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| Sharon Johnson MB Conference Staff Joined Feb 8, 2002 171 posts Location: Kitchener, ON |
 The Raft: April 2007 "Spiritual Formation" |
Posted Apr 25, 2007; 9:14 am |
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Resourcing Ministry Leaders
April 2007: Volume 34
Quiet Waters:
SIT STAY!
Walking along a trail this spring, I was startled out of my reverie by a loud shout, "SIT, STAY!" Instinctively responding, I laughed to realize that it was a dog, not me that was being ordered around.
What if we worked as hard as the dog's owner at training in godliness? When I'm tempted to eat that cookie, I am like a doting grandma, "Go ahead, it's just one". When I'm tempted to hold on to an offense- I think, "It's not that big a deal." I worry my prayers, but it seems like such a normal thing to do.
In Uprising, McManus prods, "We do what we do because we love it. We desire it. When we sin, it is for no more profound reason than we enjoy doing it."
Arun Ghandi recalls his grandfather, "He taught me to master myself. It took many months of practice. In time I saw that it set me free. I had been a helpless victim of my own passions. Now I was learning to be the master."
The glorious message of the cross is, "Sin's curse has lost its grip on me!"
If you hear me suddenly erupt with "SIT, STAY!" I just might be making every effort to be transformed.
Sharon
Benefits of a retreat
A spiritual retreat is like taking vitamins and minerals to keep the body healthy - preventing disease. Here are some benefits of planning a retreat in your annual schedule...
From Your Vantage Point:
52 Thrive
Pastor Brad Huebert, brad.huebert@dccnet.org, of Dalhousie Community Church is challenging the congregation to adopt 52Thrive as part of their daily lives:
Read More...
Central Journey
We talked to Dave Jackson about the way Central does spiritual formation. He shared some of the highlights, challenges and discoveries they have made since launching the Central Journey
Read More...
Renovare Groups
Mary Reimer, a pastor at FaithWorks shared the following insights into their Renovare Groups. "The need for spiritual mentors or directors is greater than our ability to provide them." Read more...
The Gear:
Resources for Your Ministry
Best Book
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith Luanne Wiens
Reading Velvet Elvis has changed me and my thinking. Rob Bell challenges us to "work out how to live as God created us to live" by "letting go of whatever has gotten in the way of Jesus". I appreciate the honesty and humility he writes with. As a high school teacher at Saskatoon Christian School, Velvet Elvis was a great resource for our daily devotions.
How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals about Personal Growth
Pastor Daniel Stobbe
How People Grow does not just offer easy answers, but challenges us to be responsible for our own actions. Cloud and Townsend highlight a favourite theme of mine- God's grace- as they cover tough issues. I felt that the title was accurate- I grew as I applied what I read.
Book of the Month
God is One and God is Fair
If you're looking for a good tour guide to help you read Paul "on his own terms" and be changed in the process, I strongly recommend this book. Pastor Dave Esau, Delta BC Order
 Close to Home: Pastoral Care Pamphlets
A new series designed to help Christian caregivers invite those who struggle with issues like addictions, mental disorders and abuse, to journey toward wholeness.
Listening to God: Spiritual Formation in the Congregation Ackerman
Check out the chart on p. 17: Three Contemporary Religious Styles. Questions such as "Who has responsibility for spiritual growth?" "Who is the authority?" and "How does spiritual formation take place?" are answered to reveal illuminating shifts in "Old Style" "Emerging New" and "New Age" ways of thinking. Order
Beloved Brad Huebert
Beloved is my best attempt at framing the story of the Bible in the form of a fairy tale - not because the Bible isn't true, but because fairy tales speak to us about our truest longings and desires.
Listen live - messages archive feb 13/07
"Spiritual Direction: It Intrigues Me" Blog by Sharon Simpson, Broadway Church
"Have you heard of spiritual direction? or a spiritual director? If not, it's simply because it isn't a very "evangelical" idea. It's only becoming more popular in evangelical circles as the bond of unity ..."
Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith Henri Nouwen
For Henri Nouwen, a spiritual director simply was someone who talks to you and prays with you about your life. Reading Spiritual Direction, gives us the unique and unrivaled experience of having Henri as our personal spiritual director. Order
Soul Guide: Following Jesus As Spiritual Director
Bruce Demarest
"Discover deeper intimacy with God as you learn how to let Jesus be your spiritual mentor." Order
Spiritual Gift Inventory
Online spiritual gift inventory, definitions, resources
Church Works Resources
Download Church Works workshop handouts for minute-taking, staff evaluations, and Power Point tips.
Abandon Committees, Skip Teams and Embrace Communities
by George Bullard
"It is a positive step that congregations are abandoning committees for teams, but what if congregations were to skip the team phase and embrace communities? ...Consider these seven differences between committees, teams, and communities ..."
Church Resource Library FactSheet
Audio-Visual Resource Libraries available for churches across Canada. A $$-saving idea!
Video Clips
Stop (1:16) A parody of the Mac-PC commercials. This video clip looks at the difference in being a Christian and being a Christ follower.
Amazing Grace Free movie clips from this highly acclaimed story of Wilberforce's life. What Would it Take to Change the World? - free discussion guide and movie clips for a 5 session series with youth-adult groups.
When God's People Pray NEW!
Small Group 6 Session DVD and Participant's Guide.
Discover the power of God to restore hope, ignite faith, work miracles, and change lives-through prayer. Featuring teachings by Jim Cymbala, author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and video interviews of ordinary people who have received extraordinary answers to their prayers. Order
Breathe
Nooma DVD and study guide "For thousands of years, people have understood that our physical breath is a picture of a deeper spiritual reality." Order
You NEW!
Nooma DVD and study guide "Have you ever put into words the implications that Jesus' resurrection has for you personally?" Order
New Resource!
The DGD Check-Up: Am I a Growing Disciple?
There's nothing like a check-up to help us feel good about our health and point out areas that need some attention. The Description of a Growing Disciple Check-Up is the latest in the line of DGD resources. In the company of a friend, mentor or small group, listen to what God is saying and see where He might be inviting you to grow.
Check out a sample page.
Two options for purchase:
1. A PDF file, with permission to print unlimited copies for local church use: $15 each
2. Full colour print copies: $4 each; 5 for $12; 25 for $55.
"Simple, direct, and very easy to understand. It left me feeling positive about myself and yet open to where I could improve." Winnie Bartel
From the DGD Study Guide: Quality #1
God is Closer Than You Think John Ortberg
DVD and guide
This 6 session study will guide participants to an intimate connection with a deeply personal God. Order
Trained by Jesus: Studies in the Book of Mark Steve Klassen
These 13 studies highlight how followers of Jesus are called, trained and transformed.
To Love With All Your Heart Fran Sciacca
This 12 session study will motivate participants to experience the ways salvation can be a day to day reality in their lives. Order
Intimacy: Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with God, NavPress
Through this 9 session study participants will find out what intimacy is, discover some of its boundaries, and be invited to establish a closer relationship with Almighty God. Order
Parenting
10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids
by Grace Fox
Use these short but jam-packed chapters as devotions that you can share with your kids. Each chapter contains a scripture verse, a story with application, a prayer and discussion starter and a memory verse. The treasure-chest theme keeps it interesting and fun.
Grace Based Parenting
by Tim Kimmel
"Kimmel recommends creating a grace-based home environment that allows children to meet their full potential, to parent children in the same way God parents us."
Raising Great Kids: Parenting with Grace and Truth
By Cloud and Townsend
Cloud and Townsend help you provide both the care and acceptance that make grace real to your kids, and the firmness and discipline that give direction.
Six sessions for parents of pre-schoolers. Includes leader's guide, participant's guide, text, video.
Life Steps Family Plan
How can parents nurture their child's faith? This small group resource will help parents learn together, support each other, and grow as disciples in order to help their children become devoted followers of Jesus. Includes eight lessons, beginning and ending with a party!
Order
Fear Factor: Protecting Your Kids in a TV Culture, Dave Currie
"Neither is it likely that we are going to see an improvement in the kind of content that is being provided. If human history tells us anything, it's that these things generally continue in a downward spiral. TV and movie producers are driven to provide what sells, and unfortunately what sells is sex, violence and profanity..."
Marriage Uncensored
A weekly television show featuring Dave Currie.
Find your local listing, watch new shows and access previous seasons online.
Parenting Panic: Facing the Fears of Raising 21st Century Children
My Kids are Driving Me Crazy: Tips for Raising the 2-5 Year Old
Internet and Kids: The New Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Around the Bend:Upcoming Events
FamilyLife Canada Conferences
Celebrate Missions Nights
April 29, 2007 - Willow Park MB, Kelowna BC
NextLEVEL Leadership
Pastor’s Credentialing and Orientation
May 13-16, 2007
Canadian Mennonite University
Winnipeg, MB
Celebration 2007
Small Groups Network Symposium
May 29, 2007
Kitchener, ON
Activate Church Conference
June 1-2, 2007 - Scarborough, ON
Willow Creek Arts Conference
With Donald Miller, Erwin McManus and David Crowder
June 13-15, 2007
Willow Creek Church, Barrington, Illinois
The Marriage Conference
June 21, 2007 - Vancouver BC
June 23, 2007 - Ottawa ON
theseventhfactor
October 24-25, 2007 - Gulelph, ON
Leading Women 2008
Save the Date!
February 28- March 1, 2008
Toronto, ON
Gathering 2008
Save the Date!
July 10-12, 2008
Montreal, QC
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