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The Newsletter of the Praxis Center for Church Development |
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Greetings, Welcome again to the News of the Revolution! In this months issue we have two articles - one from Mike and the other from Tom. Sit back, relax and take a read - and then tell us what you think and blog on the articles! We also have some great training events upcoming this fall - and as always, Join the Revolution!  Tom Johnston & Mike Perkinson
by Mike Perkinson So much emphasis has been placed in our evangelical culture on witnessing. On one hand, we wholeheartedly endorse it. While on the other hand, we are not sure that trying to get people saved is the same as living out the incarnation. More simply, living out how Jesus has impacted our lives – living and sharing the Jesus we know. What seems to happen is that we find it necessary to share about a Jesus we don’t know, memorizing facts, details, all in the pursuit of leading someone to Christ. As a result, we may share about a good and right Jesus, but it is a Jesus we do not know. For example, as a pastor I might be tempted to share the Jesus that Rick Warren or a Bill Hybels know. It is a correct Jesus but one that I have not experienced. As a result, I try to copy their systems and models that are predicated on the Jesus they know. The focus of such a practice leads us away from incarnating Jesus in our everyday lives. Instead, we share from knowledge rather than from a heart that has been transformed.
by Tom Johnston So, what is a pastor, anyway? There are a number of different definitions, most of which are cultural, some of which are biblical. The term pastor is found only once in the English text, In Ephesians 4:11, "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." The Greek here, poimen (poy-mane’), means shepherd, one who watches out for (oversees) and cares for the flock. Paul seems to link it here with teacher. Now, much has been written on the subject lately, so I don’t really want to try to create a whole theology or philosophy of pastoral ministry here. But I do wonder how what we have as a pastoral role in the Western Church might be going through some serious changes.
The latest training resource for church planters. The combined church planting experience of the authors Robert Logan & Neil Cole and contributing authors Mike Perkinson & Tom Johnston - spans more than seven decades and has catalyzed the planting of thousands of new churches worldwide. This resource kit includes a three-ring binder notebook, audio CD's and the author’s PowerPoint presentation on CD.
The only limitation on the harvest is laborers (Luke 10:2). Start making leaders from the harvest for the harvest. Journey provides both content and context for pastors who want to develop leaders in their local church. This event will help you develop a leadership training track that fits both your gifting and your church environment. Manchester, NH - September 30th
An effective small group ministry is essential to the health and growth of any church. Discipleship, interpersonal ministry, evangelism and relationship building all happen best in the context of a smaller group setting than a Sunday morning church service. Jesus knew this—and that is why most of his time was spent focusing on twelve men who would, in turn, change the world. Join us for a training in Manchester, NH - October 28
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