James 2

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What New Converts should be doing for ministry

This is part 2 of last weeks post, on why new converts shouldn't be in upfront ministry.
I'm not sure what the exact statistic is, but it is known by church leaders, that within a certain amount of time, New Christians’ lose almost all of their non-Christian friends, and yet it is these people who need saving and helping.
For this reason it is my belief that New Christians should be supported, discipled and trained in order to effectively evangelise to their friends and workmates.
In today’s culture and throughout church history, the church has been called to be missional. I believe that in order to best do this the church must not continue on a path of "assimilation" of new Christians, but should instead focus on these converts being properly equipped and impassioned for ministry within the culture that they live, so that not only they may be saved but there friends too. This should be the focus of new Christians and ministry, not serving the other members of the church only, but serving the wider community, while they still have those contacts and networks.
Similarly, last week I read an article by Jonathan Dodson, over at resurgence, that was all about missional living, and didn’t so much speak to new converts as it did members of the church, and it made me consider how I can be missionally living in my world and culture. I recommend Everyone give it a look.

ja

Why new converts shouldn't be in upfront ministry

If that title doesn't start controversy and get me flamed i don't know what will.
This whole topic came around through 2 things. a conversation I had with one of the Ministers at church and blog posts on the resurgence.
For some background, on Sunday I was bible reading at church, and had a discussion with the minister preaching about what translation i should read from. I normally read from the ESV but at church we read from the NIV, both great translations. Through the course of the conversation we discussed how new Christians are often shoved into ministry, and often this ministry is Bible reading.
I think this is a sad reflection on how we view certain parts of our communal worship culturally. We put lots of emphasis and practice into our music, but other things (except sermons, which preachers put large amounts of energy into) are often shoved to the side. In reality, the Bible reading and prayer are possibly the most important parts of our time together.
The Bible reading is when the word of God is opened up, and God speaks directly to us, through his word. Likewise prayer is in my view the second most important part, because that is where we, communally speak back to God.
Secondly it is essential that all parts of our services and time together follow scripture as closely as possible, and in that we must view the bible reader as a leader. After all they are reading God's word out to us, and therefore the guidelines for leadership set out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 must be followed.

• Husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:6)
• Above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:6-7)
• Able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:9) (While teaching may not be essential, they should be confident speakers)
• Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:8)
• Respectable (1 Timothy 3:2,)
• Well thought of by those outside the church (1 Timothy 3:2)
• Not a new convert (1 Timothy 3:6-7)
• Self controlled and Disciplined (1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:8)
• Not Arrogant or conceited (1 Timothy 3:6 & Titus 1:7)
• Not quick tempered or violent (1 Timothy 3:3 & Titus 1:7)
• Not a drunkard (1 Timothy 3:3 & Titus 1:7)

While I have stated that I don't think new converts shouldn't be in upfront ministry this doesn't mean that i think they shouldn't be in ministry at all. I think that there are ministries within the church where new converts are essential. I'll write more about this soon.

ja

(Note the list above was taken from the passages listed, however links to passages are from theResurgence.com article on worship pastors by Barry Keldie)

James 1 wordle word cloud

My prayer partner and i read James 1 yesterday. my plan is to put every chapter we read up in a word cloud.

Christians and Mediocrity

I've just finished reading a book that really challenged me on many different aspects of my faith, my church and my belief.

I'm going to put up a series of posts about my thoughts that this book triggered.

The first thing I'm going to muse about is the mediocrity that so many Christians think is ok.

When you think about it you'll see what I mean. For example, how many church websites would you say are great? Good? Or mediocre?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a dig at any particular churches. But I think of our website from our church, and even this blog, and while I love the brother that looks after our website. He does it on the side separate to his work, and doesn't have the time to make it a fantastic sight. So while visually it isn't the most promising sight, it is updated regularly which is more than can be said for other churches and groups.

Also music. How many church songs or Christian music, would you say are great. Sure they are powerful and moving, but comparatively to the music we say is great and our favourite bands, it is lacking. In some genres this isn't true. Bands like underoath, the Showdown and Demon Hunter are viewed as great metal bands and are also Christian. What is ironic here are the number of "Christians" that say that this form of music is from the devil. I will have another post about music soon.

 

Even in regards to technology that we use that we come together when we worship. Many churches will spend as little as possible to do the bare minimum. They wont try to ush the boundaries they don't want to. They say that it is too much like a concert experience. Hello! That is what our culture is about. That is what so many young people want. But there are churches that take this too far, and that is all it is, a big concert. We have to use what gifts we have been given to minister to the culture that we are in, but not go over board and become part of the culture that we are ministering to.

 

More to come soon

 

J

Christians and Mediocrity

long time since last post

It's been a long time since I last posted. Over the coming weeks I plan to rectify this, as i post about some things i've been thinking about lately.

Also for the last 2 and a 1/2 months i have been working in Queensland for downer, doing mineral processing stuff as i under take vacation work.

Also, to save typos and bad grammar i will endeavor to post all future posts from microsoft word.

PART 1: 50 Youth Marketing Trends for 2009 by Graham Brown mobileYouth.org

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PART 1: 50 Youth Marketing Trends for 2009 by Graham Brown mobileYouth.org

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the darkside here I come

As many of you know, I've been an anti Mac person for a long time. So what does every self respecting Microsoft groupie go and get for a new phone?
A htc i here some of you say. Or a blackberry, or a nokia E71 (very cool by the way). but probably a windows based mobile. (or symbian) Well for everyone who thought that, you would be wrong.
I've gone to the Mac. side of life. My new iPhone and I are celebrating our new life together, and I've got to say, except for the camera not being as good as my N73, and the bluetooth issue, it's awesome. More mac love here i come.

ja

Are Denominations Dead

Are denominations dead? Are they important in this day and age? Should churches rely on their denomination for guidance, or should they form their own networks geographically, size wise, style wise, over being chained to a denomination that may be running off the rails? that's something I've been thinking about. People ridicule me because the see me as "Anglican" but I'm not really. I grew up in the Uniting church, and when they started making decisions that were un-biblical, and in sin, then I had to leave. And i think that's something that is also apparent. the current generation is very fluid not just in its beliefs, but in its commitments. Those young people, like me will easily move from one church to another at a a whim. And in that can either be good or bad. It can be good, if they are thinking about the teaching at a church, and it is something that they can disagree with biblically then it is probably better, after raising this concern with the leadership[ to leave than stay and listen to teaching that is not from the bible. On the flip side it is bad as the level of commitment decreases. These young people, because of their fluidity and the ease with which they know they can move from one church to another, will just up and leave when they are challenged about their level of commitment or their attitude or their lives. When they are made to feel uncomfortable they will move, because man, not just the young, but of all ages likes to feel comfortable, because that is easy.
At the current point in time, denomination has a level of significance that it has never had before. It no longer matters to the majority whether you are anglican or baptist or charismatic. And it doesn't matter to me. One of my good friends called me an anglican the other day. I said, I'm not an anglican, I'm a Christ follower. I'm not religious or traditionalist. I love Jesus, and I want to know him better. I will go to a church that teaches the bible truly and treats Jesus they way the bible would have him treated. The thing is, when I am at a church i am 100% committed to that church.

Hope this stirs some interesting thoughts in you as it has in me.

ja

Another Driscoll video from Sydney anglicans

Here's another video from Sydney Anglicans, and Interview with Driscoll. Lot's of Driscoll love going on right now, lets see how long it takes for SA media to start the Driscoll hate, as they inevitably start to hate everything that is new and interesting and forcing us to change the way we view our Saviour and our church.



ja.

Burn your plastic Jesus.

Went to Burn Your Plastic Jesus on Wednesday night.
It was awesome. Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Seattle spoke. He was awesome.
He had 7 myths about Jesus that he blew out of the water. They were;

1. Religious Jesus

2. Bling Jesus

3. Moral Jesus

4. Aussie Jesus

5. Country Jesus

6. Spiritual Jesus

7. Pensioner Card Jesus

There was some really awesome stuff here.
He then responded to some questions, which led into his close point, which was who the Bible and Jesus say Jesus is. They follow.

1. Jesus said he came down from heaven (John 6)

2. Jesus performed miracles

3. Jesus said he was God (Mark 14:61-64 + John 10:30-35)

4. Jesus said he was without sin (John 8:46)

5. Jesus forgave sin (Mark 2)

6. Jesus is the way, truth and life and no-one comes to the Father but through him (John 14:6)

As well as these points he raised some other points along the way, including, the state of men in not just Australia but also in the Church here. He really slammed young guys who live a cushy life, that they should leave home and become men. It was a challenge to me. I'm still living at home, but I'm doing uni, I'm engaged to be married,a dn i'm only 22, so i guess I'm not too bad. I was really challenged though, that maybe one day God will call on me to plant a church. That's going to be exciting. Below is a video taken from the night (from sydney anglicans) so have a gander.




ja

Death by Love

Possibly the only reason to buy a new iPhone

Just read this article from the top gear website. Apparently BunsenTech, have developed a program that uses the accelerometer in the iphone and the iphone touch to calculate your 0-60mph times, lateral Gs and even horsepower.
After hearing, not just on the interwebs, but from people who are using the new iphone, that there are some issues with it. So this may be the only app that would make it a must have.
As it is I'll stick to my nokia phones and a normal ipod.

Europe Holiday

I've been quite quiet in recent times. I'm currently holidaying in Europe. We've spent 9 days in the united Kingdom (Bath, York, Edingburgh, London). I had a good time. Lots of sites to visit. Very tiring. While we were in London, Mum and I went to see Lord of the Rings, the musical. it was amazing. so good.
Now we are in holland, Lots of relatives to visit, places to go. I like it here much better than the UK. nicer people, better roads, better beer.
I get back to Aus on tuesday, so looking forward to that, as i miss sam lots.

ja

Mark 1 word cloud from wordle

bible and other books

I was listening to a question and answer series from Mark Driscoll tonight, and someone asked a question about particular authors, and His reply was that you should know your bible well before you read books as they may confuse you. It was an interesting answer. As a result of thinking about it i have decided to read 5 books of the bible for every christian book i read.

ja

18 months

only 18 months left (i know its a long time) till sam and i get married. woo.

ja

Where do you stand with sexual sin.

I read this interesting article on Pure Online today, that talks about no matter what you are in 1 of these 3 groups in regards to sexual sin.

TARGETED
Every Christian man is "targeted" by Satan. Just like every young man is a target for cigarette ads, because every young man is a potential smoker, so too, every Christian man is succeptable to sexual sin. Your walk with God, your faith, your ability to lead a church, your ability to be a strong husband and father, your ability to be a man of honor, are all under attack by sexual sin. If you are not "Tempted" or in the "Trenches" (see below) beware that you are not moving in that direction.

The rest you can catch here.

ja

Best Sex Ever!

bet that blog title got your attention. We are about to start a new series at 5pm, titled Best Sex Ever. Due to a swap of preachers we are doing someinteresting things. Consequences will be first instead of last and temptation will be last. We're borrowing some ideas from other series that I have seen over the past year or so. We're borrowing Mars Hills live Q and A thing that they do. So we have a mobile that has no ones contacts in it, and during the service youth will be able to message that number and at the end of the service the preacher is going to answer 3 or so of thoes questions and the rest get posted on our website. It should be interesting. Looking forward to doing the sermon on sexual temptation.

ja