Tag: One Prayer

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Messy Church

“Everyone has hurts, habits, and hang-ups.” – Rick Warren

If the above statement is true (and it is), it means that every church is messy. I’ve heard the above statement used and abused. For some its a convenient cliche and used as false self-deprivation to give an appearance  that one relates to people in their struggles when the true motivation is to create a personal empire versus the Kingdom of God. For others, this is a part of their church’s DNA. Whether the principle is presented word for word (Everyone has hurts, habits, and hang-ups) or in like meaning but using other terminology like Cross Point Church does with their view that Everyone is Welcome, Nobody is Perfect, and Anything is Possible. I want this principle to be a core principle of our DNA at New Passion, not just words.

Sunday, we showed our last One Prayer message for 2010. It was on the Unstoppable Church by Scott Hodge. Scott focuses on the fact that if we are going to be an unstoppable church we must be willing to embrace the mess. Check the video out if you have 26 minutes and then think on the questions I presented on Sunday to our congregation:

How would you answer these questions?

  1. What do we (you) do with the messy and broken people that God leads our (your) way?
    1 (a). Are we afraid of the mess?
  2. Are you being honest about your messiness & brokenness?
    2 (a). Are you hiding behind a mask pretending like everything is okay, when it’s not?
  3. Are we a church of prayer?
    3 (a). Are we as individuals and as a church praying for each other? For the church & its leaders? For miracles

Join the Conversation…I’d love to know your thoughts!

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One Prayer Coming in June

one-prayerI cannot wait for June. I love the One Prayer Series and was a part of a church before New Passion that participated in One Prayer since it began in 2008. New Passion is joining the crowd this year and cannot wait to participate! Here is a description of what One Prayer is all about:

This June, believers around the world are standing together in unity for One Prayer 2010. Thousands of churches will join forces to share resources, serve our communities, and give to a meaningful cause. As we come together across continents and cultures, we’ll have the opportunity to leave a permanent imprint of Christ on the world.

  • One Prayer lasts from June 5/6 to 26/27.
  • Churches will have access to free video messages from gifted teachers and pastors.
  • Other free resources such as graphics and videos will be available.
  • Churches are encouraged to team up with other churches in their area for outreach and service projects during One Prayer.
  • Churches can collect an optional offering during One Prayer to benefit the organization of their choice.
  • There is no cost to participate in One Prayer, though a free registration is required.

Sign up for One Prayer 2010: http://2010.oneprayer.com/join

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Sunday Recap: Lord Make Us ONE

My church (the church @ greenbrier) jumped on board with the ONE Prayer Campaign as other churches were finishing up, but I am glad that we did. I love hearing our pastor when he shares God’s Word with us, but there was something special with the messages that we were treated to during the last 3 weeks, I truly believe Jesus gave Craig Groeschel a fresh idea of His vision for His church. This week, we watched the message by Craig, “Lord, make us ONE!”

Craig started the basis of his message with Jesus’ prayer from John 17:20-24. Pete Wilson is starting a series on relationship surrounding verses 20 & 21 of chapter 17 in the fall, I can’t wait to check those out on Cross Point’s website. I am sure that series will be just as powerful as this message, and people’s lives are going to be changed because of it. Here are some of the highlights and my thoughts at the end, take a couple of minutes and check it out:

“We always want Jesus to answer our prayer, but what if we (Christians/the Church) decided to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer?” – Craig Groeschel

What will it take to unify the church?

1. If Christians/the Church recognize we have ONE ENEMY! Amen & Amen!!!
**Satan is that ONE enemy, not other churches or other believers.** We all have ONE thing in common, the same enemy! (1 Peter 5:8-9) (John 10:10)

2. ONE HEART! Christians/the Church can have different methods or manners in which they do ministry; there is power in our diversity, but we should be united in our passion of making the name of Jesus famous, because it is through Jesus that those who do not know him can be saved. We are not called to be uniform in style and preference, but to be united in Love. (**My Note: I wholeheartidly believe this, but only when it does not cross the line into doctrine of the Gospel and of God’s Word**) (John 13:34-35 – “Love One Another”)

**Christians/the Church should be united. When “I” get out of place, united become “untied” (which is the state our churches are in), but when “I” is in its proper place we have “united.” – We must stay aware of whether we are in our proper place or whether we are not.

3. ONE PURPOSE! (Matthew 28:19-20) “Go and make disciples” – Church in greek is “ekklesia” which means “called out ones” (**Personal Note: Why do we allow personal style and method preferences stand in the way of this one? No matter which version of the Bible you read or what denomination you are a part of, this teaches and reads the same, so on this point alone, why are we not united here?**)

I encourage you to go watch the video HERE. The illustrations, stories, and videos that were shown with this message are great! I really enjoy messages like these, because growin up I saw and heard so much division due to personal preferences over styles and methods. Through a disagreement on these things people came to conclusions about doctinal beliefs of other denominations or churches that were not true, thankfully I have learned to explore & question on my own and to allow the Lord to free me from the legalism and the bondage these people put me under. I have seen first hand how these things divide the Church Jesus said He was going to build versue building it up and uniting it. I believe the greatest thing is at risk by our churches being divided over petty issues, People’s souls!