The House Church – 15 Thesis May 31, 2008
Posted by Greg Troxell in Church and Non-Profit, Worldwide Interfaith Association.Tags: 15 thesis, biblical church, bodylife, church, emergent, emergent culture, holistic, house church, incarnational, incarnational ministry, institutional church, missional, organic church, primitive church, reformation, relational church, religious freedom, seperation of church and state, simple church, western church, Wolfgang Simson, worship
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15 Theses, by Wolfgang Simson
The following series of blog entries will follow the 15 thesis of the house church movement as presented originally by Wolfgang Simson (http://housechurch.org/basics/simson_15.html)
God is changing the Church, and that, in turn, will change the world.
Millions of Christians around the world are aware of an imminent reformation
of global proportions. They say, in effect: “Church as we know it is
preventing Church as God wants it.” A growing number of them
are surprisingly hearing God say the very same things.
There is a collective new awareness of age-old revelations,
a corporate spiritual echo. In the following “15 Theses” I will summarize
a part of this, and I am convinced that it reflects a part of
what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church today.
For some, it might be the proverbial fist-sized cloud on Elijah’s sky.
Others already feel the pouring rain.
It does seem as though the church is going through all kinds of changes. One should wonder what the future of the ‘institutional church’ (IC) might be. Nothing less should occur than every devoted believer ought to consider to what or WHOM they have been called.
Having served as a staff leader in the IC for well over 10 years, I have drawn a salary, I have been privileged to be present with hundreds of individuals who came to believe in Jesus, and together with staff and laity we have worked diligently to disciple, and explore our faith and the meaning of the Scriptures.
Still, today I am certain that there are many a folk who will not enter a church door. Some because they have no contact and relationship that would draw them to enter into a covenant with these church folk, other because they are hopeful for an experience that is more holistic, comprehensive and inclusive – a faith community with less hierarchy and structure.
What is it you year for in your church experience. Are you ready to take responsibility for it. Join in this threat as we explore the 15 thesis of Wolfgang Simson concerning the House Church.
STIR up you faith May 29, 2008
Posted by Greg Troxell in Church and Non-Profit, Worldwide Interfaith Association.Tags: 2 Timothy 1:6, Acts 2:42, catalytic, catalytic church planter, emergent, emergent culture, Emerging church movement, incarnational ministry, missional, missional community, unreached people groups
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Today the church is struggling to revision itself. The emergent culture is almost rejecting the existing models of church life wholesale. Interestingly, when using google you will find more than 60,000 websites that contain “Emerging church movement”. Christians are searching for the answers, trying to redefine and shape how we live as people of “the way” in this present culture.
In the second chapter of Acts we read that the people of “the way” “…met together in homes and devoted themselves to to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” Acts 2:42
As I was growing up, my mother and father took our large family camping every summer – for two weeks! Those trips are among many of my most cherished memories. One experience that is a highlight of most every young boy is that of building, starting and fueling a fire. Of course popcorn, bread rolls or smores were a welcome addition to any evening fire.
The experience often followed this patern… Shortly after arriving at the desired camp site, mom would deploy each of the kids to perform our various duties which were a joyous relief from the usual chores back home. As a young boy I was assigned the detail of collecting kindling. Later when I had enough mussle to swing and axe and hatchet, I would be allowed to join my father to retrieve the logs and then size them appropriately for the fire pit in the rustic campsites my mother favored – the kind with pit toilets! LOL. Finally, with the collection of kindling, trash left behind by the previous campers, and a various sized logs we were ready and allowed to set and start the fire. Let the fun begin!
There is a similar analogy with the emergent church. Start by collecting up the usable assets left behind by others; then collect enough young wood – enough of the kind that will ignite and engulf the logs that are much older and more resistant to fire. Finally, add three or four of of he seasoned logs preferrably these will be split in half or thirds so that the core is exposed – this will help the log catch fire. Finally, when the flame is high, carefully add two unsplit logs – these will burn slow and be the source of heat all night long as they form a fabulous bed of coals that will give you the ability to maintain a roaring bonfire or roast the best golden yellow marshmallows you’ve ever tasted.
STIR up your FAITH
S – Service – Make radical act of generosity and when they ask why, tell
T – Train yourself – Take steps to learn the skills needed to share the Gospel without church programs.
I – Intimate Relationships – form a small group or covenant community that is devoted prayer, mutual encouragement, and exploration of the Gospel
R – Read the words of Jesus and let them sink in, let them take root in your heart and mind and be expressed in your interaction with others
The apostle Paul, educate and certified as such by the Sanhedrin, gave thought to this simple fire-building analogy. He used it to remind Timothy about the power of God’s Holy Spirit when he wrote, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6
The Greek word for “stir”, is anazopureo. It means ‘to kindle afresh’ or ‘keep in full flame’. Paul meant to encourage Timothy not to let the fire in him to dwindle or ie down due to neglect – a lack of fuel.
The fire of our souls needs fresh fuel, the Word of God, and oxygen – obtained by incarnational ministry, missional purpose, and fresh air evangelism and ministry.
So what is it we emergents need to consider when reading this passage? How shall we “stir up” our faith? It may be like me and my daughter that you can take a meditative thirty-minute walk through the woods and mend your souls frayed ends while you commune with God (hey, it was the original model of worship) or you may need to crank up the stereo, jump in the shower or pull out you guitar so that you can sing out to God from the depths of your soul; and perhaps you need to get out and mingle, get some fresh air through the work of incarnational ministry or snuggle up to a Christian sage to gain some sustenance through their wisdom and understanding of the character of God. – No matter how, find the time to “stir up” your faith.
Not sure you’re an Emergent Christian… Gibbs & Bolger have identified a number of core based values in the international emerging church drawing on narrative action research. Emergents are those who:
1. Take the life of Jesus as a model to live (life as spiritual journey). 2. Transform the secular realm. 3. Live highly communal lives. 4. Welcome those who are outsiders. 5. Share Generously. 6. Participate. 7. Create. 8. Lead without control (unity in diversity). 9. And function together in spiritual activities.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church
See Also: If Your House Was The House of God, by Keith Giles at http://www.seedstories.com/articles/article.cfm?id=97
For a regional model of the “emegent movement” see: http://emergingchurchnetwork.com/about/
WIBO – a catalytic event for Church Planters May 24, 2008
Posted by Greg Troxell in Church and Non-Profit, Worldwide Interfaith Association.Tags: behavioral style, Ben Arment, calling, catalytic, church, church planters, DiSC, Dr. Mels Carbonell, dream, energize, gifts, HD Video, IVS, Logos Management Software, online training, Planters, product marketing, Splashpipe, the whiteboard sessions, Uniquely You, Video distribution, whiteboard, whiteboarddvd.com, WIBO
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Amidst a very diverse crowd, well over 800 individuals gathered in Reston, Va Thursday to explore the concept of church planting. Some were seasoned veterans from church planting churches, others from companies and organizations. However it seemed to me that the vast majority were newbies to church planting who wanted to gather to glean wisdom and morsels that they could then share with their core teams and friends who have committed themselves to the monumental task of leading a movement in their community.
The Whiteboard Sessions, or WIBO as it was called, was the idea of Ben Arment a former church planter in Northern Virginia. If you missed the event but want to learn more you can order a DVD (http://www.whiteboarddvd.com/).
My excuse for attending the event was to representative Logos Management Software (www.logoscms.com), Uniquely You (www.uniquelyyou.net) and IVS (www.splashpipe.com). THE REAL REASON I wanted to be there was because I have a sense, that somewhere down the road, God is going to give me the opportunity to help plant over 100 churches. That’s the dream. When and how have yet to be revealed. Like King David, I sense that it will not be by my hand. Just the same, I would delight to be remotely connected or integrally supportive of the endeavor.
What do these three companies have in common? My next few post will explain. Join me the next few days to explore your dream and feel free to submit your comments or begin a chat using the tool in the sidebar.
What is the dream that energizes you?
The Emergent Church May 13, 2008
Posted by Greg Troxell in Church and Non-Profit, Worldwide Interfaith Association.Tags: church planters, Corporation Sole, Emergent Church, emergent culture, emergents, non-profit, sojourners, starting a church, Worldwide Interfaith Association
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Church planting, church renewal, mega churches, evangelical and traditional churches - they all have they’re place. That being said it is a simple reality to be reckoned with the today that there are millions of people who do not appreciate what these organizations and denominational leaders offer. These unreached peoples are the emergents. What then might be done to enfold these folks and continue in the world of Christ, to make disciples and baptise both near and far?
Organized Churches
These institutions are vitally important and they exist as collective organizations and organisms among believers – the Church of God. They each have ministry plans, that will rally funds to fulfill the vision of those in leadership. They all aim to leverage the leadership or core group to reach out and draw in supporters and collaborators. Most have one or more worship services and offer many valuable ministries that meet real needs of people near and far.
The aim of this entry is not to denounce, discourage or discredit these marvelous instruments of God. It is to help us all explore what the Emergent Church might become and how this Church is moving throughout the world in partnership with the purposes of God.
The Emergent Church
Most often these believers aren’t members of a specific church, rather emergents are people of the Way, people on a journey, whose souls savor the grace of God, whose hearts are drawn to worship God in various ways, whose beliefs vary and dedication to God is resolute. Together with the organized churches emergents recognize that Christ called us to be the Church.
Like the gathers around Jesus and the church begun during the first century, the Emergent Church may not have a regular place of worship, buildings, altar guild or parsonage. The Emergent Church is people. These people gather publically, privately and virtually to pray for and support other sojourners, while they explore together the significant events of life in this century and how the Church can respond to the ongoing needs of humanity, creation and the will of God.
You are invited to help and join in this journey. Please feel free to share your thoughts, your actions and aspirations as to how this webspace might be the expression of emergents around the world.
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The Worldwide Interfaith Association provides valuable resources and strategies to help these institutions plant and strengthen various churches; it serves as an association of believers, who being the Church, exist to share God’s light, grace and Truth throughout the world. WIA is a non-profit, unincorporated religious association.
Emergents Weblog May 11, 2008
Posted by Greg Troxell in Overview.Tags: change, church, covenant, covenant community, emergent, faith, leadership, liminals, Technology
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Emergents Weblob is a space devoted for dialog and exploration and the convergence of covenant communities, technology, personal faith, global responsibility, and leadership.
Like the countless brilliant stars that come into view only for some, we begin this weblog recognizing that our words may not be seen. Just the same our thoughts and souls exist and they do have effect on the world.
In recent spiritual literature author Alan Roxburgh writes about Emergents and Liminals. The two are not in opposition to one another, indeed they seem to be searching for the same meaning – only they are destined to approach this space from various origins. Perhaps that is true more often than not. Behavioral psychologists have shown us how very differently people behave and how when they come together a corporate culture is formed, a child is given a home, a creative energy is released. This creative energy will generate something new and unique, something with a destiny of its own. Like star charts, our journeys help us make sense of the environment in which we live. We map our experiences, we listen intently to learn from others, and we press forward to explore – as it is in the fabric of the human consciousness to discover, enjoy, master, and enhance.
Emergent: in the process of coming into being.
The term stems from the Latin verb ‘emergere’
meaning – ‘arising from’.
It is our hope that in this space we will explore the potential of our emerging selves, emerging technology, our faith that is emerging, and the response-ability that covenant communities (business and faith-based alike) may embrace with determination and express with conscientious leadership.
