NETWORKING PICTURES
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NETWORKING: A Biblical Model of Cooperation - the Nehemiah Strategy SOME
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A NETWORK and an ORGANIZATION: N E T W O R K I N G P I C T U R E S ==================================================================== "One evening while praying with some friends in my home, I feel the Lord gave me this picture which I would like to share with you. In this vision I saw a vast body of water, like an ocean, and on this body of water there was a vast assortment of colourful and very unique sailboats, ships and other ocean vessels. …I believe that the ocean represented our world and God's ministry for us as Christians, and the ships represented us and our individual churches and other ministries. Each vessel was uniquely crafted and designed for a very important and very specific journey and mission which it was to complete. And just as each of these vessels was uniquely crafted for it's individual purpose, so are all of the churches and specific ministries that we represent. We each target certain people ("fish in the sea") with our unique styles, ethnic backgrounds, locations and so on and so forth. There's a mission and destination for us all!! Something else that I noticed about this vast collection of ocean vessels was how effectively and purposefully they worked together (as one body of Christ), in covering the entire ocean (the great commission). They seemed to recognize that their individual ship/boat was not the only ship in the sea, but rather that their small ships were a small, yet very significant, part of a much larger fleet. There was a built community and communication amongst the boats as they strategized together on how they would together cover every inch of the ocean. As well, when one boat was in trouble, the others would come along side offering a helping hand, as well as they would always encourage and celebrate one another and what God was doing in and through their vessels. Yet at the same time they always remained very distinct and focused, never neglecting their own personal mission and purpose. In the same way we, as individuals, churches and communities, are also a small, yet important, part of the "big picture"; God's great and wonderful plan for our cities, our countries, and for the world. How exciting that we can be apart of this perfectly orchestrated and amazing plan of the "Most-High" God! Finally, speaking of celebrating one another and God's faithfulness through our individual vessels, I envisioned a large celebration gathering of the ships. These boats gathered from far and wide and all the people joined together piling unto an enormous, fantastic cruise ship. Here all of these individuals from the various boats and ships (the "team", the "body of Christ") congregated and feasted together (spiritual food) at a great banquet. Here we had fellowship and celebrated, together, God's goodness and His faithfulness in our lives and ministries, and asked Him to further bless our communities, cities, and nations. Together we participated in heartfelt praise and worship as one vessel - one body - thanking and adoring our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and giving Him the glory for all that He has allowed us to do for Him and His Kingdom. We were one ship, one body, and one voice singing praise. It was just like HEAVEN…" - by T. Kostamo - TamaraK@crusade.org ================= ANOTHER PICTURE to consider: Picture the earth with its many diverse people groups, reflecting through their various cultures, personalities and gifts, the exquisite, multi-faceted beauty and character of God - multi-faceted and breath-taking like a rare and perfect diamond - where each aspect of His amazing character is being reflected from Him down to all of us through the various nations/peoples so that we get a better picture of Him!…and then once His character is beginning to be grasped by the peoples/nations, His character is reflected back up to Him through the various expressions of love and heart-worship of each diverse and unique people group, which is what He's desiring from all nations….part of His beautiful artwork! - G. Wiebe - info@DiscipleTheNations.org |