Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. Isaiah 40:21-23 NIV
[IndyChristian Ed.Note: Even some solid believers are tempted to try to somehow totally reconcile naturalistic 'science' (theory of evolution) with the admittedly wildly miraculous biblical accounts they read (including that of biblical creation). This video clip should challenge where that line of thinking leads -- 'inevitably' (pun intended) to the video's conclusion: No free will. No choice. (No hope.) You're just a passing product of an unexplainable 'big bang'. Hmmmm. Related topic... "Take A Chance -- Help Me Understand 'Random' "]
[IndyChristian Ed. Note: Having just finished posting my own rant relating to CHRISTIAN PASTORS too often limiting 'feedback/comments'... see "The Audience Is Up To Something"... I now am alerted to an excellent 'Letter To The Indianapolis Star Editor' by Pastor Chet Berry... on a very similar issue...]
"The church where I serve as pastor has opened its doors to serve as a voting site for several years. I arrived at work on Election Day to see political signs strategically placed across our lawn. No one asked how we might have felt about a particular candidate or agenda.
Definitions shift. Or perhaps more to the point, people shift. And technologies shift. We tend to lump it all together and tritely call it the 'paradigm-shift'. Or we lean on the current buzzword, 'new media'. It somehow distinguished itself from 'old media' or mainstream media.
Or at least, it used to.
And importantly, some of us discuss it in the setting called 'The Church'... ie, the body of Christ-followers.
The stereotypical discussion has gone like this... Pastors holding the Sunday microphone are being drowned out by blogging members who are often cynical of that highly-controlled institutional voice... and its staid consequences: mediocrity and ineffectiveness in the (real) mission at hand... the Whole Commission.
Seven days a week, these bloggers comprise 'the long tail' of The Church... and some even foretell of a coming 'revolution'...
Church of Scotland Rejects 'Golden Compass' Boycott Calls The Church of Scotland is going against the tide of opposition to the soon-to-be-released movie The Golden Compass by rejecting calls for its boycott and saying it is instead "looking forward to a major cinematic event this ...
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV
"Tonight’s winner? I’m biased, but I think Huck did particularly well, especially at the end. He had solid answers (especially on... [continued at Mere Orthodoxy]
"CARMEL WOMEN TACKLE OBSCENE DISPLAY AT CLAY TERRACE MALL…
A group of Carmel mothers, incensed by what they see as pornographic displays, are turning up the heat on the Clay Terrace Mall (Carmel) and the Victoria’s Secret store located at Clay Terrace. After requesting that Victoria’s Secret change their large display windows to be less provocative, the Carmel women have been met with silence from Victoria’s Secret and lack of action from the mall management. The women have been contacting the store and mall management for over two years and they are angered by the lack of responsiveness they have received.
"Sometimes we just need someone to tell us that everything is going to be alright, that’s what I love about this flier. Sometimes we need a..." [continued at The Wyote Blog -- random thoughts from 'that big church'.]
"The My Maps feature of Google Maps lets people create maps to share their hobbies and expertise with the world. For example, a surfing enthusiast could map out their favorite surf spots or a surfing club could plot all the best beaches in Southern California. Now imagine if all the surfers around the globe worked together, leveraging their combined knowledge to create a single map of the best surf spots worldwide, applying the power of wiki-style collaboration to cartography.
Starting today, Google Maps supports collaborative map-making, so multiple people can edit the same My Map. Just click the..."
IndyChristian Ed.Note: For a practical application of this new capability for cityreaching... visit the Indianapolis cityreaching map. Now imagine cityreachers here working together to build-out this convenient (and strategic) map of key ministries, churches, wireless coffee-shops and neighborhoods. Notice, you can even embed ministry videos into the map. [eg.. UBcafe video clip inside the map -- (truly) near the heart of Indy's inner-city.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:19-22 NIV
Matching Christian Volunteers in Indy... and Beyond
"ChristianVolunteering.org matches volunteers to volunteer opportunities and helps organizations recruit volunteers through online volunteer matching. In many ways ChristianVolunteering.org is like job matching websites like Monster.com except that we match volunteers to organizations with volunteer opportunities. Individuals can find opportunities as a local volunteer, virtual volunteer (volunteering from home), short term missionary, or intern at organizations across the US and internationally. Organizations can post volunteer opportunities to recruit volunteers online."
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. \ James 1:26-27 NIV
The report found that states where low-income kids fared best are clustered in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions. The top five: Utah, North Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota.
O'Hare said those states have a greater sense of community, and people tend to do more to take care of one another.
Haskins said they also have more families led by married parents. Poverty, a major factor in a poor child's well-being and development, is five times greater in female-headed households than in those with two parents, he said.
In Indiana, more than one-third of all children live in families headed by a single parent.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7 NIV
Indy Christian Geeks... headed to Cairo (cafe)... Nov. 30th
We're really thankful for the number of Christian techs here in Indy who volunteer time to their churches or ministries. Increasingly, we're connecting for fellowship, ongoing learning from each other, and greater collective impact citywide.
Come join us at NOON this Friday -- November 30th -- at the Cairo Cafe (3047 Lafayette Rd).
Because we want to build value amid diversity, we'll be eating at some different places each month... perhaps notably along Lafayette Road's international food corridor.
It's a pretty informal bunch, so come just have fun together -- get to know others with a variety of e-capabilities. No doubt we'll be discussing the latest developments for the 2007 Indy Video Project, 'BarCamp Indy 2008', and 'Ask Anything Saturday TV'. And maybe YOU have something we'd all want to know about too. Yes?
Btw, a special thanks goes out to Alex Conner for setting up IndyChristianGeeks.com for us. And a special thanks to tech instructor at IUPUI... Dr. Thomas Ho... our geek leader.
The Unleavened Bread Cafe was abuzz with tons of folks -- we can't begin to name them all here...
But check out the cafe's photo-pool, and you'll see friends from way back... and friends of the cafe starting yesterday. Folks from Texas. And folks from New York. [continued at UBcafe photo-pool]
[When are we going to see YOU here? **smile**]
Unleavened Bread Cafe -- "Food for the stomach and soul".... "Where smiles & hugs are free".
"U.S. Rep. Julia Carson revealed she has terminal lung cancer in a statement Saturday in which she expressed her "eternal gratitude" to family, friends and her constituents."
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 NIV
Thank you so much for your prayers for this last weekend. God answered! (Surprised?)
About 200 people stood to their feet to commit to purposefully PRAY FOR , CARE FOR, AND SHARE CHRIST WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS!
Then, about 100 people signed up to come to one of the THREE MODEL CHRISTMAS PARTIES next weekend! (The way we train churches is by actually hosting a full fleged party, just like the manual teaches, at a church member's home. That way, they will feel exactly what their neighbors will feel when they host a similar party in December. It is a fun, low-threat way to open the doors to redemptive friendships in your neighborhood!)
Voters have put the 150 members of the Indiana General Assembly on notice: Business as usual isn't acceptable.
Public frustration, evident in this month's local elections, is driven by anger over high property taxes and fears of a weaker economy. But there's also a strong sense that many elected leaders are out to lunch (with lobbyists) when it comes to setting and meeting high ethical standards.
Remember February's Super Bowl? State legislators surely do, and not just because the Colts won.
The team offered Super Bowl tickets, at face value, to elected leaders on the local, state and federal levels. Forty-five legislators, nearly a third of the General Assembly, accepted the gift. Granted, lawmakers had to pay $600 a ticket, but that was a hefty discount on the price of seats on the open market.
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34-37 NIV
Innovative pastor Tim Stevens is today blogging this photo from the northern end of our state. Enjoy our sunny day to rake leaves in Indy while we can.
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:23-27 NIV
[biblical worldview commentary by Warren Cole Smith]
"Recently, two men I respect a great deal came out in support of Gov. Mitt Romney for president. These two men are Paul Weyrich, one of the founding fathers of the modern conservative movement, and Dr. Wayne Grudem, a brilliant theologian and professor at Phoenix Seminary. I do not consider myself the intellectual equal of either man, so it is with some trepidation that I confront them directly in their support of Romney, and in particular their defense of Romney's Mormonism..."
Faith Walking... and Blogging... in Houston... and Indy
Jim Herrington
"In January 1969, my life was changed forever. The story of what unfolded at that time gives me energy and passion as Mission Houston has conversations about serving the public school systems in the greater Houston area..."
"Jim - in the years we have know each other, this is the first time I heard this part of your life story. I really appreciate your transparency. More importantly, I value the points of my life that your words cause me to reflect upon. Thank you."
"Jim - While I have only known you for a short time, it is testimonials like this one that impact me in a way that make me know that meeting you will have a resounding, life-long effect. Stories like this are the things a literature, written by men I know I’ll never meet, nor understand, and I would usually dismiss them as epic in nature and decide that they transcend my day-to-day life. But because I know you personally, the full weight of your testimony crushes down on me, becoming real and somehow tangible for me. I welcome that awkward awareness because it also makes me feel accountable. Thanks for sharing your past."
Blews Ed.Note: This is why we do what we do to encourage cityreaching leaders to take up the tools of the new-paradigm, to accelerate Jesus' paradigm in our world today. For more info to help YOU get started, visit the 'Wiki Encyclopedia of City Reaching'... and in particular... "New Media for Urban Change".
Btw... How did we recently learn about Jim blogging? Answer: Through a ('thankful') Facebook friend in Indy... Pastor Darryn Scheske...
Facebook makes it truly easy to 'connect & communicate' like never before -- it's a great tool for cityreaching. Consider joining the "City Reaching Movement" group there.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
Organizers still seeing fruits of Palau festival BY CHRISTOPHER BURBACH, WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The yard signs that sprouted like dandelions in Omaha yards this summer are long gone, but there are other signs that the Luis Palau Heartland Festival is having an ongoing practical effect in Omaha.
Blews.Network Ed.Note: To be fair, not everyone was so comfortable with the level of 'collaboration' in Omaha. Here's a dissenting blog-post from 'Irish Calvinist' with NPR's audio interview, as well as many comments pro & con.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV
"In all humility, we assert that between our entire social-network of friends, WE CAN ANSWER VIRTUALLY ANY QUESTION. Try us."
Coming soon to an internet tv near you. Stay tuned.
[Fact is, we'll be demonstrating the power of social-networking friendships, by interviewing many different friends & visitors at the Unleavened Bread Cafe each Saturday. And we'll be inviting some web-cam cohosts out in the burbs... or maybe even across the country if we need to... to answer people's questions. ]
IndyChristian Ed.Note: If you have no idea why this is funny or why you'd want to bother with Facebook, just glance again at its Wall Street projected valuation in the billions, know there's apparently a lot under the hood to consider... and then try it out for our purposes of connecting & communicating... [click].
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad - you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it. Psalms 69:30-35 NIV
Thanksgiving is upon us once again! I realize everyone (most of us) have family gatherings scheduled and prepared for,however, if you know someone who is in need of a meal and a show of kindness on Thanksgiving please call:
Hope International
1205 E. New York Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
317-955-0358
Pastor Jim/Jeanie Huiett
Give us a name, address and how many meals are needed and we will make sure they are served(orders will be taken through Tuesday November 20,2007). One of the nice things about this ministry is that we not only share meals and love on Thanksgiving but every attempt is made to follow-up with those served to see what they might have need of all year through (Missionary Connection "Search and Rescue team members needed here").
Or maybe you would like to volunteer to help serve or deliver some of those meals and friendly hugs,pats and smiles on Thanksgiving. Volunteers are welcome!!! If this is something you would like to do or can do(any amount of time/help would be appreciated), please come to Hope International on Thanksgiving day anytime from 6AM- 4PM (drivers be there by 0900AM). There is plenty to do. Volunteers are needed for :
-Set Up( 0600AM)
-Meal preparation( 0600AM-?)
-Delivery (drivers be there by 0900AM)
-Clean up( Throughout the day)
- Anything in between as needed
Hey, you might want to volunteer beyond Thanksgiving too. This is a great ministry built upon helping people find hope and getting back on track everyday of the year. You may want to share a love offering or other donation to help ...anything you can do is very appreciated!!! Come and see!! You won't have to look far to see that every penny,every donation of food,clothing ect., is used to help people get back up and live with hope again.
If I don't get to see you, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and may God bring to your remembrance all you have to be thankful for. His peace be upon you!
John 12:32... "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." IndyChristian Ed.Note: I've heard it said... "All means ALL and that's ALL ALL means.".... Or is it? Come find out.
Reformation Society Luncheon... a unique setting, where Bible-believing pastors & lay-leaders get together over lunch to discuss the Word of God and sharpen their understanding accordingly. Oh, and have a good time fellowshipping together bi-monthly.
Here's a note from Pastor Rich Johnston...
"Please join us on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 for the Reformation Society luncheon and Bible study at New Life Community Church, 1500 W. 86th Street, at the corner of 86th and Ditch Road. (For more information, please visit the following website: newlife-indy.org.) The luncheon will begin at noon and end at 1:45 p.m. We will be studying John 12:32 as we continue our study on “Salvation: Honest Answers to Difficult Texts.” Please RSVP for the luncheon by calling 255-7557 and leave your name and the number in your party."
Twelve top-notch young business and professional leaders from across the Hoosier state recently completed the Hoosier Congressional Policy Leadership Series. Throughout this eight-month program, they've heard from Ball State economists and the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute on property taxes, a state Senator and Clarian’s CEO on health care, and a top flight group of education policy analysts from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, GEO Foundation, Indiana Policy Review, and more. A field trip took them to... [continued at VeritasRex]
But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 NIV
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV
The UBcafe neighborhood celebrated Thanksgiving together today (Saturday). God is good... all the time. Lots to be thankful for. Perhaps especially, a great little cafe in the neighborhood where people can get together year-round.
"I was at the mall the other day shopping with my family and I came across a bumper sticker that said, "Jesus Called, He Wants His Religion Back".
Now I know that some may interpret it as a slam against Christianity, but actually it is a slam against "Cultural Christianity." It recognizes that some of what we see today in the name of Jesus, is often antithetical to all that Jesus stood for.
My friend Tony over at Sets n' Service did a great series of reviews of the book, "UnChristian" which address that issue..."
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:11-14 NIV
IndyStar position: Mayor-elect's decision to revive Front Porch Alliance is a welcome move.
Indianapolis' mayor-elect plans to deploy an old idea in his efforts to confront crime and other problems plaguing the city. In his campaign, Greg Ballard promised to revive the Front Porch Alliance, an initiative created in 1997 by then-Mayor Steve Goldsmith. The alliance brought city agencies together with churches and other faith-based organizations to improve neighborhoods. Goldsmith has described his faith-based initiatives, an approach copied by other communities across the nation, as his most meaningful accomplishment as mayor. But such partnerships have received less emphasis in Bart Peterson's administration.
Ballard, in an interview Thursday, said he sees the city's work with nonprofits as critical to fighting crime and restoring neighborhoods...
"Ballard is turning to experienced help in resurrecting the Front Porch Alliance. Outgoing City-County Council member Ike Randolph worked on the neighborhood initiative under Goldsmith. Randolph, who is expected to fill a key role in Ballard's administration, brings a strong vision for how the alliance and similar initiatives can help the city."
IndyChristian Ed. Note: Ike has been a friend of the Transform Indiana ministry networking initiative and would be welcomed with open arms.
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV
From Pew Research: "Blacks See Growing Values Gap Between Poor and Middle Class" November 13, 2007
"African Americans see a widening gulf between the values of middle class and poor blacks, and nearly four-in-ten say that because of the diversity within their community, blacks can no longer be thought of as a single race, a new Pew Research Center survey has found."
Certainly our God cares about injustices. Read the book for yourselves. And He cares about how people feel... especially those most at-risk in our community. The above research not only reflects hard realities caused by sin in the world... but also perpetuated by a fractured Church of Jesus Christ. Do we really even care about what God cares about?
Further, the research reflects great differences in perception of fairness... depending on your color -- or I suspect more to the point, depending on whether you're in the majority or the minority. Given our sinful nature, the majority will always have a propensity to be pretty oblivious to the minority.
Example: "Support for racial integration in neighborhoods varies by race. Four-in-ten whites say they would like to see more whites and minorities living together in the same neighborhood... More than six-in-ten blacks say they would like to see neighborhoods in this country become more integrated."
But God is a God of ultimate Truth and He objects to these disparities. We all need to do whatever we can to periodically shed our color or privilege, to better see things the way God sees them.
But how can we do that in our tight, self-interested, homogeneous churches? So again, IndyChristian.com raises the flag for connecting & communicating among the diverse, Bible-believing body of Christ here in our city. We serve as an ongoing advocate for the diverse 'multicultural Church' -- allowing us to pray, plan and pursue the mission of the Church TOGETHER... loving & sharpening one another along the way, and eliminating these chasms of flawed information.
Untruth is the handiwork of Satan and his scheme of 'pride & divide'.
"For you are not unaware of the devil's schemes."
That being said, what are we going to do about it?
[IndyChristian Ed. Note: What an eye-opener, if they weren't open already! ht: Dr. Andrew Jackson, SmartChristian.com. Thanks Andrew.]
Morley Safer reports on the new generation of "millennials." They are in their late teens to early twenties and could be ill prepared for a demanding workplace.
ABC News' Jacqueline Klingebiel Reports: Haven't registered to vote in the 2008 elections? Beware: Your friends may have a say in that... [continued at ABC News]
IndyChristian Ed. Commentary... Now consider the implications... re Facebook as the very white, educated & upscale... increasingly impactive in the world today. Christians... especially very tightly homogenous churches... do you see the justice issue here? Consider Andrew Sears white-paper on the cost of online segregation.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV
[This email from 'Jen'... to a number of pastors who collaborated in Indy's inner-city, re a Sunday evening fellowship they called... "Soup for Souls". Her note pretty much says it all...]
"Pastors... I sent this (below) as an encouragement to some Christian loved ones... as well as some pre-Christians. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for everything you do. You're not alone in this journey. Know that your lay ministers are with you, supporting you, and praying for you. Thank you for bringing our church into this endeavor. You have blessed us indeed." [Read on below]
"Hi friends...
Just got back from Soup for Souls. AMAZING!! Inner City, Indianapolis. Crime rates have doubled and tripled in the last year. A pastor and his wife left the suburbs to minister in inner city a few years ago. This is the second Soup for Souls -- over 10 churches and about 200 people gathered in this warehouse turned church. We ate soup, prayed, and had wonderful worship together. Collected over $6,000 for the Thanksgiving outreach to take meals to low income housing.We sat next to the homeless, ate with them, worshipped WITH them, and prayed for them. J and I met a pastor and his wife with a thriving married couples ministry -- a ministry that J and I are starting in our church."I had a long conversation about Romans with an ex-con who's been in and out of prison several times. And ______ took communion for the first time -- she asked Jesus into her heart earlier this year.There's nothing to make you feel humbled like driving home to your bills... and knowing that you have a home and warm bed to go to. Wow...- Jen"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:29-31 NIV
"On today's episode we make an attempt at tackling The Online Church's biggest fear: User Contributed Content."
"We're happy to say, not all churches or ministries are afraid of user contributed content. Some understand that it's the only way to have true church community online all week long. However, there's still plenty of churches who shy away because of the perceived dangers of allowing anyone to add things to the church website. This week, we do our best to educate and encourage, looking at some misconceptions of user contributed content and we talk about different methods of adding checks and balances to the process." "But, before all this, we talk about an issue that frustrates us geeky folks when we seek to help our churches advance in the area of technology in ministry. Innovation is slower in the church than it is elsewhere, and we throw out some ideas about why that is."
Guests on the next Cityreaching conference call are authors Bob Moffitt, who wrote 'If Jesus Were Mayor' (How Your Local Church Can Transform Your Community) and Darrow Miller, author of 'Discipling the Nations', (The Power of Truth to Transform Cultures). We look forward to what these authors have to share about cityreaching.
The one-hour call will be Thursday, Nov. 15 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. We invite you to participate...
"What if it turns out that the greatest source of renewal for Christianity in America is to be found in churches led by those once called "racial and ethnic minorities"? What if the day is coming, or is already here, when white Christians will have to undertake yet one more release—the release of our sense that we are the ones who know best how to do church? What if we find ourselves crossing those invisible but real racial boundary lines on a pilgrimage to discover where true Christian vitality is to be found?"
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
"The Indiana Family Institute is pleased to partner with the Indiana Department of Corrections to help recruit Hoosier volunteers to work with offenders (prisoners) preparing to return home after having paid their debt to society. A range of prison ministry or volunteer opportunities are available..."
"Mondays are weird. I come off the weekend, which is work for me as a Pastor. It's supposed to be my day of rest, like a Sabbath ... one day off in six.
I always struggle with it. What am I supposed to do to rest and recover?"
You all know about Freewheelin' Community Bike Co-op. It's a great place for kids to come and learn about bikes and much more, and for the neighborhood to come for repairs and great "re-newed" old bikes to ride! This Saturday, we're...
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?" "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" John 8:47-53 NIV
Russ Blowers, who in 45 years of ministry increased a local congregation 30-fold through his love for people and passion for spreading the Gospel, has died of an undiagnosed illness at a Northside hospital.
He was 83.
Blowers, who died Saturday night, was the longest-serving minister at one of Central Indiana's largest congregations, East 91st Street Christian Church near Castleton Square Mall. He was a nationally known leader in the Christian community.
"Every one has dreams, aspirations and expectations for his or her life. The Word of God sums up all of these desires in a single word - HOPE. Hope is at the beginning of every great exploit carried out for God. Hope is the foundation for a life that is lived with peace, joy and encouragement.
Here are some nuggets from a message I taught about hope... "
We're really thankful for the techs that show up at the Unleavened Bread Cafe to help out for 'Ask Anything Saturday'. For example, yesterday Alex Conner helped us a ton by trouble-shooting our wireless internet and curing the issue.
Alex is one of the 'Indy Christian Geeks' who are now getting together monthly for fellowship, learning and brainstorming ways to help the kingdom by using new media tools. [Stay tuned for announcements about 'BarCamp Indy'.]
In fact, he's now using his blogsite to produce training videos for some things you might want to know about out here on the 'information highway'. Stop in at his website and check 'em out.
Btw, a special thanks goes out to Alex's tech instructor at IUPUI... Dr. Thomas Ho... who put out the alert for cafe help. [I guess so much of this just comes down to the cafe's GREAT HEARTS & GREAT CONNECTIONS!]
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 NIV
Our innovative NYC friend, Youth Pastor Jeremy Del Rio, travels to San Diego to blog the National Outreach Convention. What a lineup of innovative, driven folks! Thanks Jeremy for relaying great info to the rest of us. Here's just a sampling -- a final discussion panel on the topic of 'Innovation'...
Panelists: + Kem Meyer, communications director Granger Community Church + Dave Gibbons, lead pastor New Song Community Church + Tony Morgan, Chief Strategic Officer of New Spring Church + Dr. Michael Lindsay, Rice University (Pulitzer nominated) + Jonathan Falwell senior pastor Thomas Road Baptist Church (Fastest Growing Church in America)
Q: Why does innovation frighten so many churches?
Q: How do we contend for the Gospel so it’s not lost in the process of contextualization?
Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. Psalms 72:18-19 NIV
"A pastor from a restricted nation told me about the time in prison when he was waiting to be executed at any moment. I asked him how he could handle that situation. He answered, 'I could feel your prayers in the cell! I knew that Christian brothers and sisters around the world were praying for me right then. Some nights I felt as if there were thousands of brothers and sisters with me in the cell and that we were all celebrating God's grace. That gave me hope during that worst time in my life. Actually I have never felt Christian love in such a strong way."
From Indianapolis Pastor William Bumphus (center, in white)... 'Jesus Inside Prison Ministry'
"Photo is the ministry team to the prisons we have in place in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2006 I went over to Lagos and the Lord opened a huge door to the prisons there for us. Here is a photo of that visit. Pastor George Ikwunze, a local pastor and the ministry team assemble on that 2006 visit to the prison. Officer in the middle of I and Pastor George in front of the Prison."
Brookside Community Church a neighborhood church plant affiliated with Northview Christian Life Center in Carmel.
Those interested in the growing cityreaching concept -- here in Indy/Indiana commonly referred to as "Transform Indiana" -- will meet on Friday (not our usual Thursday), November 16 at Brookside Church, 1035 N. Olney St., at 12 noon(til 2:00 pm).
Aaron Shelby, Urban Ministry Pastor for Brookside Community Church, will be our host for the day.
While as cityreachers we typically pray & plan together, the special topic on Nov. 16th will be feedback & discussion re CCDA St. Louis 2007. And how to translate what we learn from each other into greater local action in the name of Christ.
Eldon Kibbey TI Moderator
So... as always, the lunchtime event serves to CONNECT the driven Christian leaders in the city. Come get to know people you'd really like to get to know.
"Connect great hearts & minds... they'll know what to do."
Aaron and a number of others... like Chris & Mary Provence, Frank Alexander and Alphonso Bailey will have just returned from the national CCDA conference in St. Louis... no doubt with a sense of excitement about how we can better BE the Church in our communities and DO what Jesus has charged us with doing. So come share that enthusiasm & learning... and together let's help determine 'next steps' for citywide ministry.
Everyone welcome. But it's 'BYOL'... so stop by McD's on the way.
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centralized media site for Greater Indianapolis Christians. We connect & communicate among 'Driven-Christians in the Racing Capital of
the World' to accelerate the Great Commission!"
"If
you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from
his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one
in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but
in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." (Philippians
2)
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