http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/Talking with Christians who are disatisfied with the status quo and are heading in new directions.en-NZhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/51/bca2f741af8c36cd184b737d970cc8_160x200.jpg <p>TEENAGERS in the United States who pledge to remain virgins until marriage are just as likely to have premarital sex as those who do not promise abstinence and significantly less likely to use condoms and other forms of birth control, a study published yesterday says.</p> <p>"Taking a pledge doesn't seem to make any difference at all in any sexual behaviour," said Janet Rosenbaum of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/virginity-pledge-no-guarantee/2008/12/29/1230399130869.html">read the rest </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/virginity-pledge-no-guarantee-5294688/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/virginity-pledge-no-guarantee-5294688/Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:27:08 +0100 <p><strong>"The way we've done church for the last fifty years, the attractional model, is going to reach a certain population, but we're getting close to tapping out that market. We have to think in terms of mobilising the kingdom to go where people are. Too many Christians are passive and unengaged. They may listen to Christian radio and read Christian books, but they're not communing with God directly. Therefore, they are not dynamic witnesses, and they rely on the church to do all the missional work. We need to help people hear from God directly and obey him."</strong></p> <p>Neil Cole (poached from <a href="http://www.waikanae.apo.org.nz/">http://www.waikanae.apo.org.nz/</a> ) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/passive-christianity-5291115/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/passive-christianity-5291115/Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:41:48 +0100 <p>US President George W Bush today insisted the ability to change one's religion is a fundamental human right at a UN inter-faith conference sponsored by Saudi Arabia that has served to highlight the differences between the Muslim and Western worlds.<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/many-years-ago-faith-changed-my-life-bush/2008/11/14/1226318871463.html">read the rest here</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/changing-religion-is-a-vital-right-bush-5033066/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/changing-religion-is-a-vital-right-bush-5033066/Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:37:06 +0100 <p>From the very mature, wise and experianced <a href="http://www.waikanae.apo.org.nz/">Jack Guerin</a></p> <p><em>WHAT SHOULD SIMPLE CHURCHES DO WITH THEIR MONEY?</p> <p>WHAT SHOULD SIMPLE CHURCH MEMBERS DO WITH THEIR "GOD" MONEY?</em></p> <p>Actually I haven't got an answer to these important questions. You could even say that it's none of my business. (But the questions did get your attention!). But if you've been reading these SIMPLE CHURCH letters you will know that they describe a journey that I, my wife Averil and Waikanae Cafe Church are travelling. You may have even (rightfully) come to the conclusion that it has been a liberating journey. In fact I have had two friends tell me that they have heard that...'Jack and Averil have gone off the rails.' Well, there's some truth in that. Rails can be very restrictive!</p> <p>The 'rails' that guided the giving of Averil's and my 'God' money (tithes and offerings) were very simple. Our main gifts went toward the support of the local church (the "storehouse" - more about that miss-used word next letter) and other money to overseas missions. With the arrival of A/P's this could be done with impressive efficiency, but with the fresh insights into other aspects of our Christian/church journey we began to question this almost unthinking giving. The new freedom we were enjoying made us look at the challenge to be 'guided by the Holy Spirit' in the realm of financial giving. Just what should be our priorities? Where should we direct our giving? </p> <p>I was struck by a statement in a recent "Tear Fund" publication which said, "There are more than 2,000 verses in the Bible about looking after the poor, the widows and the sick." Thinking about this made me take a hard look at what the Bible does (and doesn't) say about giving. The Old Testament shows God's compassion towards the poor, the alien, the widow and the sick and his directions to his followers to support and care for them, e.g., Isaiah 58. The New Testament follows suit, e.g., Matthew 25:31-46. And, the apostle Paul gives us two whole chapters (2 Corinthians 8 & 9) on the subject of giving, but it is not giving to a church building or any other church programme, but to people who were suffering in a famine. A cross-cultural missions appeal. (c.f. Acts 11:27-30). </p> <p>I started this letter with those two provocative questions and to get back to them with some sort of answer here are three things to consider.</p> <p>Be Free. If you are under any sort of self imposed, church imposed or guilt imposed pressure to give, this is wrong pressure and I suggest you get out from under it as quickly as you can. I'm sure God doesn't take pleasure in receiving gifts that are squeezed out of us by any sort of manipulation, "...Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure..." 2 Cor. 9:7.<br> Be lead by the Holy Spirit. If your giving is locked into a predictable, boring, lifeless habit, ask the Holy Spirit for fresh guidance. Ask about your responsibility to the poor - especially the other half of the world who eke out a living? on less than two dollars a day. If you don't (like me) believe in 'hand outs' find out about 'hand ups' like Tear Fund's, and other mission organisation's microenterprise initiatives. The Holy Spirit is never boring or predictable, so get ready for an interesting, surprising and exciting financial ride.<br> Be extravagantly Generous. But how do we compare our generosity? I can answer this question in Paul's words from the 'giving chapters of 2 Corinthians, "You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich....Thank God for his Son -- a gift too wonderful for words." (2 Cor. 8:9; 9:15, NLT). "God so loved that he gave..." So should we!<br> Should a Christian tithe? My answer in next SIMPLE CHURCH letter.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/11/04/what-should-simple-churches-do-with-their-money-what-should-4981077/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/11/04/what-should-simple-churches-do-with-their-money-what-should-4981077/Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:09:07 +0100 <p>Poster from the recent election in Vanuatu. Now thats what I call a real Christian candidate <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/canda/2935967" title="canda"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/967/2935967_450fcdcae8_m.jpg" alt="canda" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> from <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz">www.nzherald.co.nz</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/a-truechristian-candidate-4937304/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/a-truechristian-candidate-4937304/Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:59:04 +0100 <p>So another election campaign is upon us. All the evangelical churches will be mobilising their people to boot out the godless Labour Party with its Anti Christ Helen Clark and install a new heaven and new earth with the National Party and its friends. </p> <p>As I said in the last election, this mindset is very puzzling as all three of the centre right parties are socially liberal and is reflected in their leaders Key, Hide, and Dunn (which his Christian wing finally woke up to). I think the only true Conservative in the leadership of any of the centre right parties is Bill English.I think NZ evangelicals have made the mistake of thinking the NZ political scene is like the U.S where Right equals God fearing (and guns of course). </p> <p>The most socially conservative party going by its voting record in my opinion is NZ First. And it could be argued its most family friendly party with its successes in free health care for under sixes and recently the increases in the super and the introduction of the gold card. So it may not be popular and it may be bagged by the media but I know where I am putting my vote this election even if it winds up a wasted vote. And In the end Winston just has better suits then the other guys <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/winston/2935874" title="winston"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/874/2935874_f5ffe87f57_s.jpg" alt="winston" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/labour-is-the-anti-christ-4937276/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/labour-is-the-anti-christ-4937276/Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:31:15 +0100 <p>Yesterday at lunch time it was 3 degrees celsius in the sunroom. Today it was 42 degrees celsius in there. I took the boys upto Mt Hutt for the last day of the season but it was so hot we only stayed for about 5 hours and came home.</p> <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01224_1/2935841" title="DSC01224-1"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/841/2935841_dd66afda17_m.jpg" alt="DSC01224-1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/crazy-weather-4937264/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/crazy-weather-4937264/Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:19:07 +0100 <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/not_a_liberal/2932716" title="not a liberal"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/716/2932716_1486db1812_m.jpg" alt="not a liberal" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/a-christian-4932527/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/a-christian-4932527/Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:34:12 +0100 <p><strong>Since 2007, all members of the Chinese Communist Party have been allowed to have a religious affiliation. 40% currently have declared a religous affiliation to some type of religious group.</strong> (BBC All things considered Podcast 03/08/2008)</p> <p><em>My guess would be that this would be one of the highest religious affiliations by a ruling party in the developed world. It would certainly be higher then any political party in New Zealand!</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/40-of-communists-are-religous-4932472/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/40-of-communists-are-religous-4932472/Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:11:41 +0100 <p>When Anglican bishops say that the Church's position puts it in a relationship of service to the nation, they are right. A report last year by the Von Hügel Institute demonstrated that the value on the charitable work undertaken by the CoE would cost the State hundreds of millions of pounds. And that bears out a Home Office citizenship survey showing that the religiously observant are 48 per cent more likely than the uncommitted to engage in regular voluntary work. The CoE is good for England. Leave it alone. Read the whole article <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4995094.ece">here</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/24/leave-thechurch-of-englandalone-4923139/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/24/leave-thechurch-of-englandalone-4923139/Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:11:29 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/worshipper_cartoon_2/2896312" title="worshipper-cartoon-2"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/312/2896312_e739e2cf5c_m.gif" alt="worshipper-cartoon-2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/15/evolution-of-a-worshipper-4873745/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/15/evolution-of-a-worshipper-4873745/Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:32:53 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/simple_living_cartoon/2893450" title="simple-living-cartoon"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/450/2893450_f564279752_m.gif" alt="simple-living-cartoon" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/14/becoming-to-simple-4868102/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/14/becoming-to-simple-4868102/Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:11:47 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/god_is_unorthodox_large/2893449" title="god-is-unorthodox-large"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/449/2893449_75fc098aba_m.gif" alt="god-is-unorthodox-large" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/14/god-is-unorthodox-4868097/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/14/god-is-unorthodox-4868097/Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:10:33 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01197/2890295" title="DSC01197"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/295/2890295_b1144c1315_s.jpg" alt="DSC01197" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01199/2890296" title="DSC01199"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/296/2890296_bc23bec499_s.jpg" alt="DSC01199" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a>We did a walk on the Port Hills overlooking Christchurch this afternoon. A super day looking out towards the Southern Alps.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/13/climb-4862125/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/13/climb-4862125/Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:55:22 +0200 <p>A friend I had not heard from for a while emailed me a few days ago reflecting on his and my journey of House Church and asking how I now view House Church and Simple Church etc. I have thought about this and jotted down a few reflections down below as I realise that I am a radically different person to the one who started on that journey four or five years ago.</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> We stopped doing normal Church over four years ago because we were convinced that Church as we knew it was not going to bring the change to our society that we wanted. The slogan "ITS NOT WHAT WE BELIEVE, ITS HOW WE BELIEVE" really summed up this step. We were convinced that church was far too complicated and it needed to be simpler. So we started doing Simple Church / House church, and for a year or so it was incredible and fantastic in ways too numerous to mention here.</p> <p><strong>2.</strong> While everything was going great guns I was starting to think through and wrestle with what I never had before and that was with "WHAT I BELIEVED". This created difficulty with doing House Church / Simple Church, because no one else was in that place around me. For the first time I was reading more widely then the usual staple of church growth books I had usually read. I began to read more Church History and Theology. I read more about science and natural history. I started observing what was called 'Emergent Church' and its interest in more liturgical patterns etc. Being honest I started doubting what I believed or assumed (what I call the evangelical faith box). But I found it difficult to talk about it with others, to wrestle these things through and talk about them in a safe way. People would either get angry, call me a heretic or start quoting the Bible to motivate me to get back in the box. So even though we were still doing House Church I guess in my head and heart I was already beginning to disconnect because what I really wanted was a place or people I could wrestle these things through with. For a while I thought we should carry on just going for it in regards to HC and I would get a Spiritual director to talk these things through but I lacked the cash for that sort of thing!</p> <p><strong>3.</strong> So for a year or so we have done nothing but drift not really doing House Church / Simple Church but just sporadically doing stuff with friends and family etc. We didn't want to do church again but we also didn't want to kick off another House Church because of my Spiritual journey. I guess this became one of the large motivating factors to move out of Auckland. We felt that staying in a place of spiritual nothingness neither here nor there was not a good place to stay for too long and we felt the best way to make a change and get back in the flow of faith was to begin again with a totally fresh canvas in a fresh city.</p> <p><strong>4.</strong> So here we are in Christchurch at the end of 2008. I'm still on a journey of faith. I love the simplicity of breaking bread, sharing life and prayer with other believers. At the same time my faith has now considerably changed. I love the Bible, but as Southern Baptist President Carter said about it once <em>"There's no doubt in my mind that the Bible was written by, almost exclusively, men, who were limited in their knowledge of science." Today's biblical literalist's, he said, "might believe that the universe was created in 4004 BC. I don't believe that."</em> Basically that sums me up to. I also love the church but not in the 'local church' way I used to. I have discovered and am loving the more reflective form of liturgical worship and am becoming more open to the idea that tradition is actually far more important in faith then I ever realised. Yes believe it or not we are becoming part of an Anglican Parish! Who would believe it! Does this mean I am no longer Churchless Christian but Nearly Confirmed Anglican?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/12/nearly-confirmed-anglican-4858027/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/10/12/nearly-confirmed-anglican-4858027/Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:24:35 +0200 <p>We took boys snow boarding to Mt Hutt on Monday which is an hour from home now. Kim swears she will never go again after the freaky climb up the mountains to the snow (the boys that the ride was awesome). I had to spend some of my time making sure that the keas (big native alpine parrots) didnt scratch the car and rip the rubber from around the windows as they were attempting on to on other vehicles. I love the South island.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01100/2843019" title="DSC01100"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/019/2843019_c824482f87_m.jpg" alt="DSC01100" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01102/2843020" title="DSC01102"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/020/2843020_b85df4f06f_m.jpg" alt="DSC01102" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01108/2843023" title="DSC01108"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/023/2843023_dd9ed48025_s.jpg" alt="DSC01108" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01116/2843024" title="DSC01116"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/024/2843024_c91a775b77_s.jpg" alt="DSC01116" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc01127/2843025" title="DSC01127"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/025/2843025_2d37a88760_s.jpg" alt="DSC01127" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/26/snow-boarding-4781331/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/26/snow-boarding-4781331/Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:31:38 +0200 <p><strong>J. Oswald Sanders said it this way, "A great deal more failure is the result of an excess of caution than of bold experimentation with new ideas. The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution."</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/20/bold-experimentation-4752400/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/20/bold-experimentation-4752400/Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:26:46 +0200 <p><em>By my respected friend Jack Guerin in a recent email</em></p> <p>I'm sure you would agree that in almost every area of life, one-size-fits-all just isn't true and doesn't work. In fact to push this as fact is a complete no-brainer. The truth for Christians is, "You hear it (the wind) rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from of where it's headed next. That's the way it is....with the wind of God, the Spirit of God." (John 3:8, Message Bible). When it comes to creative, new (ancient) ways of doing church, the 'Wind' is certainly blowing around the world and the message is, CHANGE!</p> <p>But change can be a painful process, especially when it comes to doing church differently. Some wag said that you get more reaction - and misunderstanding - from challenging church structures that you would if you challenged the doctrine of the Trinity. But change is not an option, it's a necessity unless we're content with the status quo. "What's the status quo?" asked the school teacher. A small boy's answer, "It's Latin for the mess we's in." And, if we look critically at the state and diminishing size of the Western Church we's in a mess!</p> <p>Here are some reasons why we must be open to, and take steps toward change.</p> <p><strong>1)</strong> Because the traditional way of doing church is so anti Kiwi (Western?) culture. </p> <p>This includes things like;<br> Singing new and strange songs. (How many Kiwis sing - especially men - during a normal week?) Once upon a time men would sing as they work, but today on the job it's the radio that provides the music.<br> Passively sitting in rows listening to one person, usually a male preach; shout; use a strange language and an ancient book.<br> Being treated like school children expected to remain quiet spectators of the action that is taking place at the front of the meeting.<br> A change in my thinking was when I began to ask myself what my neighbour's reaction would be to being invited to church versus 'coming over for a BBQ'. At the Barby he/she would be relaxed, feel at home and although wouldn't hear a sermon, would, hopefully, have the opportunity to see one. Then, if interested could talk about their questions and struggles.</p> <p><strong>2)</strong> Because our Church Growth Seminars haven't delivered what they promised, but we have proven principles that do.</p> <p>Alan Hirsch in his 'missional church' book, "The Forgotten Ways," states, "In AD 100 there were as few as 25,000 Christians. In AD 310 (before Emperor Constantine) there were up to 20,000,000. He then makes the following observations regarding the early church.<br> * They were an illegal religion throughout this period.<br> * They didn't have any church buildings as we know them<br> * They didn't have the scriptures as we know them<br> * They didn't have an institution or professional form of leadership<br> * They didn't have seeker-sensitive services, youth groups, worship bands, seminaries, commentaries, etc.<br> * They actually made it hard to join the church. (pages 18, 19).</p> <p><strong>3)</strong> Because 'big' doesn't necessarily mean better. </p> <p>("Rabbits multiply much quicker than elephants." Wolfgang Simson. "There are very few whales in the ocean compared to the millions of minnows." David Gibbons).</p> <p>An Anglican vicar recently told me of a survey that showed 85% of ministers in the survey wanted to have a church like Hillsong (Australian mega church), while only 5% of their congregations wanted the same. Another survey quoted by Hirsch and Frost indicated that only approximately 12% of non-church people were impressed with today's contemporary mega church. Selah!</p> <p>While attending a church growth seminar I listened to a speaker describing the complicated systems of hierarchical church leadership. He then threw in this throw away comment. "Of course you can have church with half a dozen people and Jesus." That remark stung me. "Is Jesus that boring?" I asked myself, "that we have to have a crowd of two or three thousand when Jesus himself was happy with two or three." Matt. 18:19, 20. </p> <p>In these Simple Church letters I'm not knocking large churches, I'm simply arguing for creativity, breaking out of confining boxes, asking the hard questions, taking calculated risks - like killing off some of those one-foot-in-the-grave sacred cows. And that we take time to listen sensitively to and respond obediently to what the Holy Spirit has to say about our traditional church beliefs and activities, as we are commanded to in Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, etc. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/20/church-is-anti-kiwi-4752397/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/20/church-is-anti-kiwi-4752397/Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:26:02 +0200 <p>Well we have arrived in Christchurch and are starting to settle in. Its freezing (we have no jackets or jerseys and its 0 degrees celsius!) but lovely. We can see the Southern Alps from the lounge windows which is awesome. here are some pics of our move.<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mountains/2793763" title="mountains"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/763/2793763_7fd9b70a15_s.jpg" alt="mountains" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00978/2793764" title="DSC00978"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/764/2793764_9294852cc6_s.jpg" alt="DSC00978" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00981/2793765" title="DSC00981"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/765/2793765_439834e2a4_s.jpg" alt="DSC00981" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00983/2793766" title="DSC00983"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/766/2793766_4c53b42b8b_s.jpg" alt="DSC00983" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00988/2793767" title="DSC00988"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/767/2793767_25a5c2c89c_s.jpg" alt="DSC00988" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00989/2793768" title="DSC00989"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/768/2793768_f849397562_s.jpg" alt="DSC00989" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/08/here-at-last-4696444/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/09/08/here-at-last-4696444/Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:43:23 +0200 <p>from <a href="http://www.eyesalve.co.nz">www.eyesalve.co.nz</a></p> <p>Recently, some one spoke of being in 'full-time service for the Lord' </p> <p>My mind lingered on this phrase - just where had it come from, and what did it mean to that person and to Christendom at large ? </p> <p>'Full time service' would presumably and generally mean or conveys, a person who spends most of their time in promoting or furthering some religious or Church establishment, and its programmes and influence. </p> <p>A person who perhaps has given up some 'secular' employment, and instead is on the payroll of a structured religious group or 'Church' assembly. </p> <p>And the phrase is often spoken of in somewhat revered tones, as being imminently desirable, a 'higher calling' than that of other mortals who earn a living in what they refer to as 'secular' employment ( but who most times by offerings actually pay their salary !) </p> <p>But having read the Scripture most keenly, I cannot find any where that God differentiates between the 'sacred' and the 'secular' - it simply does not exist in the New Testament (Sure there was a priestly class – the Levis - amongst the tribes of Israel, but we are now under Grace, not Law, and we are now all priests unto God ) </p> <p>So, what of me and other lesser mortals who have regular employment or careers., and support themselves and their family and all manner of other things and people. </p> <p>Those followers of the lamb who have not derived any income from a religious group or 'Church' establishment – are we any the lesser for doing such ? </p> <p>Are we, who have paid our own way, without payment or salary, but yet have made countless sacrifices both physical, material and financial, who have served the 'Master' our God, in simplicity and totality, but who have steered clear of becoming yet another burden on a cumbersome structured religious system – what about us ? </p> <p>For me, as for countless others – my 'FULL-TIME SERVICE' began the moment I was 'born – again' When I confessed, repented, and committed myself to serving my new found Master TOTALLY, with each and every breath, every day seeking to do His will, WHERE-EVER, HOW-EVER, He would lead - not necessarily within the confines, (and confines they undoubtedly are) of a relentless structured religious system, with its constant demands on finances and energy just to keep the system ticking over. </p> <p>A 'bottomless pit' system that would drain most any person of their energy and vitality, and eventually leave them spent on their shores – and all in the name of doing God's will and extending his Kingdom (and I often ask – just whose Kingdom are they extending ?) His burden is light and His yoke is easy Matthew 11:30 </p> <p>And so countless Men of God have found out the same – John Wesley, Whitfield, Sadu Sundar Singh, Torrey, Finney, etc, etc etc that every breath we take is 'full – time' service after we have been called of God unto Himself </p> <p>Indeed, the so called 'full-time' religious exponents have traded being available to be 'led by the Spirit' where-so-ever he listeth, John 3 :8 for material and financial security, and some pale degree of being fulfilled and satisfied in playing a role in keeping a religious system in operation, amongst generally spoon-fed immature baby Christians, who most times would be far better off if exercised to seek God earnestly for themselves! </p> <p>So, spare me the religious 'full-time ministry' philosophy clap-trap, and let me follow the Master's example of going about doing good wherever God led him, without charge. Acts 10:38 </p> <p>Just like St Paul, who kept his regular job of tent-making, that he would not be chargeable to any man, and who even supported those companions who were with him. </p> <p>Acts 18:3, 20:34, 1Corinthians 4:12, 1Thessalonians 2:9, 2Thessalonians 3:8 </p> <p>and then the Book of Acts of the Holy Spirit and the empowered Apostles and followers of the Lamb who 'turned the world upside down' Acts 17:6 </p> <p>Just a footnote .... </p> <p>During a time of prison visiting, one inmate looked straight at me and asked - “do you get paid for coming here ?” </p> <p>“Absolutely not” I answered “but why do you ask ?” </p> <p>“Oh, if you were getting paid, that would be it, - we may come just to get out of our cells, but we wouldn't really listen to any who are paid for coming into here” </p> <p>So, even those in the world recognise Jesus words of advice - </p> <p>Freely you have received – freely give Matthew 10 : 8, 9 </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/08/19/full-time-service-4608025/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/08/19/full-time-service-4608025/Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:55:46 +0200 <p>Yesterday I got the news that I had been accepted for a Transfer to Christchurch through Community Probation & Psychological Services which I work for. I think we are still in shock but basically I am starting work down there in the last week of August. </p> <p>Some of the reasons we are moving are</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> We want to give the kids an experience of seeing the South Island (Lord Of the Rings Country) and this is a great way of seeing it on a limited income!</p> <p><strong>2.</strong> We now have a good number of our family and friends living in Christchurch including parents, siblings, nephews etc.</p> <p><strong>3.</strong> Autism NZ is based in Christchurch and will provide some good back up for Isaac and Alex which we are in desperate need for.</p> <p><strong>4.</strong> It will be a good move career wise for my job (which I am finding really rewarding) in the future.</p> <p><strong>5.</strong> We feel that we have got a bit boring lately and its time for an adventure.</p> <p><strong>6. </strong> Its a lot cheaper to live then in the big smoke for a Govt employee!</p> <p>At the same time we feel really emotional about leaving after being here for around 12years and all the special people we have had the privilege of getting to know. BUT Christchurch is only an hour away by plane and only around $180.00 return! We have made a decision to get a house with a spare room so you had better come and use it ! We will be up and down as we have committments up here etc.</p> <p>I was planning to tell people personally but with working 7 days at the moment and the news already getting out I thought I had better email it out. Please send it to others as I have lost a lot of peoples addresses.</p> <p>Please pray for us at this time for peace for the kids especially the younger two and also as we juggle the finances to get down there etc etc.</p> <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/300px_south_island/2685709" title="300px-South_Island"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/709/2685709_8bfa469915_m.jpg" alt="300px-South_Island" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/25/moving-to-the-south-island-4496151/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/25/moving-to-the-south-island-4496151/Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:54:41 +0200 <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/ipray/2658482" title="IPRAY"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/482/2658482_f1cdb92f17_m.jpg" alt="IPRAY" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/pimp_my_ride/2658483" title="PIMP MY RIDE"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/483/2658483_8c46ea737c_m.gif" alt="PIMP MY RIDE" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/superjew/2658484" title="superjew"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/484/2658484_aaa9fae169_m.jpg" alt="superjew" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/14/religious-t-shirts-4444620/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/14/religious-t-shirts-4444620/Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:25:45 +0200 <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/texting_in_church_cartoon/2643014" title="texting_in_church_cartoon"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/014/2643014_a86146f0df_m.jpg" alt="texting_in_church_cartoon" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/07/church-txting-4413346/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/07/church-txting-4413346/Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:02:37 +0200 <p><em>Three independent New Zealand research projects show half of those who leave gangs do because they become Christian.</em></p> <p><em>Arthur C. Brooks demonstrated in his 2006 book Who Really Cares? that religious believers in the US are far more giving than secular liberals, donating considerably more money, giving more blood and volunteering more of their time. They're more generous to all charities, including non-religious ones, and are some 57 per cent more likely than a secularist to help a homeless person.</em></p> <p><em>When it comes to volunteering, there's no contest. Without the churches "dealing with many of our social ills," says George Gallup, "the tax burden would be crushing".</em></p> <p><em>Last month, the Anglican Church in Britain released a commissioned report called Moral, But No Compass, which showed if a monetary value was put on the charitable work done by its congregations and clergy - some 50,000 volunteers providing a multitude of services "without judgment or conditions attached" - it would run into hundreds of millions of pounds. Yet the Government's secular agenda and a climate of liberal suspicion are undermining that work.</em> <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10520234&pnum=2">Tapu Misa</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/07/4-interesting-christian-stats-4413324/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/07/07/4-interesting-christian-stats-4413324/Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:47:15 +0200 <p><em>poached from</em> <a href="http://www.opensourcetheology.net/node/1531">opensource theology</a></p> <p>People keep leaving the “church” to go to house churches (which may be more of the “church” than our buildings in warehouses with pastors wearing cutoff jeans and bleaching their hair to be relevant), and now I understand why.</p> <p>I’m hanging in there because I think the church can sort it out… but these are the five reasons I would cite to leave the church:</p> <p><strong>5.</strong> My pastor hasn’t had a relationship with a non-believer in over 10 years</p> <p><strong>4.</strong> The leaders of my church are workaholics and I find it hard to believe they have a healthy relationship with the Lord when they don’t have the time for their family</p> <p><strong>3.</strong> I’m sick of it being about one man. Be that the pastor, or the musician or whatever, I want to see them raising up other people and sending them out, content to have many small churches instead of one mega church</p> <p><strong>2.</strong> There are 1,000 people who attend my church. I know 50 and only care about 20 of them. I attend a small group to go deeper with those I care about, but I have no reason to remember the name of the guy whose hand I shake between worship and the sermon</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> There is no place to really do ministry, the leaders will not let go of control. I want to pray for people, bless people, watch out for people, be there for people. I want to be invited to do what the Lord has called me to do.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/29/title-4378758/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/29/title-4378758/Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:31:29 +0200 <p><em>I really enjoyed this article having been a Church planter for Ten years. It's very honest and very true. Read the full article </em><a href="http://www.the-next-wave-ezine.info/issue114/index.cfm?id=37&ref=ARTICLES_FEATURED%20ARTICLE:%20AT%20THE%20TOP_528">here</a></p> <p><strong>1.</strong> It's All about Sunday.<br> <strong>2.</strong> If it's not working your signage or location is not working.<br> <strong>3.</strong> What counts is attendence, baptisim's and membership signup's.<br> <strong>4.</strong> For the first two years work as hard as you can without burning out.<br> <strong>5. </strong> The goal of every pastor should be full time paid.<br> <strong>6.</strong> Some people are just scafolding people.<br> <strong>7.</strong> Gather a crowd first, work out the disciples later. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/29/things-they-tell-church-planters-that-ar-4378746/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/29/things-they-tell-church-planters-that-ar-4378746/Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:27:56 +0200 <p class="left"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/chirch_funny/2611283" title="chirch-funny"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/283/2611283_da7f5649e4_m.jpg" alt="chirch-funny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/22/god-i-m-happy-4349617/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/22/god-i-m-happy-4349617/Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:18:30 +0200 <p>There was a time when the First United Methodist Church here was a hub of activity, with a booming school, regular church suppers, and worshipers who packed the pews of the white steepled building.</p> <p>No more. The congregation has been dwindling for years and now is barely hanging on.</p> <p>On a recent Sunday, just five worshipers gathered in the 300-seat church to pray at the 11 a.m. service. The Rev. Peggy Kieras sat alone by the grand wooden pulpit, cradling a remote control for the compact disc player that provides music for hymns, just underneath the towering pipes of the unused organ...</p> <p>Although both Catholic and mainline Protestant denominations face falling attendance at worship, these different branches of the Christian family are taking radically different approaches to determining whether a congregation is viable, and who should decide what to do about a failing church. <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/15/heres_the_church_but_where_are_the_people/">read the rest</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/17/here-s-the-church-but-where-s-the-people-4328500/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/17/here-s-the-church-but-where-s-the-people-4328500/Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:48:04 +0200 <p><a href="www.tallskinnykiwi.com">tallskinnykiwi</a> sniffed out this excellent House Church update from Reggie McNeal talking to the Reformed Church in America's One Thing leadership conference about House Church today.</p> <p class="center"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/02/house-church-update-4256637/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/02/house-church-update-4256637/Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:25:11 +0200 <p>Here are a couple of photos of Windy Ridge Boys Camp set up to stop the scourge of illiteracy in New Zealand. Around 2 out of 10 kids cannot read when they leave School now. I took the kids up for a bit of a fire.</p> <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00753/2563447" title="DSC00753"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/447/2563447_71a3200110_s.jpg" alt="DSC00753" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00755/2563448" title="DSC00755"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/448/2563448_884ecc1b13_s.jpg" alt="DSC00755" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dsc00764/2563449" title="DSC00764"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/449/2563449_fffcf8d833_s.jpg" alt="DSC00764" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/01/windy-ridge-4253795/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://everyhomeachurch.blog.co.uk/2008/06/01/windy-ridge-4253795/Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:58:09 +0200