Philpott Inside :: Nov 2004
1 User Online
 Top
Recent Searches
- Find...ralph
- Gary Dumbrill
- Henri Nouwen
- Scholarship
- Gary Dumbrill
Feed
Archives
|
Fri, 05 Nov 2004
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Prayer for God’s Purposes for Us
Pray that our lives will be committed to living out God’s purposes…
WORSHIP: Pray that we will live a lifestyle of worship and surrender to the glory of God.
FELLOWSHIP: pray that people will accept Christ, be baptized, join our church family, and participate in one of the many groups available.
DISCLIPLESHIP: Pray that we will commit to the habits of spiritual growth, including regular Bible verse memorization and devotions.
MINISTRY: Pray that we will find a place to serve in a ministry in our church, either by using our giftedness or finding a need and meeting it.
MISSIONS: Pray that we will share our faith and develop a heart for world Missions.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Notes Of Note
The Purpose-Driven Life has averaged selling nearly 800,000 copies a month since its release 24 months ago, making it the best-selling hardback nonfiction trade book in history and a mainstay on numerous best-seller lists. It hit the No. 1 spot more than 20 times during an 87-week run on The New York Times’ list and was named Book of the Year in both 2003 and 2004 by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Thanks to All
Whew!!! The 40 Days (which Bryan once referred to, accidentally, as the 40 Years!) have come to an end. And what a venture it has been for both of us!
It’s been quite a journey since the first mention of this project back in February, with plenty of detours along the way (including an updating of the church directory to ensure accurate postal code lists). Our technical, creative, and organizational skills were challenged at almost every turn but we have survived, relatively unscathed.
And just as the postal code system of forming small groups provided the opportunity for many people, who would not normally meet together, to share ideas, so, too, this venture has brought us into contact with so many people who, prior to it, were merely a name.
Manning the Information Centre allowed us to keep our finger on the weekly pulse of things, from those initial curiosity seekers, through hesitant perspective hosts, reluctant small group participants, eager newcomers, and excited long-standing members. Particularly exciting were the stories that people started to share with us, stories that in the grand scheme of things might not amount to much, but in the context of the storytellers’ personal history, represented genuine transformation and growth.
We have been truly blessed along the way by prayer support and an extensive and enthusiastic group of people, whose untiring efforts and belief that God would use this tool to promote unity and spiritual growth throughout the PMC congregation, sustained us in trying times:
Karen & Paul Almas
Brenda & Glen Brown
Jason Brown
David Chan
Matt Collins
Kay Corry
Joan & Don Cushnie
Juliet Daniel
Elisabeth & Peter Daley
Lia and James Dean
Peggy & George Donner
Magen Dunkley
Heather Foster
Austin Fusilier
debi & Lane Fusilier
Evan Fusilier
Julie & David Garden
Barb & Ben Hartford
Pat Harvey
Val & David Harvey
Todd Hoare
Teresa Howe
Rebecca Jordan
Janie and Mark Leyland
Elsie Karpinski
Marion Kirk
Andre L’Abbe
Ruth & Gerald L’Abbe
Norma LaForme
Ray Laqua
Larry MacDonald
Danielle Major
Ruth, Alysha, Mara Marshall
Marjorie Miller
Thelma Monteiro
Dorothy Moore
Don Nelson
Scott Orr
William Paterson
Beanie & Bob Proulx
Monica & Scott Radley
Greg Reader
Caroline & Chris Sears
Jan & Malcolm Sears
Jason & Joanne Silver
Ruth & Ted Simmons
Edythe Sibbick
Caroline Turek
John Vanderweerd
Leny & John Van der Mark
Christine Vaughn
Ken Vyse
Elva Ward
Bev & Eric Wasmund
Sharon Weir
Heidi & Jon Wilton
David Witt
“Imagine what it is going to be like one day, with all of us standing before the throne of God presenting our lives in deep gratitude and praise to Christ. Together we will say, “Worthy, Oh Master! Yes, our God! Take the glory! the honor! the power! You created it all; it was created because you wanted it!” [Rev. 4:11, Msg] We will praise him for this plan and live for his purposes forever!” (Rick Warren, THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE, final paragraph)
Pat Major & Bryan Wylie
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Our 40 Days of Purpose
by Lane Fusilier
Forty days is not a long time. It’s not enough time to change a life, but it is long enough to establish a new habit…
…Quite a few have developed the habit of daily devotional reading and prayer. The Purpose Driven Life has served us well as a devotional guide.
…About 300 have developed the habit of weekly meetings in homes for the purpose of discussing our devotional lives. Our prayer, discussions and study of the Word will have longer-term impact on us all.
…Nearly 200 have developed the habit of coming early or staying late on Sunday mornings to enjoy fellowship and study in our mid-size groups.
The feedback that we have received thus far gives the clear sense that God has been at work among us. Even before the Ministry & Missions Fair, some were spontaneously serving one another by raking leaves, looking for ways to take care of those who needed help. People attended small group meetings in significant numbers. Many discussions were stimulating and encouraging. New facilitators took the bold step of directing the discussions of their groups. That willingness to serve made possible the launch of twice as many discussion groups this fall as small groups last year. Many expressed enjoyment at their discussions of key life issues with new friends. More extensive feedback has begun this past week, with results from our Facilitators & Hosts Debriefing session held November 1st. We will continue to provide updates as they come in.
We began our 40 Days of Purpose with the hope that our church would enjoy unity. Meeting in two worship services that are quite different in style has sorted us out by musical taste. Difference can easily develop into division. The 40 Days of Purpose gave us an opportunity to focus on God’s call to work together to fulfill His good intentions for us all. We have heard (for many, heard once again) that God has called us all to fulfill His intentions for us by faith. Those intentions include worship of Him, fellowship with one another, maturity into Christ-likeness service of one another, reaching out to our world. A common devotional guide, a common curriculum for small group discussions, and a common message in worship have all contributed to unity. A clear sense of “togetherness” has been tangible these past few weeks. God is answering our prayer!
If the 40 Days of Purpose Venture has concluded, then what do we do now? Find another program? Our congregation has embraced a simple purpose statement: We will glorify God by making disciples who Exalt God, Edify one another, and Extend God’s love to the world. We didn’t launch the 40 Days of Purpose merely to occupy our time with a program. We did this to help us fulfill our congregational purposes. The five purposes of God overlap with the purposes already identified. Programming should not drive a congregation, our purposes must guide us. The 40 Days of Purpose has certainly given us momentum in the right direction. Now, we must continue to build on that by ensuring that everything we do be clearly connected to one of our purposes.
We will encourage our people to continue to meet together in small groups for the purpose of personal spiritual growth, Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. Some will return to their previous small groups, others will continue in the same discussion groups formed for the 40 Days Venture. A new group will be formed to focus even more intentionally on deepening spiritually, called a Roots group (look back at the tree logo on the cover of The Purpose Driven Life). The experience of mid-size groups has been very positive. We will continue the first-hour Adult Bible Fellowship, adding more of the second service folk as they are willing. We hope to multiply the Life Impact group in the second hour into two groups. Oxygen seems to have a life of its own and continues to add new people regularly. The Senior High and Junior High groups will meet during the second hour for in-depth Bible teaching, providing a foundation for spiritual growth for life.
One of the reasons that the 40 Days Venture succeeded might have been the common subject of study. That can continue. I will provide sermon guides with outlines and discussion questions each week. Small group facilitators can then take those questions to their small groups and use them to guide discussions. The topic for the Advent Sundays will be “O, Come Let Us Adore Him.” The focus will be worship, our first purpose.
Continue to pray for God’s guidance in your life. Cultivate these positive habits that we have worked on together. Maintain these new commitments that are designed to keep us on track with God’s good purposes for us. We have only begun!
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
A 40 Days of Purpose Overview/Summary
A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will make you a great Christian:
“Love god with all your heart”: You were planned for god’s pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship.
“Love your neighbor as yourself”: You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for other’s through ministry.
“Go and make disciples”: You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God’s message through evangelism.
“Baptize them into…”: You were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.
“Teach them to do all things…” You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Blog Entry For Purpose 4
Last night was just amazing. Our group is growing so close, and really wanting to serve together. We discussed for a long time last night, ways in which we might love and care for people both inside and outside of our congregation…
We decided that when we hear about people going through difficult times, we want to really include them in our lives. We will seek to help them feel like they’re more than a pet project. We will try to go beyond simply throwing money at poverty, or a phone call at loneliness- and instead reach out in love to people.
We decided we would start to bring groceries to our group every week, and deliver them to one needy family we are aware of. Stan mentioned that anonymous deliveries of groceries when his family first emigrated from Ireland made a huge difference for them.
Ecstatic Group Attendee
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
40 Days, oXyGEN-Style
by Austin Fusilier
The nature of oXyGEN is a bit different from that of the church proper. This year we’ve had a boom in attendance quite unlike anything we’ve seen in the three years we’ve existed, and this population boost carried over into our small group settings as well.
The small groups (which grew and grew and…) became great opportunities for us to get to know each other better, even as we were discussing theological technicalities. Given that university students on the whole are rather “rootless” as far as community goes, it’s a very real danger that we might go through our four (or more) years of university without really connecting with anyone on a spiritual level. The three groups provided a fantastic atmosphere to counter that tendency, and we’ve all become better connected to our community.
Very exciting things came out of our groups. We now have an unofficial Philpott Curling Team, for example (consisting of Todd Hoare, Joel Barker, Rick Bradford, and James Smithson); and we’ve also gotten involved in service for both the congregation and the surrounding community. The oXyGEN “Rake The Leaves” campaign was a well-attended success (even if there weren’t that many leaves on the ground yet), and it may soon be followed up with “Rake The Leaves 2: This Time They’re Down!” The twenty-five or so who showed up were able to help out a number of Philpott’s elderly membership with yard work that they might be hard pressed to do on their own.
Aside from a surge in community size, we’ve also seen the beginnings of growth in our spiritual lives as well. The discussions during our weekly gatherings, while focused on the 40 Days’ Purposes, roamed far and free, and we were really able to not only have fun getting to know one another, but also to really plant some seeds for spiritual development as well. Though it may be a bit basic, we now have a kind of foundation within the group from which God can cultivate the kind of fruit He looks for.
The end result: an energized group of young people, ready to take the next step toward enhancing community and serving God.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
An Interview on Prayer
Interview with Prayer Team Ministry Leader, Sharon Weir, October 31, 2004:
I understand that the 40 Day Venture began with prayer. Tell us about that?
It all began with a conversation Lane and I had in December 2003. During our meeting we discussed a book called The Purpose Driven Life and the impact this could have on our congregation. Looking ahead at the many tasks to be accomplished over the next several months in preparation for this venture seemed overwhelming. We often rely on our own skills and plans but this required much more than that before we took action. We needed God’s power and God’s wisdom. We needed to take His promises seriously and go before the throne of grace. This one thing would determine the future of this venture: seeking after the Lord.
What happened next??
A week later, a group of us met to petition the Lord for His timing, approval of the Elders and the leaders needed for this venture to become a reality.
During the forty days of Lent, thirty-six people covenanted to daily:
Pray for God’s timing for our whole church to begin the 40 Days of Purpose.
Pray this will bring about a spiritual awakening in our congregation.
Praise God and give Him the glory for all He is about to do in our midst.
Read the appointed devotion of the PDL.
Fast one day each week.
Be accountable to one person in the group that we were following our commitment.
Pray for each other.
The group met for lunch at the end of the 40 days to discuss our experiences. We heard many positive responses.
A lunch workshop was held, lead by Bryan Wylie, entitled “A Risk Free Way to Pray” presenting a strategy for praying from the pew, breath prayers and praying continuously. We also discussed future goals to involve the entire congregation.
And since the 40 Days began?
There has also been a special prayer time each Sunday at 8:45 am in the prayer room for the present and future needs of the PDL.
I believe that prayer has been the energizing force throughout the PDL.
Almost daily we hear about little successes in the 40 Day small groups. Many of them revolve around prayer. What kinds of things have you been hearing?
I have heard of people praying who have never audibly prayed before with a group.
One group chose to have their prayer time immediately following the video. So often we have good intentions about prayer but when it is left to the end of a meeting someone closes the time together.
Do you get the impression that, generally speaking, there is a fear or hesitancy on the part of many people, and about public prayer and what do you think accounts for this?
Fear would be my first thought. I think people feel intimidated praying audibly with others. I grew up in a church where the Pastor was the one who prayed and the people were not expected or challenged to lead in prayer. Many churches never teach their children how to pray. If we were taught from childhood that prayer is a vital link to our faith and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, maybe we would look at prayer in a new light.
Is this fear/hesitancy something that new Christians only feel?
There was a time when I believed that but experience tells me this is not the case. One day I heard a Christian of many years, and a member of our congregation, remark “I have never prayed publicly and am not about to change now”. If our desire is to become a praying church we need to have an open mind about praying together. Whether we are new Christians or have been Christians for many years, prayer does not come easily, but this is not a reason to give up. When we learn to ride a bicycle, falling off does not usually prevent us from trying again. With practice we learn. Prayer is the same. If we begin by praying one sentence, with one person, the next time will be a little easier. I don’t believe God is looking for many words but for heartfelt prayers. A mighty movement of God’s Spirit cannot be manufactured by great plans alone. It is prayer that brings to bear the power of God and ultimately results in changed lives and churches.
Do you think PMC has made progress in regards to prayer in the last, let’s say, couple of years?
Yes, I see progress throughout our church. We now have a prayer room located across from the lower office. Did you know that while the Sunday services are in progress, there are people in the prayer room praying for you, our Pastors, our leaders, our youth, ministries and prayer requests? We have white cards in the pews for prayer requests. We pray for those who have been baptized for one year (yellow cards). We also have blue cards reminding us to give God the glory for answered prayer. There is always a supply of these cards in the prayer room.
A week of prayer was held last year involving many activities and times giving the entire family the opportunity to be a part of it.
We have our Wednesday night prayer meeting, which has been ongoing for many years and a prayer chain for immediate needs.
I see prayer beginning to permeate throughout our youth and ministries. We are growing step by step and the prayer team continues to grow.
Speaking of “the team”, are you looking for new team members? In what capacity can they help out?
We are definitely looking for new team members: someone to look after weekly bulletin announcements; our prayer chain to be increased; point people in each of our ministries to champion prayer in their ministry.
Most of the people in churches believe in prayer but it isn’t enough to believe in it and talk about it, we need to take an active role in it.
Interested in taking a more active part in the prayer ministry at PMC? Contact Sharon Weir: 905 561-4285; sharweir@aol.com
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Surrender
“The heart of real worship is surrender. In response to all God has done for us, we give Him our total lives.”
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.
Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
New York Purpose
On visiting a construction site in New York City
after Session 1 of a 40 Days of Purpose
by Bryan Wylie
I suppose my first clue should have been the two guys from the goon squad. I only call them that because my personal history has no other vocabulary for them. There they were, outside the New York Stock Exchange, covered in a kind of canvas armor, complete with war helmets and, of course, machine guns. It was only after I saw them smile at a blond tourist passing by and agree to pose for a picture that I actually felt I could approach them with my naïve question.
“Ground Zero is this way, right?”
“No. It’s the other way. Go back to Broadway. No, better yet, go over to Church and then go right, up a few blocks.”
“So, I’m in the area?”
“Oh, yes! You’re definitely in the area.”
I suppose my second clue should have been the odor. I have only read about the unforgettable combination of molten steel, melting plastic, noxious fumes, and charred bodies. But this was something completely different and very familiar: the unforgettable smell of fried onions, hamburgers, and sausages that wafts from the ubiquitous street vendors, just as popular now in Toronto as they are in New York.
And I suppose my third clue should have been how clean Liberty Plaza was on this sky-blue September morning, so like that other one three years ago, before the unearthly snow fell 110 stories, covering the entire area with a dusting that could, in no way, be mistaken for an early autumnal snowfall.
Oh, yes. There was a fourth clue as well, but, by this time, the disappointment had set in. There was nothing extraordinary about this most extraordinary spot. People milled about and there was a sense of quiet, a welcome respite from the usual ambulance wailing of Manhattan. What struck me most, however, was the utter ordinariness of the place. I did see a woman, somewhat tearful, leaning on the shoulder of some man who seemed neither husband nor lover, if intensity of caress is any indication of a relationship. And I did see another woman make a furtive sign of the cross as she looked through the construction fence at the one obvious memorial: 2 steel girders in the form of a cross.
The people-watching highlight was a more than middle aged portly man, up against the fence, dressed in a red polo shirt, with lime-green shorts, red knee socks and a pair of white and red shoes, obviously painted to suggest a style that was popular in the 50’s. As if this wasn’t enough to attract attention, he wore a pair of oversized and matching lime-green sunglasses, equipped with windshield wipers, as well as a huge clock hanging from his neck that had the words “Columbus Day” clearly inscribed on its face. Was this some prophet of doom about to jolt the tourist into an apocalyptic awareness of the passing of time? Even he disappointed, merely standing there, fidgeting from foot to foot.
Arranged along the fence, a very interesting history of this spot, as it appeared early in the history of the city, unfolded, the only attachments allowed, along with a list of the names of the thousands that died on this spot. Our lime-green bespeckled character had moved up along the fence as well, but he remained mute.
I must admit that the architect’s drawings for the future of this site were truly inspirational. There is a plan for another world’s tallest building but I was getting hungry, and for something a little more edifying that fried onions and hamburgers.
At Joe’s Gourmet Deli, a few blocks away, it finally hit me. After picking up an order-at-the-counter sandwich, I found a seat in the back lunchroom area, next to 4 men wearing those tell-tale orange vests crisscrossed with canary yellow. In such close quarters, you can’t help but eavesdrop on conversations. It suddenly occurred to me that these men probably were involved in the cleanup of the city. I listened more carefully, hoping for some kind of hint about what life was like for these people now. And, once again, I was struck by the ordinariness of their conversation: how great beer mixed with Pepsi tastes.
As I left this mom and pop deli, I looked for some sign of that previous day in September, some photograph or newspaper clipping or thank you note from some grateful customer, some sign that, in fact, a world-changing tragedy had actually taken place. The walls were covered with “daily specials”, “house combination sandwiches”, and stacked jars of pickled eggs, ready for another hunger attack on some random, unsuspecting victim’s stomach.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God “has set eternity in the hearts of men”. When the twin towers fell, the world had a glimpse of that eternity through the stark realization that “no matter how much we see, we’re never satisfied; no matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. Nothing is truly new.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8b-9a[LB]). And perhaps that’s the real tragedy of September 11th.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
What Have We Learned? (Re-Learned?)
Probably mostly, that we have far to go to even begin to see a glimpse of a shadow of the perfection with which scripture continually challenges us. For myself, I need and accept the clear challenges of Warren’s book for all 5 areas of my spiritual journey. I thank God for the desire He keeps alive within me for a closer relationship with Him. I know that arises partly from disciplined time in His Word and honest communication with Him. To this, I once more, commit myself anew, knowing He alone is the source of all that any one of us might yet5 become, here on earth, for His glory alone. He is able!” (Philippians 1:6)
A 40 Days Host
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Food For Thought
Maybe it had something to do with Rick Warren constantly talking about eating on those videos. Or perhaps something about Lane’s sermons just make people hungry.
Whatever it was, someone forgot to explain to the organizers of the multi-week discussion group that followed the early service that ABF stands for Adult Bible Fellowship, not Anorexics Better Flee. Because if there’s one thing those who attended learned, it’s that the group could easily have been renamed the Forty Pounds of Purpose.
Nobody’s complaining, mind you. Nothing spurs discussion about defining our shape more than seven or eight pastries washed down with three cups of tasty (ahem!) Philpott coffee. And nothing turns a bunch of mature, rule-following church-goers into an angry, anarchistic mob faster than a curt instruction to stay away from doughnuts, cake and cookies.
If food prompts conversation, a lot of munchies naturally prompt a lot of conversation. Which is what happened each Sunday morning during these classes. Picking up where the small groups and sermons left off, those who attended were able to bring their thoughts, comments and insights to a well-fed — sorry for all the food references, but you can’t underestimate how important a role it played — group for a little give-and-take. What often resulted was a practical application for the lessons that made up the guts of the Warren book.
Not necessarily as a group, mind you. But through a series of scenarios and thought-provoking questions, the opportunity existed for each person to come to some conclusions about themselves, their gifts and their challenges. Then to find a way to apply those discoveries to their lives.
They managed to do all that in just an hour-and-a-bit each Sunday? Uh, yeah. Plus cracked a few jokes, did a few silly activities, met some new people, and socialized with some regulars. Reduced to its core, it was community building around a common purpose, which is exactly what a church is supposed to do.
Oh yeah, they ate some good food, too. Did I mention that?
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
40 Days for Kids
by debi Fusilier
Downstairs in the basement, for the last six weeks, kids have been asking the question,
” Y M I here?”. They have been learning that God created them for five special purposes: to love Him back (Worship), to be part of God’s family (Fellowship), to grow up to be like Jesus (Discipleship), to help others (Service), and to help others know Jesus (Evangelism). The message of God’s purposes for them has been reinforced through games, crafts, memory verses and songs. The children have met puppets, actors, and even super heroes who are helping them understand that they are very special to God and that He has wonderful plans for them. They have examined bugs to see how much fun God had designing His creatures in unique ways; they have “created” unusual creatures themselves so they can understand a little of what God put into creating them; they have read and acted out Bible stories to illustrate what God wants them to do; and, they have laughed a lot and learned a lot. Many of them shared the same lessons their families were learning in the adventure of following God. It has been loud and busy downstairs…and lives are being changed, little bit by little bit.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
On Purpose
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter stated: “We’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. . . . Piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.”
Confucian scholar Tu Wei-Ming said: “The ultimate meaning of life is found in our ordinary, human existence.” According to this view, humans would continue to be born, struggle for existence, and die. There is little hope in such an outlook. And is it even true?
Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the Nazi death camps in World War II, observed: “‘Why are we here?’ is the most important question a human being has to face… I believe that life has meaning in spite of the meaningless death I have seen.” But he could not say what the meaning of life was.
Editor Vermont Royster stated: “In the contemplation of man himself, …of his place in this universe, we are little further along than when time began. We are still left with questions of who we are and why we are and where we are going.”
Mental-health professional Viktor Frankl answered: “The striving to find a meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man. . . . There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.”
Great minds have purposes, little minds have wishes. ~Washington Irving
The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. ~Richard Leider
That is happiness: to be dissolved into something complete and great. ~Willa Cather
Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve. ~Martin Luther King
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
More Quotes
I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately triumph than to triumph in a cause that will ultimately fail.
~Woodrow Wilson
What is the effect of so many different ideas by scholars and religious leaders on the question of life’s purpose? Many respond as did an elderly man who said: “I’ve been asking why I’m here most of my life. If there’s a purpose, I don’t care anymore.”
Mental-health professional Viktor Frankl answered: “The striving to find a meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man. . . . There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.”
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Ministy and Missions Fair
The following ministries were represented at the Ministry and Missions Fair, held on Oct. 31:
Philpott Ministries:
Grace Care
Visitation
Hospitality (Ushers, Newcomers and Greeters, Kitchen)
International Ministry
Youth
Facilities
Tech Team
Children’s Ministries
Men’s Ministry
oXyGEN
Missions Committee
Music Teams (1st and 2nd Service)
Choir
Contemporary Choir
Drama Team
Creative Team
Valentines Team.
Community Ministries:
Living Rock
Olive Branch
SISO Youth
Hughson Street Baptist
Dr. Davies School
International Teams Short-Term Mission Trip
CityKidz
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Lively Group Activity
During the discussion session on DISCIPLESHIP, one small group facilitator asked the group members to list “the most surprising or unexpected things, positive or negative, about their Christian life and growth”. Some of the responses were:
Positive:
Contentment; it’s fun, never dull.
Awesome friendships; the grace of Christian Fellowship;
It’s a relationship not a lot of rules
Even when God seems absent or distant, He is still working.
The realization that the Lord has everything planned, even all those years before I came to faith.
The greatest learning comes out of adversity.
My sin is remembered no more once I have confessed it to Jesus.
Negative:
The obvious differences in Christians; some so turned on and filled with joy of the Lord and others just drifting, the Sunday Christians; how different our reactions are to the same problems, now that we are Christians.
I lost some friends.
Having to learn the same things over and over; we never know from one day to the next the challenges we might face.
Christians don’t say “thank you”, directly, very often. After all, you are doing it for the Lord and we wouldn’t want you to be proud. But, what happened to the old “encourage one another” mandate?
The Christian community suffers from many or even all the same problems as the secular community (of unbelievers).
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Worshipping in the Moment
by Jason Silver
A favourite theme of science fiction seems to be time travel. At least, these are my favourite types of science fiction shows. Invariably a conundrum develops where the heroes are stuck in a time loop, doomed to repeat the same actions over and again. Or perhaps the hero travels back to a point before, and inadvertently makes a slight change to the past, thereby erasing the future, as he knows it. The very essence of changing the past creates a paradox obliterating his existence, and therefore the possibility for him to have ever made this change at all. Deep.
But though it’s tempting, I don’t want to talk about science fiction right now. But I do want to talk about time.
I wonder if time is real?
I know, it sounds like sci-fi, but bear with me.
We seem so preoccupied with time. Either we can’t seem to find it, or we’re running out of it. Time is either on our side, or against us. Time will tell. Some things are poorly timed; others are timely. So much of our language and feelings reflect our obsession with time.
But what is time really? Is it just our invention? Isn’t it just a concept we use to express the sense of movement through history: We remember a past, we anticipate a future— so we devise the idea of time? I know this is a little cerebral, but bear with me.
Have you ever noticed that much of our pain and stress comes from time? We worry about the future. We mourn the past. We wish things had never changed. We wish things would change. Backs everywhere, are in knots because of time.
Whether or not it’s real, time doesn’t seem to be very good for us.
Scientists say time is really space. I don’t understand that, but it’s curious to me that for God, there is no time. To God, a moment is like a thousand years. A thousand years is as a moment.
If God is real, and time is nothing to him, maybe time isn’t real?
A friend mused with me recently. He speculated that God, being outside of time, senses all of future and history as a single moment.
That made sense to me. It also made me think about worshipping God in the moment.
I’ve noticed that when I’m most satisfied in God, it’s not when I’m thinking about the future. It’s not even when I’m remembering a touching time in the past. In fact, if I’m doing either of those things, there’s a good chance I’m distracted from worship.
My deepest moments of worship are in the present. They are in the NOW. They are in a single moment, right now.
In that moment, I’m thanking God for making the sun to shine on me, for example. In that moment, I’m trying to imagine what kind of God would make a sun in such a perfect way, to bring us life and warmth! It’s just a tiny fraction of time, when it’s only God with me in his presence.
Even talking about a worship experience now, such as I’ve described above, isn’t worship. No, I must be present, now, in order to worship.
Maybe we should stop being obsessed with time; with what the future holds or what happened yesterday, and try to get to that point when we’re in a single moment with God. Don’t worry about the future; the future will worry about itself.
The following is a song I wrote to God after a moment in his presence. You can download it from our church web site, and it will be on the Philpott worship CD that is scheduled to come out December 5 of this year. My prayer is that you will find a moment with God in all your time.
It’s a mystery to me
That deep within my heart
There is something more I need to fill the yearning part
Nothing satisfies,
I’ve tried to set it free,
And trying is the word for it; the trial of the century!
And time has ceased to move
We’re in that moment now
I fill my chest with deep breaths, give thanks and wonder how?
My shoulders drop, relieved
And seconds become years
The pain, that life has disappeared
Not someday, nor yesterday,
Not waiting, not waiting!
No wishing or wanting,
No, Hope has taken me
I’m here now, we’re together
You’ve brought me to this moment
Most satisfied, hope has taken me.
You’ve laid the brush aside,
The canvas needs no more
This world is a masterpiece of pain, of joy, or peace and war!
Now you take my hand
You help me see it through
I worship the ground you walk on, I love you!
Not someday, nor yesterday,
Not waiting, not waiting!
No wishing or wanting,
No, Hope has taken me
I’m here now, we’re together
You’ve brought me to this moment,
Most satisfied, hope has taken me.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Head On-Hands On Youth Approach to Purpose 4
Purpose 4 - Made to Serve Him
by Matt Collins
To serve Christ means to serve His people. On that Sunday night we decided to do something very different with our students. We did not let them know what that was so that they didn’t have the option of not coming that week. To begin with we spoke for about 10 minutes that night on what it means to serve.
We then gathered the students in the gym and broke them into two groups. The first group set up two different coffee stations in Gore Park. There, they spent the evening handing out free coffee and baked goods to whomever would stop. The other group took 62 brown bag lunches out to the streets and distributed them to anyone they came in contact with.
We were surprised at how excited the students were to get out there and really serve. So many came back looking forward to the next opportunity where they could go out and serve.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Blogs on Evangelism
About ½ of our International Group of 13 are ESL students, some of whom are also seekers. I got ‘goose bumps’ as we went around the room and consistently had the same desires and expectations: to grow in our knowledge of God and relationship with Him and as a result our relationship with others.
Magen
Sep 22, 2004, 11:29
Other views on life’s purpose
One of the things I am really interested in learning more about during the “40 Days of Purpose” is how to talk to other people about what they feel their purpose in life is. Even if people don’t want to talk about God or Christianity, they are usually at least a little intrigued by what they’re doing here on earth, and I think it’s a great way to open the door for a really meaningful conversation with people we work with/go to school with/etc. - if we are prepared to give some solid answers explaining our focus on God and ask them some solid questions about their own views on what life’s all about. To do that though, I think we really need to understand their perspectives on life and what they “believe in” (because despite what people would claim, everybody has to place their faith in something).
Todd Hoare
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
10 Ways to Worship Without Music
Worship isn’t just a part of your life — it’s everything you do!
As you’ll discover as you read through Pastor Rick’s section in The Purpose Driven Life on “You Were Made for God’s Pleasure,” worship through music is only a small portion of what true, biblical worship is all about. Worship is the process of surrendering our entire life into God’s hands. Everything we do can - and should — be an act of worship.
How do we apply that to our life? God designed us to worship Him with our whole lives. Are there actually spiritual habits that we can build into our lives that help us to worship God more deeply? YES! Here are ten habits than can help build worship into your life on a daily basis.
1. Worship through prayer. We often miss this important component of our prayer life. Think about the issues you usually pray about. How much of our prayer life is about us and how much of it is about God? Without a doubt God wants us to be able to share everything that is going on in our life. He wants us to get to know Him better.
2. Get in a regular habit of reading the Bible. The Bible says that we worship God in “spirit and in truth.” How can we ever worship God without a clear understanding of who He is? The truth about God is essential to worship. Pay special attention to the books of Psalms. No book in the Bible spends as much time carefully describing who God is.
3. Obey God. We all need to build the habit of obedience into our lives. Take practical steps to see that this is a part of your life. Whenever you sense God is speaking to you, make it a regular practice to do it immediately. Don’t let procrastination weigh you down. If you can’t do it immediately, write down whatever God has been putting on your heart, so that you can do it SOON!
4. Tithe. If you want to know what in your life you worship, look at your checkbook register. The Bible teaches us this important lesson: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mathew 6:21 NIV) One way to surrender our entire being to Him is by making Him Lord of our pocketbook. If you are already a committed tither, consider raising the percentage you are willing to give.
5. Build deep relationships with other Christians. The Bible teaches that God designed us to live in community with other Christians. We bring God pleasure by getting to know others and being known by them. Here at Saddleback, the primary way we do this is through small groups.
6. Share your faith. John Piper made many of us re-look at why we share our faith when he wrote a few years ago: “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” God wants every person on the planet to worship him, not because He is an egomaniac who needs our praise, but because worship is how we are designed by God. He wants the best for us.
Take time this week to share your spiritual journey with someone else. Tell them how you came to faith in Christ. Don’t worry about their response. Relax in the knowledge that you are playing a part in expanding God’s worldwide worship.
7. Serve others. Jesus tells us “when you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to me!” (Matt. 25:40 NLT) When we serve one another, Jesus tells us we are really serving Him. If you don’t think you have any gifts that are useful to serve, you are wrong. God made you with talents and gifts that He specifically gave you to serve others. Interested in finding out, specifically, what your spiritual gifts are? Contact Pat Major at pekmajor@sympatico.ca (905 304-7334). Interested in getting connected a PMC or Hamilton community ministry? Contact Teresa Howe at landthowe@yahoo.com (905 521-3033).
8. Build into your life the attitude of thankfulness. This requires looking at the world through a different set of eyes. When we look through the lens of thankfulness, we see our lives - and everything in it - as all gifts from God. Develop your own spiritual exercise each morning that demonstrates that you are putting on your lens of thankfulness. Then begin to thank God for all of the good things in your life.
9. Begin turning over to God areas of your life that you have never committed to Him. This is the heart of worship - surrender. God won’t settle for 90 percent of your life; He wants all of it. You might have been a follower of Jesus for years, but you still have areas of your life that you are holding back from Him. What are those areas? Only you know that. Two good places to look are your checkbook and your planner. Look at the areas of your life where you spend the most money and the most time. Do they honor God?
10. Live a life of purpose. God has a reason for your existence. In fact, He has five: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and worship. You please God when you live in step with His purposes. God doesn’t want you to waste your life. To continue to grow in God’s five purposes, consider joining a small or mid-sized group. See Day 41, Purpose 3, page 8.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Heads On-Hands On Youth Approach to Purpose 1
Purpose 1 - Worship
by Matt Collins
The student ministries on Sunday nights looked for ways to give students practical ways to apply the purposes to their lives. As we looked at worship we wanted to help the students understand that it was more than just singing.
So we moved our emergent service from the auditorium into Missionary Hall in an attempt to create a more intimate atmosphere.
Once there, we provided a time where the students could worship God by expressing what their relationship with him looks like through different forms of worship.
In that time they could go to an area where we had large sheets of paper and paints and they could paint their feelings and express themselves through art. As well, in one area we had a poetry or writing section for students to express themselves; in another, a prayer wall for them to post their prayers; and, finally a reflection place.
All these and more were ways our students were encouraged to worship God. It was an important moment in our growth to understand worship, and the variety of ways we can express our love and admiration of God.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Hosts Take Challenge
In the initial stages of planning for the 40 Day Venture, there was much speculation about whether we would be able to find enough hosts/facilitators. It was the focus of much prayer and the result was overwhelming.
On September 13, just under 50 of our hosts/facilitators met, with considerable trepidation, for a “briefing” session, prior to the beginning of the small group sessions. One of the things they were asked to do was to record, on a piece of newsprint that was attached to the wall, some of their fears going into the Venture. These were to be recorded “below the line”. Below is a compilation of hosts’/facilitators’ “fears.”
By far, the majority of concerns revolved around:
Group dynamics:
We have a large, diverse group (some traditional, some not, some neighbors). How will the discussion go?
I’m concerned that no one will share their real issues and we’ll all pretend we’ve got it together.
How to be open with people you don’t know?
I have “group dynamics anxiety”.
What if no one wants to discuss? What do I do with SILENCE?
Group “control”.
Motivating/encouraging the group.
Will someone’s problems dominate the night?
How to find the right amount of structure for a group used to minimal structure?
Keeping the discussion focused and relevant.
How “real” can the facilitators be? Is it OK to say, “I don’t know how to deal with that”?
How to answer the “difficult” questions?
A surprising number of comments dealt with:
Prayer:
I am afraid to pray aloud. Also, I have never led any group before!
It will be my first time praying in a group.
Will we be able to pray as a group?
And now, for something completely practical,
Logistics:
What if no one shows up? What if they can’t find my house?
Can we encourage others from the group to bring food?
What to do if we notice attendance dropping over the weeks?
People will complain over my lack of furniture.
Small facility
What to do if someone is allergic to my pet?
What if the host does not show up from T.O. to do the session?
How to find time to adequately prepare the lesson?
How to create an open, non-threatening, positive, caring and sharing group.
Our group will only have read 3 chapters of each given week. How will we tie this in with the video?
2 or our group works shifts. How can we help them catch up on what they miss?
As a host, what if my facilitator cannot show up?
I can’t run the video!
At the debriefing session, on November 1, they were asked to submit a “Celebration Sheet,” or to record, “above the line”, things in their group that went particularly well. Here is a sampling of what they shared with us:
Everyone contributed to lively and thoughtful conversation. Silence was NOT a problem.
I got to know people I might not have without the 40 Days of Purpose
We helped a couple who have attended PMC a while, get connected and involved.
One of our members went on a short term mission to Vietnam. We prayed and helped out.
The openness with which members of our group have been sharing about their relationship with the Lord has been a great encouragement to the leaders.
We got through the 7 weeks with our group intact and all our people say they are going to be in a group in the future.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Blogs on Fellowship
Oct 14, 2004, 15:07
Practical applications from
40 Day small groups
In talking to some of the hosts/facilitators, it was encouraging this week to see some practical applications as a result of this week’s “Fellowship” sessions. One group decided on a specific outreach project with a needy local family; 2 groups have planned “purely social” get-togethers with their group in the upcoming weeks. One group tried “the hot seat” experiment suggested by Rick Warren: each member sits in the hot seat and the rest of the group writes down “what I appreciate most about the person in the hot seat”. I used to do this with my classes, usually after the November Major tests when the expectations of the course became clear, the hard way. I don’t know why Warren calls it “the hot seat”; it should be “the warm and fuzzy seat” since what is “hurled” at you are good things. Strange choice of words.
Bryan
Sep 22, 2004, 11:29
Building Community
Last night was an enriching experience in our first small group night. I’ve had some good experiences in small groups (usually in spontaneously-formed groups), and some not-so-good experiences. I had a really great time meeting some new people, making new acquaintances, and sharing a little of myself. I’m excited about the prospect of experiencing community with those in my group, although apprehensive as a result of past experiences. My wife and I are relatively new to the church, and have found an environment that is brimming with hospitality and friendliness. We’re both looking forward to a wonderful couple of months in our small group.
Sven Walther
Our session last night had us examine what it means to experience true community. I really feel that I am experiencing that within our small group and I hope that this will continue after the 40 days are up.
I have been watching some leadership videos and in one of them Dan Allender makes this statement: we are a group of people that will do two things; we hide so that our mistakes or our sin is not exposed and when it is we then will place blame. I certainly have felt at times that when in the church (meaning the church at large) I am not allowed the freedom to experience true community because of a fear that stops me from being authentic. I believe that our church is heading in the direction that allows us to be real and accepts us wherever we are. I hope that we don’t loose this authenticity but continue to develop it and continue to create atmospheres like our small group where we can laugh, cry, encourage, share and care for one another in a real way.
Matt Collins
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
New Forum for Connecting All Ages
by Malcolm Sears
In conjunction with the Purpose Driven Life program, 20-26 people have been meeting every Sunday at 9:30 for fellowship and study. This Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) provides a forum for connecting the generations, as parents, singles, grandparents and great grandparents enjoy coffee and cookies, talk and study, debate issues arising from an increasing appreciation of Scripture, encourage each other and pray together. Providing a more interactive approach than the traditional Sunday school class, the ABF promotes active discussion in groups of 5-7 around tables. Our goal is to open our lives to the truths of Scripture, to strengthen our walk with God and our relationships with each other, and to grow to be more like Christ in our daily living.
Although this new ABF was commenced as a venue to introduce the 40 Days of Purpose, it has also proved to be an excellent way to reach across the generations, a feature which we want to continue. Not only is the younger generation enjoying the experiential wisdom of the older generation, but also, the older generation has a unique opportunity to understand the younger generation in a way that would be almost impossible in a secular setting. Our 40 Day journey has reinforced in our hearts that the timeless truths of God’s word are absolute and ageless, encouraging the hearts of all ages and, in our ABF context, in a unified setting.
We are delighted that a number of others attending our second service have said that once we complete the 40 day program, which they are presently studying in their small groups, they intend to join us in the ABF on Sunday mornings. On November 14, we begin a new series looking at life principles in the book of James, and anticipate following up on our understanding of our 5 purposes by becoming increasingly involved in working out our faith. “Faith without works is dead”. “God has created us for works of service”.
Join us next Sunday at 9:30 in the chapel.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Blogs on Discipleship
Through the preparation for the first small group session I have been stretched and encouraged. I was reminded that this is God’s work, that He is in control and He has a plan and purpose for each person participating in this venture. I know that as I am teachable and open to the work of the Holy Spirit, I will learn far more than the course content.
Magen
Sep 20, 2004, 10:42
Family Reading
We read the 2nd chapter this morning in the van (as a family). We were coming back from the Toronto Airport, where we had just dropped off Joanne’s folks.
It was really great! Joanne and I both shared aspects of our personality that we didn’t like, then said aloud that God made us like that on purpose, that it was part of his plan, that we are not accidents, or unwanted, or illegitimate. Just saying that out loud to each other made us both cry.
~Jason
Our first session went well. I was nervous of course, but it did not seem to make a difference. The composition of the group is great. We would have NEVER had this grouping without the postal code scheme. And my switching to (xxxxx) evening means that (xxxxxx) is joining us (he would have been elsewhere if we had stuck to a (xxxxxxx) evening!”
An excited facilitator.
Our group has a real challenge getting to the memory verse. This week, thanks to a great suggestion from Val Harvey, we did it, with great success and a whole lot of fun.
James Dean
Sep 30, 2004, 09:54
anxiety relieved
Well we made it through week two. Two weeks ago I was very anxious about facilitating a small group meeting, especially because of the participants of this group; however, all fears were quickly removed once the meeting began. What an incredibly supportive group of people, including the babies!
How do you like Rick Warren’s funny little laugh? We all agree. It’s great.
Thank you all for your support.
James & Lia Dean
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Nov 05, 2004, 14:38
[top]
11 Characteristics of a Purpose Driven Church
by Rick Warren
1. You’ll have a purpose statement that describes (in your own words) your commitment to building the church around the five New Testament purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism.
2. You’ll use a purpose-driven strategy to fulfill your purpose statement. While using a variety of terms, a purpose-driven strategy brings people to Christ and into membership in his family, then builds them up to maturity, equips them for ministry in the church and then sends them out on a life mission in the world in order to bring glory to God. The PDC strategy is based on two vital assumptions:
People grow best when you allow them to make gradual commitments.
You must ask for commitment in specific ways, such as using covenants.
3. You’ll organize around a purpose-driven structure, which ensures balance and gives equal emphasis to all five New Testament purposes. PDC’s are team-based, rather than hierarchical in structure. You’ll organize around purpose-based teams (at least five — one for each purpose) composed of lay leaders and staff, with each team responsible for a specific purpose and target group (such as the community, the crowd, the congregation, the committed and the core). Besides the five purpose teams, you might also have children and youth teams led by a staff person or core lay leaders whose focus is how these five biblical purposes are discovered and developed in children and youth. These five purposes are not just for “mom and dad,” but also for the whole family.
4. You’ll target by purpose. You’ll evangelize the community, gather the crowd for worship, fellowship in the congregation, disciple the committed and equip the core for ministry and mission.
5. You’ll staff by purpose. Every purpose has its own champion. Purpose-driven churches begin by finding volunteers to lead and serve on each purpose-based team, and they develop full-time, paid positions as needed.
6. You’ll preach by purpose. Messages and series are planned to ensure that the congregation receives a balanced emphasis on each of the purposes.
7. You’ll form small groups on purpose. The PDC DNA is implanted in every cell of the Body of Christ. Each small group helps the members fulfill each of the five purposes in their lives. The goal is to help every believer live a purpose-driven life.
8. You’ll calendar by purpose. The purposes are the determining factor in deciding what events are scheduled. Every event must fulfill at least one of the five purposes, or it isn’t approved.
9. You’ll budget by purpose. Every expenditure is categorized by the purpose to which it relates. In preparing an annual budget, leadership will want to review how money is spent in developing and balancing the five purposes.
10. You’ll build by purpose. Buildings are seen as ministry tools, not monuments. They must serve the purposes and never become more important than the purposes.
11. You’ll evaluate by purpose. You regularly ask: Are we balancing all five purposes? Is there a better way to fulfill each purpose?
Most purpose-driven churches are built from the outside-in, rather than in the traditional way from the inside-out. It’s far easier to turn a crowd into a core, than it is to turn a core group into a crowd. You build a healthy multi-dimensional ministry by focusing on one level of commitment at a time.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
Tue, 02 Nov 2004
Nov 02, 2004, 14:38
[top/family_news]
New on November 2, 2004
Oxygen has 65 young people in its group this year. It has small groups on Thursdays and meets on Sundays at the Vine.
It was on Oct.31st that Martin Luther nailed his 91 statement of faith on the church door in Wittenburg.
Children in the Children’s Ministry have just finished their own program called “40 days of Kids.”
A co-ordinator is needed for the Children’s Ministry.
[this date]
[0 comments]
[]
