Today was the final day of the "INNOVATE 2008" conference in Granger, Indiana - where we've been with our staff and spouses for the past 2 days. Here are some of the 'biggies' that I heard today:
"What is the Gospel JESUS preached?" Churches are full of well-meaning Christians who would give a different answer than Jesus would give.
The KINGDOM OF GOD - what does that mean? In the CHURCH WORLD, it usually means HEAVEN - something in my HEART. But that is incomplete. It is God's will being done ON EARTH as it is in HEAVEN.
And so, we have to go from saved SOULS to saved WHOLES. God has a plan for justice, helping the poor, health care, feeding the hungry, education to those in need. We must combine the VERBAL proclamation with the DEMONSTRATION proclamation.
We have to go from FLASHLIGHTS to LASER focus. We have to get 'up there, down here.' But we sometimes confuse the GREAT COMMISSION with the GREAT COMMOTION. Narrowing our focus dramatically increases our impact.
We have to go from PROFESSIONALS to full PARTICIPATION. How do we serve and minister to our own Jerusalem and Judea - not just to the outer parts of the world? (ROB WEGNER)
"An organization is a reflection of the leadership.
Be willing to 'get naked' / vulnerable.
The difference between where you are and where God wants you to be is the PAIN you are willing to endure." (Lifechurch.tv team)
Signing off for tonight.
And be blessed.
5 comments:
I personally, know 3 people who are ready and willing to FULLY PARTICIPATE. In fact, we just discussed it tonight at our small group. Now, we need our leadership (that would be you, PK) to share your vision and let us share ours with you. We are doers. We are so ready to do the Lord's business. It would be great to use the momentum of these conferences and channel it into an action plan.
I am going to the Hands of the Lamb meeting in the morning, so I hope to hear lots of great plans. I would like to see them grow and serve even more of the poor, homeless and needy in our city. That takes people who are willing to commit to a cause bigger than themselves.
Anyway, it seems to me that you are the go-to guy to get things moving. Soooo....can we look to you to get things rolling? :) I'll be in touch. :)
Our meeting this morning for Hands of the Lamb was wonderful. If anyone has a heart for helping the poor, homeless and needy in our community, I encourage them to get involved! It is a wonderful group of people with huge hearts! I am so glad that I found out about them!
PK
I am struck by narrowing focus. It seems in the church (not KFA) that our focus becomes splintered. We want to do all, be all and correct all. Meanwhile we get confused along the way and nothing great is achieved.
Also serving in our own area. We have so many needs here. One doesn't have to travel far to see those needs.
I appreciate your blog and your thoughtful insights into meaty issues. Thank God for yours and your wife's willing service.
I pray I may be of assistance.
Thanks, DEWORT, for your comments. I'm not sure that KFA is as narrowly focused as she could be. I see us bringing it down even further than we have at present in order to more critically impact our own community here in S.E. Wisconsin. Stay tuned for that. Thanks for the prayers and support with it all. We want to reach a city for Christ in the most effective way possible and in ways nobody else in our community may be doing right now.
We've also just been away at a conference....and we too are exploring the great concept of the Kingdom of God. Jon is studying Kingdom theology through the Vineyard Bible Institute at the moment and it is resonating with us so much.
It's exciting stuff x
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