I started today by meeting with Bob Sweeney. Bob is the Pastor of the Cass City Missionary Church and also the leader of the Thumb Area LEAD Team. For me, it was an encouraging visit as we talked about the first 3 weeks and then spent some time discussing and praying about what the future for this Disciple Making Movement might look like. We came to the conclusion that we are sort of breaking new ground, and that there is not a pattern to follow. Bob also suggested to me to continue to be patient and to be seeking the Holy Spirit for direction.
Later that morning I met with a man in Sebewaing to ask him to consider being part of one of the first disciple groups that I would like to start. We had a good conversation, and he promised me he would consider the idea. One of the things I am trying to get used to is planting ideas and then allowing God to work through the Holy Spirit. ( 1 Cor. 3:5-9)
I also had a conversation with a man from the Elkton Missionary Church who lives over in the Sebewaing area. I invited him to meet with a small group on Thursday, October 2 as we talk about and begin to cast a vision for this Disciple Making Movement. He is interested and was going to have a conversation with his wife also. I am waiting to hear back from them.
As I did the previous week, I spent some time in a prayer walk around Sebewaing just trying to be sensitive for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Near the end of the walk I ran into a friend of mine from the Rotary Club. We started to talk, and I let her know what I was doing in the area on Thursdays. We talked about the Rotary Club and how they might need help with one of their fundraising projects that is coming up. The time fit into my schedule next week so I volunteered to help out. Two prayer walks, two good opportunities to share, in two different ways. God is faithful!
That afternoon I again spent a couple of hours at the school. As I had the previous week, I accompanied the Alternative Education group from USA High School to several more churches offering our help with any community service type projects. Again the reception was good. It seems like God has just given me an opportunity to be present in the lives of these young people who are trying to overcome some past mistakes.
The leader of this group, Rudy (Don Rudolph) is a solid Christian man, and he spent some time asking me about the project that we are attempting in the Sebewaing area. As I explained to him what we were trying to do, he asked me if Jim Keller was still in the Missionary Church. I told him that Jim was our D.S. Rudy told me that he was a big Jim Keller fan ( He knew Jim from his years at Lamotte), and that connection seemed to bring added validity to this Disciple Making Movement in Rudy's mind.
I had conversations with a couple more people that day. As I was driving home thinking about the day, it seemed like one of those days that you have on the job where nothing really out of the ordinary happens; but somehow you feel good about the day.
Praises:
The word seems to be getting out that I am in town ministering.
Everyone whom I have had conversations with seems positive and open.
For the relationships I am building through my work in the school
Prayer concerns:
We are trying to gather some people Thursday, October 2 to dream a little. Pray for a good attendance.
Pray for the young people involved in the Alternative Education Program as well as the program itself. Pray for acceptance and that all red tape would be sorted through.
Pray that as I take part in this Rotary fundraiser that God would use that time to make some new contacts.
Continue to pray for wisdom for myself and the other LEAD Team members as we listen for the Holy Spirit to give direction in this Disciple Making Program
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Answered prayer
As I drove to Sebewaing on Thursday September 18, I must admit that I was not sure what the day would hold. I knew I was going to spend a couple of hours helping out at the school, but I had a couple of appointments that had called to cancel for this week and so I was unsure what I would do with my morning. I decided to park downtown and simply start with a prayer walk. As I was walking and just asking God to give me direction, I passed a house just as a car was pulling in the driveway. A young man jump out, who I knew, and asked me what I was doing in town. He then invited me in for a cup of coffee, and we began to talk about the difference between making people converts to Christ as opposed to creating disciples of Christ. It was a very uplifting time for me because I really felt like God orchestrated the meeting. It was an answer to prayer. This young man asked if he could attend a meeting that I referenced on October 2 to begin the process of casting a vision. I told him that would be great. I gave him my card and he email me before the day was out to confirm his interest. Praise God!
After visiting a couple of other families that morning, the afternoon took me to the school where I have decided to volunteer for a couple of hours a week with the alternative education program which is just kicking off. I am going to help the group as they go out into the community to do volunteer projects. The agenda for the day included visiting some of the local churches to tell them what we were planning and to offer our services. It was a great privilege for me to go with this group of young people to 3 different churches and Bayshore Camp sharing our desire to simply be of service. I also had the opportunity to share in a couple of those places with some people about the idea of a Disciple Making movement and arranged at least one appointment for the following week.
Overall it was a great day, and I was encouraged in many ways. I am learning that I need to make sure not to simply try to get things going for the sake of doing things. As I get more into the Key Stone training, God continues to show me that I need to be aware of something bigger than the vision I had. I am trusting that God will continue to be faithful as I wait upon Him.
Praises:
The way God used the time set aside last week simply for prayer.
The Lord's encouragement at just the right moments
For the openness of the USA School
The vision of the Thumb area LEAD Team to look beyond planting a church and instead to work to create a disciple making movement.
Prayer concerns:
That God will continue to open the right doors
That God would make it clear to me how much to pursue doors that seem to be closed
That God would continue to give direction to the Alternative Education Program at USA as they reach out to these students who have fallen through the cracks.
That the Lord will continue to show me grace as I wait upon Him
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
After visiting a couple of other families that morning, the afternoon took me to the school where I have decided to volunteer for a couple of hours a week with the alternative education program which is just kicking off. I am going to help the group as they go out into the community to do volunteer projects. The agenda for the day included visiting some of the local churches to tell them what we were planning and to offer our services. It was a great privilege for me to go with this group of young people to 3 different churches and Bayshore Camp sharing our desire to simply be of service. I also had the opportunity to share in a couple of those places with some people about the idea of a Disciple Making movement and arranged at least one appointment for the following week.
Overall it was a great day, and I was encouraged in many ways. I am learning that I need to make sure not to simply try to get things going for the sake of doing things. As I get more into the Key Stone training, God continues to show me that I need to be aware of something bigger than the vision I had. I am trusting that God will continue to be faithful as I wait upon Him.
Praises:
The way God used the time set aside last week simply for prayer.
The Lord's encouragement at just the right moments
For the openness of the USA School
The vision of the Thumb area LEAD Team to look beyond planting a church and instead to work to create a disciple making movement.
Prayer concerns:
That God will continue to open the right doors
That God would make it clear to me how much to pursue doors that seem to be closed
That God would continue to give direction to the Alternative Education Program at USA as they reach out to these students who have fallen through the cracks.
That the Lord will continue to show me grace as I wait upon Him
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Growing pains
Thursday, September 11, was my second week working in Sebewaing. I am continuing to work on the process of getting some people into groups to begin the process of creating Disciples who create Disciples.
I have to admit that this week did not go quite as well as last week in some respects. On my first stop as I was explaining why I was going to be in Sebewaing on Thursdays, the lady told me that her pastor's wife had commented on the Missionary Church's efforts in the area. (This was based on the letter that I had sent to churches back in June telling them we were going to be trying to create a Disciple making movement.) The comments were not positive and reflected a fear that we were out to steal people from their churches for a new church plant. I heard that same sentiment in a couple of other conversations. It is obvious that there is a lot of work to do in creating unity and casting the vision of a disciple making movement.
My second appointment of the day was more promising. I am trying to create a group of men who can meet during the day to begin a discipling process. I have my first yes and have appointments next Thursday (Sept 18) to talk to two others with the plans to start that group on September 25. I also have a commitment from another man to begin a group when the soccer season ends.
Because of a counseling situation I did not get to the school today, but did meet with the person who I will be working with there. And she was going to help get a clearer picture of what we will do there. Next week we will clarify some of that.
In my other meetings of the day I got some interest, but no commitments. I spent some time hanging out reading in the local McDonalds and simply shared what I would be doing also with several people who just stopped in. God has laid it on my heart that I need to spend some time each week simply walking around Sebewaing and praying. So beginning next week I will include that in my daily work there.
This was a difficult week for me because of some things going on in my ministry at New Life. I ended up investing a lot of time in a situation that is not going well, and to tell you the truth I went into my visits this week a little beat up. I need to learn that God is in charge and control and there comes a time I need to let go. I praise God because in my studying on Friday He reminded me of that; and so, once again, I am feeling a little more optimistic. Praise God for that.
Praises for the week:
God's grace and mercy in my own life!
That some people are beginning to commit to disciple making groups!
Prayer concerns for the week:
For the appointments I have this week to share the vision of Disciple making
For church leadership to be open
For a couple of other people who have been asked to offer some leadership to the project that God will give them clarity as they consider His call ( I am hoping to get a group of 5 to go to the Disciple making seminar with me in Port Huron November 7 and 8. I have three presently committed.)
Pray that God would not allow this spirit of fear of losing people from a local church that I have run into to grow, but instead that there will be a spirit of unity
Please pray for me. Also that I will not be burdened with the lies of Satan telling me that any time something fails it is my fault.
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
Prayer concerns for September
I have to admit that this week did not go quite as well as last week in some respects. On my first stop as I was explaining why I was going to be in Sebewaing on Thursdays, the lady told me that her pastor's wife had commented on the Missionary Church's efforts in the area. (This was based on the letter that I had sent to churches back in June telling them we were going to be trying to create a Disciple making movement.) The comments were not positive and reflected a fear that we were out to steal people from their churches for a new church plant. I heard that same sentiment in a couple of other conversations. It is obvious that there is a lot of work to do in creating unity and casting the vision of a disciple making movement.
My second appointment of the day was more promising. I am trying to create a group of men who can meet during the day to begin a discipling process. I have my first yes and have appointments next Thursday (Sept 18) to talk to two others with the plans to start that group on September 25. I also have a commitment from another man to begin a group when the soccer season ends.
Because of a counseling situation I did not get to the school today, but did meet with the person who I will be working with there. And she was going to help get a clearer picture of what we will do there. Next week we will clarify some of that.
In my other meetings of the day I got some interest, but no commitments. I spent some time hanging out reading in the local McDonalds and simply shared what I would be doing also with several people who just stopped in. God has laid it on my heart that I need to spend some time each week simply walking around Sebewaing and praying. So beginning next week I will include that in my daily work there.
This was a difficult week for me because of some things going on in my ministry at New Life. I ended up investing a lot of time in a situation that is not going well, and to tell you the truth I went into my visits this week a little beat up. I need to learn that God is in charge and control and there comes a time I need to let go. I praise God because in my studying on Friday He reminded me of that; and so, once again, I am feeling a little more optimistic. Praise God for that.
Praises for the week:
God's grace and mercy in my own life!
That some people are beginning to commit to disciple making groups!
Prayer concerns for the week:
For the appointments I have this week to share the vision of Disciple making
For church leadership to be open
For a couple of other people who have been asked to offer some leadership to the project that God will give them clarity as they consider His call ( I am hoping to get a group of 5 to go to the Disciple making seminar with me in Port Huron November 7 and 8. I have three presently committed.)
Pray that God would not allow this spirit of fear of losing people from a local church that I have run into to grow, but instead that there will be a spirit of unity
Please pray for me. Also that I will not be burdened with the lies of Satan telling me that any time something fails it is my fault.
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
Prayer concerns for September
Monday, September 8, 2008
Day one on the ground
This last Thursday, September 4 was the first day on the ground in Sebewaing as we work to create a Disciple making movement. I had several encounters which I am praising God for.
I started my day by visiting a friend of mine, Fred Wilson, a retired Assembly of God Pastor. I shared with Fred the vision that we believe God has placed on our hearts for creating a Disciple Making movement. Fred was excited about it and very supportive.
Next I visited the school. During my 10 years of ministry in the Sebewaing area I did many things in school. Even though I did not know many students I was warmly greeted by the high school staff and given several ideas and possibilities to help serve in the school and some contact information. Since the schools in small towns are really the heart of the community, I was excited about the things that came out of those three meetings.
I had lunch with Casey Turner. Casey has been working through some of the possibilities of what the Organic Church should look like and how God wants him to be involved. I was greatly encouraged with our visit because Casey shared that he has been in conversation with Pastors from several different areas in the Thumb, and there seems to be a spirit of change that God is orchestrating. Casey shared that when he visited with several of these churches 10 years ago when he first came to the Thumb, he got very negative input to some of his ideas of the churches working together. Now there seems to be a more open environment.
In the afternoon I visited with one of the Pastors from the Fair haven Mennonite Church located a few miles north of Sebewaing He had gotten the letter that I mailed out in June and was wondering about how his church might benefit from a Disciple making movement. I invited him to be part of our first group this fall but his schedule won't allow it. Michael is a bi-vocational pastor and his two other jobs are keeping him pretty tied up this fall. He asked if we might be open to people from his congregation attending some of our studies and of course we are.
I also visited with a couple of men I know who work second shift. I am hoping to start a men's group that will meet late morning.
I closed the day meeting with John and Rhonda Elenbaum. They are open to us using their home to meet in. I also asked them if they might be willing to attend some training seminars on disciple making, and they are. Overall many things to praise God for!
As I face this week's visits my prayer concerns are as follows.
I was given contact information for two pastors. Pray they will be as open to meeting as the people I talked to last week seemed to think they would be.
Pray for wisdom as I figure out the best way to be involved in the school system. They seem to be incredibly open, and I would be working with the alternative high school students who really need God.
Pray that this week as I meet with two men about a discipling possibility that they would be open to it.
I am hoping to meet with a man who Casey felt would be critical in starting a disciple making movement in Sebewaing. Pray that I get that meeting and that we will be open to what the Holy Spirit wants.
Continue to pray for Casey. I am impressed on that God intends to use him in this process.
Pray for this new relationship with Pastor Michael from the Fair Haven Mennonite Church. I believe there is something God wants to do there.
Continue to pray for a Spirit of unity -- that any issues from the past would not become major stumbling blocks for people.
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
I started my day by visiting a friend of mine, Fred Wilson, a retired Assembly of God Pastor. I shared with Fred the vision that we believe God has placed on our hearts for creating a Disciple Making movement. Fred was excited about it and very supportive.
Next I visited the school. During my 10 years of ministry in the Sebewaing area I did many things in school. Even though I did not know many students I was warmly greeted by the high school staff and given several ideas and possibilities to help serve in the school and some contact information. Since the schools in small towns are really the heart of the community, I was excited about the things that came out of those three meetings.
I had lunch with Casey Turner. Casey has been working through some of the possibilities of what the Organic Church should look like and how God wants him to be involved. I was greatly encouraged with our visit because Casey shared that he has been in conversation with Pastors from several different areas in the Thumb, and there seems to be a spirit of change that God is orchestrating. Casey shared that when he visited with several of these churches 10 years ago when he first came to the Thumb, he got very negative input to some of his ideas of the churches working together. Now there seems to be a more open environment.
In the afternoon I visited with one of the Pastors from the Fair haven Mennonite Church located a few miles north of Sebewaing He had gotten the letter that I mailed out in June and was wondering about how his church might benefit from a Disciple making movement. I invited him to be part of our first group this fall but his schedule won't allow it. Michael is a bi-vocational pastor and his two other jobs are keeping him pretty tied up this fall. He asked if we might be open to people from his congregation attending some of our studies and of course we are.
I also visited with a couple of men I know who work second shift. I am hoping to start a men's group that will meet late morning.
I closed the day meeting with John and Rhonda Elenbaum. They are open to us using their home to meet in. I also asked them if they might be willing to attend some training seminars on disciple making, and they are. Overall many things to praise God for!
As I face this week's visits my prayer concerns are as follows.
I was given contact information for two pastors. Pray they will be as open to meeting as the people I talked to last week seemed to think they would be.
Pray for wisdom as I figure out the best way to be involved in the school system. They seem to be incredibly open, and I would be working with the alternative high school students who really need God.
Pray that this week as I meet with two men about a discipling possibility that they would be open to it.
I am hoping to meet with a man who Casey felt would be critical in starting a disciple making movement in Sebewaing. Pray that I get that meeting and that we will be open to what the Holy Spirit wants.
Continue to pray for Casey. I am impressed on that God intends to use him in this process.
Pray for this new relationship with Pastor Michael from the Fair Haven Mennonite Church. I believe there is something God wants to do there.
Continue to pray for a Spirit of unity -- that any issues from the past would not become major stumbling blocks for people.
Your Servant in Christ,
Brian
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Getting Started
Last night around 20 people gathered at New Life Missionary Church to pray for the launching of a movement which will start in Sebewaing tomorrow. The plan is to create a movement where we will work to create disciples of Jesus who make disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples. Following the idea that God intends for all living things to reproduce (Genesis 1:27-28) we want to help people in their journey to "be like Christ" so that they can produce disciples of Christ. Mark chapter 4 will lend itself as our model. It is our desire to make sure that we are "good soil" that produces a good crop. Please be in prayer that:
There will be unity among the Churches in the Sebewaing area
That the core group of people God would have come together for this movement will be open to His leading
For the LEAD team that God has used to implant this vision
For an openness among God's people for a new vision of what church can be
For wisdom for the LEAD Team as we communicate the vision for this disciple making movement
For the blessing of the churches who are involved
I will be in Sebewaing each Thursday meeting people and inviting them to join in this vision God has given the Thumb area LEAD Team Michigan District Missionary Church
There will be unity among the Churches in the Sebewaing area
That the core group of people God would have come together for this movement will be open to His leading
For the LEAD team that God has used to implant this vision
For an openness among God's people for a new vision of what church can be
For wisdom for the LEAD Team as we communicate the vision for this disciple making movement
For the blessing of the churches who are involved
I will be in Sebewaing each Thursday meeting people and inviting them to join in this vision God has given the Thumb area LEAD Team Michigan District Missionary Church
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