nppn - Pray Ntwk Archive - The Reimagine Network
2024-03-29T05:32:04Z
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National PrayerWalk Day for Apartments
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/national-prayerwalk-day-for-apartments
2023-10-18T19:10:23.000Z
2023-10-18T19:10:23.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><em style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>National PrayerWalk Day for Apartments</strong></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">We are inviting churches to mobilize teams of two’s and three’s to prayerwalk apartments near where their members live, work or worship on Saturday, November 4.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">It is our prayer that a prayerwalk day will raise awareness that every apartment complex is a mission field! However, mission fields have to be saturated with prayer before the harvest. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">A day set aside to prayerwalk is a strategic, compassionate opportunity to push back against spiritual darkness that exists in apartments. We desire for apartment communities to be flooded with prayer teams to cover as many apartments in the US as possible with His power, protection and conviction. We also pray that God’s people will pray and obey to hear what God is already doing so they can join Him in His plan to transform apartments by making and multiplying disciplemakers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Join Us~</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">Date: Saturday, Nov 4</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">Time: Anytime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">Where: Any apartment community near where you live, work or worship</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">What:</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">1) take the lead and cast vision to you church’s small group</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">2) invite your small group to choose an apartment to begin praying for before Nov 4,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">3) decide on a time for folks to meet at the apartment,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">4) meet there and prayerwalk in groups of twos.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">5) review the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1Hnp0nEKFzwkH9zWBv2cEy-fOLV2VSAjpCyU-fKJpoJM/edit%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1697659117675229%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2ZSdvCyNBu_o9r8dP2xHaU&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1697659117683059&usg=AOvVaw3Z8wp2M0Lm7J_Iel9OE2ib">prayerwalk leader guide</a> in case you’ve never done a prayerwalk before</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">6) follow up by filling out a quick <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVBg1ALtamw23Cs-ZB8KGY7QIs0wOcnCHeY8U14M2vC2YGnA/viewform?usp%253Dshare_link%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1697659117675636%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw15vxi41h9shVa-yZc55AC-&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1697659117683353&usg=AOvVaw0OuI1it2FJFLNNlPRErMd7">survey</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">7) ask the Lord what your next steps are and obey!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Need for some help? Call, text or email….</span><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Gary B. Jennings</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Executive Director, </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">CityLife</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">678-231-1601</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">gary.b.jennings1@gmail.com</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><em>NOTE:</em></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics/spotlight-citylife-incarnational-prayer-discipleship-evangelism" target="_blank">√CLICK here</a> for our interview with Gary Jennings: <em><strong>CityLife: Incarnational Prayer, Discipleship, Evangelism</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><a href="https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/main/search/search?q=prayerwalk" target="_blank">√Click here</a> for prayerwalking content (skip to page two) and resources (videos and photos)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
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How a 15th Century Doctrine Defines & Defiles Christianity Today
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/how-a-15th-century-doctrine-defines-defiles-christianity-today
2023-10-06T13:40:12.000Z
2023-10-06T13:40:12.000Z
Phil Miglioratti
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilMiglioratti942
<div><p>How this Church doctrine in 1492 continues to define and defile 21st century Christianity.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/06/1203760200/churches-confess-and-repent-for-sins-against-native-and-indigenous-people">https://www.npr.org/2023/10/06/1203760200/churches-confess-and-repent-for-sins-against-native-and-indigenous-people</a></p>
<p>#ReimagineCHRISTIANITY…<br />#rethink<br />#reset</p>
<p>✔️<a href="https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/main/search/search?q=Worldview+">https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/main/search/search?q=Worldview+</a></p>
<p><br />The Reimagine.Network<br />Click. Read. Share.</p></div>
Prayer Tip
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/prayer-tip
2023-10-03T15:20:17.000Z
2023-10-03T15:20:17.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p>October 3, 2023</p>
<p><img class="m_6686705163642265102mcnImage CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/-VyqQgwnj43OT6OO4MMbl33Np9IB1kRNPsGtWeCsuCTcmVh7sSWgn7duXiLNy9S9PHvUtihebBmh3kGxMN8oGhhcmHzr4Cf531tpgtgh6_kbJUSt6FdlNBZh4Fm66MdPPaantJ_NYtA7AcG4oQh3-SHLf3isnQ=s0-d-e1-ft#" alt="-VyqQgwnj43OT6OO4MMbl33Np9IB1kRNPsGtWeCsuCTcmVh7sSWgn7duXiLNy9S9PHvUtihebBmh3kGxMN8oGhhcmHzr4Cf531tpgtgh6_kbJUSt6FdlNBZh4Fm66MdPPaantJ_NYtA7AcG4oQh3-SHLf3isnQ=s0-d-e1-ft#<a href=" width="824" height="206" /><img class="m_6686705163642265102mcnImage CToWUd a6T" style="background-color:transparent;" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fdWy6iWK6bK9hOdfHuXU2HXYrxMXSeVfma3FBntjWy-dNRqQhBUWNstgFaKvaMsKoVP6emLkjkBUiBAfCqUl2MrjPxjF5ajbYIjs-aHEgHENDvEHvL4zNSmdNk-4f0M14MZiKKlzgEwJj0fM-Rm8H02MO1UJEQ=s0-d-e1-ft#" alt="fdWy6iWK6bK9hOdfHuXU2HXYrxMXSeVfma3FBntjWy-dNRqQhBUWNstgFaKvaMsKoVP6emLkjkBUiBAfCqUl2MrjPxjF5ajbYIjs-aHEgHENDvEHvL4zNSmdNk-4f0M14MZiKKlzgEwJj0fM-Rm8H02MO1UJEQ=s0-d-e1-ft#<a href=" width="584" height="305" /></p>
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<td valign="top"><a title="" href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=ec4b4dc32c&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank"><img class="m_6686705163642265102mcnImage CToWUd" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ZNJc3JjJgCqc-gRzBIxuMn_QrBSm7ZUIAAd_GRAmCHVJTZOB3JJkFotYN-KTl7HTMkBGSxXCBRhM8V32aXcp3_J4HjoIwxx8iNjjG9ApgS4Mc9HEZc8R-e9YHAXuWyrMq06SCo1ZSoDVvdN__72SrufvBiMV5g=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4/images/3ea2b6d9-fddc-a9c1-51b6-bb5f4cff5952.jpg" alt="" width="600" /></a></td>
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<td class="m_6686705163642265102mcnTextContent" valign="top"><strong>In the midst of a season when they are needed most, pastors are burning out at an alarming rate! As Christians, we should feel deep agony over this fact, especially since the main reason for it appears to be . . . us! </strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=eaeb4dedfb&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank">Free PDF Download of this article!</a></td>
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<td align="center" valign="middle"><a class="m_6686705163642265102mcnButton" title="Read More" href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=8209497728&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank">Read More</a></td>
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<td valign="top"><a title="" href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=967ea44447&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank"><img class="m_6686705163642265102mcnImage CToWUd" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Z7wj-wn45V9opXbfhF1PxcvAfOmm0H9h9I3qdFfbbtkJuHdgyvYHdzYp31gTYQMTw8cH6MnwHzzEacjAiXYn8A99wT-y0rTffw3gFI9gLyhhZQJ6Df8bQ19QKYFA5aGPRKjokdT_DQrB0fTvn4Zo_WpV_Xj7hQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4/images/b53683bc-a7bd-0381-1c37-fc047d8b82b5.png" alt="" width="600" /></a></td>
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<td class="m_6686705163642265102mcnTextContent" valign="top"><strong>Your answer to that question determines everything about you. If you believe God answers prayer, you will pray often and experience all the benefits of that arrangement with Him.</strong></td>
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<td align="center" valign="middle"><a class="m_6686705163642265102mcnButton" title="Read More" href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=5585917471&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank">Read More</a></td>
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<td valign="top"><a title="" href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=0293ef7cf8&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank"><img class="m_6686705163642265102mcnImage CToWUd" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/YlBK0IQOXrZJsJ0C2oNtIwZ1bC7VdzwS3tL7a1WRo3Atsiq3u7LuMzta57I0gwI3-89nfEAvJltox-OTKONUFPHsmAMNeKzPgNgkbwOJyRh0SDH6wioH4gYujYuB5FHrnATsBDnnsnv516dY1jJ4UXk2e2kK7Q=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4/images/00786d20-21d5-564c-b8d2-28e533977c41.png" alt="" width="349" /></a></td>
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<p><strong>This book will fill you with hope and encourage you to deeper levels of faith in your prayer life.</strong></p>
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<td align="center" valign="middle"><a class="m_6686705163642265102mcnButton" title="More Info" href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=2988cc3f5a&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank">More Info</a></td>
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<td class="m_6686705163642265102mcnTextContent" valign="top"><a href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=e9de114829&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank">Harvest Prayer Ministries</a> exists to equip the local church to become a House of Prayer for all nations. We operate through the generous support of donors like you. You can <a href="https://harvestprayer.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ef9fc3cf8ef3c02f85f1541b4&id=9b17f23f82&e=a058cabe13" target="_blank">donate here</a> anytime!</td>
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<td class="m_6686705163642265102mcnTextContent" valign="top"><em>Copyright © 2023 Harvest Prayer Ministries, All rights reserved.</em><br /> You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or at an event.<br /> <br /> <strong>Our mailing address is:</strong><br />
<div>Harvest Prayer Ministries
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Phil Miglioratti: Keys To Lead The Church In Prayer
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/phil-miglioratti-keys-to-lead-the-church-in-prayer
2023-08-23T15:31:09.000Z
2023-08-23T15:31:09.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12207630478,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12207630478,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12207630478?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="510" /></a><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><a href="https://www.strategicrenewal.com/phil-miglioratti-keys-to-lead-the-church-in-prayer/" target="_blank">√Phil Miglioratti: Keys To Lead The Church In Prayer</a></strong></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Phil Miglioratti</strong> served in pastoral minstry for many years, leading the church to be a House of Prayer. He currently serves afounded and faciltateds <a href="http://Reimagine.Network" target="_blank">The National Pastors’ Prayer Network,</a> which resources and connects pastors with tools to become better champions for prayer in their churches. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size:14pt;">Interview Summary:</span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">What is the Sr. Pastor’s role in developing a culture of prayer, and why is it so important? (0:05)</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
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<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">What advice would you offer to a pastor in becoming the key leader of prayer in his congregation? (1:48)</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:14pt;">What are some key principles in leading corporate prayer gatherings? (2:58)</span></li>
</ul>
</div></div>
"Christianity seemed little more than an add-on "
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/christianity-seemed-little-more-than-an-add-on
2023-03-21T21:56:08.000Z
2023-03-21T21:56:08.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><h3><strong>Here is something I’ve been thinking about lately –</strong></h3>
<p>Someone recommended I read <em><a href="https://substack.com/redirect/3f1ce1a6-f999-4946-9b46-c85bce75d03f?j=eyJ1IjoiNHdieXYifQ.GforGe9BzsEd8kT1AhYyRqTJHvYZWmz0wgFAGS-UYXI" target="_blank">Mirror to the Church: Resurrecting Faith after Genocide in Rwanda</a></em><a href="https://substack.com/redirect/3f1ce1a6-f999-4946-9b46-c85bce75d03f?j=eyJ1IjoiNHdieXYifQ.GforGe9BzsEd8kT1AhYyRqTJHvYZWmz0wgFAGS-UYXI" target="_blank"> </a>by Emmanuel Katongole. I did. And it has been haunting me.</p>
<p>“In a country that was over eighty-five percent Christian, almost everyone gathered on Easter Sunday [1994] to remember the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” (18).</p>
<p>“But one week later… Christians in Rwanda took up machetes, looked fellow church members in the face, and hacked their bodies to pieces” (19).</p>
<p>How could this happen?!?!</p>
<p>We have to admit that often times “Christianity becomes little more than a thin veneer over what we imagine our natural identity to be” (53).</p>
<p>“Christianity made little difference in Rwanda. Christianity seemed little more than an add-on – an inconsequential relish that did not radically affect people’s so-called natural identities, nor the goals or purposes they pursued” (68).</p>
<p>“Christianity is meant to shape a new identity within us by creating a new sense of <em>we </em>– a new community that defies our usual categories of anthropology” (69).</p>
<p>“The deepest tragedy of the Rwandan genocide is that Christianity didn’t seem to make any difference. Rwandans performed a script that had shaped them more deeply than the biblical story had” (84).</p>
<p>“Paying attention to history helps us to see that this was not just Rwanda’s problem. The story that made Rwanda is the story of the West. When we look at Rwanda as a mirror to the church, it helps us realize what little consequence the biblical story has on the way Christians live their lives in the West” (85).</p>
<p>I’m praying that our churches are profoundly shaped by the gospel narrative and that this upcoming Easter is something more than a superficial tradition.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For the Sake of the Name,</p>
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<h6><strong>Nathan Carter</strong></h6>
<h6><a href="https://substack.com/redirect/03f3b8a3-7762-4ef1-8f6f-01c0e1774b38?j=eyJ1IjoiNHdieXYifQ.GforGe9BzsEd8kT1AhYyRqTJHvYZWmz0wgFAGS-UYXI" target="_blank">Chicagoland Baptists</a></h6>
<h6>Executive Director/AMS</h6>
<h6>1356 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL 60622</h6>
<h6><a href="https://substack.com/redirect/f66e989a-f44a-430e-95e3-d0f8d46d5c8d?j=eyJ1IjoiNHdieXYifQ.GforGe9BzsEd8kT1AhYyRqTJHvYZWmz0wgFAGS-UYXI" target="_blank">nathancarter@chicagolandbaptists.org</a></h6>
<h6><a href="https://substack.com/redirect/342d51c6-f22f-464e-97cf-a7d9e65da03d?j=eyJ1IjoiNHdieXYifQ.GforGe9BzsEd8kT1AhYyRqTJHvYZWmz0wgFAGS-UYXI" target="_blank">312.493.3726</a></h6>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The mission of Chicagoland Baptists is to facilitate <em>relationships</em> among the Baptist churches of this Great City so that they can more effectively fulfill the Great Commission and live out the Great Commandment.</p>
<div><hr /></div></div>
#Reset Leadership Teams with Crucial Questions
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/reset-leadership-teams-with-crucial-questions
2023-02-10T17:08:25.000Z
2023-02-10T17:08:25.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
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<span style="font-size:14pt;"><em><strong>#Reset Leadership Teams with Crucial Questions</strong></em></span><br />
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<p align="center">View the entire</p>
<p align="center">November/December issue<br /> free online now!</p>
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<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>THE SONS OF ISSACHAR,</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>THE CHURCH AT SARDIS,</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>AND OUR LEADERSHIP TEAMS<br /> </strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>By David Roadcup<br /> </strong></p>
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<p>The sons of Issachar are widely noted in church leadership circles for having the ability to read their circumstances and respond in wisdom: “Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command” (1 Chronicles 12:32). . . .</p>
<p> <br /> The church’s leadership team (paid staff and elder team) should play this role. Their agenda should always include studying and understanding critical scriptural guidelines, the times, the culture, trends, and the implications they bring. We minister in a vacuum when we do not understand what is taking place around us. . . .</p>
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<p align="center"><strong>– ENGAGE –</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>CRUCIAL QUESTIONS</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>FOR CHURCH LEADERS</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>By Tyler McKenzie<br /> </strong></p>
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<p>I grew up a preacher’s kid in the rural outskirts of a small city. Every time we walked into a restaurant, my dad visited at least two tables to check-in on people we knew from church. Often, someone would pick up our check. The community honored him. Back then, people looked to clergy for care and accepted their moral exhortation. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gone are those days! . . . If you are a pastor these days, especially in more cosmopolitan areas, you feel this at a deep level. People expect you to preside over their weddings and funerals, but they take the hard stuff to their therapists. Add to that all the leadership scandals headlining the front page, and I can sympathize with the public’s suspicion. . . .</p>
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<td align="center" valign="top">“Used by permission of <em>Christian Standard</em>” </td>
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<td align="center" valign="top"><a href="https://track.robly.com/be9f3d81-7f1a-4a60-9768-64b553ef24160afc05932e81b2b5e2ce7360f8a3e518" target="_blank">Click here to view the online version.</a></td>
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Living in a Prayed For City
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/living-in-a-prayed-for-city
2022-12-02T14:45:23.000Z
2022-12-02T14:45:23.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>NPPN Articles #020 ~ Living In A Prayed For City</strong> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Phil Miglioratti</em></p>
<p><em>National Pastors' Prayer Network @ The Reimagine.Network</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Paul urges us, first of all, to pray for all people. As we make our requests, we are to plead for God¹s mercy upon them and give thanks. We are to pray this way for Presidents and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives. 1 Timothy 2:1-2</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>What Would It Be Like To Live In A Prayed For City?</p>
<ul>
<li>A town where every boy and girl are being prayed for by name.</li>
<li>A suburb where every household is assigned to someone for daily prayer.</li>
<li>A neighborhood whose streets have been prayerwalked.</li>
<li>A community where believers gather in homes to pray for their neighbors</li>
<li>A city of congregations who have caught the vision to pray for by name every man and woman, youth, and child...so that...they will be open to and interested in the good news of eternal life in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>What Would It Be Like To Live In A Prayed For City?</p>
<ul>
<li>Would mayors and city councils be favorable to new church plants?</li>
<li>Would gangs begin to lose members to the church?</li>
<li>Would families begin to eat meals together?</li>
<li>Would school classrooms become places of respect and learning?</li>
<li>Would neighbors begin to communicate and help one another?</li>
<li>Would congregations change the spiritual atmosphere by serving the community?</li>
<li>Would children and youth look to the Church for entertainment and enlightenment?</li>
<li>Would the police be known as those who serve and protect all people?</li>
<li>Would Christians pray over people they meet on the streets, in stores, at school?</li>
<li>Would spiritual awakening be the lead story on the evening news?</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>What Would It Take To Live In A Prayed For City?</p>
<ul>
<li>Pastors take the time to meet together with Jesus in a Pastors¹ Prayer Group</li>
<li>Hundreds of congregations commit to becoming Houses of Prayer</li>
<li>Prayer Coordinators in every church begin new prayer groups and ministries</li>
<li>Concerts of Prayer in every district bring several congregations together for prayer</li>
<li>Church Planters initiate many new and very different church startsIntercessors pray every day for new churches to begin and to be blessed</li>
<li>Church members in every church are mobilized into Lighthouses of prayer</li>
<li>Pastors declare prayer as the basis of ministry, not an added or specialized ministry</li>
<li>Christian business persons meet in office buildings to pray for co-workers</li>
<li>Church leadership promotes workshops & seminars designed to equip pray-ers</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>What Would It Take For YOU To Live In A Prayed For City?</p>
<ul>
<li>>Are you serious when you pray ³Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven²-?</li>
<li>>Are you sure ³God is able to do above and beyond anything you dare to ask² -?</li>
<li>>Are you secretly content with the status quo of your life, your church, your impact?</li>
<li>>Are you resistant to the challenge because you know it is life-threatening?</li>
<li>>Are you even aware that you do not live in a prayed for city?</li>
<li>>Are you even curious, to experience even one day in a prayed for city?</li>
<li>>Are we, the alive-in-Christ, willing to die so the dead-in-their-sin may live?</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>How will we ever pray for these millions upon millions of lost people?</p>
<p>I¹ll pray for my neighbors. You pray for yours. House by house. Name by name.</p>
<p>I¹ll ask those I serve to pray for their neighbors. You ask those in your church or class, group or ministry to pray for their¹s...</p>
<p>People with faces who live next door, across the alley, upstairs and down the street.</p>
<p><em>Lord, we ask for the joy of living in a prayed for city, so those who do not even know they need you, begin to search for the One who is their way to truth and life; Jesus.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>(c) Copyright 1999, NPPN - Permission granted for duplication or distribution among facilitators and intercessors who are committed to gathering pastors for prayer.</p></div>
Recruiting Leaders Who Can Pray
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/recruiting-leaders-who-can-pray
2022-11-11T14:25:21.000Z
2022-11-11T14:25:21.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p style="font-weight:400;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Recruiting Leaders Who Can Pray</strong></span></p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Phil Miglioratti</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">The Reimagine.Network</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">The qualifications for leadership are obvious.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> Character – We agree on the essential need to seek out fruitful believer in Jesus Christ; a person who is a disciple, not merely someone who has made a decision. A man or women of integrity and honesty, with an obvious love of God and love for people. Also, prone to prayer.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> Called to the task by an inner leading from the Lord (Colossians 4:17).</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> Competent - Spiritually gifted by the Spirit to the role for which they are recruited. Skilled in the appropriate abilities, talents, experiences needed to serve well.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">While our lists of qualifications or the way we describe a preferred candidate can vary, most congregations set people into places of service with a similar sounding set of expectations. But, is that adequate?</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">What might take place in our congregations if we raise our expectations regarding prayer and praying? What greater results might we see, what barriers to growth broken, limitations vanquished, if we desire and require leaders to go beyond our typical and traditional levels of prayer and styles of praying?</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">In other words, what if we said the one thing that must be uncommonly common to every Sunday or study class teacher, worship leader, weeknight fellowship group shepherd, children’s and youth leader, committee captain, team director, or age-level coordinator is the ability to lead that class-group-team-committee into Spirit-prompted prayer?</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Don’t we have prayer coordinators who can do this? We do but they cannot nor should not lead prayer at every meeting of/for every ministry. Don’t we have designated people who we can call on to say-a-prayer? Sure, but that has long ago become a default mode which seldom lifts that moment of praying to our honored place of “seated in the heavenlies” (Ephesians 2:6).</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">We are desperate for leaders who are serving from their primary gifting (teaching, administration, hospitality, encouragement, evangelism) and in that capacity capable of facilitating their group, small or large, into experiences of praying that is heard in heaven.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">We must not assume every potential leader knows how to pray by the leading of the Spirit and the power of the Scripture. We must no longer be satisfied if they can open or close a meeting with a few tried and true sentences of praying.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">The standard "let me open with a word of prayer" and "let's close with a word of prayer" approach is killing us.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Transformative leaders must have a grander perspective of the purpose of prayer and greater diversity in the practices of praying in order to make life-changing impact in and through their ministry.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Every leader in the congregation must become a prayer champion; the one person who leads a class or committee, a group or gathering, in their unique set of objectives and goals. Unique in so many ways, yet identical in one vital dimension; every team is desperate to be led higher and deeper and further in prayer ... and their leader must accept that responsibility.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Sure, the Pastor must be the prayer champion for the entire flock. A prayer coordinator or prayer contact is essential to oversee the administration of prayer on a macro basis. But until we develop leaders who champion prayer for each ministry's strategies and activities, our results will be more about what we can do for God than what God can do through us.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;"> </p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Congregations that want to mature from simply being a church that prays (even Unitarian congregations pray) to becoming a praying church must get serious about training every servant giving direction to esch ministry and meeting. Equipping them to know how to:</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Ask the Holy Spirit to facilitate even the briefest of prayer times</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Seek the Lord corporately through spoken prayers, scripture, even song and silence</li>
<li style="font-weight:400;">Knock when the door (God’s will, God’s way) has been identified through faith-driven petitionary praying</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Simple, but not easy; it must be learned. Spiritual and scriptural yet practical I a way that leads to participation of everyone involved … which becomes our training ground for the recruitment of future leaders who have the capacity to lead by gifting and by praying.</p>
<p style="font-weight:400;">Thank God for our prayer leaders ... but ask God for leaders who pray.</p></div>
NEWSLETTER - Bless Your Pastor
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/newsletter-bless-your-pastor
2022-09-09T19:13:21.000Z
2022-09-09T19:13:21.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><div><img class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ASljARHCkLSc96S2w42FjMIGSJwLXDV1JxR4P7POabb3-taLeTDv1o7iNXMNMP7crYso3Qa6VChvAVkhZFDyIyGBwX4hghIicQZHTGo-9zRdrPdOgbHQ-oFjTg3YEvJuHZDM5TNQD8vK9IduNQBZHetSXA=s0-d-e1-ft#" alt="ASljARHCkLSc96S2w42FjMIGSJwLXDV1JxR4P7POabb3-taLeTDv1o7iNXMNMP7crYso3Qa6VChvAVkhZFDyIyGBwX4hghIicQZHTGo-9zRdrPdOgbHQ-oFjTg3YEvJuHZDM5TNQD8vK9IduNQBZHetSXA=s0-d-e1-ft#<a href=" /></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14pt;"><em><strong>NEWSLETTER - Bless Your Pastor</strong></em></span></div>
<p><img class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/0-zl2Q51WA-vM1O8GM7jRWvElSEZg9zB6ZDqz0pgob4Bc_zE1PgUZxkPlO7s36AqMPBdN78OiPne0PKPsl0timRC4aAWMeJfNFx-8tCcqg0I6M5b92CSB6-kjHlaKcdXqMng-UP4xCmZ0h-gNkUw-Tko=s0-d-e1-ft#" alt="0-zl2Q51WA-vM1O8GM7jRWvElSEZg9zB6ZDqz0pgob4Bc_zE1PgUZxkPlO7s36AqMPBdN78OiPne0PKPsl0timRC4aAWMeJfNFx-8tCcqg0I6M5b92CSB6-kjHlaKcdXqMng-UP4xCmZ0h-gNkUw-Tko=s0-d-e1-ft#<a href=" /></p>
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<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">National research by Barna Group indicates that pastors are discouraged, with 43 percent of pastors saying that they have given serious consideration to leaving vocational ministry. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Bless Your Pastor program encourages, equips and empowers Christians and churches to </strong><strong>prepare for October Pastor Appreciation Month. </strong>Since 2019, over 2,500 churches have participated in Bless Your Pastor, raising $1.6 million in appreciation offerings. Learn how your church can Bless Your Pastor today.</div>
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<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div"><strong>PODCAST</strong></div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Intentional Leadership for Kingdom Impact</div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div"><strong>Nona Jones</strong> is an accomplished leader in the business/tech community, a pastor in a local church and an author and speaker. As a survivor of abuse and a difficult childhood, the odds were stacked against her. But God used a visit to church in sixth grade to change the trajectory of Nona’s life. Her story showcases the powerful nature of the gospel to transform lives. <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/zxvaq4" target="_blank">Listen today.</a><br /> <strong><br /> PUBLICATION</strong></div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Loving the Least of These</div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Widespread flooding, record-breaking heat waves and other extreme weather events capture our attention. While the environment affects us all, the most profound impacts are on those in poverty. “Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment” is an updated report showing how climate change impacts the world’s most vulnerable. <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/fqwaq4" target="_blank">Download the report.</a> </div>
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<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div"><strong>OTHER RESOURCES</strong></div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Video | <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/vixaq4" target="_blank">Pro-Life Matters: American Churches After Roe v. Wade</a></div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Take Action | <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/bbyaq4" target="_blank">Support Pro-Life Safeguards</a></div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Survey | <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/r3yaq4" target="_blank">Almost Half of Evangelical Leaders Have Been Cancelled</a></div>
<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">Article | <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/7vzaq4" target="_blank">What Can Christians Do About Climate Change?</a></div>
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<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div"><strong>*Don't miss out on <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/no0aq4" target="_blank">FLOURISH</a> in Nashville Oct. 4–5. Registration closes on September 27. Scholarships are available. Please contact <a href="mailto:JHaglof@NAE.org?subject=Flourish%20Conference" target="_blank">JHaglof@NAE.org</a> with any questions.</strong></div>
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<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div"><em>Today, we pray for our pastors and church leaders, especially those who are discouraged and struggling. We pray that you would encourage and surround them with faithful men and women of God who can provide wise counsel. We pray that the Bless Your Pastor campaign would reach more and more churches, so that more and more pastors may be blessed. We pray that you would bring the right leaders to <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/3g1aq4" target="_blank">Flourish</a> in Nashville and that your Spirit would empower and equip each leader to know how to navigate complexity with biblical clarity.</em></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/j91aq4" target="_blank">Evangelical Group Releases Climate Change Report</a> | Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/z12aq4" target="_blank">Why Pastors Are Burning Out</a> | Tish Harrison Warren, New York Times</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/fu3aq4" target="_blank">Stop Applauding Pastors Who Publicly Confess Their Sins</a> | Dave Miller, Christianity Today</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/vm4aq4" target="_blank">In Final Sermon at Saddleback Church, Rick Warren Drives Home the Purpose Driven Life</a> | Leonardo Blair, The Christian Post</li>
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<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/bf5aq4" target="_blank">Outcomes Conference</a> | September 1–October 31, Virtual</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/r75aq4" target="_blank">How Latino Churches Transform Communities</a> | September 15, Webinar</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/7z6aq4" target="_blank">Awakening the Christian Community to Advocacy</a> | September 20, Bethany, OK</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/ns7aq4" target="_blank">Counting the Costs</a> | September 28–30, Orlando, FL</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/3k8aq4" target="_blank">Flourish</a> | October 4–5, Nashville, TN</li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/jd9aq4" target="_blank">Reconstructing Evangelicalism</a> | October 24–26, Chicago, IL</li>
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<div class="m_8257405698201748230e2ma-p-div">NAE Members to Know</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/z59aq4" target="_blank">Every Nation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/fyabq4" target="_blank">Emmanuel E.C. Church</a></li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/vqbbq4" target="_blank">Church Assistance Ministry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/38yfeh/nk5nwj/bjcbq4" target="_blank">Campbellsville University</a></li>
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#ReimagineEVANGELISM...
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/reimagineevangelism-preach-the-gospel-everywhere-when-necessary-u
2022-08-22T21:55:24.000Z
2022-08-22T21:55:24.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
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<h2><a style="font-size:13px;font-weight:400;" href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGcGFzdG9ycyUzRnV0bV9zb3VyY2UlM0RDVCtQYXN0b3JzK05ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNETmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV90ZXJtJTNEMTMyMTczJTI2dXRtX2NvbnRlbnQlM0QxMDA5NyUyNnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbiUzRGVtYWls&sig=4912Sb57vJWPprjyZWTdfwE6m2H1Lar4bZdAdGeJfcxo&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350564" target="_blank"><img title="CT Pastors Newsletter" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/b0dO07hdeezqgT28PmnnUTbFbl7bXhMo1sZFErOS32_vIEk45QCvpxmIxqU-EJ9GRcSPk4kaldTqq85Mv-EktVyqoQyFULnEXGTm_XXWRe4Ra_xd0A=s0-d-e1-ft#https://newsletters.christianitytoday.com/ctpastors/img/header.png" alt="CT Pastors Newsletter" width="600" height="68" /></a></h2>
<h2>Serving Your Neighbor in Need</h2>
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<p>What makes a successful ministry? If a ministry operates for years and serves your community's needs, but the people it helps never join your church, is that a success? Barbara Lowery, a member of Belmont Baptist in Charlottesville, Virginia, says yes. Adam Macinnis <a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS1hdWd1c3QlMkZsYXVuZHJvbWF0LWNodXJjaC1taW5pc3RyeS10aGlyZC1zcGFjZS5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=5Yx1t1MZ1XsVUMHrnufa7LTvBVvjN2HCpC4zrr7x7WW8&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350604" target="_blank">spoke with Lowery </a>about her church's laundry ministry for Christianity Today, "None of these people became members of our church. That wasn’t what it was about. It was about helping people in need.”</p>
<p>Macinnis found this a common sentiment for many churches with laundry ministries, where a church either runs a laundromat or often gives out money at laundromats to homeless and lower-income individuals and families. These acts of service do not usually lead to people joining churches, but they are concrete ways to meet needs in the community and share God's love.</p>
<p>Jesus reminds us that whatever we do for the least of our neighbors, we have done for him. Pastor, how can your church creatively help your neighbors?</p>
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<div>MINISTRY</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS1hdWd1c3QlMkZsYXVuZHJvbWF0LWNodXJjaC1taW5pc3RyeS10aGlyZC1zcGFjZS5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=5Yx1t1MZ1XsVUMHrnufa7LTvBVvjN2HCpC4zrr7x7WW8&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350604" target="_blank">Preach the Gospel Everywhere. When Necessary, Use Laundromats.</a></div>
<div>A different kind of "third place" ministry creates community and connections with washers and dryers.</div>
<div>Adam MacInnis</div>
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<p>Some come with track marks from years of drug abuse. Others come with children in tow. Some are struggling through a bad week. Others, a bad decade. All bring their dirty laundry.</p>
<p>They wash it and dry it for free at church-run laundry services throughout the United States.</p>
<p>“Christ said we should feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and I think those clothes should be clean,” said Catherine Ambos, a volunteer at one such ministry in New Brunswick, New Jersey.</p>
<p>Of course, it’s not really ...</p>
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<td align="center"><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmtyaXN0aWFuLWJsZXNzZWQtYXJlLXBvbGl0aWNhbC12aW9sZW5jZS1wZWFjZW1ha2Vycy5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=HP3ZoUFihX83ancWinwZgeLQswx4n8i3Ye2mU2svEmLA&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350605" target="_blank"><img src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/oMPeJhO3uWw_2gQOs7UxYcO5WPxIVnyovBKFEQ_ayFFZQ204m_V7fsN_irQZhI47pYZf3DBSklGojdSjZ1wtVKBkkQyQBtjP059vLpgvpQrWfLPE0loOl5o=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/130077.jpg?h=123&w=220" alt="Blessed Are the Political Peacemakers" width="220" /></a></td>
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<div class="m_-2448717052182705163slug">THE LESSER KINGDOM</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmtyaXN0aWFuLWJsZXNzZWQtYXJlLXBvbGl0aWNhbC12aW9sZW5jZS1wZWFjZW1ha2Vycy5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=HP3ZoUFihX83ancWinwZgeLQswx4n8i3Ye2mU2svEmLA&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350605" target="_blank">Blessed Are the Political Peacemakers</a></div>
<div>Experts warn political violence is coming. Christians can look to Scripture, not the American Revolution, for guidance.</div>
<div>Bonnie Kristian</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmtyaXN0aWFuLWJsZXNzZWQtYXJlLXBvbGl0aWNhbC12aW9sZW5jZS1wZWFjZW1ha2Vycy5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=HP3ZoUFihX83ancWinwZgeLQswx4n8i3Ye2mU2svEmLA&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350605" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmRlYXRoLWR5aW5nLWdyaWVmLXdpZG93LWh1c2JhbmQtZGllZC13aWxkZXJuZXNzLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=Bcfwv8kd3cYtyAPD39Sw3MQCiK3H1hhQvj1jRoteqvNB&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350606" target="_blank">My Husband Died Suddenly in the Wilderness</a></div>
<div>As his widow, I live with grief every day. But I also live in the Good Shepherd’s grip.</div>
<div>Clarissa Moll</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmRlYXRoLWR5aW5nLWdyaWVmLXdpZG93LWh1c2JhbmQtZGllZC13aWxkZXJuZXNzLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=Bcfwv8kd3cYtyAPD39Sw3MQCiK3H1hhQvj1jRoteqvNB&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350606" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div>One in five Indian Americans is now Christian. But they remain divided by language, doctrine, and generation.</div>
<div>Sam George</div>
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<div>The way pro-life Christians care for vulnerable women and children testifies about the coming kingdom.</div>
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<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGbmV3cyUyRjIwMjIlMkZqdWx5JTJGZGVib3JhaC1qYWVsLWFuY2llbnQtaXNyYWVsLW1vc2FpYy1hcmNoYWVvbG9naXN0LWRpc2NvdmVyLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=83bi9STfKVrAkKVbFTtWk9WMiePwrPKKXigq6Vtm2z1d&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350616" target="_blank">Archaeologists Uncover First-Known Depictions of Jael and Deborah</a></div>
<div>The ancient mosaics, identified by the biblical heroine’s telltale tent stake, were discovered during a synagogue excavation in Galilee.</div>
<div>Kathryn Post - Religion News Service</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGbmV3cyUyRjIwMjIlMkZqdWx5JTJGZGVib3JhaC1qYWVsLWFuY2llbnQtaXNyYWVsLW1vc2FpYy1hcmNoYWVvbG9naXN0LWRpc2NvdmVyLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=83bi9STfKVrAkKVbFTtWk9WMiePwrPKKXigq6Vtm2z1d&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350616" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGbmV3cyUyRjIwMjIlMkZqdWx5JTJGc2FkZGxlYmFjay1jaHVyY2gtcmljay13YXJyZW4tYW5keS13b29kLWVjaG8tYWJ1c2UtaW52ZXN0aWcuaHRtbCUzRnV0bV9zb3VyY2UlM0RDVCtQYXN0b3JzK05ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNETmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV90ZXJtJTNEMTMyMTczJTI2dXRtX2NvbnRlbnQlM0QxMDA5NyUyNnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbiUzRGVtYWls&sig=9McvuLgp7ShUeG2WnuffkoACbEsd3ZuABDTUqgHwW3C&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350617" target="_blank">Search Firm: No Systemic Abuse at Saddleback Successor’s Former Church</a></div>
<div>Elders stand by incoming pastor Andy Wood after follow-up review.</div>
<div>Bob Smietana - Religion News Service</div>
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<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGbmV3cyUyRjIwMjIlMkZqdWx5JTJGbWluaXN0cnktY2h1cmNoLWlycy05OTAtZmFtaWx5LXJlc2VhcmNoLWNvdW5jaWwtY2Vuc3VzLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=7pJbqwxXBUgEuXRMorPw3Mfu39pfqJVHjDDPXy1nyNQK&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350618" target="_blank">When Can a Ministry Count as a Church?</a></div>
<div>In the case of the Family Research Council, it depends on if you ask the IRS or the US Religion Census.</div>
<div>Daniel Silliman</div>
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<td>Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry.</td>
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Serving Your Neighbor in Need
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/serving-your-neighbor-in-need
2022-08-15T16:53:07.000Z
2022-08-15T16:53:07.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
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<td dir="ltr" align="center" width="100%">Tuesday, July 19, 2022</td>
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<h2>Serving Your Neighbor in Need</h2>
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<div id="m_9146963102829860974body">
<p>What makes a successful ministry? If a ministry operates for years and serves your community's needs, but the people it helps never join your church, is that a success? Barbara Lowery, a member of Belmont Baptist in Charlottesville, Virginia, says yes. Adam Macinnis <a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS1hdWd1c3QlMkZsYXVuZHJvbWF0LWNodXJjaC1taW5pc3RyeS10aGlyZC1zcGFjZS5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=5Yx1t1MZ1XsVUMHrnufa7LTvBVvjN2HCpC4zrr7x7WW8&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350604" target="_blank">spoke with Lowery </a>about her church's laundry ministry for Christianity Today, "None of these people became members of our church. That wasn’t what it was about. It was about helping people in need.”</p>
<p>Macinnis found this a common sentiment for many churches with laundry ministries, where a church either runs a laundromat or often gives out money at laundromats to homeless and lower-income individuals and families. These acts of service do not usually lead to people joining churches, but they are concrete ways to meet needs in the community and share God's love.</p>
<p>Jesus reminds us that whatever we do for the least of our neighbors, we have done for him. Pastor, how can your church creatively help your neighbors?</p>
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<div>MINISTRY</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS1hdWd1c3QlMkZsYXVuZHJvbWF0LWNodXJjaC1taW5pc3RyeS10aGlyZC1zcGFjZS5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=5Yx1t1MZ1XsVUMHrnufa7LTvBVvjN2HCpC4zrr7x7WW8&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350604" target="_blank">Preach the Gospel Everywhere. When Necessary, Use Laundromats.</a></div>
<div>A different kind of "third place" ministry creates community and connections with washers and dryers.</div>
<div>Adam MacInnis</div>
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<p>Some come with track marks from years of drug abuse. Others come with children in tow. Some are struggling through a bad week. Others, a bad decade. All bring their dirty laundry.</p>
<p>They wash it and dry it for free at church-run laundry services throughout the United States.</p>
<p>“Christ said we should feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and I think those clothes should be clean,” said Catherine Ambos, a volunteer at one such ministry in New Brunswick, New Jersey.</p>
<p>Of course, it’s not really ...</p>
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<td align="left"><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS1hdWd1c3QlMkZsYXVuZHJvbWF0LWNodXJjaC1taW5pc3RyeS10aGlyZC1zcGFjZS5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=5Yx1t1MZ1XsVUMHrnufa7LTvBVvjN2HCpC4zrr7x7WW8&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350604" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></td>
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<div>PAID CONTENT FOR PUSHPAY</div>
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<div>How technology is helping pastors meet their congregation’s needs.</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGcGFydG5lcnMlMkZwdXNocGF5JTJGdGFsZS1vZi10d28tZmxvY2tzLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=GS21AXxCwFpoWdQSN8FeXThp3yddh9EefqUnp5P4XyuT&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350571" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div class="m_9146963102829860974slug">THE LESSER KINGDOM</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmtyaXN0aWFuLWJsZXNzZWQtYXJlLXBvbGl0aWNhbC12aW9sZW5jZS1wZWFjZW1ha2Vycy5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=HP3ZoUFihX83ancWinwZgeLQswx4n8i3Ye2mU2svEmLA&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350605" target="_blank">Blessed Are the Political Peacemakers</a></div>
<div>Experts warn political violence is coming. Christians can look to Scripture, not the American Revolution, for guidance.</div>
<div>Bonnie Kristian</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmtyaXN0aWFuLWJsZXNzZWQtYXJlLXBvbGl0aWNhbC12aW9sZW5jZS1wZWFjZW1ha2Vycy5odG1sJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRENUK1Bhc3RvcnMrTmV3c2xldHRlciUyNnV0bV9tZWRpdW0lM0ROZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM0QxMzIxNzMlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDEwMDk3JTI2dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduJTNEZW1haWw=&sig=HP3ZoUFihX83ancWinwZgeLQswx4n8i3Ye2mU2svEmLA&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350605" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div class="m_9146963102829860974slug"> </div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmRlYXRoLWR5aW5nLWdyaWVmLXdpZG93LWh1c2JhbmQtZGllZC13aWxkZXJuZXNzLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=Bcfwv8kd3cYtyAPD39Sw3MQCiK3H1hhQvj1jRoteqvNB&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350606" target="_blank">My Husband Died Suddenly in the Wilderness</a></div>
<div>As his widow, I live with grief every day. But I also live in the Good Shepherd’s grip.</div>
<div>Clarissa Moll</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmRlYXRoLWR5aW5nLWdyaWVmLXdpZG93LWh1c2JhbmQtZGllZC13aWxkZXJuZXNzLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=Bcfwv8kd3cYtyAPD39Sw3MQCiK3H1hhQvj1jRoteqvNB&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350606" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmluZGlhLWNocmlzdGlhbi1kYXktc2FpbnQtdGhvbWFzLWFwb3N0bGUtbWFydHlyZG9tLWRpYXNwb3JhLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=EEpwFxUoFXWqNpPcZw34ms2cUHX1YmM1PR19iQCk1c1C&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350607" target="_blank">Indian Christian Day Uses Martyrdom of Apostle Thomas to Unite the Diaspora</a></div>
<div>One in five Indian Americans is now Christian. But they remain divided by language, doctrine, and generation.</div>
<div>Sam George</div>
<div><a href="https://christianitytoday.lt.emlnk1.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5dG9kYXkuY29tJTJGY3QlMkYyMDIyJTJGanVseS13ZWItb25seSUyRmluZGlhLWNocmlzdGlhbi1kYXktc2FpbnQtdGhvbWFzLWFwb3N0bGUtbWFydHlyZG9tLWRpYXNwb3JhLmh0bWwlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQ1QrUGFzdG9ycytOZXdzbGV0dGVyJTI2dXRtX21lZGl1bSUzRE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMjZ1dG1fdGVybSUzRDEzMjE3MyUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNEMTAwOTclMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0RlbWFpbA==&sig=EEpwFxUoFXWqNpPcZw34ms2cUHX1YmM1PR19iQCk1c1C&iat=1658253745&a=%7C%7C26374210%7C%7C&account=christianitytoday.activehosted.com&email=ANUXR59ivCisjxTgFHMHXA%3D%3D&s=e2f0f99f89fed08175d6731b66cf640e&i=5917A10097A42A350607" target="_blank">READ MORE</a></div>
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<div>Unlike power-driven approaches, healthy Christian mentoring is characterized by generosity and trust.</div>
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<p> </p></div>
How Coaching Gives Leaders Courage to Lead
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/coaching-can-give-leaders-courage-to-lead
2022-07-21T21:12:35.000Z
2022-07-21T21:12:35.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><div class="blog-post-body__media"><img class="align-right" src="https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/blogs/2147493902/images/PB02l63TRGq9OfCsOPze_church.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_584x" alt="PB02l63TRGq9OfCsOPze_church.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="504" /><span style="font-size:14pt;"><em><strong>How Coaching Gives Leaders Courage to Lead</strong></em></span></div>
<div class="blog-post-body__info">
<h1 class="blog-post-body__title"><span style="font-size:12pt;">10 Reasons Every Leader Needs a Coach</span></h1>
<span class="blog-post-body__tags"><a class="tag" href="https://www.couragetolead.com/blog?tag=%28coach%29+shawn+lovejoy">(Coach) Shawn Lovejoy</a></span></div>
<div class="blog-post-body__content">
<p>I find it hard to believe that I have already been coaching pastors for twenty years.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>However, when I am speaking to a group of leaders, I will often say, “If you hear me something and think to yourself, ‘I have heard that somewhere before,’ I can promise you that’s true. I have rarely had an original thought! <strong>Everything I know I learned from someone else... probably a coach!</strong>” </p>
<p>I’ve had some great mentors and coaches in my life:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li>Sam Chand</li>
<li>Andy Stanley</li>
<li>Larry Osborne</li>
<li>Dave Ferguson</li>
<li>Todd Wilson</li>
<li>Rick Warren</li>
<li>Many others</li>
</ul>
<p>I say all of this NOT to name-drop, but to express that<strong> I am largely who I am because of the great coaches investing in my life. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I simply believe that every leader should have a coach.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>I have usually had at least three different coaches regularly speaking into my life at the same time!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>I process every major decision through a coach— and many minor decisions as well. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><em>Why do I believe in coaching so much?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></p>
<p><em>Why do I believe every leader needs a coach?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></p>
<p>Well, listed below are ten reasons I believe every leader needs a coach. </p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>1. Coaching is Biblical</strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices who are wise.)</strong></p>
<p>God reminds us over and over in Scripture about the importance of seeking counsel and getting advice wise people around us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Proverbs 19:20 is a great example: “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Proverbs 20:18 says, “Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Notice it says WISE advice. It’s easy to get counsel from all our friends.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However,<strong> what we often need is counsel from someone who’s been where we’re going—<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Someone more experienced than we are.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>Someone wiser than us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p>It’s Biblical! </p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>2. Coaching protects us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices that have been where we want to go.)</strong></p>
<p>I’m proud of the fact that in 20 years of vocational ministry, I never had a trainwreck. The ministries I led never went off the rails.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><em>Because I’m perfect?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></p>
<p>No— not at all.</p>
<p>I really believe this…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Because I stayed in relationship with Godly, wise coaches in my life, it helped keep me sane, centered, and married.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>I sought counsel before every major decision, so it made my decisions better!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>We never jumped the tracks in the ministries I led because coaches always helped me see the potential train coming and helped me navigate around it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Coaches have helped to save my butt MANY times! </p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>3. Coaching gives permission.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices who tells us what’s OK.)</strong></p>
<p>I have found that many times we as leaders have a sense deep down in our minds what the issues are. We have a sensing of what God wants us to do.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li>We just need to hear someone else say <strong>we’re not CRAZY for thinking what we’re thinking!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></li>
<li>We need courage to move forward!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p>I call that giving leaders permission. </p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>4. Coaching talks leaders off the ledge.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices who keep us in the game.) </strong></p>
<p>There have been many days I have called a coach because I thought the sky was about to fall.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li>Things were not good.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>Things were about to crumble.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>The stuff was hitting the fan.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p>My mind was stuck on worse case scenario. However, as reason #5 highlights…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>5. Coaching inspires us.</strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices that encourage us.)</strong></p>
<p>Not one time in a coaching conversation did I ever come away discouraged. I went into almost every coaching conversation that way… but I didn’t leave that way!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>I can honestly say that <strong>I have been most inspired to think and dream bigger and pursue the vision God has placed on my heart on the heels of coaching conversations.</strong> Coaching has that kind of power! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Good coaches inspire their players. I have been inspired and I love doing the same for other leaders. </p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>6. Coaching offers outside perspective.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong><strong> </strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices that will point out our blind spots.)</strong></p>
<p>We all have blind spots. <strong>We all have certain lens through which we see the world and the organizations we lead.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></p>
<p>(And don’t say you don’t have any— by their very definition, blind spots are those areas you can’t see, those hidden things you think you don’t have!)</p>
<p>We all have certain ways of thinking. The challenges in front of us often become like forgotten cracks in a mirror we don’t see after a certain period of time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Coaching addresses all of that with a new, fresh perspective!</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h2><strong>7. Coaching challenges us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices who will challenge us.)</strong></p>
<p>"Iron sharpens iron," says Proverbs 27:17.</p>
<p><em>Do you know HOW iron sharpens iron?</em></p>
<p>Heat and friction!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>We need both.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Furthermore…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li>We need to be pushed.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>We need to be held accountable.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>We need to execute.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>We need to read. We need to learn.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>We need to get and stay healthy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><em>All of that requires a bit of intensity, doesn’t it?</em></p>
<p><strong>Coaches are like personal trainers.</strong> They provide challenge and accountability that we can’t get by downloading content or attending conferences.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>8. Coaching grows the leadership capacity of myself and the organization I lead. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong><strong> </strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices who will hold us accountable.) </strong></p>
<p>I doubt I have had very many original thoughts. Almost everything I know I learned from someone else.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>So when I spend time with someone who’s been further down the road than I am now, see things I’ve never seen before AND THEN I’m held responsible for doing something with the new information that I have.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>9. Coaching confronts isolation and loneliness. </strong></h2>
<p><strong>(Voices that meet us where we are and remind us we’re part of something bigger)</strong></p>
<p>Sure we can attend conferences and download content, but where can I sit down and talk through whatever’s keeping me up at night?</p>
<p><em>Where else can we go and ask: “So I’ve got this guy on my team ________________” and then completely fill-in the blanks, get honest feedback (with the appropriate encouragement AS WELL as challenge!)?</em></p>
<p>A great coach...</p>
<ul>
<li>starts with my challenges, not their content! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li>start with where you ARE, not with where they want to be… </li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, then they bridge that gap and help take you farther than you imagined possible!</p>
<p>We’re passionate about that aspect of coaching!</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>10. Coaching gives us an advantage.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></h2>
<p>(<strong>Voices that will push us to think bigger)</strong></p>
<p>Learning, growing, leaders win.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>They succeed.</p>
<p>Period.</p>
<p><em>Isolated leaders?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></p>
<p>They stop learning and stop growing. Sooner or later, the organizations they lead do the same. Don’t allow that to be you! </p>
<p> </p>
<hr />
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Interested in learning more about what coaching could look like for you?</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li>Schedule a free <a href="https://www.couragetolead.com/strategy">Strategy Session</a> with a certified coach and we'll coach you for 30-minutes free of charge! No strings attached.</li>
<li>Or, learn more about our <a href="https://www.couragetolead.com/pathway">Coaching Pathway here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p> WIth thanks to <a href="https://www.couragetolead.com/blog" target="_blank">Courage to Lead</a></p>
</div></div>
A Prayer for Ukraine
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/a-prayer-for-ukraine
2022-05-14T19:13:16.000Z
2022-05-14T19:13:16.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><em><strong>A Prayer for Ukraine</strong></em></span></p>
<div>by Phil Miglioratti</div>
<div>@ The Reimagine.Network</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>W<span class="gmail_default">hil</span>le on a prayer walk, <span class="gmail_default">I was prompted to </span>ask <span class="gmail_default">the Holy Spirit</span> for three prayer outcomes in Ukraine. Not wishes but the faithful prayers of <span class="gmail_default">G</span>od's people.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The first that came to mind is <span class="gmail_default">for</span> protec<span class="gmail_default">t</span><span class="gmail_default">ion</span> <span class="gmail_default">of </span>all the men and women of God who serve as pastors, priests<span class="gmail_default">, ministers; for their </span><span class="gmail_default">safety and health</span>… So that… God could work in and through them to present the <span class="gmail_default">G</span>ospel in a way that <span class="gmail_default">births a movement </span>of peopl<span class="gmail_default">e</span> into a faith<span class="gmail_default">-hope--</span>love relationship with Jesus Christ.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Secondly, that God would raise up unprecedented prayer<span class="gmail_default"> across the globe</span><span class="gmail_default">, </span><span class="gmail_default"></span>not just for Ukraine<span class="gmail_default">, </span>but <span class="gmail_default">across</span> Ukraine. Children<span class="gmail_default">-Y</span>outh<span class="gmail_default">-A</span>dults<span class="gmail_default"> voicing prayers </span><span class="gmail_default">that</span> pierce through the clutter of ritual <span class="gmail_default">or mindless </span>repetition into the heart of God and mind of Christ<span class="gmail_default">. Prayers that become reality by the </span>filling and <span class="gmail_default">em</span>powering of the Spirit. <span class="gmail_default">Prayers that repel their invaders and plant seeds for many generations of nation building and blessing</span>.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Thirdly<span class="gmail_default">,</span> that Ukraine would become a giving<span class="gmail_default"> nation. Sharing and s</span>ending<span class="gmail_default">, expressing and exporting, the peace and joy of the Gospel of Jesus...</span>so that the enemy, both human and spiritual, regrets the<span class="gmail_default"> invasion and destruction they</span> perpetrated<span class="gmail_default"> upon a peaceful people.</span>Prayers that result in <span class="gmail_default">not </span>only the end of the war but also <span class="gmail_default">in </span>the rebuilding and restoration of the nation to such a <span class="gmail_default">level that </span>it becomes<span class="gmail_default"> a light to the world for courage, determination, and righteousness</span>.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><span class="gmail_default">Even if</span> the Russians defeat Ukraine, the people of Ukraine will still be heroes for the<span class="gmail_default">ir</span> resistance and resolve. But I think the Lord wants us to pray for the <span class="gmail_default">Ukraine people to dispel their enemy</span>. <span class="gmail_default">A v</span>ictory <span class="gmail_default">of</span> right over wrong, truth vanquish<span class="gmail_default">ing</span> false truth, good defeat<span class="gmail_default">ing</span> evil, righteousness overcoming dictorial power,. For Ukraine to be restored by God‘s glory to such a level<span class="gmail_default">th</span>at their heroic fight <span class="gmail_default">inspires righteous resistance across Russia; </span><span class="gmail_default">people </span>declar<span class="gmail_default">ing</span> the liberty and justice of the gospel of Jesus Christ<span class="gmail_default"> for all</span>. </div></div>
How Biblical Prayer Helps the Church to Stay on Mission
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/how-biblical-prayer-helps-the-church-to-stay-on-mission-with-his-
2022-05-14T14:04:12.000Z
2022-05-14T14:04:12.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong><em>How Biblical Prayer Helps the Church to Stay on Mission </em></strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Thomas Bush @ Prayer Assist</strong></p>
<p><strong><br /> Will God’s People Get on Mission With Him in Prayer? What does Jesus need to change?</strong></p>
<p>Twice in Jesus’ ministry, He arrives at the temple and does not find it as he expected. (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46) Jesus said, “It is written, My House shall be a house of Prayer for all nations, but “you have made it” a “robbers den”. Jesus confronts activities in the temple with decisive action.</p>
<p><strong>Jesus Expresses Zeal for His Father’s House</strong></p>
<p>Jesus as Messiah expresses the zeal for His father’s house! The prophet Isaiah heralds the impact of Messiah: “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.” (Is. 59:17) Jesus was motivated to take action because of His zeal for His father’s house.</p>
<p><strong>Jesus Teaches How Not to Pray</strong></p>
<p>When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He begins with: “Don’t pray like hypocrites (actors in a play) to be seen by others (Mt 6:5) and “Don’t pray like the gentiles (pagans), using empty phrases and meaningless repetition,” thinking you will be heard because of your “many words.” (Mt 6:7)</p>
<p>Jesus teaches what not to pray because of His passion for developing disciples with the proper focus on inner righteousness – having hearts right toward God rather that outward displays of righteousness focused on impressing others.</p>
<p><strong>Changing the Culture of Prayer in the Church</strong></p>
<p>You would agree with me that significant changes need to be made in prayer in the Church in America. How will these changes be made? Who will make them?</p>
<ol>
<li>Henry Blackaby says “Whenever God calls His people to Himself, He uses His leaders.” </li>
<li>Rick Shepherd says “people don’t drift naturally toward prayer and evangelism.” We must call and lead people to prayer and spiritual activity.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Affecting Leaders</strong></p>
<p><strong>Here is my contention: Leaders have the greatest opportunity to affect the culture of prayer and evangelism in their organizations.</strong></p>
<p>Which leads to this question: <strong>What are [organizational] leaders doing with the opportunity/ platform they have to affect the culture of prayer and evangelism in the ministries they lead?</strong></p>
<p>If we want to focus on scripture, here is what Acts 6:4 says in this area:</p>
<p><em>"But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.”</em> and our dear brother John Franklin has exegeted to mean - <em>we will devote ourselves to the "ministry of prayer" and the "ministry of the word".</em> </p>
<p><strong><em>We would all agree that the ministry of the word has flourished while the ministry of prayer and leadership toward the ministry of prayer has waned.</em></strong></p>
<p><em> </em><strong>Bringing Attention to Biblical Prayer</strong></p>
<p><strong>There has been so little focus on and implementation of Biblical prayer that our greatest minds and greatest activities have yet to be applied to “devoting ourselves” to the ministry of prayer. We don’t effectively know what it is and how it should be implemented.</strong></p>
<p>We have prayer structures in place that are:</p>
<ol>
<li> <strong>Not specifically Biblical:</strong>(Need/disaster based rather than God-centered) that is the difference between seeking God’s hand (what he can give us) rather than seeking God’s face (who He is)</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Not strategic:</strong> Not implemented by leaders toward the goals of their organizations – so the praying lacks vision and the infusion of the leader’s desire to see God’s purposes advanced</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Not implemented by leaders:</strong> If praying is happening, it often has no connection with the goals, aspirations, desires of organizational leaders.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li>This lack of leadership allows the praying that is taking place to follow the path of the person who it has been delegated to – which often is not focused on the greatest needs and opportunities of the organization</li>
</ol>
<p>Here's the point… as we plan for moving forward with adding value to [our organization] related to prayer, I recommend that we keep this in mind: <strong><em>Most of the existing prayer structures need to be replaced with Biblical prayer.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Implementing Biblical Prayer</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong>We have to challenge God’s leaders to implement Biblical prayer. The Bible tells us what Biblical prayer looks like. The Church in America is “off mission” with Biblical prayer.</strong></li>
<li>An issue that we must address head on is – we don’t need more prayer “activity”, that is more minutes and hours of non-Biblical prayer – prayer that only occurs during disasters and focuses on needs and others who are not in the room (aunt Sally’s big toe, Uncle George’s puppy, etc.)</li>
<li>We have to be honest with ourselves that when most people are invited to a prayer gathering, they wonder what the purpose or benefit is. </li>
<li>True questions/objections:</li>
<li>Couldn’t I just pray at home?</li>
<li>How could I benefit or what could I learn or experience by going to a prayer gathering?</li>
</ol>
<p>iii. As it relates to leaders: “The prayer in my organization is just like the prayer in other organizations. What could I learn or how would it benefit my organization for me to learn more or implement anything related to prayer/prayer ministry?”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Leaders Implementing Biblical Prayer</strong></p>
<p>So while it may be important to include others in our prayer meetings / gatherings and to focus our praying on revival and spiritual awakening, this thinking leads to this question:</p>
<ol>
<li>How can we affect [organizational] leaders in such a way that they will take hold of the platform they have to affect the culture of prayer and evangelism in their organizations?</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="2">
<li>What ideas, understanding, plans and actions does an [organizational] leader need have/ make in order to affect the culture of prayer and evangelism in their organizations that honors God and produces the greatest kingdom impact?</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Praying Leaders Can Affect Leaders Like Themselves</strong></p>
<p>One final strategic contention: <strong>Praying leaders have the greatest ability to influence leaders like themselves. </strong></p>
<ol>
<li> [Prayer Team] leaders (if they are not [organizational leaders] themselves) have limited opportunity to significantly affect other [organizational leaders] </li>
<li>If we want to see more “Pastors” praying, we need to find praying pastors and give them a platform to influence their fellow pastors. </li>
<li>If we want to see more [regional leaders] praying, we need to find praying [regional leaders] nd give them a platform to influence their fellow [regional leaders]</li>
<li>If we want to see more [national leaders] praying, we need to find praying [national leaders] and give them a platform to influence their fellow [national leaders], etc. </li>
</ol>
<p>Our ongoing challenge to the Church through all ages is:</p>
<ol>
<li>Will we receive the loving rebuke of Christ to change or will we remain a “robbers den”.</li>
<li>Will we have a zeal like Jesus for the Lord’s house? </li>
<li>Will we choose not to pray like hypocrites “Don’t pray like the gentiles (pagans), using empty phrases and meaningless repetition,” thinking you will be heard because of your “many words.” (Mt 6:7)</li>
<li>We do not have because we ask not. (James 4:2) Will we ask?</li>
<li>We ask and do not receive because we ask with wrong motives, so that we may spend it on our pleasures motives so that we may spend it on our pleasures. (James 4:3)</li>
<li>Will we pray all kinds of prayers for all men and those in authority? This is good and acceptable in the sight of the Lord. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)</li>
<li>What would you add to this list?</li>
</ol>
<p>Lord, help us to repent and change so that you will be pleased and so that Your kingdom will increase. Start with me, Lord, and my family and my pastor, and church and my leaders and my nation….</p></div>
RESOURCE: Insure Visitors Return
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/resource-insure-they-come-back
2022-04-23T15:17:52.000Z
2022-04-23T15:17:52.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><em><strong>RESOURCE: Insure Visitors Return</strong></em></span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10434527490,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10434527490,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="517" height="201" alt="10434527490?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p>
<p>Pastor,</p>
<div>Picture this:<br /> <br /> You're a first time visitor at a church, and you just attended Easter service.<br /> <br /> You liked it... I mean REALLY liked it!<br /> <br /> But now you have a ton more questions than when you came to church.<br /> <br /> Questions about who Jesus is, questions about the church, and just questions about Christianity altogether.<br /> <br /> So where do you turn?<br /> <br /> Well, if the church doesn't have a strong assimilation program already in place, you'll have to rely on word-of-mouth messaging from other members, or hope that the (extremely busy) pastor will meet with you directly to answer your questions.<br /> <br /> The reality is that many churches don't have any process set up to move a visitor from the 'street' to a 'seat'.<br /> <br /> And that's what the CLASS 101-401 program is all about.</div>
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<div>Created by Pastor Rick Warren, the CLASS Purpose Driven Discipleship Program is designed to help pastors and church leaders give new members the tools to understand their faith and make a true commitment to walking with Christ.<br /> <br /> Click the button below to learn more about this unique and vastly successful program today… and get your new members on the path to a spirit-filled relationship with Christ.</div>
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NPPN Article #002 ~ THE POWER OF CITY-WIDE PASTORS’ PRAYER GROUPS By Francis Frangipane
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/nppn-article-002-the-power-of-city-wide-pastors-prayer-groups-by-
2022-03-05T16:47:31.000Z
2022-03-05T16:47:31.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><strong>Article #002 THE POWER OF CITY-WIDE PASTORS’ PRAYER GROUPS </strong><em><strong>By Francis Frangipane</strong></em></p><p><em></em></p><em></em>
<p>For a great many years the church has had books and articles on unity on a local church level. However, until just a few years ago, it had been nearly impossible to find information on unifying the larger, citywide body of Christ. Today, there are numerous books and articles being written, as well as organizations that have been established, whose sole purpose is to facilitate oneness of spirit within the larger, more diverse church.</p>
<p>Here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, over the past 10 years, we have done a number of things to serve this wonderful rebuilding of the Lord’s House: We’ve had citywide prayer twice weekly, we’ve prayer walked and marched annually for Jesus; pastors have exchanged pulpits and given offerings to other pastors and congregations.</p>
<p>As churches, together with our mayor, police chief and other city officials, we’ve even covenanted with God at the Cedar Rapids city hall. Our vision was that our city would be a "city of refugee," free from racial injustice, a place where an interceding spiritual priesthood of believers would bring redemption and reversal to every satanic assault; where the peace and authority of Christ would prevail. Then the Lord opened doors so that our covenant of peace was proclaimed in the media over one hundred miles in every direction.</p>
<p>Additionally, for the last two years we’ve enjoyed monthly, citywide racial reconciliation services, and over the years we celebrated several concerts of prayer. During one 18 month period we prayed weekly with the mayor, other pastors and city officials, in his office. The results of our ten years of action has been that Cedar Rapids became the safest city over 100,000 people in 1989 and there is an ever-increasing blessedness between churches. Our prayer at the mayor’s office led to over thirty months without a murder. Most recently, as churches cooperated, over 5000 souls came to Christ last fall.</p>
<p>There is also the simple, yet profound effect of possessing loving relationships among pastors. As the Lord promised, where the brethren dwell together in unity, there the Lord commands His blessing: life forevermore. We certainly are not perfected yet, however, in very real and tangible ways, we’ve enjoyed God’s "commanded blessing."</p>
<p>What I want to communicate, though, is a hidden thing that I believe has kept the ball rolling toward citywide unity and, hopefully, greater revival. That thing has been the cross. When I refer to the cross, I am not speaking of Jesus’ cross where He died, but my individual cross, where Christ calls me to lay down my life and preferences for His will.</p>
<p>It has taken us ten years to get where we are and there have been many legitimate opportunities to give up. I have been slandered, attacked by satanists, received death threats and called the "antichrist" himself for my stand on unity. Yet, the Lord has never let me stop believing or working toward seeing His John:17 prayer for unity fulfilled. If there is going to be progress in your city, it is because someone is willing to pay the price. That is what the cross does; before breakthroughs come, the cross positions us to pay a price that no one else sees. The consequence is, in a more functional way, the old self is forced to die and Christ lives in us.</p>
<p>The cross doesn’t only crucify what is wrong in me. It crucifies me. I love exceedingly our local church, River of Life Ministries. But I’m going to confess that, as the pastor of a local church, I have been self-centered in my service to the Lord. What I mean is that I’ve wanted my church to be blessed more than other churches. This desire is not pure. For, when a breakthrough might be occurring in another congregation, I have had to die to my own self-centeredness. Otherwise, envy, or my personal insecurities, would create divisions between us and others.</p>
<p>So, when God blesses other churches, I promote them from our pulpit. When special services are going on elsewhere, we advertise it and encourage our congregation to go. In so doing, self in me dies, but Christ in me moves forward in ever-increasing freedom.</p>
<p>The issues that divide churches are not so much doctrinal as personal. As leaders we are too insecure. We teach "eternal security" yet live with insecurity when another church succeeds. Jesus said that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and die, it abides by itself alone, but if it dies, it will bear much fruit. He was not only speaking of His own death, but ours. For in the very next verse He adds, "he who seeks to save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life will find it."</p>
<p>But what is true on a personal level, is also true on a church-wide level. As churches, if we do not die to self, we will abide by ourselves alone. If we die to self-centeredness, we will bear much fruit. That doesn’t mean we abandon our individual programs or unique congregational concerns, but our vision and direction is bigger. We begin to receive Christ’s perspective of the church.</p>
<p>Selfishness, envy, jealousy, pride and ambition will always, in some measure, be obstacles we must overcome because they are elements of the flesh nature. These are dimensions of our old life that we must crucify along the way to revival. As we do, more of the person of Christ will be revealed through us. Where Christ is revealed, heaven accompanies our efforts to turn our cities to God.</p>
<p>Copyright 1998, NPPN - Permission granted for duplication or distribution among facilitators and intercessors who are committed to gathering pastors for prayer.</p>
<p>This article will continue to be posted and distributed throughout the NPPN - with the ongoing addition of comments and questions from NPPN respondents. The NPPN produces and provides these articles to initiate a national conversation among pastors’ prayer leaders. Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization You are encouraged to contact the author or subsequent respondents directly. These ongoing discussions are intended to inspire, instruct, and inform those who lead pastors’ prayer groups and facilitate pastors’ prayer networks. The NPPN reserves the right to edit articles and responses for purposes of length or tone. Our call to humility and our commitment to biblical unity will serve as our guide and our guard.</p>
<p>NPPN FORUM—Your comments, questions, observations are welcomed if they add to our understanding, are constructive rather than critical or judgmental -Do not return nor edit the text; just the title, followed by your comments -Include your name and ministry role - Email your comments to: <a href="mailto:praychgo@flash.net">phil@nppn.org</a></p>
<p>"The Power of Citywide Pastors’ Prayer Groups"</p>
<p>By Francis Frangipane</p></div>
Inner~View #75: Compelled by Love to Pray, Care & Share
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/inner-view-75-compelled-by-love-to-pray-care-share
2022-02-23T16:53:20.000Z
2022-02-23T16:53:20.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><h3 class="post-title entry-title">Inner~View #75: <span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005182426">Compelled by Love to Pray, Care & Share</a></span></h3>
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<p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phil Miglioratti, NPPN Founder / IBSA Prayer Consultant, interviewed Philip Nation, co-author of </span><a href="http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005182426"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compelled By Love</span></a></span></p>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10148301670,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10148301670,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="216" alt="10148301670?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a></span></div>
<div><strong><span class="Apple-style-span">Phil ~ While reading <em>Compelled by Love,</em> I discovered that you and Ed Stetzer are more than co-authors, you had been co-pastors. Do you two write and work well together because you are more similar or dissimilar?</span></strong></div>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Philip</span> ~ Hey Phil. Let me first say thanks for this opportunity to interact with you and share my thoughts with your readers.</span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span">Ed and I have come to a mutual appreciation of one another but we are very dissimilar. He grew up in a nominally Catholic home in NYC. I grew up in an actively Christian home in Birmingham, Alabama. But we found teamwork in the ministry and writing came easy for us because of the balance and synergy which occurred.</span></div>
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<p><strong>Phil ~ Early in the book you write:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;">"Our prayer is that God will use Compelled by Love to help transform your thinking and actions ...</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">We hope you will feel His compelling call to carry the gospel into your missions fields of family, neighborhoods, and communities."<br /> </p>
<p>It seems we are shifting our emphasis from only teaching mission theology to missional thinking. We remain committed to the biblical teachings on missions but we are also recognizing the critical need to transform our thinking . . . <br /> </p>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ It is not just a matter of our thinking – although it can often use some adjusting. The shift from Missiology being an academic matter to a church matter calls for a significant change in our perspective of the community in which we live. The danger we must guard against is that we move Missiology from the seminary to the ministerial ranks and feel it is enough. My call is for pastors to further equip those they lead with a missional perspective. In other words, ensure that believers look through the lens of eternity and mission in all of their relationships.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong>Phil ~ Your statement also reflects another shift of emphasis from an almost exclusive focus on witnessing to individuals to also recognizing the need to develop evangelistic strategies that reach both neighbors and neighborhoods.</strong><br /> </p>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ When we look at the Scriptures, we see a call to care for the cities in which we live. It is a <em>both/and</em> rather than an<em>either/or</em>. We must witness to the individuals and be concerned for the subdivisions, communities, school zones, towns, suburbs, and cities in which we live.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong>Phil ~ Has the 21st century church in America ignored, forgotten, misunderstood or simply disobeyed the verse you use as the theme of the book: "For Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14)?</strong><br /> </p>
<p><u><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10148303895,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10148303895,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="248" height="181" alt="10148303895?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>Philip</u> ~ I think it has simply gone unnoticed. That would be the case for most of 2<sup> </sup>Corinthians – it is perhaps the most ignored letter from the apostle Paul. But in regards to the principle of being “compelled by love,” I believe we have simply allowed love to be poorly defined in the modern age as sappy sentimentality and therefore has lost most of its biblical meaning, even in the church.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong>Phil ~ At first read, this statement: "Missional ministry is not about our abilities. It is about presenting God's presence to the people of our world." (page 101) sounds similar to what we have heard preached and taught for generations but comment on these subtle differences: </strong><br /><strong> </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>How does a "missional" perspective alter the way we plan and perform ministry?</li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ The people of God have often used the cliché that we should “give our best to God” meaning wear our best, sing our best, and even program our best. The missional mentality recognizes that our “best” will consistently fall short of Spirit-led and empowered mission work. We need to move away from putting our best foot forward as if we having home field advantage in the U.S. is enough. Remember, we live on a mission field where only God’s presence (His best, as it were) is what will transform lives.<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li>How is "presenting God's presence" different than "presenting God's word" which might have been written a generation ago?</li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ Perhaps there is a shade of difference here but certainly not two facets of God’s work I want to separate. A generation ago, faithful preaching had an effect unseen today because the culture still held closer to a biblical worldview. In essence, people were closer to an understanding of concepts such as sin, salvation, and the gospel. On a mission field (like the U.S.A.), we need to both speak about and live out God’s presence which indwells us. <br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Phil ~ Give us insight on what you mean by: </strong> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Reconciling evangelism and disciple making"</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ A false dichotomy has been established that a church excels in either evangelism or discipleship (meaning deep Bible teaching/learning). We need to see them as two sides of the coin rather than two separate activities of the church. Healthy churches will see evangelistic believers growing deep in their faith and believers growing deep in the faith will be out evangelizing.<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Accompanying the message of the cross should be love for our neighbor"</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ Our love for neighbors should be driven by the message of the cross. If we love the gospel, then we will share it with a neighbor. If we love our neighbor, we will share the gospel.<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Contextualization is important"</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ When we send missionaries to Romania, we ask them to learn their language, dress as the locals, live in their culture, and eat their food. We ask them to contextualize their lives and ministry for the people to whom they are going. We need to do the same for the urbanites, suburbanites, white-collar, redneck, surfers, or whomever God calls us to live among.<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Kingdom citizens"</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ I love being an American. If I have to choose where to live in the world, I will choose our country every time. But, my citizenship here is temporary. Because of the teaching in 2 Corinthians 5, we must keep our perspective on being an ambassador in this world, not a resident. Residents grow comfortable with the world as it is. Kingdom citizens seek to bring the reign of our God to this place.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong>Phil ~ How does the love of Christ transform the way we:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Pray for those Christ died to save?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ We will weep more for their lost state when we bow in prayer. We will set aside our grocery list of minor needs—or major needs—instead to pray on behalf of a friend’s eternity.<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Care for people and their problems?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ Christ’s love in us will help us look beyond the messy nature of ministry. It will allow us to see beyond our self-imposed boundaries (race, economics, culture) to enter someone else’s grief and portray Christ’s character of redemption.<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Share the message of salvation?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~ Love changes our evangelistic efforts from operating as a gun-slinger for church to a persuasive friend for Christ. Without love, we become self-consumed religious hacks looking for a good story to tell our church friends about how we made another pagan change their mind about God. <br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong>Phil ~ Philip, please write a prayer we can pray with you towards our own transformation that God can use to transform lives and families and communities ...</strong></p>
<p><u>Philip</u> ~</p>
<p><em>Father,</em></p>
<p><em>You alone are God. We declare that there is not a rival or an equal to Your greatness and love for us.</em></p>
<p><em>We ask that You would lay the power of Your divine love upon our hearts. We want to see our neighborhoods, apartment complexes, businesses, and job sites as you see them. Help us to be conformed to image of Christ in both our inward character and in our outward ministry with the Gospel. God, we beg of You to allow us to see people with the passion of Christ. When we should, help us to weep over our city as Christ wept over Jerusalem. When we are able, aid us to celebrate as You do over the repentance of one lost soul and seek the salvation of all those within our reach.</em></p>
<p><em>We pray that the power of the Gospel will transform our lives, the people of our city, and the people of this world.</em></p>
<p><em>We pray for the glory of God to rule the whole earth.</em></p>
<p><em>In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.</em></p>
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<p><a href="https://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiwi/2008/06/compelled-by-lo.html" target="_blank">Read another interview with both Philip Nation and co-author Ed Stetzer</a></p></div>
Inner~View #77: Your Journey to a Prayerful Life
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/inner-view-77-your-journey-to-a-prayerful-life
2022-02-17T16:40:09.000Z
2022-02-17T16:40:09.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><h3 class="post-title entry-title">Inner~View #77: Your Journey to a Prayerful Life</h3>
<div class="post-header-line-1"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10116241871,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10116241871,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10116241871?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="305" height="497" /></a></div>
<div class="post-header-line-1"> </div>
<div class="post-header-line-1"><strong>Phil Miglioratti interviewed Barb Schutt, author of <a href="https://chalicepress.com/products/your-journey-to-a-prayerful-life" target="_blank">Your Journey to a Prayer Life</a></strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Phil ~ Barb, what does the title tell us about your book?</strong><br /> <br /> Barb ~ The title implies that learning to live a praying life doesn't happen overnight. It continues to be journey for me, as I suspect it is for most Christians. My hope is that people who read the title will be prompted to engage in an adventure of deeper prayer!<br /> <br />
<div><strong>Phil ~ As you introduce us to the book, you wrote: </strong><br />
<div>"God has been changing my life through prayer. He placed a desire in me to move from being a woman who knows how to say a prayer, to living a praying life."<br /> </div>
...What does this quote tell us about your journey into a more fulfilling life of prayer?</div>
Barb ~ I grew up in a Christian home and learned that praying routinely, such as before meals, and at bedtime, is something that good Christians do. I was also very aware of the power of prayer as I prayed with and for others. But as God placed a hunger in me for a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him, I discovered that "saying prayers" was not enough. I believe God gave me the desire to learn more and then to put into practice some things that have encouraged growth toward a more fulfilling life of prayer. Prayer has become a way of life for me.
<div><br /> <br /> <strong>Phil ~ Throughout the book you make several startling statements - please comment:</strong><br /> </div>
Barb ~ Guess I didn't think of them as "startling!"
<ul>
<li><em>"To pray is to change"</em> - Whenever we engage in conversation with God there is potential for change. Usually God reveals more of himself, more about ourselves or more about the situation about which we are praying, so transformation takes place. When we pray in faith we can expect to be involved in change!<br /> </li>
<li>"Prayer starts with God"<em> </em>- If left to ourselves, and because of our independent natures, we wouldn't be prompted to involve God in daily life, unless perhaps we are in a crisis. Even then, God is the one who invites us to pray, to engage in conversation and relationship with Him. We simply respond to his invitation!<br /> </li>
<li><em>"Praise agrees with God's perspective"</em> - I have learned so much about the importance of including praise in prayer. I have discovered that when I praise God first, most of the things I have been struggling with or am worried about are put into a proper perspective. Praising God for who He is reminds me of his ability to handle any situation.<br /> </li>
<li><em>"Praise invites the Holy Spirit to work"</em> - This is especially true in corporate worship. Have you noticed how praise and worship opens our hearts and minds to the work of the Holy Spirit? I have experienced with great frequency, that when congregational singing and prayers are focused on praising God, the Holy Spirit is free to move in through the preaching of the word with great power! Dead worship experiences can often be attributed to a lack of praise.<br /> </li>
<li><em>"When we listen to God, we receive guidance from the Holy Spirit" </em>- God speaks through His word, through prayer, through wise counselors,and through circumstances, but we have to be quiet long enough to listen for His voice. One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to give guidance or counsel, but we have to be open to hearing it. To me, that means I need to listen to God at least as much as I talk to God.<br /> </li>
<li><em>"Continual prayer is about developing an awareness of God" </em>- For me, praying without ceasing means to live with an ongoing awareness that God is involved in every aspect of life and He is at work in me and all around me at all times. This attitude or awareness allows me to pray continually. I don't mean saying audible prayers 24/7 but rather being conscious of the Spirit's intercession for me, of God's provision and protection and of Jesus' deep love for me throughout the day.<br /> <em> </em></li>
<li><em>"Group prayer was the driving force of the Acts church"</em> - Lots of cool stuff happened in the early church as a result of people praying together! When people prayed, the Holy Spirit showed up with great power!<br /> </li>
<li><em>"Prayer makes evangelism exciting"</em> - If we try to do outreach or evangelism without prayer we have a tendency to rely on our own gifts or on the strength of our own story. But when we pray for the Holy Spirit to open up people's hearts, ears, minds to the things of Christ and they begin to respond, we know it's a God thing. It is so exciting to see how God works when we have prayed specifically for someone's salvation. I don't have the spiritual gift of evangelism, so if I am prompted to share my faith with a pre-Christian I<br /> am keenly aware that I will mumble and stumble without doing some prayer work first.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><em>"Prayer is not limited by time or geography"</em> - Prayer transcends time or geography. Because I have lived in 15 different places throughout my life I am aware friends and family located in many different states and time zones. I can't physically be with my dad, for example, who is in ill health in Fl, but I can minister to him regularly through prayer. We can pray anytime, anywhere. We are not limited because God is always ready to listen and respond!<br /> </li>
<li><em>"Jesus' prayer life didn't end when he left earth"</em> - This refers to the Heb. passage that teaches us that Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God, the Father.<br /> </li>
<li><em>"Prayer alone has no power"</em> - Sometimes we can worship our spiritual disciplines rather than worshiping Jesus. This statement was written in the context of keeping in mind that without Christ our words have no power. The same is true of great music, or dynamic small groups or an amazing youth ministry. Without focusing on Christ none of these have power.<br /> </li>
</ul>
<div><br /> <strong>Phil ~ In the Foreword, Martha Grace Reese writes:</strong><br />
<div>
<div>"After interviewing 1200 people, conducting surveys, visiting churches and analyzing mounds of statistics from churches in seven mainline denominations, we made a major discovery. Prayer is the major underpinning of the great evangelistic churches. We also discovered Barb Schutt! </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>...What does this reveal to us about your passion in prayer and the need to reconnect praying and witnessing to Christ?<br /> <br /> </div>
Barb ~ I was amazed to read Gay Reeses' comment and am humbled by it. But I am passionate about prayer and I am passionate about the Church of Jesus Christ and I wholeheartedly agree that "prayer is the underpinning of the great evangelistic churches." I believe that prayerless churches = dying churches. That's why whenever I get the opportunity to encourage prayer teams or pastors to deepen their personal life of prayer and the life of prayer in their congregation I get excited! I have seen the difference a praying congregation makes in the life of their community, reaching seekers for Jesus. There is nothing more exciting!
<div><br /> <br /> <strong>Phil ~ If you could speak to a group of pastors, what would you want them to hear from you? Encouragement? Exhortation?</strong><br /> </div>
Barb ~ Probably some of each! I first want to encourage pastors to be sure they have a prayer shield or a PIT crew. (Personal Intercessory Team) The work of the pastor is much too difficult to do without strong prayer cover. The arrows come from within and without. Without prayer protection pastors are vulnerable to all sorts of junk. I would be less worried about sharing your struggles and trying to hold out an image and more willing to tell some trusted prayer warriors how you need their specific prayer support. Ask for prayers for your family as well for your ministry. Ask your prayer team to pray that your personal spiritual vitality would be renewed and refreshed. Next, I want to encourage pastors to teach their congregants to pray. Many people attending worship know they should pray but they really don't know how to do it. Teach by example as well as through sermons, classes, small groups, etc. Gather a group to fast and pray with you regularly and then be ready to see how God changes you and the church where you serve. If you are not a person of prayer or aware that you are weak in this area, don't let that stop or hinder your congregation from growing in their life of prayer. Pray that God will give you a hunger for a richer prayer life. Surround yourself with prayer mentors and be willing to see how God will change you from a person who knows how to say a prayer to a pastor who is living a praying life!
<div><br /> <br /> <strong>Phil ~ Prayer leaders and local church prayer coordinators often feel isolated; sometimes tagged as the prayer lady or prayer guy. What would you like to say to them?</strong><br /> </div>
Barb ~ Yes, prayer leaders often feel very alone. Sometimes we do it to ourselves because we can be so intimidating. Sometimes we are viewed as being very judgmental or pious. Some prayer leaders are known as the "prayer police" in their church, always checking to be sure people are praying, or counting heads at prayer gatherings. I would like to say, let's "lighten up." No one is drawn to a ministry that is viewed as judgemental. No one will feel like they measure up if we give the impression that people have to pray exactly like we do. Rather than giving messages that are discouraging such as "Only 3 people showed up to pray last Tuesday" we can say, "It was so great to be in the presence of Jesus last Tuesday and here is how God answered our prayers. Would you like to be part of this?" If they decline, keep on praying. Leadership is lonely for other church leaders too. Prayer coordinators are not the only ones. Don't take it personally, just keep being faithful to what God is calling you to be and to do.</div>
<div><br /> </div>
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<div><strong>Phil ~ What about the church member who has a growing passion to see prayer saturate their congregation but sees little interest among leadership ...</strong><br /> </div>
Barb ~ This is a tough one and from what I hear it happens alot. Again, just keep praying for your leaders and for your church. Keep the lines of communication open with your leaders. Encourage and support them and speak well of them whenever possible. Form a prayer shield for your leaders. Pray for them while they are in meetings, conducting services, doing the work of ministry. Pray for God to give them a hunger for deeper prayer.God will reward your faithfulness in prayer.
<div><br /> <br /> <strong>Phil ~ Barb, please give us a prayer we can pray with you, asking the Lord to take His Church further on the journey towards a prayerful life.</strong><br /> </div>
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<div><em>Lord God, we praise you that you are the only King and Head of the Church. We praise you that you have called us to be involved in the work of ministry. What an awesome privilege and responsibility. Jesus, when you left this earth you established the church to carry on your ministry. Teach us to pray and then help us to continue the work of teaching men and women to pray. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to be effective in communicating your desire to have us live in unbroken fellowship with you through prayer. Move us beyond perfunctory, routine ritual to deep meaningful praying lives. Help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. In Christ's name, Amen. </em><br /> <br /> Barb ~ Thanks for this opportunity, Phil. It is my prayer thatYour Journey to a Prayerful Life will be a tool useful for pastors and prayer leaders as they seek to encourage Christians at every stage of the journey to keep moving deeper in their understanding and practice of prayer. It is set up as a 6 week study, can be used alone, but probably best with a group of 4-12 people. The daily lessons get us into the Bible and the study encourages some scripture memorization, practicing different prayer styles and prayer action steps. As individuals grow in their life of prayer, congregations will also grow to become more prayerful. And my prayer is that as we pray the Spirit will be unleashed so that many will come to know Christ as Savior and Lord!<br /> <br /> </div>
<div>Blessings,<br /> Barb Schutt</div>
<div><a href="mailto:dbschutt@pacbell.net">dbschutt@pacbell.net</a></div>
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NPPN INNER~VIEWS #003 - Eddie & Alice Smith, US Prayer Center
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/nppn-inner-views-003-eddie-alice-smith-us-prayer-center
2022-01-03T16:27:54.000Z
2022-01-03T16:27:54.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><h5><span style="font-size:12pt;">NATIONAL PASTORS' PRAYER NETWORK</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">INNER ~ VIEWS #003</span></h5>
<p><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Eddie & Alice Smith, US Prayer Center</span><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“TELL US ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY - HOW DID GOD GET YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?"<br /> </span><br /> Alice: I grew up in a Christian home where the entire family went to church every Sunday and Wednesday. Although I was always in the church, my life was not changed until I was 15 years old. My spiritual journey has a lot to do with Jim Bob and Louverl Griffin (my youth directors), and Rev. Johnny Beard (my pastor). They were people with passion and love for God. Their passion made me hungry for the same. I realize many of the decisions I make, were first taught to me by these spiritual leaders.<br /> <br /> Eddie: Actually, I was reared in a pastor's home and born again at age 6. I attended a Christian college and served as a chaplain's assistant in the U.S. Navy. We traveled 16 years in full-time evangelism and served local churches for 14 years. Most of that work was as music ministers. In 1993 we began the ministry of the U.S. PRAYER TRACK at the invitation of C. Peter Wagner.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“YOUR ROLE AT THE U.S. PRAYER TRACK GIVES YOU A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE. HOW DO YOU ASSES THE PRAYER MOVEMENT? ITS MATURITY, DIRECTION...?"<br /> </span><br /> Alice: I am encouraged with how the Holy Spirit is drawing people from every stream of Christianity into the prayer movement. Yes, it is in the infancy, but unlike when I was learning intercession over 30 years ago, today there are many resources to help any person become an effective intercessor. The prayer movement will continue to swell if we do not act foolishly with this unique opportunity.<br /> <br /> Eddie: I believe the prayer movement is in its early stages. There is a growing interest and a lot of immaturity yet in the movement. I'm not discouraged by that. It is a necessary stage. However, I believe the prayer movement itself is one of the best signs of revival. To say that every revival was preceded by a great prayer movement is like saying that a tadpole precedes a frog. Fact is, the tadpole IS the frog! I believe the prayer movement that God is mobilizing is the embryonic stage of revival.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“WHAT CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PRAYER MOVEMENT IN NORTH AMERICA?”<br /> </span><br /> Eddie: The prayer movement can get sidetracked when its participants get caught up in excesses, distracted with nonessentials, or its leaders become enamored with power. We must exercise the fruit of the Spirit, self-control. We must keep our attention on Christ alone. And leaders must accept the fact that this is God's movement...not ours.<br /> <br /> Alice: I agree completely with Eddie's comments.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE PASTORS' PRAYER GROUPS TO THE PRAYER MOVEMENT? WHAT DIRECTION SHOULD PPGs BE HEADING? ANY WARNINGS?”<br /> </span><br /> Alice: Thank God for pastors who are willing to pray with other pastors. And the Father is doing around the world. Pastors' prayer groups are critical to a potential sweeping revival, because preaching isn't enough. If preaching were the answer to revival in America, we should have experienced an awakening decades ago. The throne of God is to be exalted above the pulpit, and when this occurs, hang on! <br /> <br /> Eddie: Pastors who pray together must invariably demolish the walls that prevented their praying together in the past. It is vital that the walls of division come down. However, it is possible for this to be a religious exercise rather than a relational existence. God said, in Psalm 133, that it is good and pleasant for us to DWELL together in unity. Frankly, it's easier to pray together regularly than to dwell together. When we dwell together, I know your kids and you know mine. When we dwell together, and one of us has a need in his life or his church, another will know it and meet the need.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"A NEW PARTNERSHIP IS EMERGING - THE PASTOR AND INTERCESSORS. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS TEAM? IS IT NEW? BIBLICAL? HOW SHOULD IT SERVE THE BODY OF CHRIST?”<br /> </span><br /> Alice: Pastors and intercessors have been completely in the dark on how to work with each other. One of the primary problems is that both pastor and intercessor have vision, purpose, and motivation. But instead of joining together to fulfill the vision of both, they are often critical of each another. Pastors need to learn that intercessors are fighters! And they will fight with or without the pastor! So it is to the benefit of pastors to sign up these kinds of intercessors for the future battles they WILL BE HAVING! The reason for this important partnership is SOULS! Everything we do is about souls!<br /> <br /> Eddie: In our new soon-to-be-released book entitled "INTERCESSORS AND PASTORS:The Emerging Partnership Between Watchmen and Gatekeepers," we address this issue in depth. As long as "the watchmen" (intercessors) can see the spiritual things approaching the city but have no meaningful, functional relationship with "the gatekeepers" (pastors) the church and the city are in danger. The gatekeeper simply can't see over the walls. They must be reconciled and rightly related for the church's spiritual integrity can be reestablished.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“WHY SHOULD A PASTOR PURSUE THIS PARTNERSHIP?”<br /> </span><br /> Alice: When spiritual bullets are aimed at you, your family and church, the anointing of a warfare intercessor who can fight the battle in the unseen realm, can literally save your ministry or personal life. I believe God is trying to warn pastors of their need for this kind of partnership and those who do not heed the warning, might suffer great loss in turbulent days ahead.<br /> <br /> Eddie: A pastor should pursue this partnership because his very life may well depend upon it. The first illustration in my book "Help! I'm Married to an Intercessor" points this out graphically. A pastor should pursue this relationship because the coming revival may very well rest on it. He should pursue a meaningful partnership with intercessors because prayer is foundational to every other ministry in the church.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“WHY SHOULD AN INTERCESSOR PURSUE THIS PARTNERSHIP?”<br /> </span><br /> Alice: Because every mature, godly intercessor wants and needs accountability, training and encouragement. Most pastors are patient and encouraging, two things every intercessor needs!<br /> <br /> Eddie: Intercessors should pursue this partnership in order to have a sense of personal fulfillment and to serve the body of Christ as God intended. They need the balance that a good working relationship with a godly pastor can afford. They need the encouragement that a grateful pastor offers.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST BOOK AND HOW IT CAN HELP STRENGTHEN A PASTOR/INTERCESSOR PARTNERSHIP?”<br /> </span><br /> Eddie: We feel it's too late to "pull the punches." Our new book gets down to the nitty-gritty, where the rubber meets the road. We've been in the trenches. We know the rough edges that both we pastors and intercessors have at times. We know the love that will be required for us to be reconciled to each other and walk together into the purposes of God. This book is a labor of love based on years of interactivity with pastors and intercessors.<br /> <br /> Alice: Ditto!<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"PLEASE SUGGEST A FEW RESOURCES (INCLUDING YOUR OWN!) THAT WOULD BE ESSENTIAL READING FOR PASTORS AND FOR INTERCESSORS WHO WANT TO PURSUE THIS PARTNERSHIP?"<br /> </span><br /> We've written our new book precisely because of the lack of material available for this purpose. One of the few books on pastors and intercessors has been Peter Wagner's "Prayer Shield."<br /> > Pastors and Intercessors should read Alice's "Beyond the Veil: Entering into Intimacy with God Through Prayer" to get a better understanding of the ministry of intercession.<br /> > They should both read Eddie's book "Help! I'm Married to an Intercessor: How Spouses, Pastors and Friends Can Understand and Unleash Intercessors for God's Glory" for a better understanding of intercessors (those who are called into the ministry of intercession).<br /> > They should order our newest book "Intercessors & Pastors: The Emerging Partnership Between Watchmen & Gatekeepers" for a better understanding of each other and suggestions on how to build the partnership.<br /> These materials and many others are available on-line at our website:<br /> <a href="http://www.usprayertrack.org">http://www.usprayertrack.org</a><br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">“PLEASE WRITE A PRAYER THAT THE ENTIRE NPPN NETWORK CAN PRAY 'TOGETHER' AS WE READ THIS INTERVIEW...<br /> </span><br /> Alice: Father, each of us are necessary to accomplish your kingdom work. With our hands joined, and our hearts knitted together in love, may we step over our preconceived ideas of what this partnership will look like, and give us the courage to just DO IT! We are in a desperate hour, and every minute counts! We humble ourselves and ask for your divine wisdom regarding these issues. In Jesus name, Amen.<br /> <br /> Eddie: Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you are saying to us today. May we be willing to lay aside every weight that would hinder our running the race you've set before us. May we embrace those things and those people who you've graced our lives with to equip us to win the prize! In Christ's name...Amen.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://eddieandalice.com/" target="_blank">Connect to Eddie and Alice Smith >>></a><br /> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:small;">EDITOR'S NOTE: See the Smith's article "The Battle is the Lord's" in the December 2002 issue of Charisma Magazine, pg. 84.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#00cccc;">=============================================================<br /> </span><span style="color:#00cccc;">--->Copyright 2002. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone in our nation and beyond.<br /> --->Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or "Confidential" all information and comments sent to </span><span style="color:#0000ff;"><u>phil@nppn.org</u></span><span style="color:#00cccc;"> will be considered for use in a future NPPN Update.<br /> --->Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization<br /> =============================================================</span></span></p>
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#ReimagineSCRIPTURE...as you pray Ephesians 3:14-21
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/reimaginescripture-as-you-pray-ephesians-3-14-21
2021-12-16T15:50:14.000Z
2021-12-16T15:50:14.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">#ReimagineSCRIPTURE...as you pray Ephesians 3:14-21 </span></strong></em></p>
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<p><strong>Prayer for a Life of Spiritual Growth not Just Trivial Pursuit</strong></p>
<p>Doug Metzger, semi-retired Pastor/ NAMB staff living in GA.</p>
<p><br /> Ephesians 3:14-21</p>
<p><br /> Most all of us have probably played the game Trivial Pursuit. It’s a fun game if you know your<br /> trivia. The word trivia &amp; trivial are interesting words. They both carry the idea of meaningless or<br /> unimportant facts. So when you play the game Trivial Pursuit &amp; do well, it means that you know<br /> a whole lot of meaningless, unimportant facts.</p>
<p><br /> Maybe so, but I think it means your pretty smart on a whole lot of topics. On the other hand,<br /> trivial pursuit may make you guilty of pursuing a whole lot of meaningless, unimportant info<br /> that is really worthless. In reading the “Our Daily Bread” devotional one morning, I came across<br /> something that really got my attention written by Dave Roper. A number of years ago I was in<br /> the library of a prestigious university. As I walked among the bookshelves, I happened to pass by<br /> a row of small cubicles set aside for study and I spied a student there reading a Bugs Bunny<br /> comic book. I almost laughed out loud. Here was a young man surrounded by the wisdom of the<br /> ages yet immersed in childish trivia in this prestigious university’s library. There’s nothing wrong<br /> with comic books, and all of us need some necessary respite from study, but some of us never<br /> get past trivial pursuits.” What this story shows is the height of a meaningless pursuit of trivia<br /> when there was a whole lot better pursuit to be going after than what’s found in Bugs Bunny<br /> comic books.</p>
<p><br /> I fear we can do this with many of our meaningless pursuits in life. I shared a message recently<br /> about the need for believers to grow up and one of the things I challenged you to do that<br /> morning was to develop a routine of daily Bible reading and prayer in what is called a quiet time<br /> experience. In the matter of prayer, I said we should prioritize offering praise and thanksgiving<br /> to God in our prayers, then offering supplication and intercession. Do you know who one of the<br /> people we should be interceding for is? Ourselves.</p>
<p><br /> I was introduced to a Prayer Guide in Seminary: The 2959 Prayer Plan by Peter Lord. It calls for<br /> praying Ephesians 3 on Thursdays for others and I started listing people. One day I became<br /> convicted that for far too long I had prayed this for others without really understanding the<br /> magnitude of it for me. It was then that I started praying it for myself daily; now for years. If you<br /> are a believer, you matter to God and He wants His best for you. How do you get there?<br /> I believe that the Apostle Paul has much to teach at this point through this prayer that he<br /> prayed for the growing believers in the city of Ephesus. As you look at Paul’s prayer in<br /> Ephesians 3, you see Paul yearning for believers to not fall short of knowing the life of blessing<br /> described in Ephesians 1:3 and godliness as described in 2 Peter 1:3.</p>
<p><br /> For certain, trivial pursuit will not get you where these two verses point you. So Paul earnestly<br /> prays for the Ephesians to live more than a life of trivial pursuit. He longs for them to know and<br /> experience a growing life and knowing a meaning to life that God longs for them to know.</p>
<p>I want to unpack this amazing prayer and see if we can learn some things that might make this<br /> prayer something that you personally make a pursuit for yourself and others that you pray for.<br /> Let’s seek to grasp this prayer with God’s help with a desire that it might revolutionize our lives<br /> and our walk with Him so that our lives are growing and more than trivial pursuit.</p>
<p><br /> NOTE that Paul begins by telling them to whom he offers his prayer in verses 14-15. Thereafter,<br /> the prayer is framed in such a way that it’s like going up a staircase to the penthouse of<br /> blessing. There are 4 phrases that define each step up the stairs</p>
<p><br /> 1. Prayer for the Empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the Inner Man</p>
<p><br /> Ephesians 3: 16. Interestingly, this is Paul’s 2 nd prayer in Ephesians chapters 1-3. The 1 st prayer<br /> is in Ephesians 1:15-19 and it’s for spiritual enlightenment. Would you agree that spiritual<br /> enlightenment is a wonderful thing?</p>
<p><br /> I led an old shipmate from 1965-1967 to the Lord over the phone one day on my way home<br /> from NAMB to my home in Roswell, GA. I called to check on him the following week. Jim<br /> reported going to church on Sunday and for 1 st time the Pastor’s message meant something to<br /> him (i.e. a light went on). This fulfills 1 Cor. 2: 14 about the natural man not understanding.<br /> From that point on Jim could go on to greater enlightenment relative to Paul’s 1 st prayer.<br /> But enlightenment only gets us part way along our journey, so Paul now prays for divine<br /> empowerment. Such comes from the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. ASK: Have you<br /> really grasped the power resident in us? Think about it: You have omnipotence residing in<br /> impotence! The Power of creation resides in one of the creatures He created. Mind boggling,<br /> but it’s what’s transpired. And here Paul prays that this created being be strengthened with<br /> power through this Spirit in the inner being. Power is the Greek word “dunamos” from which<br /> we get the word dynamite: so literally we be strengthened with dynamite. Strong calls it<br /> “miraculous power.” And Paul’s prayer is that we’d be so empowered according to His glorious<br /> riches…. Note: Not out of but according to.</p>
<p><br /> If a Billionaire gives someone $5, it would be out of his riches, but if he gives a million, it would<br /> be according to. There’s a vast difference and Paul wants God to give according to not just out<br /> of! When Paul speaks of this occurring in inner man, he’s speaking about where the real you is<br /> found. You look at me today and view what you think is the real me, but you’re only seeing a<br /> deteriorating outer me. It’s a me that’ll not get me out of this world alive. The real me is the<br /> inner man with which I relate to God and through which I can relate God to the world. It’s the<br /> part of me that’s going to outlive this world and is going to enable me to eternally enjoy the<br /> presence of God. And when I’m knowing this power for which Paul prays, what a difference I’ll<br /> be knowing in how I relate to Him. And what a difference it’ll make in empowering me to live<br /> and serve at a higher level in bringing glory to God. It’s so amazing and exciting the difference<br /> this power makes. So, let’s not fail to take full advantage of this blessing from God through the<br /> Holy Spirit’s empowerment. If you’re not knowing this power, then you need to personalize<br /> Paul’s prayer for yourself.</p>
<p>2. Prayer for Christ To Be at Home in Our Hearts</p>
<p><br /> Ephesians 3: 17a. BTW, note the words “so that”. This points to the result of having climbed the<br /> 1 st step on the way to the penthouse. Now we’re on 2 nd step. I hope we know enough of God’s<br /> word to have a little problem with how Paul phrased his words. Why so? Reality is that at the<br /> moment we prayed in faith to receive Christ, He did come to indwell us and promised He’d<br /> never leave or forsake us. So then for what could Paul be praying here? The Greek construction<br /> here really goes beyond mere indwelling. It speaks to Christ being at home inside His believing<br /> people.</p>
<p><br /> All of us have visited in homes where we just didn’t feel 100% welcomed and were happy to<br /> leave when the time came! Then there were times when we stayed and didn’t want to leave.<br /> WHY? We were made to feel like royalty. We had the red-carpet treatment. Well, that’s what<br /> Paul is praying for here in V. 17: that Christ would be given such royal treatment that He feels<br /> absolutely at home. And considering Who He is, we should do all we can for that do be the case.<br /> Unfortunately, if we aren’t careful, we fail to treat the indwelling Christ as a Royal Resident.<br /> Christ needs to become the Resident President in our hearts.</p>
<p><br /> Early in my Christian life, I was given a booklet that so well put this into perspective. It was My<br /> Heart- Christ’s Home by Robert Boyd Munger. He speaks of every room in one’s heart being one<br /> where Christ wants to dwell without any hesitancy or reservation. Why? Because He finds no<br /> clutter/ hidden sin/ misplaced priorities, etc. And yet we tend to be self-centered and selfish<br /> and saying to God: you can have this area, Lord, but not that Lord. We treat Him as a resident,<br /> but not the president that He deserves to be.</p>
<p><br /> Someone said that in some people Christ is resident, in others He is prominent, but in too few is<br /> He pre-eminent and the latter is what Paul’s praying for; i.e. making Christ the foremost person<br /> that lives in our life. We must take seriously this part of the prayer and desire Christ to be at<br /> home in are hearts. If He’s not, truly our life and walk is being trivialized.</p>
<p><br /> 3. Prayer For The Apprehension of the Divine Love of God</p>
<p><br /> Ephesians 3: 17b-19a. Note verse 17b also begins with a statement that builds on what has<br /> been previously said which in effect takes us one step further up the stairway. Here Paul speaks<br /> to an issue to which we all need to give greater consideration. He prays that we be rooted and<br /> grounded in love and be may be able to grasp the total measure of this love.</p>
<p><br /> Consider the terms rooted and grounded. They’re interesting terms placed side by; they are<br /> called a mixed metaphors. If I said to a person”You scored a great touchdown, but that slam<br /> dunk was off the chart good”, I’ve spoken a mixed metaphor. I’ve mixed a football and<br /> basketball term. Well here Paul mixes an agricultural and an architectural term. 1 st , we’re to<br /> become more and more deeply rooted in the love of God as we allow our spiritual roots to dig<br /> deep into this love with which we have been loved. But also, we’re to build our lives on the<br /> solid foundation of this great love. Spiritual agricultural and architectural analogies.</p>
<p>This 2nd metaphor pictures for me what’s done in CA in order to build multi-story buildings<br /> under the threat of earthquakes. The higher you want to build, the deeper you make the<br /> foundation. The same is true for a believer’s life. Both terms picture going deeper and deeper<br /> into this love relationship we are to have with our Lord. But the real heart of this part of the<br /> prayer is for us to go deeper and deeper into the 4-dimensional love of God. We’re to grasp or<br /> apprehend this vast love of God. To apprehend is literally means to lay hold on something with<br /> a strong grasp; the idea being to experience it. Relating this to the text, Paul’s calling for more<br /> than a head knowledge about the love of God. He is calling for us to apprehend it in way that it<br /> becomes experiential, i.e. we really, really know it! We know it’s width, length, height and<br /> depth. I appreciate the way John Stott put it: “God’s love is broad enough to encompass both<br /> Jew and Gentile; it’s long enough to last for an eternity; it’s deep enough to reach the lowest<br /> sinner and high enough to exalt the Lord in heaven.”</p>
<p><br /> These are the 4 dimensions of love that we’re to seek to apprehend but put on your seat-belt<br /> for Paul now unveils a 5 th dimension. He says in verse 19a that this love is beyond knowledge or<br /> surpasses knowledge. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, boom, another aspect of the<br /> greatness of this love comes into your life. You know why I believe we ought to appreciate this<br /> 5 th dimension of God’s love? It means that with great excitement, you can look forward to what<br /> God is next going to do in your life out of His love. Are you seeking to go deeper in your<br /> experience of love with God? Make it a matter of serious prayer as does Paul. Let’s consider the<br /> final rung on the ladder that leads to God’s Penthouse of Blessings.</p>
<p><br /> 4 Prayer For the Full Measure of the Fulness Of God</p>
<p><br /> Ephesians 4:19. Note that this phrase starts with another “that” evidencing the progression.<br /> This too has an interesting aspect to it in that at the moment of salvation we received all of<br /> Christ we’re ever going to get. Colossians 2:9-10 reminds us that we are complete in Him. So<br /> how can Paul now be telling us to take on what we already have on? It’s a call for us to move<br /> from what we have Positionally to what we are to appropriate Experientially. We’re talking<br /> here about not just knowing the presence of God in our life but experiencing it in ways in<br /> which it will show.</p>
<p><br /> And how will it show itself? In a growing level of love for God; in a more obvious demonstration<br /> of obedience to His Word; in a deeper level of service in His Kingdom and in a richer worship of<br /> Him in our daily life. It will also be seen in the bearing of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love,<br /> joy, peace, etc…. It’ll begin fully showing in our character, attitudes and actions. No little dab<br /> will do.</p>
<p><br /> How would this all be possible one might ask? From our standpoint, it’s not possible, but from<br /> God’s vantage point, it’s very possible captured for us in verses 20-21. Where you and I would<br /> fall on our faces, God is able. He has the Power to make it happen and it begins with us getting<br /> serious about prayer and being unafraid to approach Him to ask Him to do what only He can do.<br /> Will you? In closing let me encourage you to consider making the following sample prayer part<br /> of your growing experience as a believer:</p>
<p><em>Holy Spirit, by your power would you strengthen me with your might in my inner being; and,</em><br /> <em>Lord Jesus, I desire to have you sit on the throne of my life and be at home in my heart; Heavenly</em><br /> <em>Father, help me more deeply to grasp the vastness of your love all to the end that I would be full</em><br /> <em>of your fullness as I love you more, obey your better, serve you more devotedly and worship you</em><br /> <em>more richly. Please produce your fruit in my life. I ask this all in Jesus Name.</em></p></div>
NPPN InnerViews #001 ~ Phil Miglioratti
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/nppn-innerviews-001-phil-miglioratti
2021-10-28T19:01:07.000Z
2021-10-28T19:01:07.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><p><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000088;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9746142474,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9746142474,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9746142474?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="521" /></a></span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><em><strong>InnerViews #001</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:small;"><br /> An Interview With the Facilitator of the National Pastors’ Prayer Network/United States, Phil Miglioratti...<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"IT IS EVIDENT TO EVEN CASUAL OBSERVERS THAT THE PRAYER MOVEMENT IS EXPLODING--BUT ARE THE PASTORS OF LOCAL CONGREGATIONS BEING IMPACTED?"<br /> </span> Yes...and no. Of course many pastors have been blessed by this unprecedented emphasis on prayer. It would be seemingly impossible to be unaware of the National Day of Prayer, the March For Jesus, See You At The Pole, the National Prayer & Fasting Conference. A pastor could not walk through a Christian bookstore without seeing a myriad of new titles, books-tapes-videos, dealing with few of us even thought about until recently; spiritual warfare, prayerwalking, repentance and reconciliation, the city-wide unity of the Church. The existence of the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network is evidence that prayer is being emphasized on both a grand and grassroots scale.<br /> My concern is for the “average” pastor; the already overworked leader who finds very few minutes for personal prayer. They often fail to see how they would have time to begin another program or maintain another ministry. Many are limited by an even greater obstacle, their traditional perspective of how prayer should look and sound and where it “fits.” These pastors tend to view prayer as a program to be added rather than a power to be released. Powerful prayer does not result from a 60-90 second speech to God at the beginning and ending of an already overcrowded agenda. Impacting prayer, the kind that changes lives, must permeate the lives of every church member at every church meeting. Children, youth, adults. Bible classes, board meetings, worship services. No, I do not yet see many prayer permeated congregations.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"HOW WILL A PASTOR CATCH THIS VISION?"<br /> </span> Most of us who serve as pastors know very well our personal prayer lives need renewing. No one needs to tell us that we would greatly benefit from a deeper spiritual intimacy with the Lord. But even a revitalized personal prayer life will not necessarily initiate congregation-wide transformation.<br /> In my experience, it took praying with other pastors. Weekly prayer with like-minded leaders who shared my hopes and dreams for the Church and for spiritual awakening. These gatherings gave me the courage to press my congregation into new experiences and expressions of prayer. And out of those weekly times of prayer and periodic prayer retreats came new models that I was able to apply to our church. Even pastors need to learn how to lead prayer; to guide but not control when 2 or 3, 2 or 3 dozen, or 2 or 3 hundred gather to seek the Lord. The pastor that must lead the way or at least unlock the door so the people of God are free to experience new and more effective ways of talking with the Lord. That requires a pastor who is confident and open to new experiences.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"WHERE DOES A PASTOR FIND THAT CONFIDENCE OR THOSE SAFE EXPERIENCES?"<br /> </span> Probably not in their past seminary education nor by simply reading books about prayer. Like everyone else, we pastors learn best by a multi-layered approach of listening, watching and, most importantly, doing.<br /> The National Pastors’ Prayer Network has been formed to assist local pastors in that process by providing them with quick and simple access to resources that train and equip for prayer leadership. The NPPN has also identified the leaders of networks that bring pastors together for prayer. Most of us learn best by first being a participant.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE RESOURCES?"<br /> </span> One of the best is the Pastors Prayer Summit experience. Pastors from throughout the city or region gather for 4 days of no agenda other than to be together in God’s presence. This personal experience provides a variety of models a pastor can easily adapt and implement with his/her congregation or in their small groups.<br /> Pastors can learn how to recruit prayer partners by watching and distributing The Pastor’s MVP video and the accompanying resources. It presents a simple plan that requires no prior experience and is not limited to the prayer warriors of the congregation.<br /> Even the smallest congregations can afford these and the many other creative and practical resources that have become available. These new products are, unlike so much of our previous experience, prayer rather than program based. The NPPN can connect the just-getting-started pastor to hundreds of resources and to the nearest pastors’ prayer gathering.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"WHY DO YOU KEEP EMPHASIZING PASTORS PRAYING TOGETHER?"<br /> </span> In my opinion, it is the single most effective way for the Lord to unify the Church to fulfill the Great Commission. As pastors gather for the primary purpose of praying, they cross many lines of prejudice and division; denominations, generations, and nations (ethnicity). While all of us will never completely agree on every point of doctrine or methodology, we can certainly and humbly come together in the name of Jesus to pray. The NPPN will not only identify these pastors’ prayer gatherings, but its very existence will help multiply their number by encouraging and equipping “average” pastors to invite their neighbor pastors to pray.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">"HOW CAN A CHURCH MEMBER ENCOURAGE THEIR PASTOR TO PURSUE PRAYER?"<br /> </span> First and foremost through prayer. Begin to pray for your pastor and petition the Lord that he or she will become both a person of prayer and a leader of prayer.<br /> As you continue to pray, gather information and resources that could be helpful and make them available to your pastor...no strings attached: “Thought of you Pastor when I saw this, hope it is helpful to you...”<br /> Look for conferences, workshops, and especially, pastors’ prayer gatherings in your area. Pass the information on to your pastor. Hope (and pray) for a welcomed and quick response but be prepared to be persistent in prayer.<br /> Ask your pastor for permission to become his or her partner in prayer. Hopefully, your life and ministry have already demonstrated that you will be a trusted, loyal, and confidential source of prayer support.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ee;">WHAT MATERIALS WILL THE NPPN PRODUCE?<br /> </span> We distribute a series of Updates to pastors, prayer leaders, network facilitators and intercessors around the world.<br /> *Connections - reports the work of the Holy Spirit among pastors who are praying together.<br /> *Prayer Requests - generate prayer support from around the nation for city or region wide prayer evangelism conferences or gatherings.<br /> *Resources & Ideas - networks pastors with resources, equipping conferences, and new ideas. This enables us to quickly learn from other parts of the country.<br /> *Interactive Articles - are being written by national leaders in the prayer movement, designed to encourage and train those who gather pastors for prayer.<br /> *City Reports - provide substantial profiles of what the Holy Spirit is doing in a particular city or region, emphasizing the 'why' and 'how' more than the 'what' and 'where.'<br /> <br /> The NPPN exists to initiate and accelerate prayer among pastors so that the revival that comes to our churches results in a spiritual awakening across our land. Pastors’ Prayer Group Leaders, Network Facilitators, and Ministry Directors are encouraged to connect with the NPPN. We are praying for more partners who need or can provide resources or training that will result in more of our shepherds being in closer relationship with the Chief Shepherd.<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#00cccc;">=============================================================</span><span style="color:#00cccc;"><br /> --->Copyright 2002. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone in our nation and beyond.<br /> --->Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or "Confidential" all information and comments sent to </span><span style="color:#0000ff;"><u>phil@nppn.org</u></span><span style="color:#00cccc;"> will be considered for use in a future NPPN Update.<br /> --->Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization<br /> =============================================================</span></span></p></div>
National Pastors' Prayer Network ~ Our First Article on the Strategic Role of Facilitators
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/national-pastors-prayer-network-our-first-article-on-the-strategi
2020-12-21T20:22:34.000Z
2020-12-21T20:22:34.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
<div><div class="Section1">
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>NPPN Article #001 FACILITATOR: A New Role for Church Leaders</strong></span></p>
<p>BY: Corkie Haan, Mission America Coalition, <span class="GramE">National</span> Facilitator for National Networks</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>GOD IS DOING A NEW THING!</em></strong></p>
<p>Most everyone would agree. These are exciting days to serve the Lord. God is doing a new thing! He is working quicker than ever before. David Mains, radio evangelist and founder of The Chapel Ministries and the 50-Day Spiritual Adventure wrote in "The Chapel Newsletter," June, 1995, "Never have we been so confident that America is on the edge of a genuine, wide-spread spiritual awakening. From around the country we are beginning to hear early rumblings...reports that indicate the beginning of a great move of God’s Spirit in our land."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the church is trying to catch up. There is a new intensity in bold, corporate prayer. There is a new love for jubilant worship. Ten years ago few used words like intercessor, apostle, collaborating, or prayer walking. Spiritual warfare was not on our radar screens. As we approach the beginning of a new millennium, a new spiritual leader is emerging. That leader is being referred to as a facilitator.</p>
<p><strong><em>GOD IS <span class="GramE">RAISING</span> UP A NEW BREED OF LEADERS!</em></strong></p>
<p>This new breed of leader is most often called a facilitator. How is <span class="GramE">this a</span> new breed of leader? Facilitators give place to another person’s gifts, eliminating the need to be in competition with others. Facilitators don’t need to look good, but desire Christ to look good. Facilitators value the uniqueness of each person in the body of Christ and do not demand conformity or uniformity.</p>
<p>During the 1995 Mission America National Committee meeting 164 national church and <span class="SpellE">parachurch</span> leaders gathered. At that meeting they asked themselves, "Is it possible should we take the challenge to pray for and share the Gospel with every man, women, teenager, and child in our nation by year end 2000?" The answer resoundingly came, "Yes! We can! We must!" During one of the afternoon breakout sessions, one group was asked to identify what kinds of revival leadership will be needed, should God send revival. In times of revival, God works in ways that suggest new "wine skins" are needed for leadership for the new Third Millennium. These are the five conclusions made that afternoon:</p>
<p>1. There will be a deeper respect for each other’s ministries. Unhealthy competition and controlling leadership styles disappear in brokenness and repentance.</p>
<p>2. Accountability toward each other will increase. As a Kingdom mentality develops, a common vision will unfold. Relationships will be restored and will be best maintained while kneeling in prayer.</p>
<p>3. Collaboration, in contrast to cooperation, is necessary for revival. Cooperation says, "Come, help me" while collaboration remarks, "I want to be part of what God is doing." Collaboration will replace division which will lead to repentance, evangelism and spiritual awakening.</p>
<p>4. There will be an increased tolerance for ambiguity. While a variety of ethnic and theological backgrounds exist within God’s Kingdom, the focus will be on Jesus and obeying His command in The Great Commission. That can be done without compromising our ethnic and theological distinctive.</p>
<p>5. Strategic planning will develop flexible, non-specific, half-baked plans. We will learn to do it the Jesus way, and not the American way. Strategic prayer planning and walking by faith while the Lord paves the road just before we put the next foot down will dominate our strategic planning efforts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>THE ROLE OF A FACILITATOR</em></strong></p>
<p>Some people have difficulty catching the difference between the old American <span class="GramE">style</span> of leadership and following Jesus’ leadership style. <span class="GramE">Helpful resources for additional study comes</span> from Leadership Network’s NETFAX, entitled, "Helping Church Leaders Make the Transition from the Present to the Future," and Lay <span class="SpellE">Communique</span>, published by the Alban Institute of Bethesda, MD. They have assisted in the development of these contrasts that help to define this new role of facilitator:</p>
<p>1. Facilitators are concerned less with any official position, but more concerned about empowering others to achieve God’s calling on their lives.</p>
<p>2. Facilitators are not concerned about their own personal agenda, but allow the Holy Spirit to set the agenda through all of the lives of those in the group.</p>
<p>3. Facilitators are delighted when others feel a leading from the Lord to express their giftedness.</p>
<p>4. Facilitators see themselves on the bottom of the organizational chart and in a servant role to the others in the group. They see themselves fulfilled while helping others accomplish their goals.</p>
<p>5. Facilitators lead by listening and coaching in order to bring out the best in others.</p>
<p>6. Facilitators ask questions instead of giving answers.</p>
<p>7. Facilitators provide opportunity for others to lead.</p>
<p>8. Facilitators take the risk of mistakes knowing that this provides learning experiences and allows for experimentation and innovation.</p>
<p>9. Facilitators take responsibility rather than using authority.</p>
<p>10. Facilitators are concerned mostly with their own spiritual journey. They have a prayer team supporting them daily. They have mentors to whom they look for advice.</p>
<p>11. Facilitators give themselves away. They do not use the phrase "delegate or die." They die to themselves and give it away. They would gladly give their task to anyone who would take it.</p>
<p>12. Facilitators are willing to die. In fact they have died to their own agenda. They seek God earnestly each day and hear the Lord <span class="GramE">give</span> direction in each matter.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>THE FUNCTION OF A FACILITATOR</em></strong></p>
<p>If you desire to network, you understand that your spiritual destiny is tied to the spiritual destiny of others. That is nowhere more <span class="GramE">true</span> than in the accomplishment of the Great Commission. Phil Butler of Interdev in his pamphlet entitled, "Partnership: Accelerating Evangelism in the 90’s" wrote, "Previous evangelism approaches have often been individualistic, autonomous and fragmented . . . There has long been acknowledgment that Christian witness is most effective when the various elements of the work of the Kingdom function in some sort of coordinated way."</p>
<p>So far we have used some unfamiliar and new words, like networks, partnerships, and coalitions as if they carry the same meaning. Let’s define some words.</p>
<p>1. Networks: Any group who communicate and share information to enhance their individual purposes.</p>
<p>2. Partnership: Any two or more who collaborate to achieve a common <span class="GramE">purpose.</span> In the business world partnerships have strong legal connotations. These legal connotations most often do not exist in Kingdom business.</p>
<p>3. Consultation: A group that shares information on a topic of common interest.</p>
<p>4. Coalition: A consensus-based partnership which requires a consensus about the common purpose of that coalition.</p>
<p>5. Constitutional: A formal, contractual partnership relationship.</p>
<p>Facilitators give leadership to networks, partnerships and coalitions—not boards or executive committees with membership and constitutions. What is the difference?</p>
<p>1. Networks, partnerships and coalitions commit significant time to prayer humbly acknowledging personal and organizational inadequacy and dependence on His sovereign control and the awareness of each person’s giftedness.</p>
<p>2. Networks, partnerships and coalitions have a champion for the cause, but also one who will serve the partnership by calling the meetings. That person, the facilitator, must not threaten or overwhelm the group.</p>
<p>3. Networks, partnerships and coalitions are open groups. All racial, gender, and inter-generational people are welcome. All people sharing a burden for that ministry are welcome.</p>
<p>4. Networks, partnerships and coalitions benefit everyone. The facilitator seeks to identify the resources which each member brings. Value is given to it as part of the completed mission.</p>
<p>5. Networks, partnerships and coalitions are grounded on mutual trust and benefit. Trust takes time to develop but is hastened by time spent kneeling in prayer together.</p>
<p>Phil Butler, CEO of Interdev, teaches significant principles for Strategic Partnerships. These principles can be adapted to the function of a facilitator.</p>
<p>1. Effective Facilitators build trust, openness and mutual concern.</p>
<p>2. Lasting partnerships need a facilitator, someone who, by consensus, has been given the role of bringing the partnership to life and keeping the fires burning.</p>
<p>3. Successful Facilitators develop a specific goal or task. This means lasting partnerships focus primarily on what (objectives) rather than how (structure).</p>
<p>4. Facilitators understand that partnerships are a process, not an event.</p>
<p>5. Facilitators take the time and effort to develop an effective partnership. Effective partnerships do not come free.</p>
<p>6. Effective partnerships are even more challenging to maintain than to start. Facilitators make sure the vision stays alive, the focus is <span class="GramE">clear,</span> communications are good, and outcomes fulfilling.</p>
<p>7. Facilitators assist their partner’s ministries by developing clear identities and vision.</p>
<p>8. Effective Facilitators acknowledge, even celebrate, the differences in their partner agencies’ histories, vision and services. But facilitators must ultimately concentrate on what they have in common, like vision, values and ministry objectives, rather than on their differences.</p>
<p>9. Effective Facilitators encourage a high sense of participation and ownership. The widest possible participation in objective setting, planning and the process of meetings, and on-going communications is vital.</p>
<p>10. Effective Facilitators expect problems and plan ahead for them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES FOR A FACILITATOR</em></strong></p>
<p>During the Exploration Stage, the Facilitator develops a list or database of all ministries with a similar focus for that affinity group or area of ministry concern. It would be helpful to understand each group’s vision and interest. Some research is helpful concerning the affinity group or ministry concern. Articles can be gathered that identify the scope and needs within that focus.</p>
<p>Phil Butler, CEO of Interdev, gives these objectives for the Facilitators:</p>
<p> Identify all agencies who have a concern for the <span class="GramE">area Develop</span> an understanding of the vision, history, structure, relationships and other agency perceptions of each agency Develop an understanding of the objectives of each agency</p>
<p> Develop an understanding of each agency’s view of the needs of and the situation in the area</p>
<p> Develop an understanding of each agency’s interest in the possibility of co-operation</p>
<p> Identify non-western, national-led agencies interested in the <span class="GramE">area Develop</span> an understanding of the political, religious, cultural and economic background of the people group</p>
<p> Create an interest among agencies in the possibility of a Partnership/begin planting the vision</p>
<p> Identify issues which need to be addressed and problems which may <span class="GramE">arise Build</span> relationships and trust</p>
<p> Determine preliminary consensus for a Partnership</p>
<p>The activities of the facilitator will start with private conversations with key persons. The purpose of these conversations will be to listen to their heart and vision for their ministry in order to better understand their vision and mission and purpose. Often these key persons and/or their agencies will have research on the subject or affinity group available. Ask them to send it to you and/or ask them to do some research on the mission of the partnership. Communication will be most important. Most facilitators use email to send out reports, invitations to coming meetings, and follow-up materials on past meetings. Telephone conference <span class="GramE">calls are most helpful and saves</span> the great expense of travel costs. Some partnerships have functioned very well without ever actually meeting together in person. Travel will be part of the costs of a partnership. Most partnerships meet two to four times a year. In all activities demonstrate impartiality and neutrality as a servant leader.</p>
<p><strong><em>THE SPIRITUAL ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR</em></strong></p>
<p>John Paul Jackson is pastor of the Shiloh House Church in Fort Worth, Texas and is editor of Streams of Shiloh. His writings sharply address new leadership roles for the coming revival. He calls them "faceless people."</p>
<p>Years ago, the Lord began to give me and others dreams and visions about a breed of people who would become leaders when God returned the "Passion of Pentecost" to the church. . . Today’s renewal by the Holy Spirit may well be the beginning of what will one day become a divine network of massive proportions. It may well foretell a time when the favor of God, flowing unencumbered through faceless men, will transcend human structures.</p>
<p>Jackson goes on to identify seven characteristics of facelessness. They are listed below in an edited form to fit our subject of the facilitating style of leadership.</p>
<p>1. Authority by favor. A facilitator’s true authority does not come through having a title or the formation of structural hierarchy. Luke 2 identifies two forms of favor: favor with God and favor with man. Both come from God.</p>
<p>2. Move love for Jesus than for theological dogmas. As facilitators are seen seeking the very heart of God, others will value their love for Jesus more than their denominational affiliation.</p>
<p>3. Relationship over hierarchy. Facilitators know that the greatest changes in the church come through relationship. Relationships embrace a spiritual synergy when two or more agree. Then two can put ten thousand to flight.</p>
<p>4. Character over giftedness. Facilitators know that character doesn’t come fast, nor does it come easy, but it lasts a .long, long time. Character is <span class="SpellE">Godâs</span> inoculation against the pride that comes when His power flows through mere men.</p>
<p>5. Lack of ownership. Facilitators give their ministry to another knowing that they do not own it. Together the network is building what is His. They have nothing to protect, and no reputation to uphold. Everything is now God’s to kill or keep alive.</p>
<p>6. Greater anointing with less privilege. Facilitators know they have not earned their gifting and anointing, and so are content with less public recognition.</p>
<p>7. Kings without kingdoms. Facilitators have the ability to minister without measuring success by size or numerical impact. The <span class="GramE">size of our kingdoms do</span> not define our anointing. Facilitators</p>
<p><span class="GramE">will</span> not be perfect, but they will be broken in heart and contrite in spirit. On the shoulders of such people God will place the weight of His Kingdom.</p>
<p><strong><em>THE SERVANT ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR</em></strong></p>
<p>Ted Haggard in his book, "Primary Purpose" Section III, "Lifestyle Warfare" develops seven power points. Power Point #3 is entitled, "Becoming a Servant." There he concludes: "This attitude is obvious when you affirm uniting for your primary purpose in a city. A humble spirit from a servant’s attitude causes others to have an open heart toward you. If your attitude reflects your desire to bless them and cause them to be successful with no ulterior motives or sinful manipulation in mind, people will welcome you and open their hearts to you. So you become more effective when we work toward the bottom instead of the top."</p>
<p>Several years ago <span class="SpellE">Vio</span> <span class="SpellE">Duca</span> and his family escaped from Romania where he served the Lord as Minister of Worship and Music in one of the great churches in <span class="SpellE">Transilvania</span>. His first days in this country were spent delightfully with my wife and <span class="GramE">I</span>. One of his Romanian sayings which he used often was spoken with appropriate hand movements. He said, "The way up is the way down."</p>
<p>In INC. magazine, January 1997, Donna <span class="SpellE">Fenn</span> interviews Jim Nichols and Sid Holbrook, owners of Infiltrator Systems, a $50-million manufacturer of septic chambers. In defining this partnership, Nichols says, "He and I formed a relationship." <span class="SpellE">Fenn</span> writes, "No, Nichols isn’t alluding to strategic alliances, corporate partnerships, joint ventures, or any other fashionable form of entanglement. What he’s talking about are relationships that start with a spark of common interest and that could eventually result in an agreement to share proprietary technology or in an exclusive distribution arrangement even Nichols himself never knows how they’ll turn out." "When Jim Nichols talks about relationships, he’s not just stamping a new age word on the fine old art of schmoozing."</p>
<p>Here are some of his principles adjusted for the facilitator’s style of leadership:</p>
<p>1. Don’t start with an end goal. Keep foremost the role of people.</p>
<p>2. Find folks that believe in your vision and what you are trying to do.</p>
<p>3. Home in on individuals. Figure out how they can become part of your ministry. Focus on their ministry and the methods they use. Make your ministry secondary.</p>
<p>4. Count on that person spreading the word about the vision.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>BIBLICAL EVIDENCE FOR FACILITATORS</em></strong></p>
<p>Some people say networking doesn’t work. Frankly some networks fail. Why? Certainly the training of the facilitator is critical. Patrick M. Morley, facilitator for the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries writes a paper on "Why Some Groups Fail." His conclusion is, "Let’s have a Wow! <span class="GramE">vision-driven</span>, prayer-based, opposition- expecting, example-setting, long-term thinking, kingdom-building, Christ-focused, fun-loving, relationship-based, task-oriented, can’t wait-to-be-part-of-it group."</p>
<p>Some people say networking is a waste of time and money. And it can be. However, the Bible gives us plenty of reasons why we should network regardless of our past failures or personal opinions on the pros and cons of networking. Networking doesn’t seem to be a Biblical option.</p>
<p>Ezekiel 37:1-11a is a well-known prophetic chapter about the valley of dry bones. However, this chapter teaches a great deal about the importance of networking.</p>
<p>1. A ministry or bone that is unattached to other ministries is a dry bone or ineffective ministry.</p>
<p>2. Ministries, as bones, need to be attached by networks, or tendons to come to spiritual life. See the many "one another" verses.</p>
<p>3. Ministries or bones without muscle or skin are weak and unattractive.</p>
<p>4. Tendons or networks establish points of reference from which ministries draw their strength.</p>
<p>5. Connectivity allows the ministries to move strategically with the entire body.</p>
<p>6. Ministries or bones need to be attached to the right bone or ministry or the outcomes would be ridiculous.</p>
<p>7. Ministries or bones, regardless of their great strength and attractiveness need the breath of God in order to have revival fires burning within.</p>
<p>1 Corinthians 12 teaches about the strength of networking the body together. The following principles can be learned:</p>
<p>1. Ministries have different spiritual gifting, service, and strengths for the good of the whole body.</p>
<p>2. The ministry is one with many parts. Some ministries have many parts, like a rib cage. It is easy for them to think they are the entire body.</p>
<p>3. All <span class="GramE">ministry</span> belongs to each other. They are needed. They are important no matter what size or level of strength or attractiveness.</p>
<p>4. All ministries need to be connected to the whole by tendons or networks, partnerships, and coalitions.</p>
<p>5. All ministries have their role in the workings of the body. (<span class="GramE">see</span> list in 1 Corinthians 12)</p>
<p>John 17:20 is the great verse quoting the <span class="GramE">Lord’s prayer</span> for unity. Jesus prayed that the believers would be one for two extremely important <span class="GramE">reasons.:1</span>) So that the world might believe in Jesus. Unity makes for effective evangelism. 2) <span class="GramE">So</span> that God’s glory would rest on those who are one. Unity brings empowerment and anointing.</p>
<p>For years the church has called for cooperation. Cooperation has come to mean, "I’ve got a good idea or vision, <span class="GramE">will</span> you come help me with my vision." A new word, although it is as old as the Bible itself, has emerged. The word is co-laboring. Co-laboring means that this is the way God is going. We will follow Him together and co-labor with Him and each other as we follow Him.</p>
<p>Facilitators are God’s tendons. They are God’s glorious connectors of His body. Tendons are not particularly attractive. They are not particularly well known, maybe even faceless, but very important for the days ahead that bring revival and new breath to the dry bones of the church.</p>
<p>CONCLUSION: My Destiny is <span class="GramE">Tied</span> to Your Destiny</p>
<p>"My destiny is tied to your destiny." How true! In fact, that is true for every human on the face of the earth. However, it is even <span class="GramE">more true</span> when God’s servants have the same mandate, "To go into all the world and preach the gospel."</p>
<p>Little Johnny cried over his shoulder, "See <span class="SpellE">ya</span>, Mom." Quickly his mother shouted, "Don’t let the door slam!" As the door slammed, Johnny went out to play while his mother prepared for dinner.</p>
<p>The time for dinner came and his mother stepped outside and called loudly, "Johnny, dinner is ready. Dinner is ready." But Johnny did not come. A blizzard had begun. The wind and the snow <span class="GramE">was</span> blowing with gale force now. Putting on her warm coat and hat, she went out to the barn and into each out-building and called, "Johnny, dinner is ready." But Johnny was not to be found. Dad came home and both went out looking for Johnny. He was not to be found even by calling the neighbors. After three hours the police were phoned. Soon the police, fire and rescue, and sheriff departments were on the farm looking everywhere for Johnny. By midnight, bitter cold settled in. It was too cold to continue the rescue. Everyone went home to return at 6:00 a.m. the next morning.</p>
<p>In fact, over a hundred people from town came to help look for little Johnny. Before they started out, a lady suggested. "Let’s form a line and hold our outstretched hands together and walk through the field. If anyone sees Johnny, just cry out and we will all come running." It was agreed! A short time later, a shout rang out. Everyone came running. Johnny’s mother was way on the other end of the line. No body ran quite like his mother. But when she got there she found that Johnny was dead. As she held her little Johnny in her arms, she looked at the Fire Chief and Sheriff and said, "If we had only held hands earlier we would have saved my Johnny’s life."</p>
<p>This true story tells the essence of networking. If only we had worked together earlier, we may have been more successful in accomplishing the Great Commission ...possibly millions of people would today be in Heaven if we had joined hands to accomplish the task.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Copyright 1998, NPPN - Permission granted for duplication or distribution among facilitators and intercessors who are committed to gathering pastors for prayer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This article will continue to be posted and distributed throughout the NPPN - with the ongoing addition of comments and questions from NPPN respondents. The NPPN produces and provides these articles to initiate a national conversation among pastors’ prayer leaders. Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization <span class="GramE">You</span> are encouraged to contact the author or subsequent respondents directly. These ongoing discussions are intended to inspire, instruct, and inform those who lead pastors’ prayer groups and facilitate pastors’ prayer networks. The NPPN reserves the right to edit articles and responses for purposes of length or tone. Our call to humility and our commitment to biblical unity will serve as our guide and our guard.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>NPPN FORUM—<span class="GramE">Your</span> comments, questions, observations are welcomed if they add to our understanding, are constructive rather than critical or judgmental -Do not return nor edit the text; just the title, followed by your comments -Include your name and ministry role.</p>
</div></div>
National Pastors' Prayer Network ~ NPPN Blog Archive
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/national-pastors-prayer-network
2020-12-04T19:31:31.000Z
2020-12-04T19:31:31.000Z
Reimagine Curator
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PrayerINC
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong>CLICK <a href="http://nppnblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">>>></a></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em><strong><a href="http://nppnblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">. . .to Access THis Archive of Insights & Ideas for Prayer Impact On Your Community</a></strong></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8317573898,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8317573898,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8317573898?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></strong></p>
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Living in a Prayed-for Community
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/forum/topics1/4597820-Topic-116223
2015-11-09T06:28:12.000Z
2015-11-09T06:28:12.000Z
Phil Miglioratti
https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/PhilMiglioratti
<div><p><strong>LIVING IN A PRAYED FOR CITY </strong></p>
<p>Phil Miglioratti</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Paul urges us, first of all, to pray for all people. As we make our requests, we are to plead for God¹s mercy upon them and give thanks. We are to pray this way for Presidents and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives.² 1 Timothy 2:1-2</p>
<p><em><strong>What Would It Be Like To Live In A Prayed-For City?</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li>A town where every boy and girl are being prayed for by name.</li>
<li>A suburb where every household is assigned to someone for daily prayer.</li>
<li>A neighborhood whose streets have been prayerwalked.</li>
<li>A community where believers gather in homes to pray for their neighbors</li>
<li>A city of congregations who have caught the vision to pray for by name every man and woman, youth, and child...so that...they will be open to and interested in the good news of eternal life in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>What Would It Be Like To Live In A Prayed-For City?</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li>Would mayors and city councils be favorable to new church plants?</li>
<li>Would gangs begin to lose members to the church?</li>
<li>Would families begin to eat meals together?</li>
<li>Would school classrooms become places of respect and learning?</li>
<li>Would neighbors begin to communicate and help one another?</li>
<li>Would congregations change the spiritual atmosphere by serving the community?</li>
<li>Would children and youth look to the Church for entertainment and enlightenment?</li>
<li>Would the police be known as those who serve and protect all people?</li>
<li>Would Christians pray over people they meet on the streets, in stores, at school?</li>
<li>Would spiritual awakening be the lead story on the evening news?</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>What Would It Take To Live In A Prayed-For City?</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li>Pastors take the time to meet together with Jesus in a Pastors¹ Prayer Group</li>
<li>Hundreds of congregations commit to becoming Houses of Prayer</li>
<li>Prayer Coordinators in every church begin new prayer groups and ministries</li>
<li>Concerts of Prayer in every district bring several congregations together for prayer</li>
<li>Church Planters initiate many new and very different church starts</li>
<li>Intercessors pray every day for new churches to begin and to be blessed</li>
<li>Church members in every church are mobilized into Lighthouses of prayer</li>
<li>Pastors declare prayer as the basis of ministry, not an added or specialized ministry</li>
<li>Christian business persons meet in office buildings to pray for co-workers</li>
<li>Church leadership promotes workshops & seminars designed to equip pray-ers</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>What Would It Take For YOU To Live In A Prayed-For City?</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li>Are you serious when you pray "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven"-?</li>
<li>Are you sure ³God is able to do above and beyond anything you dare to ask² -?</li>
<li>Are you secretly content with the status quo of your life, your church, your impact?</li>
<li>Are you resistant to the challenge because you know it is life-threatening?</li>
<li>Are you even aware that you do not live in a prayed for city?</li>
<li>Are you even curious, to experience even one day in a prayed for city?</li>
<li>Are we, the alive-in-Christ, willing to die so the dead-in-their-sin may live?</li>
</ul>
<p><em>How will we ever pray for these millions upon millions of lost people?</em></p>
<p>I¹ll pray for my neighbors. You pray for yours. House by house. Name by name.</p>
<p>I¹ll ask those I serve to pray for their neighbors. You ask those in your church or class, group or ministry to pray for their¹s...</p>
<p>People with faces who live next door, across the alley, upstairs and down the street.</p>
<p><em>Lord, we ask for the joy of living in a prayed for city, so those who do not even know they need you, begin to search for the One who is their way to truth and life; Jesus.</em></p>
<p>===============================================================Copyright 1999, NPPN - Permission granted for duplication or distribution among facilitators and intercessors who are committed to gathering pastors for prayer.</p>
<p>This article will continue to be posted and distributed throughout the NPPN - with the ongoing addition of comments and questions from NPPN respondents. The NPPN produces and provides these articles to initiate a national conversation among pastors’ prayer leaders. Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization You are encouraged to contact the author or subsequent respondents directly.</p>
<p>These ongoing discussions are intended to inspire, instruct, and inform those who lead pastors’ prayer groups and facilitate pastors’ prayer networks. The NPPN reserves the right to edit articles and responses for purposes of length or tone. Our call to humility and our commitment to biblical unity will serve as our guide and our guard.</p>
<p>NPPN FORUM—Your comments, questions, observations are welcomed if they add to our understanding, are constructive rather than critical or judgmental -Do not return nor edit the text; just the title, followed by your comments -Include your name and ministry role - Email your comments to: <a href="mailto:praychgo@flash.net">phil@nppn.org</a></p></div>