The Fellowship at Bend

Glory Revealed

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:00:33 +0000

Glory Revealed

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:00:22 +0000

Youth Trip: The Rock and Worship Rock Show

Heylen Thienes — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:38:10 +0000

Middle & High School Ministry.

Mark 8

Heylen Thienes — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:05:48 +0000

Mark 8

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:00:53 +0000

Burkina Faso 2012 (Robyn #3)

Heylen Thienes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:14:03 +0000

God is amazing! I know, I say that often, but the longer I live the more I stand back in awe of how he works in our lives, quietly, behind the scenes unbeknownst to us until that day when he pulls back the curtain and as they say here in Burkina, Wal-la’! His masterpiece is revealed, the puzzle of our lives becomes clear as we see how the pieces fit together to create a magnificent story of His glory and grace. That God would care so much to involve us in His work of redeeming and teaching His church is beyond my comprehension. That He would ask us to pray and then answer our prayers, that he would bless us with resources that we might give, that he would teach us that we might in turn teach others, that he open our eyes to his truth that we might share the gospel of the good news of Jesus Christ; all this causes me to bow before him in worship and adoration.

It was on the road to Boromo earlier this week that the curtain began to part. As I looked out the van window at the passing sights, I had this recurring thought that I had seen this place before. There was such a familiarity in the Burkina countryside, the many African villages, the crowded marketplaces, the arid and sparse vegetation. I knew it was not just general Africa I was thinking of, but something very specific.

Revelation came in the blink of an eye. In my mind I was there, 40 years ago, attending a missions convention at the Assembly of God church in Grant Pass, Oregon. They appeared, one by one, on the stage, the missionaries from Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico. But the ones that intrigued me were a couple from Upper Volta. So many years ago and yet I can still see them standing there on the platform in their African dress, I can describe them in great detail. I am able to recall their names, Dave and Jan Hall. It is their pictures and slides and films I spoke of in an earlier post. It was their stories that convinced me I never wanted to actually go to Africa and yet I was captivated by all I saw, I wanted, somehow, to be a part of what God was doing in the people of Upper Volta. I prayed for the missionaries and for the people, I gave of what I made from a babysitting job that summer, I helped with the car washes and bake sales and other fundraisers, that our youth group might give money for the purchase of vehicles to help “Speed the Light” to the native people. Year after year the missionaries would return home to share their stories, year after year I was enthralled with how God was bringing light to a people half a world away. Upper Volta would always hold a special place in my heart.

Decades past. Loren sr and I were driving home from one of our trips to the Steens, we had just crested a hill where cell service became marginally available when we received a call from our son. It was 2002 and Loren was calling to tell us he had been invited to go to Africa to share the gospel and to teach the pastors in a place called Burkina Faso. I was at once excited and terrified at the thought of him going, but knew it was God who was calling him.

Upon his return he shared with us how much he already loved the people of Burkina, what a joy it had been to go, to teach, to be used of God in such a way. He told us of some of the needs of the people, both practically and spiritually. My own heart was drawn to Burkina and we began to pray and to give, just as I had done so many years before for the people of Upper Volta.

It was not until I was on the road to Boromo this week that I made the connection. This land of Burkina Faso that God has called us to is, this land that seemed so familiar to me as I sped through the many villages and towns, this land IS Upper Volta the land God laid on my heart so many years ago. Somewhere during the ensuing years, the name was changed but all else is as it was. The pastors Loren is teaching, the women I am instructing, the children who bring such delight to our hearts, they are the fruit of the ministry of the missionaries of a generation passed, missionaries I had prayed for and supported so many years ago.

I told Marcel of this and at each of the churches we have visited he tells the story. I watch the older men and women as their eyes light up in recognition at the missionaries names, a broad smile spreading across their faces. I pray they understand, as I have come to see, God is awesome and mighty, merciful and kind, uniting us in the cross of Jesus, connecting us in ways we cannot fathom. As I pen this, (yes, literally, for time is precious while we are here in Burkina and no laptop is handy as I have some down time out “in the bush”) I am sitting in the midst of a congregation of people beloved of the Lord. They have come, pastors, leaders, elders and their wives to worship, to listen, to take in and to grow in the things of God. I am listening to my son teach what the Bible says about marriage, about family, about what honors God. Soon I will stand where he stands and I will speak and share with the women from God’s word, from my life, from my heart. I will encourage them to pray, for their husbands, for their children for their families. I will do this with absolute conviction as I stand before them, for I KNOW God is with them. I cannot express to you the joy that fills my heart; I know God is good; I just cannot believe he is SO good!

I sit in churches where you, the generous people of TFAB have given, that there might be a roof over the heads of all who gather. Today we gave Bibles to the people, food for their soul; but we also gave corn and rice, food for their bellies, as famine is coming upon the land due to no rain and a failed harvest. I am told the people of TFAB are the very first in all the world to respond to this great need.

The people have asked that we say thank you, thank you so much. Thank you for praying, for giving, for sending those who teach them well in the way of God.

When I was I Hawaii last month, I sat on the couch reflecting upon our visit there, thinking how much I had enjoyed it and how sad I was to see it coming to an end. I contrasted that with my then upcoming trip to Burkina Faso of which I was so fearful. I thought of how glad I would be to see THAT trip come to an end, but as quickly as the thought came, the Lord spoke to my heart and told me leaving Africa would NOT bring much gladness but would, in fact, fill me with great sorrow; in departing I would be leaving a part of my heart with the people of Burkina Faso.

God’s word is true. I am already sad to think of leaving these people. Their language may be foreign but their hearts speak a language no tongue can tell. It is the language of the cross, which unites us in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Continue to pray for us. I will be sharing tomorrow with a group of women here in Ouagadougou. Next week the Bible school, taught by Loren, Scott and Ian will begin and run for the entire week. Thank you for praying for our protection, I am not sure which is more frightening here, the bugs which want to invade our bodies or the vehicles which want to run us down. We are well. If you saw Loren’s facebook post this morning, you will understand why we ask you to pray for these very practical things. We are thankful that God protects us in the ways he knows to be best. Pray for the Word of God as it goes forth, that it will be received into good soil and bring about a continuing harvest here in the land of Burkina Faso. Above all, please pray that God will be glorified in all that we do.

Thank you. We love you and miss you and look forward to being with you again.

-Robyn

Burkina Faso 2012 (Robyn #2)

Loren Anderson — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:53:04 +0000

Perspective. It is perhaps what has become most clear for me here in this static land that is at once both incredibly simple and exceedingly difficult. Much is as I anticipated: the hot days, the dusty, rutted streets; the masses of people darting in and out of traffic. I came hoping I would come to love the people, yet all the while assuming I would have a great distaste for the land. But it is not as I thought. Indeed, the people, particularly the children and their mothers, have captivated my heart, but driving home from Boromo, from our day in the bush, I was enthralled with the beauty of the African countryside, a sense of peace settled came with the setting sun, knowing God’s hand is upon this barrenly beautiful land.

Perhaps it was the joy of watching the children play, or teaching the women who, if given the opportunity, could teach me much as well, or perhaps it was just the knowing that here in Burkina Faso, God’s church is alive and well. I am so thankful God has granted me the privilege of coming, to teach the women, to laugh with the children and to share with you a glimpse of God’s church in Burkina.

I wasn’t sure what to expect as our plane made the final descent into Burkina. Loren had spoken of donkey drawn carts coming to gather our luggage and an airport that was reminiscent of a grade B movie set in the Banana Republic. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when we were promptly shuttled from the plane to the newly finished immigration area, where friendly smiles and a newly installed luggage conveyor belt greeted us. Gone were the dim lights and donkey carts, although the swirling fans still clicked away overhead. And what is even more amazing, all of our luggage arrived, in tact.

They say much is changing in this country. For the first time, streetlights illuminate the main roads, scooter lanes and sidewalks now line the street. Yet much is still the same. Scooter drivers ignore the bike lane, choosing instead to play “hit me if you dare” as they dart in and out between the cars and trucks which speed down the road, randomly choosing which traffic signals to obey. This is made even all the more challenging with the rolling blackouts that affect the city periodically, causing all to go dark.

Life in Burkina is lived outdoors. Even at night the people were out; walking, riding, going here and there. I asked Scott and Loren and Ian to give me one word that describes Burkina. Perhaps Scott captured Oaugadougou best; “moving” was the word he used to invoke the feeling of the city. It seems everyone is always on the move. Like ants scurrying, each one knows their purpose but to the outside observer, it is simply chaos.

It should be no surprise then that our first few days here have been much the same, filled with movement and, at times, a bit of chaos. We arrived late at night only to learn the house that is always the haven for the TFAB Burkina trips was not going to be available, but “would we mind so much staying at the extra rooms at the back of the compound?” Being new to Burkina, I didn’t realize how important having “the house” was. Two nights and two different places later, I can tell you, it is VERY important. The rooms they suggested left one feeling very unsafe, especially if your mom is travelling for the first time to Africa, as there were no real locks on the doors and we would be separated from one another.

Marcel suggested a hotel that would be nearer his home. Since it is his town, we assumed it was a place he was well acquainted with. It was only as we travelled to Boromo the next day and saw a sign advertising the “Chic Hotel”, that he confessed he had never laid eyes on the place and had only chosen it because it was the first place that came to mind because he, too had seen the roadside sign advertising it some weeks prior. Such is life in Africa.

The paved highway of town gave way to one of the many rutted, unlit dirt stretches which abound, (I still struggle to call them roads). Bouncing our way past dirty, cluttered, tin storefronts, old stacked tires and the occasional roaming dog, we made a quick turn and arrived at our destination. Dim lights illuminated our way up the stairs to the 2nd floor where we each locked our double bolted doors and called it a night at least feeling somewhat secure, until Loren realized the window to his room had no latch or lock, it freely swung, back and forth, beckoning any who might want to enter. Welcome to Africa.

Morning found us moving to a new compound Marcel was somewhat familiar with. While not ideal, it seemed workable and have to do, since we were scheduled to be in Boromo, some 120 miles away, by 9 am that morning to teach the many pastors and leaders and their wives would be coming. We finally left Ouaga at 9:15, but, no worries, (remember, this is Africa) Marcel called ahead to let them know we would be a little bit late.

I am told the road from Ouga to Boromo and on to the Ivory Coast is one of the most important and heavily travelled roads in the entire country. After travelling it and living to tell about it, I have to agree. I hate to fly, just the mere hint of turbulance sends me into a semi-panic mode. But I would fly a thousand flights back and forth across the Atlantic before I would choose to be a passenger in a vehicle on the Boromo road again. Picture Highway 97 (only about 6 feet narrower) with no shoulders, no center strip and crumbling edges on both sides giving way to rugged ditches. Then add in scooters carrying everything from extra passengers to pigs going to market, bicycles travelling without lights and the occasional walker on the road. Now drive this at 70 miles per hour. Oh did I happen to mention the occasional semi-trucks that are broken down and stopped, dead center in the middle of the road? All quite manageable in the bright sunlight of late morning, but absolutely nail biting in the darkness of night.

Tomorrow we will travel north on a highway which Marcel assures me “is far better, have much less traffic”. Then on Friday we will go again, twice the distance that we went on Tuesday. Funny, when I thought about all the things I might be afraid of in Africa, riding in a van was not one of them. It never crossed my mind, and I think it would be safe to say the thought never entered Scott’s head as well. Until last night, after we finished up at late dinner at 10 pm, thinking we had survived the worst of what the Burkina roads had to offer. But on the way back, we were travelling the paved city streets, travelling 55 mph at minimum I would say, when we heard a yell from the front just as the van careened over a large speed bump, landing and continuing on only to hit a second in just a moment’s time.

Let me just say, the back of the van is not the place you want to be at a time such as this. The chickens in back were squawking (yes, they gave us two at the church where we spoke), but it was Scott who had suffered the most trauma. He was bleeding from the wound inflicted when his head met the ceiling, not once but twice. Much debate erupted over whether or not we should take him to “La Clinique”, which we all knew could be a cure worse than the cause.

After closer examination, we decided to take go to a local pharmacy to buy the items we felt would be necessary to properly dress his wound, all the while so keenly aware that this is Africa, and there are millions of little bugs lurking everywhere, just waiting for the chance to enter some poor unsuspecting persons body. A bottle of antiseptic, a roll of gauze and a purchase of antibiotics later, we all poured back into the van, eager to get home and tend to our wounded only to find the vehicle would not start. Did I happen to mention we had expected just a quick stop and were parked in the road?

With Scott clutching tightly to the gauze patch on his head with one hand and holding his headlamp in the other, he walked behind the van as the other men worked to maneuver the vehicle backwards to a spot where they could get it off the road. This in a place where there were no streetlights and no open stores, save for “La Pharmicia”. While Marcel called a mechanic friend to come look at the car, (remember it is almost midnight now) Loren went back into the pharmacy to purchase sterile gloves so he could administer first aide there under the blinking pharmacy sign. We had acquired quite a little audience by this time, had it not been so late I am sure Marcel would have figured out some way to tell those who gathered about Jesus. As it was, the mechanic arrived and Marcel used his car to drive us to our rooms, where we all fell into an exhausted sleep.

Today has been a good day. I am happy to report that Scott’s head looked great this morning and as far as we can tell, he is his normal, chipper self . Today has been a very good day. I am also delighted to tell you that tonight, we are in “the house”. What a difference in perspective two days makes. If you had led me here the first night, I think I would have looked at the place we were staying and wondered how I would survive two weeks there. Now I look around and say, “Thank you Lord, for providing us with such a place.” As Loren says, now he feels like he is home.

So by now you might be asking, “How is that you have come to love this place which has presented you with so many difficulties?” That, my friends is the rest of the story, which will have to wait until tomorrow’s post….. IF I return from the road to Kongoussi.

Burkina Faso 2012 (Ian #1)

Loren Anderson — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:46:52 +0000

Hey Guys!

I hope all is well back home! I made it to Burkina on Monday night and got a little sleep before getting up early the next morning to head to Boromo which is about 180 km away from Ouaga. It was a long drive on a dusty dirty road but it was well worth it when we got out of the car to see at least 100 people eagerly awaiting for the team to show up. Loren and Robyn taught on marriage which I found out is a topic that is never talked about in the churches there or even covered in the Bible Colleges. This was quite shock to the team as Marcel told us that it is one of the most neglected topics in the churches. As the sun was beginning to set we began our drive back Ouaga, which ended up taking us 3.5 hours. On the ride home I noticed that there were little fires all along the road and Marcel told me that it was from the Animists. He said after the harvest they are to burn the left over crops and fields to please their ancestors and to thank them for the harvest they were blessed with.

Today Loren and I both taught at the Bible College that is next to our house where the students are all Christians who live in the city and have a full time job. The students Marcel told us were very educated individuals from Business owners to Nurse but even with all that they have to do they have committed the next three years of their lives to studying the Scriptures twice a week for 3 hours at a time. Right now they are studying Hermeneutic (How to study the Bible) I was able to teach them the process that I go through to prepare a message. They were so excited because they have only recently heard verse by verse teaching (they love it!) and they were stoked to see how easy the process is to study.

Tomorrow we are headed into the Northern part of Burkina where there is a huge famine and so we are going to feed the people that come to the mini-conference. We are also going to give out some of the Bibles that Ekklesia provided money for to the people. Marcel said that this will really blessed the people especially since they are going through a difficult season with not being able to provide food for their families on a consistent bases. Please pray for these people as they are having to depend upon the Lord for their essential needs every single day.

Well I am going to go to bed because it is late and we are leaving tomorrow at 7am to head north. God bless you guys and thank you for your prayer and support.

Parenting Class

Heylen Thienes — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:22:22 +0000

Click here for more info

Ready or not, here I come…to Burkina Faso! (Scott)

Loren Anderson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:58:55 +0000

“Lord, I am ready to have my paradigm smashed into pieces.”

Ready or not, I am coming to Burkina Faso Africa!

A little background is necessary. My name is Scott Cruikshank, and I am one of the Pastors here at The Fellowship at Bend. I grew up in a loving home in Central Oregon (Prineville…in particular, but don’t remind Loren ). My parents showed me Jesus the Savior at a fairly early age. However, both Private and Public sins were ever before me showing my rotten, dead, & destructive life. (Ephesians 2)

All this came to a crescendo the Summer of my Sophomore year of high school when the gospel germinated in the soil of my heart by the Holy Spirit. This new, dynamic life in Christ has not ceased since….Being a first hand witness to my own personal change/growth, as well as seeing God save other loved ones & neighbors around me has been remarkable to say the least.

Now lets fast forward through a full decade, which was road-marked by my marriage to my blessed wife Janae, college, having 4 great children (Josiah – 10, Abigail, – 7, Jael, – 6, & Lydia -4), a sales career, & now the awesome opportunity to serve TFAB full-time administrating for our church!

And now here I stand, on the brink of reality…where I am going to go somewhere I have never been before – AFRICA. Now, trust me, I have been warned by many people to ready myself for a “new normal” for two weeks which will have little resemblance of the normal I have been used to for 35 years. No turning back…airplanes just don’t do that…especially for just one person.

Such is the life of the Jesus follower..that we “press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). You see, our new life in Christ is one that is Active & Dynamic, anything but Passive & Static.

God wants us to enjoy dynamic, explosive life in Christ where we arrange and conduct our lives in accordance to Him & His glory.

I am giddy just thinking about the wonderful Burkina Faso people/pastors & what God has in store the next two weeks!!!

So buckle up and take a spiritual ride with us to Africa and see just what may “hit home” with you as Loren, Robyn, and I blog about this very important mission trip! ScottC

Africa Trip 2012: The Beginning (from Robyn)

Loren Anderson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:57:18 +0000

I am leaving for Africa in less than a week. I have told that to some of the important people in my life this week; the Starbucks barista, my nail tech, the pharmacist. Invariably they ask if I am going on a safari, and will I get to see some exotic animals? “Not really”, I tell them, “unless you consider geckos and mosquitoes and rats to be exotic.” That always gives them pause. Anxious to move on to the next customer but still a bit curious they usually ask, “Then why are you going?”

And therein lies a story….

I was saved through the ministry of Good News Club when I was just eight years old. No one in my family at that time was a believer, but as a young teen-ager I began attending an Assembly of God church in Grants Pass, Oregon. One of the highlights of their church year was the annual missions convention, where different missionaries would converge to share their stories and pictures, hoping to gain financial support for the following term. They came… from Indonesia and South America and Mexico, but the ones I remember most were the missionaries from Africa. Night after night I would sit and listen to their tales and gaze at their slides, and from that early age I knew one thing….I NEVER wanted to go to Africa!

I grew up and went away to Bible college, where many of my classmates were training for the mission field. For some reason, most of the ones I came into contact with had one country in mind, Africa. I was quite thankful, as I figured if all of them were going, God would never need to send me.

A song that came out in the early 90s kind of summed up my sentiment; done by Scott Wesley Brown (you can catch it on You-Tube), it went like this, “Please don’t send me to Africa, I don’t think I’ve got what it takes. I’m just a man I’m not a Tarzan, I don’t like lions, gorillas or snakes. I’ll serve you here in suburbia in my comfortable middle class life. But please don’t send me out into the bush where the natives are restless at night.”

I could go on, but you get the picture. I have travelled many places …Israel, Greece, Turkey, Italy, England, Scotland, Spain, France, Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada, not to mention most of the fifty states, but you will notice they all have one thing in common…they are NOT Africa.

So it was I was sitting in the Sunday morning service at TFAB earlier this year when Marcel, from Burkina Faso, Africa, shared a message with the congregation. Honestly, I cannot even remember what the message was about, all I recall is when he was finished speaking and we started to pray, I heard a voice whisper, “I want you to go to Africa next year.” Since I knew that could not possibly be a message for me, I glanced around to see who might be the intended recipient.

But then I heard it again, “Robyn, I want YOU to go to Burkina Faso and teach the women.” It wasn’t an audible voice…indeed, it was much stronger than that. There have been only a few times in my life when I knew that I knew God had spoken directly to me, and this was one of them.

I quickly thought of ALL the reasons I could not go. I don’t do well with dust or heat or smoke or smells and I really DON’T like to fly. Pitiful, I know. I am so thankful that God is patient and gracious with us. Before the service ended I knew….I WAS going to Africa in 2012.

Several months later as I was preparing for the regimen of shots and pills necessary to make the trip to Africa half-way safe, the craziness of what I was doing hit home. I was sitting in my easy chair early one morning and again presented my case to God. I have to be honest, I really didn’t want to go. The thought of flying was terrifying, the thought of spending two weeks in a country that, as Loren says, “Is trying to kill you”, just did not sound appealing. Surely God had something just as important here for me to do.

I began reading in the Word where I had left off the prior day, 2nd Corinthians chapter 11. If you are ever feeling sorry for yourself, thinking life is a bit hard, read about all that Paul endured for the sake of the gospel. I was humbled and ashamed. While my life has not been without difficulties, I have never actually chosen to put myself in a position that was way outside of my comfort zone. I reflected on all that the new testament Christians endured to proclaim the name of Jesus and I knew, I WAS going to Africa in 2012.

That was a turning point. I moved from despair at the thought of going to acceptance, knowing God does all things well and I could trust Him to be doing what he deemed absolutely best. I began to pray for the people of Africa, for the women I would be meeting and teaching and for the children I would get to put my arms around and love. I downloaded a picture of a group of children from one of the past TFAB mission trips, making it the focal point of my computer desktop. Their smiles found their way into my heart, and I began to pray for them and for all the churches in Burkina. I began preparing the teachings I would be presenting, and I found myself getting really engaged and excited about what God would have me to share.

What started out as an act of obedience had now become a labor of love. I was amazed to realize I was actually anticipating, with great joy, my upcoming trip. I was going to Africa, and I couldn’t be more delighted. In my mind, God had already worked a mighty miracle.

Now we are just one week out and in spite of my excitement, I find the fear creeping back in. It has kept me awake the past couple of nights, my mind running wild with all the “what ifs?” Can I really get on that plane next Saturday and fly to that place which has always been so frightening to me? Can I leave the comfort of home for the unknowns of a place half way around the world?

Early morning today found me back in my chair by the fire, pondering these very questions. It would be so easy, just a phone call to say I could not do it. God would still love me, my family would understand. And then the picture of Jude, my grandson, came up on our digital photo viewer and I was reminded of a conversation we had just last week.

We had pulled into the garage where Grandpa’s boat is resting for the winter. Jude looked at it and informed his sister “That is Grandpa’s boat, he catches really big fishies, Mary-Jane!”

Our dialogue ensued, “Jude, Are you going to go out in the boat with Grandpa next summer and catch big fishies too?”

“I don’t want to go out in Grandpa’s boat,” came the firm reply.

“Why not, Jude?”, I asked.

“I might fall in the water grandma. I don’t want to catch a fish. Give Mary-Jane my pole. She can catch the fishy.”

I reasoned with him, I told him we would watch over and protect. But NOTHING I said could change his mind, he has determined he would rather not catch a big fishy than to risk falling in the water.

The memory of that conversation played loudly in my mind this morning as I sat there, floundering in my own fears. I could just imagine the conversation.

“Robyn, why don’t you want to get on the big plane and go to Africa?

“I am afraid, Father. The plane might crash or I might get very sick, or even die.”

“I will watch over you, daughter.”

Like Jude, I am afraid. But as I hope Jude will one day do, I am listening to the voice of one who loves me, who is telling me He is watching over me, He will keep me, He is with me always. I have made my choice, I will put my trust in the one who loved me enough to give His life for me.

I covet your prayers for this journey. I will continue to write, Lord willing, that you might share in the joy of what God is doing for His people there in Burkina Faso.

In the mean time, I will have more conversations with more people this week. I will tell them, “I am leaving for Africa in less than a week.” And when they ask why, I will say, “Let me tell you a story….”

Invading culture and avoiding worldliness

Loren Anderson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:46:38 +0000

Last week at community group we had some really great conversation concerning this idea of being on gospel mission. That is seeing the culture around us as a mission field and treating it the way Jesus did some 2000 years ago. Jesus loved this world enough to invade it. To come into it taking on flesh and blood, adapting himself to certain languages, working a job that developed tools for the world around him, dressing like, and making friendships with people in this world at that time. In so doing He reached out and called men and woman to follow Him, and some did which is the reason we are reading this here today on a church social networking website.

Over the past couple of weeks we have been looking at the poison of the Pharisees and the herodeons. We have seen the danger of sectarianism, and syncretism. We have seen how the Pharisees separated from culture deeming it unclean and we have seen how the herodeons embraced it diluting their faith. The question that is then raised is how do we as Christians embark on this mission. And not fall into these 2 temptations. How do we invade culture and not become worldly which is sinful.

1. As we have seen we have the Holy Spirit. Very important as the Spirit will both direct us and caution us, and eventually convict us. When Paul was on his gentile gospel mission in Acts 16 the spirit of God forbid him from going east which caused Him to go west into europe.. The same Spirit that forbid Paul to do somthing is the same Spirit that directs us. As we walk in the Spirit we will recieve direction (go west) and caution (do not go east).

2. We have the word of God. This means we know His will. We know what God loves and what God hates. We know what is worldly and what is not. We know what is his will and what is not. This means that we can test the spirits as 1 John says. As we are in His word we will know what is the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. This will either be for our own conviction, or like as Paul invaded mars hill in acts 17:16 he could easily see and point out the idols of the men in Athens…. This is somthing I encouraged our community group to look for in our culture, in Bend while I am away in Africa.

3. We have gospel community. Think about it, even when Jesus came to invade culture He chose not to do it alone. He was led by the spirit, linked to the father, and he chose to surround himself with several different circles of people’s who he would invade culture with. He had his tight circle of Peter James and John. Then he had the 12. Than the woman that followed. He had 70 he sent out, and 120 in the book of Acts that remained faithful after the ressurection. The point is this if we want to invade culture and avoid worldliness than we can’t do it alone. Think about the book of Acts the men are often seen in twos. Peter and John acts 3. Phillip would call for Peter acts 8. Paul and barnabus and johnmark in acts 13. Paul and Silas in acts 16. Timothy and Titus are both told to get elders. This allows for accountability, which all of the men who followed Jesus could say he is perfect. It also allows for strength when we fail, as Jesus encouraged Peter, and Thomas after the ressurection. Ecclesiastes talks about the strength of a 2 and 3 rope cord and how when you have numbers you are warmed, and lifted up in time of need. In other words we need each other in this mission. Now, because there are people we know in this world that need Jesus, perhaps its time to grab some friends at Tfab and invite someone in your missionfield over for dinner. Perhaps as you go to dinner and a movie with your spouse, you invite someone from your cg along with your nonchristian neighbor, not so you can gang up and proselytize, but so that through your conversation Phil 4 and Godly lives people will see Jesus as Levi did in Mark 2. I continue to hear stories of this happening at tfab, and they are encouraging to me as people are coming to know Jesus, and the body is not being immersed in worldliness but doing what Jesus has called us to in going into this world to preach His Gospel.

At our cg we shared several stories of how this has happened can happen and is happening. If you have a story I would love to hear it. Post it under the comments here or start your own topic under the fellowships at bend group and call it gospel mission.

Love you tfab, and see you in a couple weeks.

FYI…..may do a teaching on this when I get back.
Forgive my typos it’s 2a.m. I can’t sleep and I am on the iPad in the hot tub its electrifying.

Loren

Trials and Hardships

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:00:53 +0000

Trials and Hardships

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:00:18 +0000

TFAB Community Groups

Heylen Thienes — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:36:51 +0000

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The Leaven of the Herodians

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:00:51 +0000

The Leaven of the Herodians

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:00:35 +0000

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:00:57 +0000

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:00:10 +0000

2nd Halfers Gathering

Heylen Thienes — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:33:18 +0000

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Christmas Service

Heylen Thienes — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:50:40 +0000

Childcare provided for nursery

Feeding of the 4000

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 10:00:48 +0000

Feeding of the 4000

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Hear This

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Hear This

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Pareting Class

Heylen Thienes — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:42:48 +0000

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Obstacles and Faith

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:00:25 +0000

Obstacles and Faith

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:00:22 +0000

Breaking Tradition pt 2

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:00:17 +0000

Breaking Tradition pt 1

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:00:30 +0000

Breaking Tradition pt 1

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:00:26 +0000

Jesus Cares pt 2

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:10:27 +0000

Jesus Cares pt 2

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:00:33 +0000

Jesus Cares pt 1

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:00:51 +0000

Jesus Cares pt 1

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:00:25 +0000

Speaking Truth

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:00:52 +0000

Speaking Truth

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:00:45 +0000

Time Change

Heylen Thienes — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:06:44 +0000

Fall Back

New to Church

Heylen Thienes — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:59:41 +0000

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The Narrow Door

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:00:51 +0000

Called to Go

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:48 +0000

Called to Go

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:05 +0000

Men’s Prayer Retreat

Heylen Thienes — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:13:30 +0000

Homecoming

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:00:42 +0000

Homecoming

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0000

God’s Rules vs Man’s Rules

Kent Akins — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:00:59 +0000

Lord Over Disease and Death

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:00:18 +0000

Kristin LiaBraaten

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:00:16 +0000

Lord Over Disease and Death

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:00:04 +0000

Lord of Demons

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:00:45 +0000

Lord of Demons

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:00:12 +0000

Repent or Perish

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:00:35 +0000

Repent or Perish

Heylen Thienes — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:00:18 +0000

Lord of the storm

Kent Akins — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:01:12 +0000

Lord of the storm

Kent Akins — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:00:33 +0000

Heart and Soil

Kent Akins — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:08:02 +0000

Heart and Soil

Kent Akins — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:07:28 +0000

TFAB’s FAQs

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:21:22 +0000

Things you should know

Sunday Gathering

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:21:48 +0000

10am @ Morning Star

Lunatic, Liar, Or Lord

Gene Way — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 09:30:22 +0000

tfab.com/podcasts/videofeed/video/Loren-S20110814.mp3

Lunatic, Liar, Or Lord

Gene Way — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 09:30:03 +0000

tfab.com/podcasts/videofeed/video/Loren-S20110814.mp4

City Tutorial

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:22:47 +0000

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Servants’ Gathering

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:42:53 +0000

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Critics, Crowds, And Crew

Gene Way — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:30:46 +0000

http://tfab.com/podcasts/videofeed/video/Loren-S20110814.mp4

Critics, Crowds, And Crew

Gene Way — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:30:28 +0000

http://tfab.com/podcasts/videofeed/video/Loren-S20110814.mp3

Put-Put, Pizza & Park

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:35:27 +0000

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Fall Women’s Retreat

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Redemption Groups

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Is Jesus God?

Kent Akins — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:20:14 +0000

Is Jesus God?

Kent Akins — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:19:36 +0000

Youth Breakaway Trip

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:06:36 +0000

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Prep for Parenting

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:27:35 +0000

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Jesus vs Religion – Questions Part 3

Kent Akins — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:30:55 +0000

Jesus vs Religion – Questions Part 3

Kent Akins — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:30:38 +0000

Bunko Night

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:33:25 +0000

Bring a friend!

Why does Jesus eat with sinners? – Questions Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:30:16 +0000

Why does Jesus eat with sinners? – Questions Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:30:12 +0000

Burkina Faso Update

Loren Anderson — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:37:23 +0000

Just wanted to let all of you know that we along with Ekklesia will be having a house built in Africa to house bible teachers that go over to Burkina for short and long term stays. When the house is completed Ekklesia will be sending over 2 men for a couple months to begin daily classes to help in the training of pastors. This will also benefit short term trips as we will no longer need to rent a home while we are there.

That means thus far in the last 2 years TFAB will have put19 roofs on existing churches, participated in 2 bible conferences, supported several pastors financially, built a 3 classroom bible school/dorm, and now participated in the construction of a place for bible teachers to be housed.

Thank you for continuing to support this mission!

Loren

Can Jesus Forgive Sins? – Questions Part 1

Gene Way — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:59:47 +0000

Can Jesus Forgive Sins? – Questions Part 1

Gene Way — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 09:00:55 +0000

Pins & Pizza

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:07:02 +0000

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Middle/High School Gathering

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:56:01 +0000

July 24, 2011

Family Camp is Almost Here!

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Clean

Gene Way — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:00:14 +0000

Old Fashioned Picnic

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:55:18 +0000

hosted for 2nd Halfers

Solitude

Gene Way — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:00:23 +0000

Solitude

Kent Akins — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:00:21 +0000

A Day In The Life Of Jesus Part 2 (Be Amazed)

Gene Way — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:00:31 +0000

A Day In The Life Of Jesus Part 2 (Be Amazed)

Kent Akins — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:00:08 +0000

Hunter’s 3-Gun Competition

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:12:38 +0000

July 16, 2011

Harvest Group

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:49:22 +0000

8-week Evangelism Course

Luke 12:35-48

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:00:14 +0000

A Godly D.A.D.

Gene Way — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:00:08 +0000

TFAB Picnic in the Park

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:10:33 +0000

Fun for all!

Luke 12:22-34

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:00:25 +0000

A Day In The Life Of Jesus (Disciples)

Gene Way — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 10:00:47 +0000

Potluck!

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For folks 50 and older!

Beat the Heat!

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New summer Gathering time!

Luke 12:13-21

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:00:49 +0000

Can I Get A Witness Part 3

Kent Akins — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 10:00:16 +0000

Can I Get A Witness Part 3

Gene Way — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 10:00:05 +0000

Quarterly Servant Gathering

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Family Fishing Weekend

Jenna Friesen — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:02:53 +0000

at South Twin Lake

Luke 12:4-12

Gene Way — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:00:22 +0000

Hypocrisy And Hell

Kent Akins — Sun, 29 May 2011 10:00:47 +0000

Hypocrisy And Hell

Gene Way — Sun, 29 May 2011 10:00:02 +0000

Can I Get A Witness Part 2

Tasha Harper — Sun, 22 May 2011 10:00:40 +0000

Can I Get A Witness Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 22 May 2011 10:00:21 +0000

Can I Get A Witness Part 1

Kent Akins — Sun, 15 May 2011 10:00:54 +0000

Can I Get A Witness Part 1

Tasha Harper — Sun, 15 May 2011 10:00:15 +0000

TFAB Community Groups!

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Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up

Tasha Harper — Sun, 08 May 2011 10:00:54 +0000

Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up

Kent Akins — Sun, 08 May 2011 10:00:04 +0000

Wednesday Night Worship

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:27:49 +0000

:: coming 6/1/11 ::

Unity in the Church

Tasha Harper — Sun, 01 May 2011 10:00:21 +0000

The Story Of The Bible

Missy — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:54:21 +0000

The Story Of The Bible

Missy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:10:41 +0000

Rise Up and Lead Well

Missy — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:56:42 +0000

Easter Service & Baptism

Kent Akins — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:32:25 +0000

This Sunday, April 24th

Mark

Kent Akins — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:00:58 +0000

series begins April 24th

Good Friday Gathering

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:41:02 +0000

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Rise Up and Lead Well

Missy — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:16:08 +0000

Rise up and be included

Tasha Harper — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:00:25 +0000

Wise Up Men’s Retreat

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:03:39 +0000

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Rise up and clean house part 2

Missy — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:00:56 +0000

Random Q & A Speed Round

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:56:19 +0000

James throwing out questions to the guys….. and they may not agree but they have to do a rebuttal…

1. What would Jesus be like at my house on a sunday afternoon at a football game?
David- I don’t know- if it was alabama it would be saturday- It is idolatrous- It would be enjoyable—
James would he eat the Nachos–
Mark He would take the crackers away from his kids =)
David- he would say does this matter

STEPHEN– I want a better question

2. The role of a pastors wife- co pastor first lady another member?
Stephen- My wife I was coaching everyone else in the church I left her behind…When we started she was not taker she sang.. I stopped investing in her…. She is held in hi honor so we will make it in the long hall– she is not first lady but she should be treated that way I want her to enjoy…

GREG- your wife should first be your wife– if we need help– how many can we talk to- she is my partner in ministry– early on we made little money but she was home to raise our sons… years have gone kdis are older ones in heaven ones on earth… NOW SHE IS A OLDER WOMAN TEACHING YOUNGER WOMAN— I am the pastor she helps teach because she feals called..

JAMES- we are to love our wives we are public way we treat our wives is a signal to our wives and what it looks like…

Perry- She is my wife not yours.. she does stuff for me LIKE NO ONE ELSE GETS TO DO NO WHAT IM SAYING

Mark you are well known– what do you teach your kids about alcohol
I come from a long line of alcoholics.. had uncle died gangrene from alcoholism.. wife beaters etcc…
so those say alcohol causes problems….I get it.. I didnt drink till 30 out of concience..age of 30 God allowed my concince to change.. I do have wine with dinner– I dont like beer… I do picket religious biggest… not a big issue, Im in Seattle– big issue there Im a heterosexual and I drive SUV

GREG- I come from that background- I dont drink- whatsoever not of faith sin- for me violation- Stumblingblock factor etc… I know a guy one drink its over told him I dont want to be the guy provides excuse Im like James I abstain—

James- TOTALLY different subject–I grew up Joking about homosexuality—what do you think
Stephen I dont think its helpful- because when I want to address the issue I am at a deficit… I have done it wrong–

David- agree with that- when we joke about homosexuality- it makes it preference not just sin- we dont joke about adultry so if we call it sin its not a joke…

James- I made a covenant with the Lord not to joke anymore….

Perry- I agree with that- one reasons we joke- if the enemy gets us to laugh long enough we dont take it seriously…

another question- Pornography is so prevalent– Does it disqualify from ministry

Mark- we assess in acts 29 we look at 500 in the pipeline this is not a issue it is thee issue– by grace of God I didnt grow up in this area—#1 area 12-17 year old boys…. want people to be honest– for those in leadership need to be above reproach need to live in holiness put them to death…. not just porn its LUST inaproppriate relationships porn is a bullseye— needs to be a one woman man– ISSUE IS LUST its unhealthy if its habitual disqualify….
James when is it—-
Mark once a week once a quarter— We want to take them through redemption group etc…. trying to get understanding how deep is this….

most loving thing to do is get a guy out of ministry when pressure is off and he is out then we will consider considering it….

Perry- I was intorduced to porn in 5th grade– dad let me watch porn…. so when I came to Christ in 1990 I was in porn till 99… I was worried to tell people…. first my heart breaks.. I was there as a believer… 2 thing I need you out of ministry now, not because I hate you or you suck as a individual….i want to get them help take them through a process to discover freedom I have found..
-
James- men open up here when its confidential– must be confidential– 2 thing recipricol–have to be able to tell your story….. we need to confess it not for forgiveness but for accountability

Question- how can complimentarians- promote female leaders
David NT- we can encourage woman in ministry TITUS 2 older teaching younger.. affirm them in ministry Paul does this with tims mom and grandma, and many woman that helped Him… then raise up men who affirm woman in their homes…..

James- I grew up in a church woman did nothing…. if you hold biblical account men are elders, than woman need to be in every position that they qualify WORSHIP PRAYER TEACHING OTHER WOMAN USHERING ETC….

Question- going around line– Name something that blesses your church and people dont see it—
Greg- prepare a study-
Perry- My walk with God- up every morning be on my face read my bible prayer etc….
James- alot of time filling cups- telling people I appreciate that- encouraging others- people dont see how often we do encourage.. they just see when we don’t
Mark- I tell our guys Christian husband father pastor- If you dont fight for this you cant be a pastor and if you are one you wont be a good one- I really do love what I do but I love my family more- my time with my fam is life giving-
Stephen- rigorous and intentional about our staff- we spend hours on words we use- Methodology- how many rough drafts we went through–
David- echo all those, interaction with other pastors in the community I learn alot- church doesnt know but important for us- even times like this I am a better pastor being around you guys

question- How do you respond to your celebrity? How do you manage it
greg- picks up a cell phone =) joking celebrity—point humility- God gives a thorn in flesh keeps us deflated usually starts with your wife=) or pain like MATT CHandler– talks about pauls THorn..Give God Glory dont let CRITICS DRIVE YOU INTO THE GROUND- DONT LET COMPLIMENTS GO TO THE HEAD

Perry- I didnt ask for it want it- Day guy followed me to bathroom while I was taking a pee I havnt delt with it well…
GREG- will you reveal it was james followed you…
something about GODLFISH =)

Perry- people went online found out how much his house was..
JAMES- AVID WOULD WANT YOU TO SELL IT =)

PERRY- now I am more introverded– I look at ground alot– people come to our home at 9:00 at night– been a process where God is refining me- have compassion more reclusive

DAVID- I know who I am and where I would be without his grace—one thing helped me is spending time with other brothers and sisters around the world… others going through so much more….

Stephen- John the baptist- He must Increase I must decrease-we are people and not all full of pride- you may think they are from a far… I saw this in driscoll.. so kind to my staff and driver etc… hes a rockstart and yet here he is we are normal— also helps to just go home wrestle with your kids…

Mark- I dont have alot to say– plan a humility- plan B humiliation–proverbs james peter aposes proud grace to the humble–To be propud pick a fight with God–
I regret alot of what I said–
I wish I live before internet–
You get stamped as a younger version of yourself-
Self inflicted wound you dont call police I did this to myself–
I do praise God for my critics…. God uses these rods for us…

James-to be a preacher is a burden- its a term paper every friday.. blank paper everyweek… its a massive amount of pressure— its not celebrity— it presses me to the Lord.. I dont say wow this is so great but How long can I do this because its so difficult—way I defeat celebrity– Paul said its a small thing for you to judge me– greater thing is the LORD….

Question- politics from pulpit yes or no
Greg- NO- issues yes biblical issues
perry- NO I will not endorse a candidate
Mark candidate No issues yes
Stephen- No we need to empower those in politics
David-NO if its a issue yes
James NO– and be careful about something endorses only one party

Question Creation evolution important
David- YES bible issue
Greg- Yes talking first book of the bible
Perry Yes
Mark- Yes not going to freak out about the age- and time
James- Yes 10 commands 1 day in seven rest- either its days or doesnt

Lot of preassure on pastors kids families how do they not get bitter
Perry- I dont know
Greg- Practice what you preach- hypocracy in home is disastrous– I made myself available to my kids be a good example- at a certain point 10K I moved out of community because I wanted my kids to have a normal life…
James- Share ministry with kids- joys and sorrows- let them find there faith and make it there own-

DONE GREAT DAY— SOme will come out this sunday in stuff I have been wrestling with in Nehemiah– Love you all back home see you soon

Love the Gospel vs. Share the Gospel Greg Laurie and Mark Driscoll

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:31:15 +0000

Why does it seem that those who revel most in the Gospel are least effective in seeing people saved and baptized? What are the elements that cannot be left out of the Gospel without distorting it? What is the meaning of “free offer of the Gospel” in preaching and is it biblically modeled or mandated? Why give an invitation when the biblical mode of confessing faith is baptism? Does preaching Christ in every sermon require a full explanation of the way of salvation?

James Greg you take the angle of we proclaim Gospel you just want to reach people… Mark you take we protect the Gospel.. FYI EVERYONE THIS IS BY DESIGN

Greg- thanks for putting it together– lets thank James….. great commission what is– mark preach gospel- mathews version make disciples– to me call them to christ get them on there feet help them mature do it over and over—In no way do I believe we can dillute gospel– we either overcomplicate it or dilute it— Some say thats to simple- we need to be simple.. otherwise we alienate people…. I want ot be PRO JESUS not pro life , I am that… BUT I want to be PRo Jesus…. its not when last time you preached it, but when did you last share it as a person…. I dont think every lesson has to be evangelistic….but you can bring it in….

Mark- you want me to disagree.. I cant disagree with Him if he was doing a alter call I would come forward right now =) RIght now we see young fired up planters in the city they are young wrestless calvinist.. we are not seeing alot of conversion…. sad… focus on birth not new birth…

James- I am worried about poverty theology… my fear is that reformed view of theology dot I’s cross T’s we adorn the gospel but we are not getting it to people…

Mark we are gun collectors not soldiers….cmon people SHOOT SOMETHING…

Mark asks greg- can you sign the confession of FAITH FROM GOSPEL COALITION =)
Greg- havn’t seen it =)

Greg talking about his great similarities with reformed theology….

Mark on reformers that hate criticize greg laurie to be like finny

Here is a guy led 1000s of people to Christ, being criticized by those who didn’t
Mark take your gun and shoot yourself… THERE IS NOT a bad way to get saved… =)
THIS IS TO FUNNY— how can we criticize

James– I dont give invitation every week do you david—

Platt- I do invite we dont have them come down…..

Greg- is somthing cool about a public confession—

James invitations yes or no

Perry yes absolutely we challenge to a certain response- pray out loud raise your hand I just follow Lord…
Some people say is it real– I say well if you make it to heaven you can ask them…=)

Stephen- yes we give invitation- we do it every week sometimes more public–confessing how he was afraid
now he does…

James- IF you love the Gospel you will share the gospel…

mark- Greg I come from reformed with briefs position..not uptight– now I believe there are elect people out there.. my job proclaim to all and HS will bring it —- God is doing it God is preparing and I am just a means to reach them I get to go to work with dad… now you are a calvary guy walk the aisle guy as a guy from calvary how do you work that in with election…

DL moody lord save the elect and save some more… scripture teaches predestination and election this is clear through scripture— election and the call are in scripture side by side– you dont have to reconcile friends.. I proclaim gospel leave results to Him…. Lord its in your hands- Im not beggin Im not tricking this is up to God not me–

MARK- WE TOTLALLY AGREE WITH HIM JAMES PREACH LIKE ARMINIAN SLEEP LIKE A CALVANIST

Money? David Platt and James MacDonald

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:33:47 +0000

How has materialism infiltrated the church? What is the true meaning of stewardship? Are big beautiful houses of worship an artistic expression of praise or an extravagant self indulgence? Is Jesus ministry normative for the minister’s finance? How is the current trend toward poverty influencing the North American church for good/bad? What is the impact of renouncing money upon spouse/children? What is a biblical standard of living for a minister of the Gospel? Is it wise stewardship to make your teaching resources free?

Mark- money big issues- esp those grew up in suburbia… prosperity- have rims on rims- Poverty gospel send all your money to 3 world

David you are getting typecast as the guilt poverty theology guy congrats… Explain

David- on a big picture has to start with looking at world through lense of the word. there are massive needs around the world.. we see the word 2300 plus verses that deal with money how we use money– we looked at 18 dif conclusions about how character of God looks at money sinful man looks at money etc….. at the end God is the owner we steward– we dont have a right to determine where it goes– therefore if He calls EVERYONE to do this he doesnt if he does we should follow HIs Lordship… we are stewards—
Sinfulness of Man- money neutral and money is dangerous in the hands of sinful man- Paul says desire for riches leads to destruction cause all of us in this rich nation to shiver… ascetisism wrong materialism dumb..when Jesus transforms us we change perspective… antidpte to materialism is Give 2 cor 8-9… We need to invest in what lasts…. I pastor in a place where money in ministry leads to idolatry..

Mark- Clarify what did your dad do
David Auditor with the GOvernment
Mark wow Who paid for all your degrees=== OUCH==)
David scholarship work loans variaty of areas…I tell people to make money when you make money use it– HE is a bit defensive here……..
Mark I dont think you do this but we have people that follow us for 5 min on you tube— Your dad worked hard gave you food wisdom and a start- what can happen with people without kids they dont think that a wise man leaves a inheritance for his kids- we should think about our kids- dont need to be flat broke for Jesus

James- I dont disagree with Christs Lordship resources….many guys like you chan piper alcorn many people are attatching a spiritual value to poverty and ascetisism… message against materialsm is important but you need to be very careful about how you right radically write about poverty…. Extend our theology of Joy in God to a joy into what God has made- we shouldnt feel guilty about what God gives. Psalms filled with rejoicing in what God has made. Ps 62 if riches increase dont set your heart on them– not wrong to have but its wrong if they have you…. whats slowly developing with randy alcorn and others like piper who lives in a way below middle class home….. problem comes when others see it as normative and a source of sanctification not a biblical view of possessions..Generosity breaks bondage not poverty

Platt- we to easily dismiss these text rich young ruler heart was to much in his stuff– How much is our heart into stuff

James Jessu new things had his heart

Platt I think we dont understand how much has us— Jesus said your heart follows your money– so when we poor our money into bigger better things our heart is there- poor into gospel our heart is there

James- Is it really one or the other— what I object to is a kind of spirituality– says we need less- most pastors dont have enough money to buy a pizza or take out there wife and they beat the sheep because they are burdoned you can enjoy what God gives without being attatched…

Platt we are not poor in america

mark we need to define poor—poverty because people here are poor
I grew up by ted bundy by greeen river killer-
James it affected you —- HA HA HA HA

James we dont need to look at the guy in africa as poor…. they dont even know it…
more doesnt always equel a problem… some of these guys have more joy than us— if we push our money there it will screw them up….

Matt- what david is saying and I am speaking for John P we arnt saying give it to guy in hut to get direct TV– we need to set the line- platt and piper are saying there are thousands of people groups that havnt heard gospel- Is it ok to have a 6 inch sub push money out— not so omar in africa can have a pool….

James- I have been all over the world- what we send to misions is pathetic– missions is broken– enough money to missionaries over last decade pathetic something is broken we need to send more but it needs to be better stewarded… We decided just go plant a church there and be man to man with the missionaries…
(LOVE THIS THIS IS WHAT WE DO WITH MARCEL)

Platt- we need to sacrifice to make it right and support it right-
Platt cut out 83% of worship budget- Cut out goldfish for the kids to send to missions–
Mark I think thats sucktastic =)

Mark whats your background james

James- we were not well off… teachers home– we shouldnt be stingy cheap and wives have to work outside the home- it affects the church- putting your kids in a slingshot hate God— your kids will hate GOd– SNACKS FOR THE KIDS OR MISSIONS thats a choice they shouldnt have to make– YOu should have phenominal state of the art worship equip you cheaped it on church side….

Platt so good to see kids give it up

Mark saw a church that said we wont give to pastor… so we can give to mission……

Platt we didnt cut salaries….

MARK EXACTLY GIVE KID CHEESITS– pastors didnt want to cut salaries but wanted to cut cheesits…..mark you took crakers from my kids I would be in prison ministry on inside

PLATT we are spending our resources on so much stuff not neccasary-

Mark- you inherited a fully paid for building with rich people that dont care, be careful what you give your people that can backfire elsewhere……

James- People writing about money don’t get money….. we are supposed to multiply it- sending it oversees is a napkin.. we should invest it into 9 zeros….

Platt– we send money the people multiply—

James– send half now take other half invest it…. we dont need this mentality of I got money better get rid of it.. ITs the love of money that is the root of all evil…. Give some a painful amount of away to break bondage from it– we are supposed to multiply it and enjoy some of it.. I dont need to give half my sub overseas….

Platt Sure he gives us good things–

James is it neglected area of theology of Joy–

Platt we live in a cultural seeks joy in to many things—

James we need writers that write that there is a joy in the things that God gives– danger in making pastor poor that will keep him humble and that is crushing people writers are beating pastors over the head with you should be POOR you shouldnt have anything….Blessing flows to faithfulness….. Our kids as pastors shouldnt hate God because we are poor because we give it all away and his church keeps beating him up
I am concerned about that are you

Platt- I guess I am unaware of those things I didnt know that happens to pastors—

STILL TALKING ABOUT THE CRACKERS… MARK CANT LET THE CRACKERS GO
GIVE THE KIDS SOME CRACKERS

Mark how long you been a pastor-

Platt 5 years… parent for 3–
Platt- says I guess I havnt been around as long as you guys…

James— DOnt feel guilty about blessing your family with what God is doing in your ministry

Mark- the wrap– its not rich and poor its righteous and unrighteous… Righteous rich, unrighteous righ, Righteous poor, and unrighteous poor….my fear is to be careful younger less discerning evangilical thinks poor equels MORE RIGHTEOUS..

Multi-Site: Personality Cult vs. God’s Greater Glory Perry Noble and Matt Chandler

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:13:38 +0000

Is it biblical for someone to pastor people they never see? Are multi-site and massive ego synonymous or is there a place to pursue this course in humility? Is celebrity status the fault of the pastor or the people he is trying to lead? What’s the difference? What dangers must be avoided in the multi-site approach? What can we say to those who label multi-site an unbiblical ecclesiology and what must they explain?

SORRY EVERYONE went to Post this one and internet froze and lost it all— I am picking up where I left off…

First part talked about How chandler came to Multi site as he was against it for a while-

The Guys see Multi site as somwhat replacing small church pastors…
Multi church sites have a 90% success rate vs those one site that 50% fail

Platt says its not for them

James- Multi site should never replace church planting-

Greg- greatest critics never attend one, we plant churches and we plant churches, at the satelite campuses they have more intimate relationship with pastors

Stephen- I am able to raise up and train up other leaders that have leadership abilities but maybe not the best teachers… It has enabled me to raise up more leaders…. we can train people to be less consumeristic.. its not about me being here life…. we say its less about the man- I dont have to be in that building for you to receive Gods word

Platt- I see what you are saying but you are saying someone else cant do it–

James NO JUSt cant do it as good… after all some are for 50 100 1000, we are suppose to steward this…

Platt be careful 100 talent guys not to crush 10 talent guys…

Mark both and- we give to the little guys in acts 29 enough lost people for everyone

James- we started at 18 people 5 years in we were 500– one year we went from 500 to 250 I did all that =)
The Lord is the test of our fruitfulness.. God will test it in the end.. I want the young guy to refine his gift go through what I did, but I dont want to limit my fruitfulness to prove to him that I care about him

Mark- are they losing value of being a sheperd— Listen if you have alot of Kings and profits does it negate sheperd—-

Perry NO— First church 100 people—you cant affectively shepherd 100 people.. shepherd neds to raise up other shepherds.. we have to raise up other shepherds.. Multi site grows you raise up other shepherds…

Matt- if primary teaching pastor isolates to where he doesnt shepherd He will miss out on the joy of shepherding– Huge leap to say multi site pastor does that…. I live a mile from FLowermound I shepheerd this church I go to hospital even though we do have pastors- you can Isolate in 600 person churches back to your books… This is not multisite quesiton pastoral question….

mark sheep shepherd flock shepherd– Sheep shepherd hands on FLock shepherd raise up other pastors—-then the pastors get a shepherd- I still do funerals weddings, now I am concerned about my campus guys I need to pastor them in a apostolic role…. Senior shepherd cares for shepherds cares for leaders cares for flock and alot of shepherding is getting done

MARK INTERNET CAMPUS— what do you think click for communion baptism–
matt- Gathering is a mandate of scripture–
Mark- weird way to have a marriage to right
Perry- 2 years ago said yes- now no— well people more honest onlince really that why they are autoguy69 is there name no people are dishonest— so now I think you have to meet together..

Mark-Finally I asked Whats a church– to multi site guys— and they didnt give an answer— before we do multisite we need to define church– we need to do what bible says- for those looking at multi site- Make sure you clearly define biblical what a church is and does– then how do you do that anywhere… then you can take resources like a church plant it can and does succeed…. lot of places a guy is a good priest not a prophet or king get the king prophet in cleans it up

Guys saying how long it takes-
Matt 8 hrs
greg 8 hrs
platt 12-15 hrs
Stephen 2 hrs
mark 60-90 minutes…

Unity Can’t We All Get Along? vs. Discernment: My Way or the Highway Steven Furtick and James MacDonald

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:38:36 +0000

What criteria should decide whom a pastor publicly endorses/partners with? When do my associations negate the orthodoxy of my own ministry? Is there ever a time to publicly critique another pastor? Is sincerity enough to draw my endorsement? When does my energy over non-essentials limit and isolate my fruitfulness?

Driscol thats enough Compassion lets have a good argument—stephen your cardio will outdo james good thing he is a vet…lots of verses on unity/ and dealing with conflict… we need to have a good argument

Weird question to james- who do you listen to and enjoy as a preacher

James- I dont listen to a ton of preaching- I have heard everyone here blessed here I listened alot to chuck smith and chuck swindol as a young man but now I dont listen frequently to many others-

Mark- stephen you included a bunch in the reformed crowd ed young etc.. bill hybels.. TD jakes joyce meyers and joel osteen and piper thats like I am a meat eating vegetarian =)… OI love Stephen how do you do that and does it concern you

Furtick- MY blog on that day feb 3 I said some I agree with some I dont…. I love preaching I love good preaching bad preaching its all I have and makes me defensive…. I am a big boy.. eat fish leave bones– id didnt say these are those I endorse… When I say these are streams of influence— I like when jakes throws down and piper confuse me- I am glad I have both feel sorry for those that only listen to one style.. I love that big list…. James I want to be like oyu when I grow up

James- I want you to grow up =)

stephen- I trust you as a father- you pulled elephant room off— I think you set this up is to show us that we have in commen– He wants to bring me and chandler together and people will see we all love Jesus..

james- It is why I did it but I also have a heart to see everyone needs to submit to the truth… You are a very loving affectionate person- your church feel loved—

mark- is he more of a pasptr than you thought-

James- Yes– but its about a book God wrote and we need to submit— I have heard those people and people follow you and some cant spit out the BONES– there is alot of error in that list- Trinitarian elements of the gospel….

Stephen- Site it– Site it from jakes- easy to say alot of error–

james- what I am trying ot get to is everyone cant discern when you list teachers, and you say there is error on your blog and you put it out and some will go undiscerning… THAT lacks disernment- YOU have humility we want to see you grow in discerning truth from error..not talking MUSIC methadology we are talking TRUE ERROR.. Need to weigh truth and error… Not saying oyu disagree.. I am concerned your influence may lead some to error

Mark- Would you encourage your staff and people to listen and podcast to these people.

Stephen- I want them exposed like my kids with 1st and secondary foods… I am not putting them all on par– my people dont have time to listen to all these guys…. someone reading my blog is going to allready know these guys.. I do try to teach truth and I want my staff to learn to learn from many different types of people… I am tired of my generation for being known for what we are against than what we are for.. we look stupid and angry- misses Jesus….

James- as a concept I agree- but scripture says be wary of false teachers.. says watch up.. scripture sets me on fire and mark those that cause division….NT doesnt make get along point- we dont win wolves we SHOOT WOLVES FREAKING SHOOT THEM WE HAVE TO

Mark- Sheep, shepherds wolves love them a different way- sheperds job to be unloving against the wolves– How do we know wolf shepherd sheep

Stephen- you call someone a wolf over hwy to hell—-

james he is wrong not a wolf

PERRY wait james PROM SONGS TO JESUS DO SAME SONGS TO JESUS DO JUST AS MUCH DAMAGE—
equally damaging

Matt Chandler-

James driscol has man crush on chandler =)

Driscol he is wearing a sweater =)

chander- they are both issues- wolf needs to be defined-

James- There are real wolves they have podcast they do hurt the gospel

PERRY- Pastors elders should be the ones to call out error on doctrinal accuracy– God didnnt raise up internet bloggers to call people out– LEADERS call people out–

Driscol Sheep shepperd wolf how do you know–

Platt- deny Jesus trinity bible etc…..
Mark- you writing it down perry =)

Platt I need to call it out if it is happening- Methodology does factor in— easy believism- are ways evanglism is doen which leads to a false assurance.. if it is happening I will call that out to- THis is how you biblically respond-

Driscol- How long have you been in pastoral ministry

GREG- 40 years—
Driscol How do you decide these are shephered wolves for your crusade on city wide- HOW do you do it
Greg Good questions-
Mark I KNOW

Greg- I dont care who promotes crusdade– QUestion is where do we send them–we send them to those in biblical orthodoxy… we go in evangelicals seem to want in others dont.. rarely do I have to say you cant’

Driscol- What issues have you had to day-
Greg- Word of faith theology- and a liberal church doesnt believe supremecy of Christ- scripture etc…

Stephen easy to calp about shoot wolf when you think you are doing best Job- and you love Gospel your family and wife and you would die for gospel you get shot see friends being shot- easy to have conversation about peole never seen 3d… Im here to honor you and people said don’t go- told me not to sit across chandler but I did

James- That is why we are here.. started with me meeting mark– everyone saying cant meet mark- marks like pray for me–people were freaking about mark date stamped him said this is who he is.. I am so blessed to be with you guys… BUT THERE are guys that are destructive to gospel- and yes we should be careful BUT WE DO NEED TO NAME NAMES JESUS AND PAUL DID IT– because not everyone teaches Gospel

Driscol-I told you Stephen reformed guys will shoot you Here is my number and we will talk to them together…. There are boundries differences between statte borders and national borders.. state borders no wars.. national we have a war.. inerency of scripture bothsay National- Jesus National- all born sinners National- Tongues STATE- consceince literal torment of hell for those reject Christ STEPHEN LOVE WINS =) ha ha NATIONAL
difference over state issues— NOT NATIONAL

Compassion Amplifies the Gospel vs. Compassion Distorts the Gospel Greg Laurie and David Platt

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:01:37 +0000

How important is it to express the compassion of Christ in tangible ways as pre-evangelism? In what ways is compassion ministry an ‘easy out’ and safe haven from the offense of proclaiming Christ? What is our obligation to express the compassion of Christ beyond the household of faith? Are we really responsible to affect change in every needy area of the world simply because technology allows us to know about it? Are we supposed to reach cities or individuals? What have you done that elevated compassion in your people without drawing them away from evangelism?

Platt- If we believe Gospel compassion will be a reality- If there is not evidence of Compassion than is there evidence of the Gospel- 1 John 3, James 2, Matt 25… No Compassion, is Christ really in us.. essence of Luke 10 love your neighbor etc.. Do good to all and the household of faith- Priority in the church, doesnt mean we ignore those outside the church… Compassion helps advance the gospel. We get to interact when we help them. Makes no sense to share the gospel and run past those without-

GREG- I ama against compassion-JOKE- Compassion modivates ut- look at Jesus- He was moved with Compassion- Sometimes we take it to a extreme somtimes relief ministry can take the place of the gospel… I serve on samaritians purse we just sent items to Japan its needed. BIG PICTURE Glorify God edify saints Testifying of Him to world. Acts 2:42 LOVE GREG- God adds such as should be saved. We help people all year long- 100 years from now they will be dead, if I have not given them the gospel in all my acts of compassion than I have FAILED THE MISSION- We should not just show compassion our MISSION is to go into all world and preach the Gospel.

Platt- TOTALLY AGREE always a pull away from evangalism- always easier to give water than say your a sinner and you need to repent…. I see it in my own life- THere is always a need for this. I will speak for our church- You couldnt tell Gospel in us as we ignored the poor in our community- Lack of Concern for our city around us- And around the World- Now not saying we are responsinble for ending poverty around world- But there are brothers and sisters dieing they are without food- we have a duty 1cor, Rom 15 conerning the offering to Jerusalem the offering was a pic of fellowship— what have we said as americans– We are not with you–

GREG- AMEN- pure undefiled religion minister to woman—- World sees our faith as we show compassion- I like david about Gospel—Now I have seen some churches that Just DO COMPASSION— THAT JUST DO WORLD RELIEF- Christians are the ones that do this never see ATHIEST PURSE etc…. lets not forget the Gospel… If we do both we fire on all cylenders….

James many organizations do bad job of sharing Gospel… just pushing the food out when they get off the plane.. Not much dif

Greg I disagree- Haiti- we helped provide structures for the people- and then Franklin graham got to come in—

james No doubt franklin does that- in the last 10k boxes may have had a event here or there but box isnt passed differently than world organizations… wheres the gospel in it-

Platt- We are in india last week people are dying drout etc… village never heard Jesus- and hearing Jesus with we are bringing water to… I dont want them to hear that as we bring water this is now the water God–

james somtimes its confusing to people that compassion is the blanket of Gospel- Its guy brings meds water thats the Gospel— Not sin repentance etc…

Greg- we need to be intentional– things pull to liberal vs evangelical…

James if we keep pressing the priority of compassion do we set stage for salvation army william booth as a preacher to now we are way off from the Gospel… same thing could be said for world vision.. red cross now has red crescent.. compassion for compassion itself…. How afraid are you platt that what you have written gets reduced from the gospel

Platt- said secular culture loves his book and is attracted to the compassion but not gospel-

James-if you have a choice between preaching cup cold water- or heavenly water-
going to take cup

Driscol- David you know reformed circles you knwo good works not gospel- leads to liberalism and leads to mainline denominations right now…. be careful people become cause oriented not Christ oriented…

platt so we need to do both—

Driscol- following you piper and the crazy asian guy who is francis chan =)….. following you and them do you think it will remain theologically gospel oriented or will it be diluted

Platt- People freak Im a liberal because I want to help ditches on both sides WE NEED BALANCE…. We need to help with Compassion…. We are in a ditch and I am taking a small step up and everyone freaks as you try to get out of the ditch, as people are starving we are arguing……

Drsciol– as soon as you say somthing nice there like LIBERAL– Next thing you know lesbian bishops baptiszing cats.. =)

Perry- ON Social Justice ministries– Church should be compassion organization ministry— We cant rescue people from Hell on earth but not real hell– MUST TAKE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD

MATT CHANDLER– Gospel is becoming junk drawer- compassion is not the gospel– I was at a conference and one guy said I cant define gospel up to you in your communities…crazy— we are all on a slippery slope its not a 90 degree angle- we need to learn where land mines are in the past like the social gospel… we need to watch land mines from behind us..

James- biblical passages on compassion in NT was for the church, we are suppose to take care of eachother and if there is anything left over we give outside—today its outside outside– I THINK ITs both…Can we use biblical passages for the Church and use them on the Lost????

Greg- Acts 2:42- caring for each other we need to take care of each other. NOT ENOUGH OF THE proclamation of the GOSPEL… David you say its more compassion ITS more proclamation… we need to proclaim the gospel it isn’t happening. When I see tv preachers define gospel it isnt gospel where is the gospel

Platt and James arguing over verses is it outside is it inside the church compassion

Platt 6000 groups havnt heard gospel- they live in difficult areas why cant we bring them compassion

James- what biblical passages are informing you to as you go bring the good news and you must bring elements of compassion–

Platt love your neighbor as yourself- You get there they are hungry– you are going to share the gospel but along the way you need to feed clothe and help… Simply because it is the overflow of christ in us

james love it— I dont believe the bible commands us to use compassion in evangalism– you do this because of the life of Christ in you- God is glorified in you… I dont give cold water Simply to give you the gospel- i give you water because I have Christ in me I have compassion
We need to first help brothers and sisters in Christ– why we have churches helping churches–
I have compassion because Jesus is in me—

We need both one shows reality of Christ, one extends his love…

Of all miracles shows his compassion he moved with compassion on 5000.. He wanted them to eat…
we see his compasion in other gospels- amazing in John when he taught the message he is bread of life- EVERYONE BAILED… HE had compassion he taught gospel… he fed alot of people..

Culture in the Church vs. Church in the Culture Mark Driscoll and Perry Noble

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:57:45 +0000

Does it matter that culture sees the church as unconnected and out of touch? Are movie clips and secular songs effective in leading people to Christ? Does a pastor really need a “brand?” How and when does style mute the message of the Gospel? What do churches miss when they choose to ignore the lessons of the broader culture in leadership and organizational management? What chance does the “dork” have in reaching people and building his church? When does our emphasis on style become a subtle form of Arminianism? What are some things you’ve seen churches do that go too far to penetrate the culture or not far enough?

James– You are both on the left of this than I am—Perry talk about culture- Tons coming to Jesus- Your relevant etc….

Perry- Series messages– on Questions people ask Ripped it from you Driscol-so thanks- I dont think world is anti Church– church is just answering wrong questions… world doesnt care about di chotamy trichotamy– care about my mom just died… thats preaching to culture– Jesus did this always brings it back to him- We engage people where they are— What are you doing— Started out easter with Highway to hell- DRISCOLL reforemd guys loved that by the way- Perry just need to know I was predestined to do that—=) So we started out easter was to deliver us from AC DC HELL— It was even tense for– James Y– Perry cause I went to church and never heard choir play that one =) We had a guy come up to us, say in that song a guy said the Song revealed to him where he was going– we are willing to do that- purpose is always to bring them to the word

James- where is the Line —- I want that epephant in the room

Driscol- Every people live in a culture language communities dress music drink we all live culturally contextualized look at Jesus, lived in heaven he comes here he is incarnated into this culture he is here on mission… Pharisees who are modern fundamentalist avoid lost people- handed out divorces like holloween candy– Sadducees liberals- Apostles culturally connected engaged…..
Contend- For the faith Closed handed we fight for the TRUTH-
Contextualize Become all things to all men for the Gospel-

So where do we contextualize and where do we contend—
Reject
Receive
Redeem

Puritans hated Christmas so they Rejected it– SO what do we do

Lowest IQ on the internet says this is all worldly— SO IS THE INTERNET love driscol =)
JUST GAVE JAMES A PEN TO TAKE HIS 3 R’s =)

Reject doesnt belong here
Receive ok as is
Redeem use it

Perry- I love that we use Highway to Hell– we redeem it–

Driscoll- We can use the passion— none of us will put Mel on our team Redeem it =)

James I want To go to Highway to hell I cant believe you did that– I just don’t get it….
Perry– God told Isaiah to strip naked do you get that—
James- Be careful because should someone strip naked–
Perry- Paul quotes rockstars of the day in Acts 17 Mars HIll How can we say those methods are not affective

Perry Does Gods word contradict what we did-

james can we do what the bible forbids– NO– what if it doesnt say it…

perry- People lose there mind when they did hwy to hell dont watch the rest— it was a launching point to lead them to hear gospel

Driscol I think I know why baptist dont invite you to convention

James Same people dont want ac dc wont teach about hell

Driscol Guys get hammered for going to far– they dont get hammered for not going far enough… Jonny coward is to worried about going to far….. He has a hwy to hell in his church =)

james when I think perry– No ox stalls are clean– I wouldnt do that– mark- He is doing somthing– lets put a gold star on the chore chart…..=) Stop freaking doing Somthing

james- How far is to far-

Matt chandler— Bitter you put those guys up that agree and me and stephen dont Im a bit bitter james thanks alot cant speak

PLATT— hwy to hell at His church

Driscol- No way in hell he does that

Platt we wont do hwy to hell

James WHy

Driscoll Band cant play it

Platt– Best way to reach lost people is His gospel- We need to lift him up his character not stuff pulls away from him.. he needs to be focused

James yes or no it was a mistake

Platt- I wouldnt do it

Greg- Ive been to churches done U2/Dylan, I was raised listening to Jimmi H, I made a break from it but I came back and I saw christians doing songs thought it was lame I would rather listen to U2…. When worship is done well people marvel… Paul did quote and mars hil there people and it does build bridges

Perry- I think its great he did hwy to hell- To say that there is a line by tv shows, or sports,
James- Driscol does movie reviews

James- driscol you do review what about avatar-You went off–
Driscol- I thought it was a great movie until marines started losing I always cheer for marines…
James- you spend all this time on movie its a cultural connection you felt you could recieve redeem
Driscol NO I rejected it HIT IT LIKE A NAIL
I want to train our people to think like missionaries… THere is a theology in movies… put on hurly shirt it said believe in yourself– My shirt had a doctrinal statement— Thats a sermon—- I need people to see this- We need to point them to Jesus-

James- i wanted my kids to watch simpsons it was a critique of society— wanted them to learn to think
Thats great outside of the redeemed but should it be topic in the morning gathering

Perry- Our worship is on the Glory of God and the power of God– I am all about Glory of God
I am covered by His grace when I sing about that I am there-
Jesus was a story teller- Jesus was engaging- He used a story—
Guy one time he through out some seed— So James I am just trying to be more like Jesus =)

James- SO you believe that song in singing that Song- your glorifying God
Driscol do you have it powerpoint are they singing along
Perry- Lets do this song to grab there attention.

TEXT- quesitons- WOuld he come to christ with or without song
Driscol Im a calvanist- SO YES- he would- but Rom 9-11 says yes he would have ultimatley gotten saved strategically used that day that song–
James- God used an ass to speak to
Driscol you went one Shrek verse and you grabbed it James…..
Perry- People always use that one verse- God can use any means to Redeem- We really do we get together we pray we dont get together and say how can we piss a bunch of people off.. we come hear to ask what does God want us to do— If I did it wrong I will stand before God and hear that..
james I dont think your motives are in question— It is wrong to judge heart… But you cant retreat to I ment well- we need to be right- The pathway for this lost person to come to God that I need to show them that the church gets there culture I will be like the world to reach the world….
Perr- we Live among the culture- We do it oversees we say its Godly as missionaries we do it Here we say its worldly—
James- what I struggle with now that I understand it– I must bring it and execute culture in front of people to show them I did my homework—
Driscol- Beginning that church is pure water- its not–
james- I am the one brings content- I need to do all things to glory of God- hwy to Hell is offensive-
driscol So is religion
Perry- my message brought glory
james- your message great HWy to Hell not so great
perry your the judge of the song-
James hwy to hell is people glorying in the fact that they get to go to hell how do you bring that into the church-
Perry- God used that song to bring someone in- I think it was reedemed- You wouldnt do it James but we will worship with the guy that will be in heaven

Matt Chandler- i land with platt greg we wouldnt do it-
james WHY not, perry has a strategy doesnt see it as compromise, He thought it through WHy wouldnt you
Matt- My own flesh- I would be giving the finger to the fundamentalist so it would be my flesh- i wonder how that plays in- we grew up in real tight yesteday- you cant watch R movie unless its about Jesus…. we have to be careful not to fly into license not all is permissable- How much is permissable- cant jsut be to say YES WE CAN– It is a song that celebrates SCREW you God- I cant do that-

James- someone said one of these guys is a heretic, These are my brothers….
Driscol I wouldnt do the song- Is this a issue jsut contextual disagreement or is this a sin against God-
James- james says if you know to do good and don’t its sin— God knows HIs heart so what he did later was better, and God wasn’t so grieved he didnt say Im not on this week, God was at work in service…
Perry- every week we dont do this– we dont always open up with hwy to hell- although we did do hells bells–
Mark– Covering face– in disbelief =)
James– same thign with you mark how you talk sex-
Perry I like that mark FIST BUMP
James- I like your sincerity and intentionality
if it doesn’t adorn beauty of Gods grace- if it doesnt SHow him off- we may draw people, decisions, even doesnt adorn gospel it doesnt advance the gospel

Preaching to Build the Attendance vs Preaching to Build the Attendees  Matt Chandler and Steve Furtick

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:33:18 +0000

  Is the goal of the weekend sermon evangelism or sanctification? Is it biblically legitimate to plan a whole series for reaching seekers? Is preaching to “felt needs” the opposite of “preaching the Word” or can they work together? What does it mean to “preach the Word” and how do we know we have done it? If we have failed to preach the “whole counsel of God,” what topics will we likely have avoided? Is the message helped or hindered by a marketing package? When is the shaping of a series an access point for people and when has the “package” become a distraction?

 Matt Chandler and Steve Furtick

Steven is up first, reaching people far from God as the Purpose of the weekend service. Mission of Jesus is to seek and save the Lost. Our mission is to reach the lost world. Loves to listen to chandler. He is preaching through the book of Ephesians. James Mcdonald encouraging stephen saying you have had 10k people profess Christ in His church in 5 yrs… your doing a good work….Stephen- We all are in this for People…

Matt Chandler My fear with evangelism first. Lets go back to Jesus but we only have 4 minutes. Matt 13 Parable of the sower some seed falls good some on bad, as soon as the seed is not convenient it is God. baby breastfeeding cute 20 year old breastfeeding not cute… POint they need solid food. They Church needs Meat. If our goal is only evangelism people cant grow. We dont have to choose between one or the other we can teach Meat and have the evangelism. Making His point from Ephesians! Says fierce wolves are coming watch out for wolves. Paul shared Gospel first then said this is what you do in the chruch, than to Timothy who was in ephesus he says watch your doctrine… guard your doctrine, and then REVELATION to ephesus watch our for your first love if you dont you die. Doctrine is not the enemy of conversion.

Stephen Defending himself- To say that me only teaching evangelism leads to small christians- He says that He does teach more than what creates buzz hype, and what feeds the church, however he will constantly stand up say its not about us not about us getting more intelligent.. Wants a church that doesnt just hear word but does…. He will grow a Believer—- They need to get outside themselves and start sharing- most mature churches are those sharing their faith……. WANTING A MEN– NO one is Giving it to HIM =)

MATT CHANDLER-HIlarious can’t repeat… Chandler says stephen the Reformed community not a big fan of stephen— STEPHEN SAYS reformed community not a fan of anything =) Stephen defending that his city has doctrine has doctrine… and they just want more doctrine but they won’t evangelize– So he says if all you want to do is go deeper– and if all deeper means is I need more truth, and I dont have to love my wife, and care for my family, than get out. Stephen on MATT CHANDLER, you make the evangelism guys look like they have no brains…. We do and we are seeking God, we are waiting on Him….

James to Matt- You are Gifted Matt- People come to matts church its like evangelical wine tasting- =) There coming to you for FINE FINE bible teaching….They come because of Matt are they being saved… or is this just Christian fine wine dining on bible…..What do you say Matt- Matt there is real conversion, not just christians that had never been baptized. Saying we baptize to….

Stephen- We are in this for the same thing- We want to see people saved.. You are offensive to me feeding those that just want doctrine… now you hate that matt just like me I know that…

Driscoll- Furtick background is artist play to his strengths.. Matt your not every shirt has a collor looks like extra from 50′s sitcom =) THese are different guys oh man hilarious =) you play to your strengths….. your both serving those you have…

Greg Laurie- as I listen to stephen he has a evangelistic gift- when you are a evangelist you need to swing more to doctrine etc…. guy teaching gift needs to do the work of evangelist need balance… every church needs evangelism… evangelize or fossilize…. love CC

First text question–Do you speak to Christians or non believers–

Matt I primarily speak to Christians…..I am teaching to the saints….

Stephen– Struggling to say that— I will give more time to the lost…Preaching to the lost will also talk to the saints, my church exist for mission of God in the world and I will equip them in eph 4…. but I want to explain how those outside can get in on that

Second text question— Should they grow themselves or church helps them grow

Matt- our role to train for the work of the ministry you need to be in submission wanting to apply wanting to grow…. Stephen like dane cook with the bile best dressers I have ever seen …at end of the day people need to apply it…

James… I feel like I am both- we should say I am both– your both saying both…I can preach verse by verse and win the lost… Im not feeding anyone who is hungry I believe all are hungry gospel needs to be in every message.. but feeding sheep is not the enemy of gospel… you have to be growing your church…. purpose of God is not Soteriological it is doxological… Bunch of Crappy christians… we need to challenge christians o be God Honoring!!! Growing better christians is apart of the mission… Both are important part of our ultimate mission…

AMEN

THUMBS UP FOR ALL THE GUYS… They have these thumbs up thumbs down signs that Laurie driscoll etc… are able to press =)

Stephen- Feed them to do the word….

James- Christians are starving- Selfish shepherds shallow services starving sheep—

CHANDLER 3 S’s THATS A BOOK JAMES =)

DONE

Elephant Room Conference Line Up

Loren Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:42:07 +0000

James MacDonald – Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, IL
Mark Driscoll – Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA
Perry Noble – Pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC
Matt Chandler – Pastor of The Village Church in Dallas, TX
Steven Furtick – Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC
Greg Laurie – Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA
David Platt – Pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL
TOPICS
Note: Each speaker will be asked to present the argument for each side as they understand it then critique its opposite and finally argue for the other side. Finally all conference participants will be given a timed opportunity to add their two cents and the moderator will summarize. (Views expressed are not necessarily those of the participants or their organizations.)

All sessions will be moderated by James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll.

Preaching to Build the Attendance vs. Preaching to Build the Attendees  Matt Chandler and Steve Furtick  Is the goal of the weekend sermon evangelism or sanctification? Is it biblically legitimate to plan a whole series for reaching seekers? Is preaching to “felt needs” the opposite of “preaching the Word” or can they work together? What does it mean to “preach the Word” and how do we know we have done it? If we have failed to preach the “whole counsel of God,” what topics will we likely have avoided? Is the message helped or hindered by a marketing package? When is the shaping of a series an access point for people and when has the “package” become a distraction?

Unity: Can’t We All Get Along? vs. Discernment: My Way or the Highway Steven Furtick and James MacDonald  What criteria should decide whom a pastor publicly endorses/partners with? When do my associations negate the orthodoxy of my own ministry? Is there ever a time to publicly critique another pastor? Is sincerity enough to draw my endorsement? When does my energy over non-essentials limit and isolate my fruitfulness?

Culture in the Church vs. Church in the Culture 
Mark Driscoll and Perry Noble  Does it matter that culture sees the church as unconnected and out of touch? Are movie clips and secular songs effective in leading people to Christ? Does a pastor really need a “brand?” How and when does style mute the message of the Gospel? What do churches miss when they choose to ignore the lessons of the broader culture in leadership and organizational management? What chance does the “dork” have in reaching people and building his church? When does our emphasis on style become a subtle form of Arminianism? What are some things you’ve seen churches do that go too far to penetrate the culture or not far enough?

Love the Gospel vs. Share the Gospel  Greg Laurie and Mark Driscoll  Why does it seem that those who revel most in the Gospel are least effective in seeing people saved and baptized? What are the elements that cannot be left out of the Gospel without distorting it? What is the meaning of “free offer of the Gospel” in preaching and is it biblically modeled or mandated? Why give an invitation when the biblical mode of confessing faith is baptism? Does preaching Christ in every sermon require a full explanation of the way of salvation?

Money?  David Platt and James MacDonald   How has materialism infiltrated the church? What is the true meaning of stewardship? Are big beautiful houses of worship an artistic expression of praise or an extravagant self indulgence? Is Jesus ministry normative for the minister’s finance? How is the current trend toward poverty influencing the North American church for good/bad? What is the impact of renouncing money upon spouse/children? What is a biblical standard of living for a minister of the Gospel? Is it wise stewardship to make your teaching resources free?

Multi-Site: Personality Cult vs. God’s Greater Glory Perry Noble and Matt Chandler   Is it biblical for someone to pastor people they never see? Are multi-site and massive ego synonymous or is there a place to pursue this course in humility? Is celebrity status the fault of the pastor or the people he is trying to lead? What’s the difference? What dangers must be avoided in the multi-site approach? What can we say to those who label multi-site an unbiblical ecclesiology and what must they explain?

Compassion Amplifies the Gospel vs.
Compassion Distorts the Gospel  Mark Driscoll and David Platt  How important is it to express the compassion of Christ in tangible ways as pre-evangelism? In what ways is compassion ministry an ‘easy out’ and safe haven from the offense of proclaiming Christ? What is our obligation to express the compassion of Christ beyond the household of faith? Are we really responsible to affect change in every needy area of the world simply because technology allows us to know about it? Are we supposed to reach cities or individuals? What have you done that elevated compassion in your people without drawing them away from

Cowboy Dinner Tree

Jenna Friesen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:43:10 +0000

Good eats!

Rise up and clean house

Tasha Harper — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:00:19 +0000

Turkey Hunt

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:05:04 +0000

April 15th-17th

New to TFAB Meeting

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:06:49 +0000

Get to know the leadership!

Rise Up and Praise

Tasha Harper — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:00:43 +0000

Rise Up and Praise

Kent Akins — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:00:27 +0000

Jeff and Gina Patterson

Missy — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:44:49 +0000

TFAB Testimonies

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:52:17 +0000

Our stories

Rise Up For Revival · Part 10

Missy — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:00:58 +0000

Rise Up For Revival · Part 10

Kent Akins — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:00:53 +0000

We Moved!

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:41:30 +0000

March 17, 2011

Family Camp 2011

Jenna Friesen — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:15:29 +0000

TFAB Swim Party

Jenna Friesen — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:29:19 +0000

Come join us!

Rise Up! – Nehemiah

Kent Akins — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:30:58 +0000

click to watch or listen

Join the City

Kent Akins — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:13:31 +0000

click for more info

Marriage is Honorable

Kent Akins — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:11:34 +0000

click to watch or listen

The Book of Hebrews

Kent Akins — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:09:24 +0000

click to watch or listen

Rise Up For Revival · Part 9

Kent Akins — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:00:44 +0000

Rise Up For Revival · Part 9

Tasha Harper — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:00:15 +0000

Luke 11:14-53

Tasha Harper — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:00:29 +0000

Luke 11:14-53

Kent Akins — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:00:03 +0000

Blog #12 Burkina Faso (From Aaron)

Loren Anderson — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:08:46 +0000

The power is out and we are sitting out on the porch in the hot African night. The air is filled with the smoke from burning trash and the constant red dust that covers everything in this place. In the nearby trees we hear the loud chirps of the bats as they go about their evening routine. The bushes below our feet rustle every couple of seconds with the traffic of the cats, rats and rodents that inhabit them. Sitting in the darkness I try to wrap my mind around the incredible journey that I have just been on. Earlier this afternoon I stood on a stage in front of 120 pastors (they continued to come through the week) who I have had the privilege of teaching the Word of God to over the past week. Fighting back tears I had shared with them that in my 20 years of studying and teaching the Word of God the opportunity to come and minister to them had been the highlight of my life.
As I continued to sit there I reflected on how Burkina Faso is like nothing I have ever experienced. First there is the fact that everything and I mean everything around you is out to hurt or kill you. By that I mean creatures, disease, sanitation…you must be on your guard continually or this place will run you over. You have to watch what you touch, what touches you, what you eat, where it came from, what touched it. When you shower you must keep a dead bolt on your mouth lest any water get in and you must make sure that if you wash with the water you sanitize your hands right afterwards. When you pick up a utensil to eat you must examine it and any glass that heads towards your lips must be scrutinized, inspected and washed. Every place you venture to eat or every dish that is put in front of you is like playing Russian roulette. It is an exhausting experience that you can never fully appreciate until you are in it. Secondly there is the culture shock. There is not one single familiar aspect of your western life that you left behind. The language is either French or tribal Morea. There are no drive thrus or anything that even resembles a fast food restaurant. You are in the middle of a dusty red frying pan. Thirdly whatever skills you think you brought along with you…forget about them. If you’re a construction guy you will find that construction doesn’t work the same here. If you are here to minister the Word then you face a mountain of racial, language and intellectual hurdles before you can even start. As I sat and pondered this in the dark I had to smile as I reflected on my last two weeks and began to understand why the Lord would send me or anyone to Burkina.
It’s like sand paper for the soul. It is such a combination of difficulties that it literally strips you of every confidence you have ever had in anything and leaves you completely bare before the Lord. You are left to sit in a foreign land, without movies, tv’s, distractions and you are empty and bare before the Lord. I sat there and tried to think of any other place that could do such immediate and complete destruction to our distractions and self confidence. But that’s also what I thought was amazing about Burkina…it is a sanctuary…a very tough fiery sanctuary…and pretty much everyone has their “Burkina moment” because of this. As the bats continued to flutter overhead I thought back to my Burkina moment…a deep breaking and power encounter with the King unlike any I had ever experienced. I wondered, “Could that have taken place anywhere else but a place like this?” I don’t know…but I know I won’t be the same.
I thought about my life when I left for Burkina and how crazy it was. Those issues will still be there when I return, however, I feel that the Lord has brought me to a certain end of me and the man that is returning has been changed in a very deep way.
The power fires back up and I grab my computer. First order of business, send an important email. About twelve years ago a pastor named Mickey Stonier was giving a lecture in an evangelism school that I was a student in. As I sat in the class Mickey explained that it was very likely that when the apostle John was the last disciple left on the earth that the people would have crowded the churches to hear him before he was sentenced to the island of Patmos. Mickey speculated that the old man John would be brought out to the people and he would simply say, “Love one another.” I sat there as Mickey taught and thought, “That’s it, no deep theological insight, that can’t be all”. Now it was twelve years later and I just spent the last 2 weeks alone in a foreign land with nothing to concentrate on but my health and the Word of God. I had spent an intense time of studying 1 John as I prepared to teach these pastors it. Through the simplicity of this place and the work that the Holy Spirit was doing I was overwhelmed by a deep appreciation and understanding of one of Johns last letters to the church worldwide. He was on an island, separated from his flock and this would be one of his last chances to minister to them. So in these last moments to speak to them what did he focus on? Was it some deep theological secrets? Was it mysteries from heaven? No…in one of his last communications to the body of Christ John focused on two things…that God loves you and you are to love others. Why? Because, as I learned this week in Burkina, God loves us and He desperately wants us to know that and make it know to others. There is such a terrific freedom in knowing, I mean, really knowing that God loves you. It sets you free from any concern or worry and lights your heart on fire for those around you that they might experience the same. So in light of my new understanding of these truths I needed to email Mickey and let him know that 12 years later I finally understood what he was talking about. Knowing Mickey he won’t say anything…just smile.
As we conclude our time here this will be my last blog. Time would not permit me to share the depths of things I have learned here but I hope to be able to share more in person when we return. I want to thank all of you for the many encouraging responses that I have received for the blogs. It has been exciting to have you on this journey with me. I look forward to what the Lord has in store for me and my family when I return…I want to say a special thank you to my amazing wife. Amy, I love you and I want to thank you for taking on the burden of the family while I am gone…I trust that that Lord is returning to you a husband that will love and serve you better for allowing me this opportunity…I love you!
With that I will leave you with one final story…after leaving the stage today I walked outside to breathe the fresh air. As the pastors were milling around I thought back to how hard Loren and I had worked to try and overhaul all our study material to fit the needs and culture of this people. We had spent hours at a table sharing our notes with one another. We had sat there and laughed continually at how out of culture the story, illustration or even the language we used in our notes was. So as I walked towards the car I wondered what kind of impact if any we had been able to have. We had stood there for days and translated and simplified our notes and then spoken them to another person who then translated them as best they could into their language with as similar words as they could to the pastors in the church. As I thought about all this Paul our translator approached me with a pastor who wanted to say something to me. The pastor looked at me and said, “We are so excited to have you come to us…everything you spoke to us was so clear…it was like you had been here for a long time and knew exactly what we needed to hear…thank you and God bless you.” And so the Lord…despite our weaknesses and regardless of the obstacles…accomplishes His work…through His grace and the effectiveness of His power.
Good night from Burkina Faso!

Blog #9 Burkina Faso (From Loren)

Loren Anderson — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:48:25 +0000

After a few short encouraging moments of voice-to-voice communication with my wife last night she asked me something before I said goodbye. Amber said, “that the blogs have been really great but she was wondering why I still hadn’t blogged”. My response was that “I did blog on the flight over, which has pretty much set up everything that has happened on this trip to many members of the team”. Much of what I wrote to all of you in that first blog has come to pass. Many members of the team have had their “Burkina Moment”. The only way to describe this moment is by saying that when you come here at some point “Burkina” (“GOD”) will do to you what was done to the prophet Jonah in that you will be Swallowed up, Chewed up, and then Spit out. What you are left with is half the man you use to be, but more of God’s man than you could ever hope to be! For many of us Burkina Faso is the furnace that God uses to refine us spiritually, and if you are a man or woman that Loves Jesus you will get back up and you will never be the same because of it. So I told Amber that because a couple of the team members were having some very impacting moments where God was working on them, that I preferred not to blog and let them tell the story of what they were experiencing! I went on to tell her that I have had my “Burkina Moments” and perhaps this time I wouldn’t hit the furnace. In my own head I thought hey, I’m good, I am having a blast, I am really understanding the culture (for the first time), and I am really connecting with the churches, and the pastors while teaching! WRONG! My furnace had just taken a little longer to HEAT!

My only hope Right now is to some how convey in words what happened this morning as I was teaching 1 Thessalonians ch3. In order to tell you I need to set up what we had covered in ch1-2 thus far. On Monday I had taught that the church at Thessalonica was started in Acts Ch 17 1-10. Paul spent 3 weeks there, and wanted to spend more but this church began to suffer such persecution that Paul had to flee the town. When he arrived at Corinth he was so concerned about the church that he needed to write them and encourage them, and In Ch 3 he said that he sent Timothy to encourage them and check up on them on his behalf.
Now in teaching ch1 we talked about the MODEL CHURCH, which was a church that had faith hope and love, and then we went on to address the MODEL MINISTER in ch 2. After looking at the characteristics of the model minister Paul was about to address why he had sent Timothy in ch 3.
As I started into this chapter I talked once again about the persecution that the Thessalonians were facing, which caused Paul to remind them 5 times in this letter that Jesus was coming, which would give them such great hope! After mentioning persecution again I stopped from teaching and I began to ask the men about the persecution that the men faced in Burkina Faso for the sake of the Gospel!
I first asked “how many of you have faced persecution in which you lost something material, lands, homes, crops etc”…. about 30 guys. (SIDE NOTE Marcel invited 40 guys to this conference, WE HAVE OVER 120)
I then asked how many guys have lost relationships for sharing the gospel…. About 15-20 guys….
I then asked, “How many of you have been beaten physically for preaching and living the Gospel”……………..4 guys raised their hands……….. As the 4 hands went up I found myself looking into the eyes of 1 man in particular, I sincerely felt myself getting lost in his thoughts, I felt what he felt, I sensed the pain that he went through simply for sharing Jesus. For a moment looking directly at Him, never loosing contact with him I encouraged him that those who suffer for Christ sake would have a Crown, but after mentioning those words…… I BROKE!!!!!!!!
Tears welled up in my eyes, I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t speak, I tapped Marcel on the shoulder, I left the room, and I went outside and I wept, not cried, I wept, for several minutes in excruciating pain for my co-laborers in Christ.
AT THAT MOMENT, My thoughts were many, I mean here I am speaking about what a real “minister” looks like (IN CH2) and “I AM LOOKING AT THEM, and I am thinking about my life and my “ministry”, and I started thinking what have I ever done for the Gospel? When have I ever suffered persecution for Jesus? When have I ever suffered? In that moment of literal sobbing and weeping I Said Lord where are you!”….. RIGHT THEN, the peace of God overwhelmed me, and God spoke to me, (now TFAB YOU KNOW ME, AND YOU KNOW THAT I RARELY IF EVER SAY THAT) and do you know what He said Loren I am here! I am here! I am Here! THE I AM WAS THERE WITH ME LIKE I HAVE NEVER EPERIENCED BEFORE! God was more real in that moment in my life than any other time I can think of…… (MORE INTENSE WEAPING)…… Even now 4 hours later I cannot write without water in my eyes thinking about that man and his love for Jesus! I know many of us have read stories, even biblical ones about persecution, but I stood eye to eye with the reality of what we believe, and have been broken by it, and now God has refined me and encouraged me through it. I will never read over the term persecution with the same eyes again! NEVER!
After entering back into the Room the men you could tell had a new appreciation for the words that I was about to share, the reason is because they saw that I truly cared about them! Amazingly in my notes I had the quote “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”! Burkina pastors know we care!
The crazy thing about ch3 was that I had just told IAN right before teaching that I didn’t think that there was much there for these guys…(I’m an IDIOT) The Teaching was a living active illustration for them of what is happening right now with TFAB (TIMOTHY) receiving the baton from Jerry (PAUL) and continuing on with running the Race here in Burkina. 2 Thess 3 talks about how Paul couldn’t make it, Persecution was happening in their town so he sent Timothy instead. We TFAB are Timothy. I told them that Jerry is like Paul, and he loves them and cares for them, but because he can’t be here we will do our best…they greatly rejoiced. I said we can’t be Jerry! They laughed! We can do our best as Timothy! So TFAB we get to be the ones that encourage, support, teach and love these people! God has called us to this! May we be faithful with what He has called us to!

Love you all thank you for your prayers,

A refined man

P.S. After dropping off Marcel at his house, he looked at me, and he said
“You really touched me today!” More Tears!

FYI Watch for the video

Blog post #8 Burkina Faso (From Lance)

Loren Anderson — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:59:44 +0000

Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were busy days for us in
OUagadougou. On Thursday we met with a local pastor named Salomon who
organizes evangelistic outreaches for areas in Burkina. Pastor Solomon
recently started a church and a school jn a mostly Muslim village (80
percent) outside of Ouagadougou. HE drove us to this church and
explained that he was able to get the land for the
Church from the Muslim community when someone in France “randomly”
gave him a call asking if he needed a well for a church.

At the time he had been trying to purchase some land for a new church
in this village, but it was too expensive. Once he heard about a well
being offered for a church, he decided to contact the elders of this
village and explain that he would build a well if they would give him
property to build a church. The elders were now in a bind: If they
refused, the villagers would be upset with them. So, they agreed to
Solomon’s terms on the condition that he build a well for the village.

Now there’s a church and Christian school in this village. And because
Christian schools are some of the best schools in Burkina Faso,
Muslims are attending the school and are learning about Jesus. The
Bukinabe Christians say “Barquanam” when they hear stories like this.
Our translation is “Praise the Lord.”

Solomon then took us to his “other” church, which is near the Bible
college where he teaches. On this particular night, his church in
Koubri was holding another service for their annual “week of prayer”
meetings. All nearby churches in his denomination are invited to these
meetings. That particular night around one thousand people gathered to
seek the Lord. The church was bursting at the seams and overflowing
into the adjacent open area. You have to picture an adobe-like
building that’s maybe fifty feet wide and a hundred feet long with
small wooden benches for seats and a concrete floor. The kids who were
sitting on the floor dropped off one by one as the service stretched
into the wee hours of the night. This is a church that Jerry and Jan
Swanson put a roof on some years ago….Amazing!

The outreach on Friday and Saturday was great. Evangelists from the bible
college (about fifty of them) went door to door and to the market on
both days in the
afternoon before the main event. They really prepared the way for us,
I believe. The format was about a half hour of singing, then a
testimony from a student for about twenty minutes, then a twenty
minute teaching from one of us, then a altar call by one of the
students, then an evangelistic movie. The Jesus film had already been
shown in this town, so they showed another evangelistic movie that
dramatized a fictional Africa family growing up in a village under
animism and then
giving their lives to Jesus. They showed an hour of the movie each
day.

The first night Ian preached on Mark 9 (demon posessed boy). Around
115 people gave their lives to the Lord mostly kids. Some women also
responded among that number. Including the door to door work, about
130 made commitments. The next day I prepared to teach from John 4,
but as I was studying it, I didn’t have any peace. So at the last
minute I prepared something else while we were on sight waiting for
the event to happen. I started in Rev 5:9–God has purchased men with
his blood from every tribe, tongue, and language, then went to Joshua
24:15–Choose this day whom you will serve. I then tried to explain
that everyone had sinned and needed a perfect savior to redeem them
from their sins. I closed with Joshua 24:15.

The presentation was rocky from my standpoint, but if the Lord used
meager gospel presentations to save Moody and Spurgeon, he certainly
could use this one, too. About 135 people accepted the lord,
mostly kids again. In addition to this, about 70
people gave their lives to the Lord when the bible college students
went to the market to preach. We don’t have the final tally yet, but I
would estimate around 300 people gave their lives to the Lord.

It was a great experience having people being open to the truth and
believing in faith. A church was just started in this village and
there were about twenty people attending. I don’t know how many people
attended the day after the outreach, but Salomon is supposed to let us
know the numbers.

On Sunday we spent most of the day at church. Ian, Peter, and I went
to Solomon’s church and Ian taught
on Psalm 1–delighting in God’s word. At the end of the service Ian
offered To get bibles for everyone who could read but didn’t have one.
Loren had done that the night before at Marcel’s church and 26
responded and were elated to receive the word of God. At
Solomon’s church, 90 people responded. He gave the money to Solomon,
who was going to purchase the bibles. The people could ask for French
or Moore Bibles.

Lance

Blog #7 Burkina Faso (From Krista)

Loren Anderson — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:28:11 +0000

It was a good day. I just finished eating a mango…. Juicy orange flesh with sweet aroma and flavor. Nothing could taste as good as fresh tropical fruit on a hot day after working hard. My hard work today wasn’t building or lifting or moving, but teaching from the Bible. It was important work, sweet work, serving the people here. It’s what we came to do and God is mightily working in Burkina Faso!
A team of us drove to a church about an hour outside Ouagadougou into the “suburbs”. The village of Saaba greeted us with bumpy roads, people hanging outside shanty shops, and lots of red dust. Pastor Benjamin’s church greeted us with energetic singing and drumming, big smiles, a shiny metal roof, and lots of men, women, and children. We were so excited to see the roof on the church, because it was one that TFAB had put on. How amazing to be able to cover this body in the Word and with a roof.
Last week we had visited this church when Loren shared a message. In my introduction I mentioned my excitement to teach a group of ladies on Saturday in Ouaga. The women responded that they too would like teaching about Biblical womanhood and marriage. The conversation went back and forth through Marcel’s translation. “When would there be time?” “Is it possible to add another teaching?” “Sunday evening is still open”… So teaching we will give! There was an uproar of excitement from the ladies! They jumped up and down and cheered. Loren asked if they would like him to address the men as well… again, cheering erupted from the ladies! They were so excited to hear what God has to say about marriage in His Word! We returned today and Loren and I taught about marriage! Loren opened with a definition of Biblical marriage. He then addressed the men; I followed and taught the women.
It is humbling to get up in front of a group of women and talk about marriage and family. I’ve been married for all of three years and have gained extensive child-rearing skills via babysitting and having friends with kids (note the sarcasm.) Most of these amazing women have been married much longer than I have and are raising children as we speak. They put into practice patience, discipline, love, and selflessness on a daily basis. These are things I am still only beginning to grasp. The exciting part is that I am able to share the Word of God with them. Many of them have Bibles and can read and write, but lack the time, ability and resources to dig into study. We got to address some fun topics, like submission to husbands as to Christ, loving wives as Christ loved the church, and sexuality in marriage. That got some giggles and “aminas” from the crowd (Amen= Amina, in their Moore language)! At one point I asked the ladies the question “when is it ok to not submit?” One woman answered when she is pregnant! So women have the same thoughts and hormones in every part of the world. The men and women have so many of the same issues and struggles that we do half way around the world. Women like to control; they talk twice as much as their men; and men want more sex. ☺
It is so encouraging to know Jesus addresses us the same way and leads us out of sin to follow him, no matter what culture we come from. I am so privileged to have access to amazing resources and time to study the Word and share it. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the Word with these ladies. I love seeing the joy on their faces as they begin to grasp what God says.
The people were so grateful for the teaching and gave us a rabbit to thank us. A white fluffy, pink-eyed, alive albino rabbit. We’ll be enjoying it for lunch at the end of the week. The report the next day from Marcel was that the people had really loved the teaching. We also provided food for them that was enjoyed after we left. They worshipped and danced until morning came! And apparently the husbands were very very happy!
How sweet it is to enjoy local foods, local people, and environment here. How sweet it is to feed the Word of God to Bible-hungry ladies. How sweet to enjoy time with God’s Burkinabe people, on the other side of the world from home.

Prayer

Tasha Harper — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 10:00:57 +0000

Prayer

Kent Akins — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 10:00:37 +0000

Blog #5 Burkina Faso 2011 (From Aaron)

Loren Anderson — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:45:22 +0000

It was about 4:30pm and we had to prepare to leave for dinner and the following church service. I turned the faucet in the bathroom hoping for an opportunity to take a shower. We had been without power and water for quite some time and in the heat and dust a shower is a momentary oasis. A small single stream of water flowed slowly out of the shower head and it was enough for me to jump in and take advantage of it. Tonight we were heading out to another church located eight kilometers away from where we are staying. The service was to be a bit larger than the previous night and I was very much looking forward to another opportunity to meet with these beautiful people in worship. As it turned out later I was not to be disappointed. After finishing cleaning up I sat out on the warm porch with my Bible and listened to the prayers of the other team in the room next to me. While Loren, Nick, Krista, Ryan and I were heading to the church service Matt, Lance and Ian were heading to the outskirts of town for an evangelical crusade. The entire house was buzzing with the excitement of our upcoming opportunities to minister which made all the discomforts seem very small.

Our group finished up a quick dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance of our home called Tam Tam (ask Loren about it as he loves to speak of it J). A large orange harvest moon hung low in the sky as we walked the dusty road back to begin the drive out to the church. The only lights beside the moon were the dimly lit mud huts and booths along the road where people huddled to eat and socialize. Scooters with dim headlights moved past us in the darkness like lanterns of passing ships on a large dark ocean. I wondered as we walked if last night was something out of the ordinary or if the church here truly was this passionate and hungry for God (see my blog from yesterday)? Was that incredible worship and joy just a product of a small group on the outskirts of the city or did it run through this entire place?

We hopped in the minivan and once again headed out along the dark dusty roads of Ouagadougou. As we drove Marcel (the pastor here and our interpreter) explained to us that the life expectancy in the city for men and women is about 35 as Malaria, AIDS and Cancer run rampant. I sat there in amazement trying to wrap my mind around his words. How would I live my life if that was my situation? It impacted me particularly hard as I am already 36…this was a full life in Ouagadougou.

After about 15 minutes of driving we pulled along a long mud brick wall. As we drove down along the trash strewn wall pigs noised here and there sifting for dinner. Off in the distance a rectangular brick building stood out in an open field as we drew near to it. The building was dark as we approached and though I could see some stragglers heading that way I figured that since the pastor of the church, Joshua, was driving us that we must be among the first people here…I was wrong. We stepped out of the car in the darkness and there it was again…singing…unbelievable praise and worship. We were lead in through the front of the building and on to the stage. There, in the heat of the night I sat on the stage of a mud brick church and listened as 150-200 men, women and children lifted their voices to praise God in pitch black darkness. Stunned, I sat there in tears and just listened. As the pastor worked hard to get the generator going I sat in amazement as these people worshiped. If it can be said that God’s gift to the world through America is Bible teaching then His gift through Africa is worship. As I continued to sit in the darkness I listened as they harmonized their voices throughout different parts of the room. Clapping in unison in one part of the room and then the other…it was a rhythm of voices that ebbed and flowed in worship to a very present and living God.

The lights did come on to much cheering …and then the real worship began…loud jimbays and box drums rang out as they proceeded to lift the roof off the church with their voices. This went on for some time and then slowly it died as the pastor walked on stage and motioned to a couple of people. At this motion everyone sat and a small group of people stood and sang a song to the Lord. Then in a circle around the church one small choir would sing a song and then sit as another small choir stood up and sang a song and on it went…the church was the worship leader.

After the worship we were introduced and Loren was given the opportunity to teach. However, feeling led of the Lord he asked all of those in the congregation that could read but didn’t have a Bible to stand up. About 25 of the 150 adults stood. Loren then counted out money on the spot and let them know that the ministry of TFAB was going to be paying for them to have a Bible…once again…eruption…the place went crazy with applause and hallelujahs. It is hard to express the emotions that run through you when you experience these types of things. It’s a depth of profound and sincere soul searching that I must leave to your own imagination.

We wrapped up the evening with a prayer and goodbyes…tomorrow we head back to the same church for another service. Please pray for me as I bring the Word tomorrow evening. I cannot tell you how excited I am to bring the Word of God to such a hungry people…it’s a dream. Please pray that the Lord will continue to use the team in a mighty way. Many blessings!

Aaron

Blog post #4 Burkina Faso (from Ian)

Loren Anderson — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:21:03 +0000

(This was from the other team that will be doing evangalism while we teach in the churches)

Today Solomon took me out to one of the churches he has planted in the last 3 years in a village that is predominantly Muslim. This man is amazing he is 39 years old and is like a modern day Apostle Paul, he is on his 4th church plant. I asked him why he leaves a church a few years after the church is established, which is about 300-500 people and he said the Lord has called him to reach different villages that are in need. Anyways he took us out to the church that he planted 3 years ago that didn’t have any believers in it when it got started. He started building the church knowing that God wanted to save this village since there was about 5000 people in the village. The first week that the building was done him and his wife went out and began to evangelize to the villagers by going door to door, who again are predominantly Muslim and the rest are Animism, which they offer sacrifices to spirits. By the first Sunday they held a church service and 9 people came to the church, know 3 years later there is about 85 people that come to the church.

He also got a well for the people in the village to get water from as well as he built and started a school for the kids. He felt like God was calling him to build the school to reach these Muslim kids. I believe in a few months it will be a year since the school has started and he has 52 kids that go to his school and 80 percent are Muslims! He said that every day he has the kids sing worship songs and read the Bible, which has caused some of the kids to get saved and have started to come to the church. Praise God right!! I asked him what the government and the Muslim parents think about their kids going to a Christian school and he said that because the kids are doing so well in the school compared to the public school they are encouraging it. He said that of the 52 kids that go to his school 42 of them are going to pass their classes this year, compared to the public schools were only about 30 of the 100 students pass their classes. God has been truly blessing his efforts and discipline to reach people for the Gospel! We as a body need to be praying for him and lifting him up because he is truly a slave of Jesus Christ!

Speaking of prayer tonight Solomon asked me to come and speak at another church that he had planted like 10 years ago. He said that they are doing a week of prayer which means that they gather 3 times each day to pray for the Salvation of their village, the outreach that we will be starting this Friday and Burkina Faso! He picked me up and we drove about an hour out into this village which had about 7000 people in it and so I figured like 100 people would show up for the prayer meeting and the teaching. When I got there the whole building was packed full of people, there were people sitting in the windows, there were people in the back of the building and all around the rest of the building for their prayer meeting. I asked him later how many people he thought came tonight and he said around 900 but he wasn’t sure. Let me tell you those people can pray they are not afraid to pray out loud or with passion. He also told me on the ride home that that church had started to shrink so he had to extend the building so that it could make more room for the villagers.

Please thank the body for all of their prayers and support because they have truly been answered here! God’s hand is on the move over here and prayer is fueling the fire of what He wants to do! Ask them to continue to pray for the outreach that we will be starting on Friday. We will be heading out to this village that only has about 15-20 believers out of the 5000 people that live in the village. They came to Solomon and asked him if they could start a church out in their village because it is really far for them to come each week to church with their kids and wives. He told them that they had to wait until the funds came in for them to do the outreach and then if the outreach is successful they will start a church out in the village. When he heard that we were going to fund the outreach he told the villagers and they were filled with joy that we would go out into their village and start evangelizing. Here is what we will be doing for the outreach: On Friday Solomon will take 57 of his students who want to be church planters that are at the Bible school and they will start going door to door inviting the villagers to what they call a crusade. They tell the villagers that they will have music for them to sing along to and they will even show them a video about Jesus and then before they leave a villagers house they preach the Gospel to them. Then in the evening is when the crusade will start and they will draw out the people with the music and going door to door to the people’s house. Then I will get up and preach the Gospel and Solomon will translate for me and then he will give the alter call. After that he will show the Jesus film that will be in their language Moore and then will give an alter call after that. We will do the same thing on Saturday night and then on Sunday morning we will sit down with the villagers and have a meal with them and talk to them more about Jesus. We are eagerly a waiting to see what God does through this outreach!!

Hanging out with Solomon today has made me think that this had to have been what the book of Acts was like! To see Paul go into a city set up a church get it established over a few years by training younger Timothy’s to take over for him and then moving on to another city to start another church. That is exactly what Solomon is doing and we as a body should continue to pray for him and the pastors who are like him that are laboring for the Gospel!

Thanks again for your prayers and I know God is answering them!!!

Ian

Blog #3 Burkina Faso (From Aaron)

Loren Anderson — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:40:43 +0000

It was about 5pm and the sun was just beginning to set in Ouagadougou. The temperature was about 85 to 90 degrees as our team piled into a dusty minivan. Our destination was a small church on the outskirts of the city around 30 kilometers away (about an hours drive time here). It was to be the first church our team was able to visit since arriving in Burkina Faso. As we began to make our way the sights, sounds, and smells of the city became a little mind numbing. The car was hot and the combination of traffic fumes and blowing dust was enough to make my head hurt and my eyes sting. As we drove down the crowded highway (think a dusty road with every manner of scooter, moped, donkey cart and car trying to make its way in whatever direction) I was able to spend some time reflecting on some of my first experiences after being in this country for three days. The place is like no where I have ever been. I have spent time abroad in countries such as England, Ireland, Israel, Puerto Rico and even many weeks on mission trips in Mexico. All of these places had some semblance of my western life…Burkina Faso has none. Even Mexico with its poverty level still retains some of the American culture and wealth due to proximity but here there is none of that. To get a sense of it try and recall the pictures that we have seen sent back from Mars. That is Burkina Faso…it is a land covered in red dirt and dust…everywhere…the land is flat and dry as far as the eye can see. Once you are here you realize immediately that you are in the middle of a massive desert that is completely removed from the rest of the world.
As we continued to drive I watched as we passed hundreds and hundreds of mud brick homes and small, plywood businesses. People scratch a living here out of the dust by any means they can. Power comes and goes and so does the water. Its hard not to be a little discouraged as you drive through the city and see the poverty and that was how I was feeling even as we were heading to “encourage” the believers. We were heading to a designated meeting place to meet a pastor that was to lead us to the edge of town where the church was. As we stopped to meet the pastor we exited the car and took in the night. The mud brick neighborhoods were lit only by the brightness of a full moon over the country. The night was still, hot and beautiful. We shook hands with the pastor and then headed deeper into the countryside. As we drove along in the darkness my mind wandered with what we were to possibly encounter out here. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the experience we were about to have.
Off in the distance we began to see a single lit building. As we drove the windows were down due to the heat. As we approached the lit building we were informed that it was the church…and then it began…about a quarter mile away from the building…singing…the most beautiful singing. As we rolled up the worship songs filled the night air in an amazing way. We entered the building and experienced about 100 men and women praising God in the most beautiful and joyful worship I have ever heard. I fought back tears. Here was a group of people that existed in this place, had walked or rode scooters in the darkness to be here and they were praising God in a way that shamed me. As the worship died down they sat us down and then a number of the women sang a special song of worship to welcome and thank us for coming. It was truly humbling. We were all introduced and then Loren was given the opportunity to teach. As Loren laid out the message of Running the Race I watched as not a person moved during the teaching. There hunger for the Word of God is truly intoxicating. Once Loren wrapped up they stood and thanked us for coming and thanked us for the roof that was on their little church that the Lord had provided them through the giving at TFAB. During the course of the evening they had learned that Krista was going to be doing a teaching on Saturday that they were not going to be a part of. Marcel (our interpreter) told us this and then told us that he had already explained to them that it was too late. Immediately Loren and the team discussed how we could make this happen. What was so touching was watching how the women hung on our conversation to see what the outcome would be. We were able to work out the schedule and Marcel turned to tell them how Krista would be back out to teach them…the entire place ERUPTED with excitement like they had just won the lottery…again I fought back tears…to have this kind of excitement in my life just to hear the Word of God. We drove away very humbled by our experience…and with two live chickens that they gave to us as a gift. It is amazing to see how God is moving in this place. I hope to bring you more stories of Gods goodness towards these people and us as we continue here. Many blessings!

Aaron

Blog #2 Burkina Faso 2011 (Ian)

Loren Anderson — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:34:23 +0000

Hey Guys,

We got into Burkina Faso last night and got settled into our house. It was amazing to talk to Marcel on the way to the house about the history of Christianity in Burkina Faso and to hear how fresh it is. He said that Christianity has only been in this country for the last 80 years and is growing rapidly to about 2 million evangelicals today. The Muslim community has been there for the last 1000 years but it is also on the up rise. The good news is that at Marcel’s church people are getting saved almost every Sunday. It reminded me of the book of Acts not only for the amount of people hungry for the Gospel and getting saved but also in how they live.

This morning we woke up early and went to Wendpanga where the Bible College is being built to get a lay of the land and figure out what the needs are for the building. It was pretty amazing to see what is going on over there as they are building it. It is located outside of the city and they have farm animals like pigs, chickens and turkeys out there as well as trees that they planted to grow mangos and other fruits. Their hope is to be able to have the place be self-sustained to keep the costs down and be able to provide for the Pastors and their families. They already have some of the dorms built and are working on the classrooms, our hope is to have the classrooms finished or close to being finished by the time we leave. One of the guys on our team is an engineer and he designed and built a machine that is suppose to help speed up the process of the brick making. We are going to try it out tomorrow so pray that everything works out great.

This afternoon Loren and I got to sit down with a Pastor named Daniel and he is translated the Bible into Moore (sounds like More A), which is one of the common languages of the people here in Burkina Faso. He is an amazing man of God and I got most of the conversation on film! When we were talking to him we asked him what the biggest needs in the churches in Burkina Faso. He responded without a hesitation or a second to think by saying they need Pastor’s who are trained and equipped to teach the Scriptures and to help them equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. He also said that there is a huge need for raising up good worship leaders that play instruments. The churches that have good worship leaders the young people to them to hear the music and then they stay for the message and end up getting saved. Some of the other needs are instruments, roofs for the churches, and some even need a building to meet in.

Daniel was telling us of some stories of some churches who are in need of some financial help. He told us of this gut wrenching story of a church that has been under persecution this last year. In this last year a girl got saved at their church and when she refused to marry a man in her tribe in the bush because he was not a believer she fled to the church. The men from her tribe went to the church and told them that she needed to marry this man because it was their tradition to have arranged marriages. When the church responded by saying that she didn’t have to be married to the man and they were going to take care of her the tribe revolted against the church. They were friends with a business owner who owned the land that the pastor of the church was leasing to grow his crops. So the business owner came in and took the land of that pastor, along with 5 other pastors as punishment. This meant that the pastors could not harvest their crops for food. This was only one story of a church that was under attack and he had many more but didn’t have the time to tell me. TFAB brought money over for this church and gave them enough money to feed the Pastor and the 40 people that were going to that church.

Tonight Marcel asked me to come and teach to some of his students that take his Bible classes. I was shocked at how many people showed up, I was expecting around 20 people and when I walked in there were right around 100 people with their Bible’s and notebooks ready to take his class! After the class I asked him about his class and he said the people who take his class commit to take it for 3 years for 3 days a week (Monday-Wednesday). His students have such a passion and desire to learn God’s word!

These stories have inspired me to cherish the Word of God more and to realize how powerful God is, to move in the heart of people who have only heard his Gospel in the last 80 years. May we never allow the Gospel to become a trite thing to our ears but may it always fall fresh and convict our souls.

Ian

Rise Up For Revival · Part 8

Kent Akins — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:00:27 +0000

Blog #1 Burkina Faso blog #1(From Loren)

Loren Anderson — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:03:11 +0000

This afternoon 8 people from TFAB (Nicholas, Krista, Peter, Lance, Matt, Aaron, Ryan, myself) and a pastor from Ekklesia in Eugene (Ian) boarded our first of several flights that will span 3 continents in about 24 hrs, with a final destination of Burkina Faso. I have to say that it is an extreme privelage to be traveling, and working together with this group to finish our classroom project, evangalize the bush, encourage the church in Burkina, and train Pastors. I am so blessed to be apart of a ministry that is willing to look past its front door in Bend, Or and have the ability to see the vastness of the worldwide universal Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Reflecting back on this morning I am incredibly humbled by the work of God in our fellowship. 7 years ago I would have never imagined when that when the thoughts of planting a church in Bend that the ministry would be this far reaching. I am amazed that Jesus would allow me, and us to be entrusted with the gospel, and give us the time, the talent and the treasure to take what we all have been differently given and use it for His glory! I must say, in times like this traveling 13,000 ft above the Atlantic, headed to Africa, I am reminded of Francis Schaeffer’s motto for ministry declares; “What we are doing is not just difficult-it is impossible. The Truth is without the grace of God, and the power of His Spirit active in our lives the work before us is impossible. We are inadequette, we are sinful, we are as the psalmist declares “but dust” Yet amazingly our Father desires to take us, these earthen vessels, and use us to somehow impart some “spiritual gift to the people of Burkina”. God let it be! You have made each one of us differently on this trip and I have know doubt that you have strategically placed us together for two weeks to Glorify you, encourage your people, strengthen and build up one another, and declare you to the nations. How can we not in light of what you have accomplished in us! I am so excited to see what the Lord does through us, but also what the Lord strategically does within each one of us.

The last 2 trips I have taken to Burkina have been revolutionary for the ministry that God has called me to do. The first time I went to Burkina was in 2002, and I was hugely, humbled by the pastors and there passion for Jesus. They revealed to me what true ministry and Shepherding looks like as they as ministers were not hirelings but true shepherds just desiring to teach people about the love of Jesus. I went away feeling like a man that had been masquerading in “American style” “Consumer” ministry. I was convicted of the many reasons as to why I served, and it was there I realized that when Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first that even though I perhaps had knowledge I lacked what these men had in true love and passion for Jesus and saw that these are the men that will be first!

The second time I went to Burkina was last February 2010. This was once again a time where the Lord shook me to my core and brought me to a place of tears for the TFAB body back home, something that I had prayed for only weeks earlier at a elders retreat! For those that don’t know I was in a dry season of ministry last year, and I had been reading in Acts 20 where paul mentions his many tears for the churches. I wondered Why don’t I have tears and I asked the elders to pray that for me. Burkina brought out the tears, and it was in Burkina where I cried out to the Lord for the first time in a while to be filled with his Spirit. Since that moment last year, there has been a change in how I pastor, teach, as God has given me a much more tender heart to our fellowship. I say that to say I can’t wait for whatever breaking or blessing may come my way personally, and I know those that went last year experienced similar things, and I believe God is, and will once again do amazing things in the group on this trip. We desperately need His help!

The Itinerary this time around which in “AFRICA” can always change! =) Is as follows. We will arrive 9:30p.m. on Monday Burkina time which is 8 hrs ahead of everyone back home. We will “HOPEFULLY” have all of our luggage….We will see! Side note on the luggage it was so cool the lady that helped us at the Delta counter heard where we were going and what we were doing and she checked our brick making machine and many extra bags all for free saving us a bunch of cash! SO COOL! Thank you Jesus! Neat to see the Lord at work from the very moment we were checking in our bags, for that we give God thanks! On Monday we will crash heard and then on Tuesday we will head out to where the classrooms for the bible school we are funding is being built. The team will assess the situaion and determine what is needed to continue the work. We hope to install the electrical needs, finish the walls, and put on a roof while we are here. While the working team is beginning there labor, a couple of us will go shop for food for the next 2 weeks, than the teaching team will finish prepping for the many teachings that will take place starting this upcoming weekend. We will be teaching on biblical marriage, manhood, and womanhood. We will also be sending out a team into the bush to show the Jesus movie and share the gospel, we will be teaching in various churches on Sunday, give toys to some of the children and then do a bible conference for over a 100 guys next week. Once again thank you for this opportunity, thank you for your generosity, and thank you for praying for us!

We love you all back home and you are in our prayers!

Loren

Rise Up For Revival · Part 8

Tasha Harper — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:00:17 +0000

Rise Up For Revival · Part 7

Kent Akins — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:00:28 +0000

Rise Up For Revival · Part 7

Tasha Harper — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:00:19 +0000

Servant Leader Agreement

Loren Anderson — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:52:19 +0000

The Fellowship at Bend (TFAB) Servant Leader Agreement was birthed out of our love and passion for Jesus and His church. The primary purpose of this agreement is to serve as a teaching document with four functions:
o To clarify the biblical obligations and expectations for the elders
o To clarify the biblical obligations for those who have chosen to serve and lead others at TFAB.
o To establish teaching and doctrinal parameters for the TFAB body.
o To serve as a tool for reflection and growth toward holiness.

Each of these functions is in accordance with the document’s overall vision to provide an accessible explanation of the Scriptures in the hope that TFAB would grow in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). This Servant Leader Agreement includes a description of the Church, a statement of basic belief, a statement of biblical doctrine, the obligations of the TFAB elders to the TFAB church body, and the obligations of those serving and leading in the TFAB church body.
What is the Church?

The Local Church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to Scripture, we gather under qualified leadership for the teaching of the Word, worship, prayer, fellowship, and observing the ordinances of baptism and communion. We are unified by the Spirit, we discipline for holiness, and we operate in the gifts that God gives us to fulfill His great commandment and great Commission.
We believe the church exists for 3 main purposes: To glorify God, edify the body, and testify of Him.

1. To Glorify God. The Scriptures tell us in I Corinthians 10:31 that in whatever we do we are to do all things to the glory of God.

2. To Edify the Body. The Scriptures tell us in Ephesians 4:11-16 that the Church, which is made up of many different members with many different gifts, is to use her gifts, talents, and abilities to equip each other for the work of the ministry, edifying one another in the body of Christ. “When each part (person) is working properly, this makes the church body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

3. To Testify of Him. Finally, we believe the Church exists to testify of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19 tells us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. We see the church as the active agent that God uses to testify of His great work of redemption and reconciliation.
Therefore, those of us who trust in and follow Jesus are caught up in something much bigger than ourselves. We have graciously been invited to serve others as a part of God’s redemptive purposes in the world. Since the beginning, God has been creating and calling forth His people for the display of His glory in a grand narrative of redemption and reconciliation. Though creation now suffers the curse of Genesis 3, the Gospel is the means by which the world is being made right. The Gospel also carries with it the promise of ultimate renewal – a restoration even more glorious than Eden – and thus believers eagerly anticipate the return of Christ. The Church Universal (i.e. all believers, everywhere) is the means by which God is fulfilling His purposes in the world (II Cor. 5:17-20). The Church Universal is being used to write God’s beautiful and dramatic story of redemption and reconciliation.

In light of this reality, the opportunity to serve and lead in a local church body (i.e. a particular group of believers in a particular location) is much more than a commitment to consistent attendance or active involvement in the church community. To be a servant leader for Jesus is a sacred call to be involved in the redemptive work of God that is pressing against the darkness of a fallen world through the power of the Holy Spirit with the light of His Son, Jesus Christ (I Cor. 12:12-31). I Corinthians 12 speaks of many members within the same body. Just as a human body relies upon mutual dependence of individual members for proper functioning, so the body of Christ requires sacrificial and responsible service by those that choose to serve and lead others. As the Scriptures say, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’” (I Cor. 12:21). Likewise, a member of the church cannot say to another member that he or she is unnecessary. We all have gifts that differ according to the gracious provision of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:3-8). Contrary to the beliefs of our culture, we need each other. We need to be able to trust and rely on one another, serving in love.
Therefore, those who serve and lead at TFAB understand that they agree to be a participant of the universal household of God and not just a consumer in the family. We agree that unity within the church is expressed in love for God and love for others – to both those within the family and those who are not. We believe that as Christians we are expected to display His Gospel in a manner that is worthy of Him (Ephesians 4:1).

What do we mean by a “Servant Leader”?

The idea of being a servant leader was birthed out of a series of teachings at TFAB through the Book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a man who was called by God to be on mission to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem and to restore the people of Jerusalem. The task was incredibly difficult, as Nehemiah would face much opposition from his enemies on the outside and his enemies on the inside. Therefore, it was vital for Nehemiah to know whom he could count on to help him build and to help him lead. He needed to know who could be trusted for his own protection and the overall protection of the mission. He needed to know who cared about the mission and what gifts the people had so that they each could provide for the mission. Likewise, at TFAB we have been called to a great mission in the great town of Bend, Oregon. As a leadership, we believe that as we are on a mission to glorify God, to edify the body, and to testify of Him, it is vital for us to know who is serving and leading along with us in this mission. We believe that those that are on mission with us at TFAB are like those in Nehemiah’s day. They are those who desire to see the walls of the city rebuilt and the lives of the people in Bend restored. They are men, women, and children who use their gifts in the body to glorify God, edify the body, and to testify of Him in the community. These people sacrifice much for the Lord and His Church. They give of their time, talent, and their treasure, teaching, leading, worshiping, helping setup and tear down, ministering to our kids, and visiting the hospital, all out of dedication to the overall mission of the Bible. In summary, to be on mission as a servant leader at TFAB means that you have agreed to participate and invest in the work of God in His Church.
Since the church is a family, and all families have basic rules or structures of operation for the family, we will ask all those who choose to be a servant leader at TFAB to agree with us together in our TFAB family essentials. The purpose of this agreement is for the overall participation, protection, and provision at TFAB. This will help the leadership at TFAB know that those who are serving the body are doing so in unity with the Scriptures and with one another.
What is this agreement?
The TFAB agreement is a document based on Scripture that defines what the life of a believer who desires to serve and lead in the body of Christ looks like. TFAB has qualifications for leaders because Scripture puts qualifications on leaders. In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, Paul lists several areas of character qualifications for those who desire to be elders (overseers, leaders) and deacons/deaconesses (those who desire to serve) in the body of Christ. In Titus 2, he gives instruction on the example of older men and women in the body, defining their character, manner of life, and ministry to younger men and women. The entire book of 1 Timothy was written so that, “you may know how to conduct yourselves in the household of God” (3:15). Therefore, in light of these and many other biblical passages, we believe it is vital for those that are teaching and training our children, serving, and leading other men and women in the body, to adhere to these biblical principles in Christian life. This document is not a new agreement or covenant that adds to Scripture, rather it is a document that contains the same conditions that are general Christian obligations.
If at any time an individual feels as though other servant leaders are not remaining faithful to the requirements of the agreement, it is the responsibility of the individual to lovingly and humbly express concerns first to the individual (Matt. 18), and if it is not received, then to the leadership of the church. If the church elders are unwilling to change and pursue biblical faithfulness, then the individual is freed from his or her obligations to the church and is encouraged to seek fellowship elsewhere, given the church’s disobedience . While focusing on the responsibilities between the individual parties- the corporate church body, her elders, and her individuals, the agreement is first and foremost a promise made to God as a commitment to His glory and the good of the body and bride of His Son.

Statement of Basic Belief

The following beliefs represent the core of central orthodox beliefs from a biblical and historical perspective. While a full understanding and ability to adequately articulate these beliefs is not required of servant leaders, the explicit rejection of any one of these particular beliefs disqualifies one from being a servant leader with TFAB.
I believe…
o that the Scriptures are true, authoritative, and sufficient (Psalm 19:7-11; II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:20-21).
o that there is only one God (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6, 46:9-10; John 17:3; I Cor. 8:4-6; I Tim. 2:5).
o that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and that the Father is neither the Son nor the Holy Spirit, the Son is neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son (Gen. 1:26; Psalm 45:6-7, 110:1; Matt. 3:13-17, 28:17-20; I Cor. 12:4-6).
o that I, along with all humanity (Christ excluded), am by birth and action a sinner (Gen. 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:23; 5:8, 12-21; 7:18; Eph. 2:1-3).
o that the deserved penalty for sin is death, both physical and spiritual (Gen. 2:15-17, 3:19; Rom. 5:12, 6:23; James 1:14-15).
o that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin and is both fully God and fully human (Matt. 1:20; Luke 2:52; John 1:1-4, 14; Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1:1-3).
o that Jesus Christ died as my substitute to pay the penalty of my sin (John 1:29, 10:1-18; Rom. 5:8; I Cor. 15:1-4; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 3:18).
o that Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead (Matt. 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; John 1:20-21, 25;
I Cor. 15:12-34).
o that Jesus Christ physically ascended into heaven and will one day physically return (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thes. 4:16; Heb. 9:28; I John 3:2; Revelation 1:7).
o that there will be a future physical resurrection of the dead, and those who trust in Jesus Christ alone will be raised to eternal reward; those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal punishment (Matt. 25:31-46; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).
o that by trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone can I be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy as God intended (John 3:18, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; I Tim. 2:5-6).

Statement of Biblical Doctrine

While the doctrines expressed in the Statement of Basic Belief are those that are recognized to be universal and primary within the Church, there are a number of secondary beliefs to which the leadership of TFAB holds. Complete agreement is not required for the sake of being a servant leader; however, it should be known that TFAB will preach, teach, and counsel in accordance with these theological convictions. I understand it is the responsibility of those who serve and lead to have read the Statement of Faith and the FAQ’s (available at www.tfab.com), which describe many of our core values, as well as to address any questions, comments, or concerns with a pastor/elder. I also understand that TFAB has certain theological convictions to which it is strongly committed. For instance:

o The gifts of the Holy Spirit
o The role of men and women in the church and home
o Baptism by immersion
o The relationship of God’s glory to man’s joy
o The sovereignty of God

Finally, I understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace within the body. I will adhere to TFAB’s Statement of Basic Belief, and I will not be divisive over TFAB’s theological distinctives, found here in the Statement of Biblical Doctrine and expounded in the Statement of Faith and FAQ’s.
Biblical Obligations of TFAB Elders to TFAB Church Body
As shepherds and overseers of a local church, elders are entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping, and caring for the corporate church body and her individual members. The following is a rather comprehensive overview of the requirements for elders as spelled out within the Scriptures.

The elders agree …
o to appoint elders and deacons (including staff members who serve in these offices) according to the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4).
o to prayerfully seek God’s will for our church community and steward her resources to their best ability through studying the Scriptures and following the Spirit (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-4).
o to care for the church and seek her growth in grace, truth, and love (Matt. 18:16-20; Eph. 4:15-16; Col. 1:28; James 5:14; I Pet. 5:1-4).
o to provide teaching and counsel from the whole of Scripture (Acts 20:27-28; I Tim. 4:16; II Tim. 4:1-5; Titus 2:1).
o to equip the members of the church for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
o to be on guard against false teachers and teachings (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; I Tim. 1:3-7; I John 4:1).
o to lovingly exercise discipline when necessary, for the glory of God, the good of those disciplined, and the health of the church as a whole (Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20).

As those who have experienced the grace of a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ through the pursuit of certain attitudes and actions and the rejection of others. The Scriptures refer to this reality as “living by the Spirit” (Romans 8). The requirements of this servant leader agreement are in no way intended as an addition to the biblical obligations of a believer; rather, this document functions primarily as an accessible, yet non-exhaustive, explanation of what the Scriptures teach about the obedience that faith produces.

We believe that those who are serving and leading should exemplify the behaviors and characteristics outlined in the following agreement:

As one who serves and leads others at TFAB, I agree …
• to submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final arbiter on all issues (Psalm 119; II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 1:19-21).
• to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and practice of spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; I Cor. 9:24-27; Eph. 5:1-21; I Thes. 5:12-22).
• to follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the ordinances prescribed to His Church:
o Being baptized after conversion (Acts 16:30-34).
o Regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through communion (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24).
• to regularly participate in the life of TFAB by attending weekly gatherings, engaging in biblical/relational community, and serving those within and outside the church (Acts 2:24-47; Hebrews 10:23-25; Titus 3:14).
• to steward the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts, and finances. This includes regular financial giving, service, and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful, and voluntary (Matt. 25:14-30; Rom. 12:1-2; II Cor. 8-9; I Pet. 4:10-11).
• by God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ (I Pet. 1:13-16; 4:1-3). Believers should strive to put certain attitudes and actions to death while stirring and provoking love and good deeds through the Spirit. Below are a few examples of actions addressed in the Scriptures:
o I will practice sexual purity before marriage; if married, I will practice complete fidelity within heterosexual and monogamous marriage. Sexual purity and fidelity means, among other things, that regardless of my marital status I will pursue purity and abstain from sexually immoral practices such as adultery, premarital sex, and pornography (Rom. 13:11-14; I Cor. 6:15-20; Eph. 5:3; I Thes. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).
o I will seek to preserve the gift of marriage and agree to walk through the steps of marriage reconciliation at TFAB before pursuing divorce from my spouse (Matt. 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18; I Cor. 7:10-11; for the role of the church in the process of divorce, see Paul’s concern for the resolution of legal matters within the body of the church in I Corinthians 6).
o I will refrain from illegal drug use, drunkenness, gossip, and other sinful behavior as the Bible dictates (Rom. 1:28-32, 13:13; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:18; James 3:3-18).
• to refrain from such activities that the Scriptures would deem foolish (Romans 14:14-23).
• to take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to another (I Cor. 8:1-13).
• to submit to the discipline of God through the Holy Spirit by…
o following the biblical procedures for church discipline where sin is evident in another – the hope of such discipline being repentance and restoration.
o receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by fellow believers (Psalm 141:5; Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:9-13; Heb. 12:5-11).

• to do the following when I sin:
o confess my sin to God and to fellow believers.
o repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; James 5:16; I John 1:6-10).
o to submit to the elders and other appointed leaders of the church and be diligent to strive for unity and peace within the Church (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 5:5).

If you would like to serve or lead at the fellowship than we would ask you to meet with a pastor or elder to discuss this agreement.

Rise up for Revival · Part 6

Tasha Harper — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:00:53 +0000

Rise up for Revival · Part 6 (Video Cuts Off)

Kent Akins — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:00:16 +0000

Rise up for Revival · Part 5

Loren Anderson — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:58:53 +0000

Rise up for Revival · Part 5

Kent Akins — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:00:30 +0000

Rise Up for Revival · Part 4

skylarbroberg — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 10:00:44 +0000

Rise Up for Revival · Part 4

Kent Akins — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 10:00:12 +0000

Rise Up for Revival · Part 3

Kent Akins — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:00:36 +0000

Rise Up for Revival · Part 3

Tasha Harper — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:00:25 +0000

Luke 10:38-42

Tasha Harper — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:00:38 +0000

Rise Up for Revival · Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 10:00:36 +0000

Rise Up for Revival · Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 10:00:22 +0000

Rise up for Revival · Part 1

Kent Akins — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 10:00:45 +0000

Rise up for Revival · Part 1

Kent Akins — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 10:00:20 +0000

Rise Up and Finish

Kent Akins — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:00:23 +0000

Rise Up and Finish

Kent Akins — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Christology

Brett Anderson — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:34:17 +0000

For centuries people argued and debated how Jesus could be both fully God and fully man. They tend to err by only believing in either the deity or the humanity of Jesus, instead of seeing how these two natures are found in one person and work harmoniously together. Many doubt that Jesus is truly God, and truly man, but to view Jesus any different than that is heretical.

The Biblical basis for Jesus’ humanity can easily be seen in the Gospels. In the Gospels Jesus exhibits his humanity in many ways. Jesus gets tired and he slept (Luke 8:24), Jesus became hungry and ate (Mark 2:15), Jesus would weep over Jerusalem, (Luke 19:41), and he would feel physical pain as he was beat and crucified, and like man he died (John 19). Along with these examples of the humanity of Jesus John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The humanity of Jesus is not limited to just the Gospels. In Galatians 4:4 Paul wrote about the humanity of Jesus, And Hebrews 2:9 describes Jesus in his humanity.

The claims for the deity of Christ are plainly seen in the scriptures as well. Jesus accepts worship from people and if Jesus were not God this would not have been acceptable. (Luke 8:36-48). Jesus forgives sins and knew people’s thoughts. (Luke 5:20-26). By forgiving sins the Pharisees knew that Jesus was claiming to be God, because only God can forgive sins. In John 8:58 Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, “I am.” This is the same name by which God called himself when he appeared to Moses. Jesus spoke with heavenly authority, he healed people, he had power over creation, he cast out demons, he raised the dead, and he was resurrected (Matt:7:29, Luke 8:22-56, Luke 24). Paul proclaims the deity of Christ in his letter to the church in Colossae. In Colossians 2:15-23 Paul writes that Jesus created all things, he has authority over all things and that he existed before all things.

Some people have a difficult time accepting that Jesus could be truly God and truly man at the same time and that is because they fail to recognize what the incarnation is, “In the incarnation of the Son of God, a human nature was inseparably united forever with the divine nature in the one person of Jesus Christ, yet with two natures remaining, distinct, whole, and unchanged, without mixture or confusion, so that the one person, Jesus Christ, is truly God and truly man” (Elwell 583). It is in the incarnation that we see Jesus as both man and God. You cannot separate the two natures found in the one person of Jesus without losing something important. Both the deity and humanity of Jesus are essential.
Jesus had to be God incarnate or the cross would have been for nothing. A mere man could not atone for sin or perfectly fulfill the law. If Jesus was only a man he could only be thought of as a good teacher, or a moral man, but not the savior. So God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1), and it was all part of the redeeming plan of God.

When someone tries to deny the Hypostatic Union of Christ they have stripped Jesus of who he was giving him only one nature and in so doing they miss who Jesus is. You cannot empty Jesus of his deity or give him partial deity, if someone does this they run into many errors. He is not half God half man and he does not switch between man and God either. When someone gives priority to one nature over the other it is missing the whole point of the incarnation.

Some people have trouble trying to reconcile Jesus being both truly God and truly man. They object to this doctrine, which inevitably leads them to a false understanding of the incarnation. Some try to say that Jesus became God at baptism but this fails to recognize Jesus as eternal which the scriptures teach (Colossians 1:15-20). Arius thought, “though he is called God, he is not very God” (Elwell 242). This goes against John 1 as well as the other scriptures that teach Jesus in his deity.

Christ in his humanity teaches us many things. Throughout the gospels Jesus is constantly breaking away for prayer. His dependency on prayer is convicting and should encourage us to do the same. In Philippians 2 we read that Jesus took on the form of a servant, he lived in humility. This is wonderfully portrayed when Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples celebrating the Passover, and Jesus washes the disciples feet. In a “me” focused society we have much to learn from the actions of Jesus. It is true that serving like Jesus and living like Jesus does not save us, but we are called to serve. Husbands how can you serve your wife today? Not to prove your love but out of love. Wives how can you serve your husbands? Not because you have to but because you get to. Children how can you serve in your homes? What is important is that serving doesn’t stop in the home, but it carries over into all areas of life. I truly believe that serving is contagious, so humble yourself and give of yourself and watch what God will do.

Rise Up and Fight · Part 4

Kent Akins — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:00:54 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 4

Kent Akins — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:00:17 +0000

Be Thankful

Kent Akins — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:00:16 +0000

Be Thankful

Kent Akins — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:00:02 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 3

Kent Akins — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:00:41 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 3

Kent Akins — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:00:04 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:00:38 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 2

Kent Akins — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:00:19 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 1

Kent Akins — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 10:00:39 +0000

Rise Up and Fight · Part 1

Kent Akins — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 10:00:37 +0000

Restoring the Gates

Kent Akins — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:00:49 +0000

Restoring the Gates

Kent Akins — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:00:41 +0000

Rise Up and Participate

Kent Akins — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 10:10:19 +0000