WOW what a four days !
I went to Connections not quite sure what I was going to receive from this event and came away with my spirit uplifted, an acute awareness of Gods call on my life, a knowledge of the unbelievable support we have and a confirmation that the future is on the up for The Salvation Army.
You felt the moving of the Holy Spirit throughout this whole event. The Officers Councils were just breathtaking as for the first time I got to share with over 600 other officers and give worship to OUR GOD ! we prayed, we learnt, we shed tears, but most importantly we recommitted our lives to the Kingdom Of God and His people. This was all the more special for me as I sat with Mum Lamotte and Mum and Dad Grigsbey. How I would have loved to have been able to share an occasion like this with my father.
The Electives on the Friday and Saturday were full of information and great times of uniting people with similar callings and questions and allowing them to discuss these in an inviting environment. As for the worship on Friday Night I only need to say one thing WOW ! To see God moving in the lives of so many people was just awesome. As always the Commissioning and Ordination was a very moving and touching ceremony and we should be supporting all the new Captains in prayer.
The best times though for me where not found in any of the above (as much as I loved them) the best for me was getting the opportunity to catch up with friends,colleagues,and co-workers and find out how they are doing, what their needs are, what they long for and importantly to remind me of how many wonderful Christian people are regularly praying for us and our ministry at Warrnambool. I just pray now that as we put what we learnt into practise that we will not forget the Connections that we made over this amazing Weekend, and the God who made this all possible !.
Monday 26 November 2007
Monday 19 November 2007
Hospitality
Hospitality is an ancient virtue; an expression of love involving an attitude of openness to others, a sharing of food, of home, of self - and being gracious in allowing others to share things with us.
Hospitality doesn't require a lot of money, a big house, perfect health, or even unlimited time. It does require consideration for others.
Hospitality is as close as a smile and as accepting as an embrace. It is sharing: a moment of time, a cup of tea - or a complete meal, a friendly smile, a hug or handshake, a place to rest, a welcoming word, an idea, a conversation.
Hospitality has a ripple effect. When we're hospitable… we build homes where children grow in self-confidence and learn to accept others, because they themselves feel welcome and accepted; we establish neighbourhoods where lives are enriched because people care for one another; we begin to create a world where individuals see others as brothers and sisters and not as strangers and adversaries.
To practice hospitality is to recognise that our possessions are gifts from God, meant to be shared. To practice hospitality is to do what God asks of us.
Hospitality doesn't require a lot of money, a big house, perfect health, or even unlimited time. It does require consideration for others.
Hospitality is as close as a smile and as accepting as an embrace. It is sharing: a moment of time, a cup of tea - or a complete meal, a friendly smile, a hug or handshake, a place to rest, a welcoming word, an idea, a conversation.
Hospitality has a ripple effect. When we're hospitable… we build homes where children grow in self-confidence and learn to accept others, because they themselves feel welcome and accepted; we establish neighbourhoods where lives are enriched because people care for one another; we begin to create a world where individuals see others as brothers and sisters and not as strangers and adversaries.
To practice hospitality is to recognise that our possessions are gifts from God, meant to be shared. To practice hospitality is to do what God asks of us.
Sunday 11 November 2007
Women in ministry.
I apologise that it has been so long since my last post, things are going really well and we are loving where God has placed us. I have been thinking over the last couple of weeks about the following topic and believe it is something we need to continually address.
In The Salvation Army we are committed to releasing every person into ministry. We truly believe that every Christ-follower is 'saved' (not just to go to heaven!) AND 'called' (to a special purpose here on earth - see 2 Tim.1:9). We believe that all ministry should be based on 'godliness and giftedness, not gender'.
Unfortunately, many churches restrict or limit women from ministry, and especially from leadership. I believe this is because of a misunderstanding of what the Bible says about women. As with any issue, we need to go back to the beginning - to God's original intentions. Before the Fall, men and women were both created in the image of God and they were both given the dominion and the reproduction mandate. They were called as 'partners' in life and ministry (see Gen.1:26-31). Only after sin entered was there hierarchy and a loss of the partnership model between men and women (see Gen.3:16).
Jesus came to bring us back to God's original intention - partnership. Paul tells us that in Christ there is 'neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ' (Gal.3:28). He is not saying that these distinctions cease to exist (racial, socio-economic and gender differences) but that they should now no longer be a cause for prejudice or discrimination.
Jesus and Paul valued women and released them into ministry. The Holy Spirit was poured out on men and women, and both prophesied (Acts 2). Spiritual gifts are given to men and women, and both will be held accountable for their use (1 Cor.12,14).
Yes, there are a number of places in the New Testament writings that seem to limit the activity of women in the church, but these are always in dysfunctional environments (e.g. at Corinth and in Ephesus, where there was false teaching spreading amongst the women). In healthy environments, women were encouraged to minister and were also involved in significant leadership roles, including leading entire house churches.
It has been terrific to see the focus on racial reconciliation in the broader church world of late. People today would never think of withholding ministry from someone based on their race. I believe we also need to see reconciliation and release of women into the full rights and opportunities of ministry and leadership within the church. It is part of God's plan and I believe it is a key to the church being all that God has called it to be in our generation.
Men, I believe it's up to us to create an environment where women feel valued, appreciated and empowered. The Salvation Army is better off because of the contribution made by so many wonderful women. Let's not forget to Praise God for these women, and to empower the next generation to continue that great work.
In The Salvation Army we are committed to releasing every person into ministry. We truly believe that every Christ-follower is 'saved' (not just to go to heaven!) AND 'called' (to a special purpose here on earth - see 2 Tim.1:9). We believe that all ministry should be based on 'godliness and giftedness, not gender'.
Unfortunately, many churches restrict or limit women from ministry, and especially from leadership. I believe this is because of a misunderstanding of what the Bible says about women. As with any issue, we need to go back to the beginning - to God's original intentions. Before the Fall, men and women were both created in the image of God and they were both given the dominion and the reproduction mandate. They were called as 'partners' in life and ministry (see Gen.1:26-31). Only after sin entered was there hierarchy and a loss of the partnership model between men and women (see Gen.3:16).
Jesus came to bring us back to God's original intention - partnership. Paul tells us that in Christ there is 'neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ' (Gal.3:28). He is not saying that these distinctions cease to exist (racial, socio-economic and gender differences) but that they should now no longer be a cause for prejudice or discrimination.
Jesus and Paul valued women and released them into ministry. The Holy Spirit was poured out on men and women, and both prophesied (Acts 2). Spiritual gifts are given to men and women, and both will be held accountable for their use (1 Cor.12,14).
Yes, there are a number of places in the New Testament writings that seem to limit the activity of women in the church, but these are always in dysfunctional environments (e.g. at Corinth and in Ephesus, where there was false teaching spreading amongst the women). In healthy environments, women were encouraged to minister and were also involved in significant leadership roles, including leading entire house churches.
It has been terrific to see the focus on racial reconciliation in the broader church world of late. People today would never think of withholding ministry from someone based on their race. I believe we also need to see reconciliation and release of women into the full rights and opportunities of ministry and leadership within the church. It is part of God's plan and I believe it is a key to the church being all that God has called it to be in our generation.
Men, I believe it's up to us to create an environment where women feel valued, appreciated and empowered. The Salvation Army is better off because of the contribution made by so many wonderful women. Let's not forget to Praise God for these women, and to empower the next generation to continue that great work.
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