus apparently did is very, very small. Why is that?
One pastor friend put it like this:
I still believe in teaching and transformation, but I believe
it should be in relationship. I am a husband and a father and I was taught
HOW to be a husband and father in relationship. I never took a class on being
a husband, but my understanding was PROFOUNDLY influenced by watching my father
be a husband. I never took a class
on being a father but I learned this from watching my Father be a father.
So maybe relational networks are more important. I would
be willing to sit down once a month with others planting or leading house
churches so that we can walk together as learners and disciples. I'm not willing
to teach
classes. I think that is the old method and it has led to distortions of the
Gospel (not to mention epistemology).
Those are my thoughts :)
=======
SOME POSSIBLE CURRICULUM IDEAS to consider
Following are some potential subjects that could potentially be covered in such training...
Does the whole idea sound too much like another program? - I think if it's done in conjunction with house churches/networks and with hands on training and spiritual mentoring and includes godly character-building, etc., that it could be very effective...what are your thoughts on this?
Maybe this kind of training could be made available locally to all interested house churchers in the region?
Are there other aspects which you would feel would be necessary in developing something like this?
From a web site (I'm sorry I can't remember which one - if you happen to know, please let us know so we can add it here. Thank you! We want to give credit where credit is due: info@DiscipleTheNations.org):
Curriculum
=========
First Quarter
Unit 01 Apostolic Foundations
The New Apostolic Reformation
Biblical Gift of an Apostle
The Home Based/Simple Church-Based Apostolic Church
Training, Equipping and Releasing
Unit 02 Prophetic Foundations
Biblical Gift of a Prophet
Revelation and Leadership
Releasing Prophetic Ministry in the local church
The character/lifestyle of a prophet
Unit 03 Evangelistic Foundations
Biblical Gift of an Evangelist
Personal Evangelism
Program Evangelism
City Reaching
Second Quarter
Unit 04 Pastoral Foundations
Biblical Gift of a Pastor
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
Ministry of Pastoral Care
Sacerdotal Ministry
Unit 05 Teaching Foundations
Biblical Gift of Teacher
Techniques for Effective Teaching
How to prepare Bible Messages (Homiletics I)
Expository Preaching (Homiletics II)
Unit 06 Ministry of the Word
Old Testament Survey I
Old Testament Survey II
New Testament Survey I
New Testament Survey II
Third Quarter
Unit 07 Ministry of Worship
Characteristics of Biblical Worship
Prophetic Worship
Worship Teams and the Use of Instruments
Releasing the New song
Unit 08 Ministry of Warfare
Prayer
Intercession
The Big Three: Testimony, The Blood of Jesus, Correct perspective on life.
Weapons (Indentificational Repentance, Prophetic Acts, Prophetic Declaration,
etc.)
Unit 09 Deliverance and Divine Healing
Power and Authority
Principles of Deliverance
Overcoming Occultism
Divine Healing/Divine Health
Fourth Quarter
Unit 10 Doctrines of the Church
Biblical Theology I
Biblical Theology II
Biblical Theology III
Cults and Comparative Religion
Unit 11 Spiritual Gifts
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Power Gifts
Motivational Gifts
Discovering and Advancing in your Calling
Unit 12 Church History (Survey)
Church Fathers to Modern Pentecost
Modern Pentecost to Present
INTERNSHiPS
REPORT FROM WOLFGANG SIMSON SEMINAR
From: DenverWH@aol.com
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Dear Church, In this email I want to share with you some observations from
the two Wolfgang Simson Seminars that I attended in March. The first Seminar,
on March 17, was hosted by Tony and Felicity Dale in Austin, TX. There were
170 people shoehorned in to their house (quite a house!). Then, five days
later, 100 people met at South Fellowship in Denver for a similar experience.
In both Seminars, Wolfgang primarily told stories about the revival that is occurring all around the world - China, Vietnam, India, Sudan, Germany, etc. In these places, he sees four characteristics that mark what God is doing:
1. Return to childlike faith in God's Word (vs manmade
traditions).
2. Repentance of sin (learning to become overcomers).
3. Restoration of the supernatural to the church (especially apostolic and
prophetic ministries).
4. Restoration of New Testament forms of church.
In addition to Wolfgang's inspirational storytelling (to
order a set of the tapes, see below), it was very exciting to meet believers
at the Seminars from all over our country. I heard the same story over and
over.
Spontaneously and independently, people all over are beginning to "do
church" in their homes. These are not "small groups" that are
a secondary ministry of a large church but rather full fledged churches on
their own.
Some common characteristics are:
1. Jesus brings the agenda when they meet. No Church Bulletins here. The priority is on listening to God and obeying. Open church. Jesus is the builder of His church. He leads the meeting. (Mt. 16:18)
2. The mathematical formula is: church = family. Therefore, the meetings are small (usually no more than 15) and highly relational. Eating a meal is a normal part of church. Church is not limited to one meeting a week but involves numerous informal contacts. (Acts 2:46)
3. Church is participatory. Sort of a spiritual potluck where everyone brings something to strengthen the others. (1 Cor. 14:26). No spectators.
One tool that the Lord is using in a big way is Wolfgang's
book (Houses that Change the World). It came out in German about 18 months
ago and has stimulated the planting of 500 HCs in Germany and another 500
in Switzerland. Tony Dale suggested that a similar response in the US would
result in 10,000
new HCs.
My sense is that God is using the book to identify "men/women of peace" (see Luke 10). These are people who, when they read the book, will respond with, "Yes! This is what God has been putting in my heart! I want to do this! I just need someone to show me how."
So, if you haven't read the book, I would encourage you
to do so. If you are one of the people who are saying "Yes!", I
would encourage you to buy a few more copies and give them to people as the
Lord instructs you. (For those of you who have been working off of a copy
shop version of the book, I can tell
you that the real thing is now in print! You can order copies from DAWN Ministries
(719-548-7475). Also available from DAWN is a set of tapes from the Denver
Seminar for $20.)
My summary would be, "It's beginning! What we have heard that God is doing around the world is beginning here. Praise God!"
One of the things we want to do is to develop and connect informal HC networks around the country. So, please keep in touch and let us know what the Lord is doing in your neighborhood.
John
SAMPLE INVITATION TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS
================
You're Invited to Our Home
· Came and share a pot-luck meal with other folks
from this neighbourhood.
· Join us as we chat together and get to know one another.
· Find out how some of your needs can be met.
· Express your talents in music, art, etc.
· Discuss and learn about the reality and love of Jesus Christ.
Hello,
Our names are Albert and Debbie and we are new to this area after working
for 12 years in Asia and Mongolia. Besides Community Development work amongst
the poor we participated with vibrant Christian Communities. Now, here in
Calgary, we are part of a network of House Fellowships. We are not a traditional
"Church" but rather we meet in homes, have outings etc., and encourage
everyone to be involved according to their talents and giftings. Our hope
is to bring real life, hope, and destiny to you and this community.
If you are interested or even if you have any prayer needs call us at:
201 8423, email: agentle02@yahoo.com
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