The Grace Discipleship Group

Monday, Sept. 10, 2007

Good morning, saints,

I trust that this past Sunday’s message in Luke 15 has given you something to meditate upon this week. I realize more and more that there is never a time for coasting in the Christian life. The Spirit is ever at work – revealing things about myself that leads to repentance and humility; and then to lift my head to reveal Christ in all His splendor, perfection, and glory. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Since I am at school in Leask in the afternoons, it is much more difficult to get a hold of me during the week. I can be reached via “skype” most afternoons, if you would like to touch base. (Wednesdays I have discipleship with Geoff Volker and Sammy, but should be free most other days). My skype name (i.e. secret identity ) is … no not Peter Parker …. No, not Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne …. Pilgrimmur.

If you do not have skype on your computer yet, you can ask me or someone who has it, and we can help get you set up. You will need high speed internet to run the program.

At Thursday’s house group gathering at our apartment (7:30 p.m.), we will continue to discuss the applications of what God has revealed to us in the parable of the two sons. You can also bring any other questions or encouragements from your Bible reading this past week. Once September comes to an end, we will look at possibly moving the house group to Wednesday evenings.

During the “off weeks” when there is no house group, it is my hope and desire that you are reaching out to others and building relationships that hopefully will lead to others being added to our small church family. We do not just want sinners saved, but also brought into Christ’s mission for His church (those HE has saved). However, I do know that you will have to purpose and plan for this to occur, or the enemy will make sure it doesn’t happen.

Some of you still haven’t sent me your answer to the question I asked last week. In fact, only one of you wrote back! If we want to grow as a church, it is important to have you participate and be actively involved in the mission our Lord has given us corporately. In fact, this should be high priority in our lives – everything else is temporary and passing away. Please take a moment to ponder the questions and send me back a quick reply. This will help me immensely as I prepare the teachings each week and seek to lead us into the truth of Christ for His church. This will help you immensely, as I can focus the teaching on the doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness that best suits where we are at.

I am also looking for people to serve Christ as disciplers and Bible study leaders. I will set up a time to meet with this group for equipping (likely a Sunday evening or late afternoon). I would love to see our evening of theology continue – but in a shotgun format where I teach and prepare some of you to do the teaching to others (one on one or small group).

Evangelism –

As we look to have a new beginning for Grace Fellowship in Saskatoon, it would be good to meditate upon what that means for each and every one of us. It is crucial that we move in our thinking from “comers” to “gatherers” who reach out. We want an atmosphere of expectation that every member will always have 2-4 people in the “incubator” – in which relationships with people are being developed and they are prayed for, given literature, brought to church events etc. We want to share stories and encourage one another to a missional mindset. (House group is designed for that purpose).

Church gatherings –

Tim Keller gives some elements of a missional church that would be wise for us to consider.

• In ‘Christendom’ there can be a whole new language. Biblical technical terms are well-known by some of us. In a missional church, however, terms must be explained. We do not want to lose the seekers and young believers by communicating to only those who have been in and around the church for years.
• The missional church avoids ‘tribal’ language, stylized prayer language, unnecessary evangelical pious ‘jargon’, and archaic language that seeks to set a ’spritual tone.’
• The missional church avoids ‘we-them’ language, disdainful jokes that mock people of different politics and beliefs, and dismissive, disrespectful comments about those who differ with us
• The missional church avoids sentimental, pompous, ‘inspirational’ talk . Instead we engage the culture with gentle, self-deprecating but joyful irony the gospel creates. Humility + joy = gospel irony and realism.
• The missional church avoids ever talking as if non-believing people are not present. If you speak and discourse as if your whole neighborhood is present (not just scattered Christians), eventually more and more of your neighborhood may find their way in or be invited to some events.
• Unless all of the above is the outflow of a truly humble-bold gospel-changed heart, it is all just ‘marketing’ and ’spin.’

Tim Keller says, “This goes beyond any ‘program.’ These are elements that have to be present in every area of the church. So, for example, what makes a small group ‘missional’? A ‘missional’ small group is not necessarily one which is doing some kind of specific ‘evangelism’ program (though that can be valuable) Rather, 1) if its members love and talk positively about the city/neighborhood, 2) if they speak in language that is not filled with pious tribal or technical terms and phrases, nor disdainful and embattled language, 3) if in their Bible study they apply the gospel to the core concerns and stories of the people of the culture, 4) if they are obviously interested in and engaged with the literature and art and thought of the surrounding culture and can discuss it both appreciatively and yet critically, 5) if they exhibit deep concern for the poor and generosity with their money and purity and respect with regard to opposite sex, and show humility toward people of other races and cultures, 6) they do not bash other Christians and churches–then seekers and non-believing people from the city will be invited and may come and stay as they explore spiritual issues. If these marks are not there it will only be able to include believers or traditional, “Christianized” people.”

Thanks, Tim Keller, you’ve given us something to think about as we consider advancing the kingdom in Saskatoon and beyond!

Prayer –

For those in one and one discipleship relationships this year. May we grow to more accurately reflect the image of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. May we shed the grave clothes of the elder brother to show forth the robes of the Elder Brother!

Continue to pray for Allison as she settles into campus life. May the Lord use this year as a time of great growth for her.

Pray for Sammy. His schedule is full. He is on the basketball team; taking Greek, along with a full load of classes; training with me and trying to set up a regular Bible study that will mean much study, preparation, and prayer.

I believe Kendall has her final day of work on Wednesday. That means the baby is one step closer. Remember the Manz family as they prepare for a 50% increase to the family population (unless of course it is twins).

Pray for Dave who is in Chicago today, returning tomorrow (Tuesday) and then off again with Julie for her parent’s anniversary. I know they desire to be a witness for our Lord in both places.

Speaking of being a witness, Mark Cortens would likely appreciate your prayers as well. In Brandon, he will have an unsaved guy for a room mate. Like Joseph, may Mark’s life reflect great faith in Christ and may his kindness and service and life not go unnoticed by his room mate.

Anyone who saw Ken walk (if we can call it that) this past Sunday, will remember to pray for him. For those who didn’t please remember to pray for Ken’s back and that he would use the time he has away from work to delight Himself in the Lord.

Michele seems to be eating (that’s a relative term … more like drinking) a lot of soup and broth. Pray for all the dental work she is going through. May she rise above the pain to find joy in One above who ever intercedes for her.

May the Lord continue to grant Mike and Amy joy and a God-glorifying witness in their new home and new positions. May they find the Sunday drive a joy and not a burden as they continue to gather with us. Don’t forget them during the week – we have phones and e-mail etc.

Pray for the knowledge and exaltation of Jesus as we continue to serve and love others in our social circles with a desire that they come to know the God who gives them every beat of their heart in truth.

Praise from me to the Lord. Julie has offered to put together a prayer list for us. Please pass on prayer requests and praises to her. Julie, if you send them to me on Monday morning (or Sunday night) I will cut and paste them into the bottom of my mmmmm… musings as well.

Jesus, build your church in Saskatoon for the glory of our heavenly Father.

Much love in, and dependence upon, the Savior,

Murray

Trackback This Post | Subscribe to the comments through RSS Feed