contact & conflict

In cultural engagement there's a point of contact & a point of conflict. That's the sharp end of the gospel and where repentance is focused. — Steve Timmis

how to NOT be missional

Individuals are consistently converted to communities before they are converted to doctrines. — Jonathan Dodson, How to NOT be Missional Series at Resurgence

This is a small slice of Dodson's insights on missional living. Here's his premise:

The missional church movement has been good and bad. On a positive note, let’s focus on the bad. Over the next few posts, I want to suggest three ways to not be a missional church. We’ll organize these reflections under three headings:

1. Event-Driven Mission
2. Evangelism-Driven Mission
3. Social Action-Driven Mission

Mexico Trip

I would really appreciate your prayers for my upcoming Mexico Trip. I'm personally apprehensive, and know I need a good amount of prayer.

I want to keep you in the loop on our trip to Mexico. Please follow our progress and prayer updates online at www.twitter.com/cbcthrive.

Here are our daily prayer points:

Sunday, April 12: We left this morning at 6am. It’s a 10 hour car ride. Pray for unity, strength, and safety.

Monday, April 13: Our first day of ministry (VBS and Women). Pray for developing relationship with new pastor and church.

Tuesday, April 14: Pray for growing number of children to share God’s love with. Endurance for team after two nights in tents.

Wednesday, April 15: Tonight is the big night. We put on a whole adult service. David M is preaching. Kristina and Hannah lead music.

Thursday, April 16: Pray spiritual protection over our words, attitudes, and relationships. It has been a long week.

Friday, April 17: Last day of ministry. Pray for children and their decisions to follow Christ. Courage for us as we say goodbye.

Saturday, April 18: The long ride home. Pray the Enemy does not get the better of us in the car or when we return to our families.

MEXICO MEMORY NIGHT
I hope you’ll join us May 10 from 7-8:30pm at CBC in the HS Room for dessert so we can celebrate and share all that God has done on the trip. You can RSVP on Facebook.

lausanne covenant

I was intrigued to come across the Lausanne Covenant which is a globally created and multi-denominationally created statement for theological common for unity in mission. Just started breezing through it, but really appreciated the closing statement:

Therefore, in the light of this our faith and our resolve, we enter into a solemn covenant with God and with each other, to pray, to plan and to work together for the evangelization of the whole world. We call upon others to join us. May God help us by his grace and for his glory to be faithful to this our covenant! Amen, Alleluia!

A beautiful picture.

I am beginning to read it more carefully and see whether it can be as unifying as the dream above.