It was great to see several from this group at the Ignite Summit this past Saturday. This sort of thing is really something to be a part of. You work, you sweat, you stress...and you get to the point where you say, "Lord, we've done what we can, but You're the one who's going to pull this off." And He does. Over 500 people attended, and it was a success, both from the earthly pulling-off-a-conference perspective and the people-being-motivated-and-equipped perspective.
My prayer is that it won't be simply an emotional high but will be a change in the way people think about the ministry they're in and the ministry they may be feeling pulled toward.
Ignite Summit pics (a couple of these are mine but most were taken by Mike Vazquez--thanks, Mike!)
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Life Together - Introduction & Introductions
We had a good group this past Thursday. Thanks to all those who came out. Though this meeting was primarily introductory, I can already tell that God's brought together an interesting group that will make for some lively discussion.
Hopefully you've picked up the book by now and are into Chapter One. I don't know about you, but Bonhoeffer definitely pushes me out of my comfort zone and makes me think about my presuppositions. I pray that God will challenge us each through this study and grow us together as a Body.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer himself is a fascinating guy. We'll watch a movie about his life after we've read the book, but do a little online search for him when you have a moment. He life is inspiring, though you'll run across some who view him as a mixed bag because, though he defended the Jews and opposed the Nazis, he still believed that Jews needed to believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, to be saved. Interesting...sadly, as I was reading some more about him, I was reminded of the shameful way many in the church fell in with the Nazis. Many, I suspect, did not do so out of active hatred of Jews or national pride but were simply cowardly or apathetic. They took the easy way out.
May we be stirred to boldness in our faith.
Hopefully you've picked up the book by now and are into Chapter One. I don't know about you, but Bonhoeffer definitely pushes me out of my comfort zone and makes me think about my presuppositions. I pray that God will challenge us each through this study and grow us together as a Body.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer himself is a fascinating guy. We'll watch a movie about his life after we've read the book, but do a little online search for him when you have a moment. He life is inspiring, though you'll run across some who view him as a mixed bag because, though he defended the Jews and opposed the Nazis, he still believed that Jews needed to believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, to be saved. Interesting...sadly, as I was reading some more about him, I was reminded of the shameful way many in the church fell in with the Nazis. Many, I suspect, did not do so out of active hatred of Jews or national pride but were simply cowardly or apathetic. They took the easy way out.
May we be stirred to boldness in our faith.
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Schedule for "Life Together" REVISED
Deleted due to further revisions, but I'll leave this post so we don't lose the Comments.
The Five Ws
WHO?
All are welcome. Men, women. Single, married. Believer, non-believer. You needn’t be a “theologian” or have any formal Christian education, just a willingness to grow and (lovingly) spur others to grow. The group is facilitated by me, Nate, with Michael Atto assisting.
WHAT?
This group will read and discuss classics of the Christian faith. The only qualification is that they be written by those who have departed this “mortal coil.” Some works may be comfortable to us and find us in agreement, but others may require wrestling. Our first will be Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together. We will generally read a chapter at a time on our own during the week then come together for discussion. Each "course" will also include an extra or two, such as a shared meal or an opportunity to learn more about an author through a video, museum visit, etc.
WHEN?
Thursdays at 7pm starting January 18th. As we begin each work, a schedule will be posted here. This first work, Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, will be discussed over seven weeks. Depending on the length of future works, the discussion period may be shorter or longer.
WHERE?
New Life Lakeview in the café upstairs. Exceptions will be posted in advance.
WHY?
This group grew out of a focus group on Dr. Francis Schaeffer's How Should We Then Live? The small but lively group filled a unique niche and there seemed to be a hunger and interest in continuing in the same vein. When I learned of Dead Theologians Societies, the idea seemed a perfect fit. There is much to learn from the great thinkers of our faith, and it's my hope that DTS will be a fun and edifying place to wrestle with their works and to grow in our faith.
[NOTE: This group will be discussing one work for several weeks, breaking for a week or two, then starting with a new work. Ideally, I would love for you to commit to sticking with the group for an extended period. This will allow you to get to know the saints who have persevered before you, as well as the saints persevering alongside you week to week. If you would like to participate for a shorter term, however, please commit to starting a work with us, such as Life Together, and sticking with it. Thanks.]
All are welcome. Men, women. Single, married. Believer, non-believer. You needn’t be a “theologian” or have any formal Christian education, just a willingness to grow and (lovingly) spur others to grow. The group is facilitated by me, Nate, with Michael Atto assisting.
WHAT?
This group will read and discuss classics of the Christian faith. The only qualification is that they be written by those who have departed this “mortal coil.” Some works may be comfortable to us and find us in agreement, but others may require wrestling. Our first will be Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together. We will generally read a chapter at a time on our own during the week then come together for discussion. Each "course" will also include an extra or two, such as a shared meal or an opportunity to learn more about an author through a video, museum visit, etc.
WHEN?
Thursdays at 7pm starting January 18th. As we begin each work, a schedule will be posted here. This first work, Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, will be discussed over seven weeks. Depending on the length of future works, the discussion period may be shorter or longer.
WHERE?
New Life Lakeview in the café upstairs. Exceptions will be posted in advance.
WHY?
This group grew out of a focus group on Dr. Francis Schaeffer's How Should We Then Live? The small but lively group filled a unique niche and there seemed to be a hunger and interest in continuing in the same vein. When I learned of Dead Theologians Societies, the idea seemed a perfect fit. There is much to learn from the great thinkers of our faith, and it's my hope that DTS will be a fun and edifying place to wrestle with their works and to grow in our faith.
[NOTE: This group will be discussing one work for several weeks, breaking for a week or two, then starting with a new work. Ideally, I would love for you to commit to sticking with the group for an extended period. This will allow you to get to know the saints who have persevered before you, as well as the saints persevering alongside you week to week. If you would like to participate for a shorter term, however, please commit to starting a work with us, such as Life Together, and sticking with it. Thanks.]
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