Green is for Growth

Today we changed all the hangings in our simple worship space in the back room of Riverside Assembly of God to "Green".  Thanks to the handy work of Judy Self we added to the hangings this year which helps make a stark room warm.  This long Pentecost Season needs to be one of growth. Green is the color of growth.   God is moving and leading us to new people.  We are praying that we will see some come along side us and we them for more than just a visit or a short period of ministry.  "Lord, please grow your church!"

I am seeing growth.  Karen just returned from a short term mission trip to Jaurez.  She shared today how God used her in unexpected ways.  She thought she would spend most of her time "painting or light construction", but she was asked to help teach dozen of women sowing skills on donated machines.  She was blessed more than words could express.  The picture is the fruit of one of her days of labor.  Don't focus on the "pillow cases" but the smiles on the women's faces.  She said the team even had a chance to share the gospel and see several of the ladies asking Jesus into their hearts.   They were growing but so was Karen and the short term mission team.  "Lord, please help us serve so your church can grow."


Nick and I had a chance to help out the Anglican ministry in Holland, Michigan one day last week with a rehab project in a older area of the town.  They are working on starting a faith community, by living in a neighborhood and contributing to neighborhood revitalization projects like renovations, community gardens, and simple worship and study gatherings. As we serve we grow.  As we grow we encourage those around us to grow as well.   We helped install a ledger board for a new deck as a second crew was preparing to side the house.  It is looking really good.  "Lord, help us serve others with words and deeds as we grow and others may want to grow too."

We like to celebrate at New Wine.  No better reason for a party but to celebrate with June Olson and her family a very significant birthday milestone.  Good food,  good drink and sitting out on the front porch of a grand old home in Owosso (June's niece's home) made for a great afternoon together.  We have found that times of fellowship and food, lend themselves to conversations a about life and loves.  For Jesus people,  we often talk about faith.  So we have had a good start to the summer celebration season. "Lord, help our conversations and celebration focus more on You and less on us.  Help us grow relationally."

As we try to grow in our faith we are asking the Lord to bring into our circle people who want to walk with us.  At the same time we have come to understand that more and more we need to go out looking for ways to meet people in their circle of friends and family.   Let the celebration begin that the Kingdom may grow!  Green is for growth.

March For Marriage

Today, many will gather in Washington for the “March for Marriage” in support of upholding a traditional definition of marriage in our legal system.  For those who understand that homosexual, bisexual and transexual behavior is morally wrong, it is offensive to redefine “marriage” to mean anything other than a legal commitment between a man and a woman.  We believe it threatens a divinely inspired social order that is best for  stable homes and healthy human relationships that inspires commitment, bodily health, and emotional stability of the family and society.  

In a post-Christian pluralistic culture, does there need to be some legal protection for those who embrace a different view?  Perhaps our legislature needs to compromise with the establishment of “Civil Unions” but in doing so we recognize that we then lessen moral standards of our country and may inadvertently  be promoting moral confusion.  We have already lessoned our standards in other areas such are the sanctity of human life, pornography, gambling, etc.  “Civil Unions” would at least maintain the distinction between a traditional understanding of marriage and a new liberal definition being pushed through our government at this time.

Pray for our legislators.  Pray for a spiritual awakening and moral revival that would reestablish Christian moral values to our nation.   Pray for people that they may find health and salvation in the ways of the Lord and not be deceived by the liberal ways of the world.   

Listening Day Summary - June 2014

New Wine Listening Day

June 14, 2014

Unlike previous Listening Days this one was not a stand alone event.  It was the culmination of two weeks of Prayer and Fasting.  We had been praying about the future of New Wine and for revival in our church, community and the wider Anglican work in Michigan and the USA.

After Morning Prayer, we spent a little over an hour in quiet and listening prayer.  We then gathered and shared what we felt the Lord was saying to us individually and to us as a church.  Here is a summary of some of what was said.

AFFIRMATION OF COMMUNITY

Zephaniah 3:17   “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  

Like a beautiful bouquet of fresh picked daisies, the Lord has draw us together and delights over us.  A visiter to our fellowship recently described us as “Concentrated Preciousness.”   Sometimes when you are in the midst of it you cannot see it.    It seems the Lord wanted us to hear that we are His delight,  His beloved ones.  This is a life changing thought that we are precious, a delight to God!  

ADVICE

Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and his strength: seek his face always.”

Keep the main thing the main thing.  “God does not usually reveal a plan but God reveals Himself”.   It is all about relationships, so as we “seek His face” the mission and direction of our fellowship will come out of our time spent daily in study, prayer, worship and listening.  

Our mission is clear:  Jesus said “Go and make disciples of all nations”. (Matt. 28:19) 

Our method is simple:  By loving God & loving people (“All about relationships”)

Start near, go far, be intentional.   

3 Key Texts:  

1)  Hebrews 10:18-25      A Call to Persevere - Five exhortations: 

v.22: “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…..”

v.23: “Let us hold unswervingly to the faith…..”

v.24: “….spur one another on toward love & good deeds”.

v.25: “Let us not give up meeting together….”

v.25: “…let us encourage one another 

2) 2 Timothy 4:5:  A Call to Endurance and Mission

“…keep your head in all situations…” 

“…endure hardship…”

“…do the work of an evangelist….”

3) Proverbs 16  A Call to Keep Our Relationship with God First

(vs 3) “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed”.

(vs 9)  “In his heart a man plans his course,  but the Lord determines his steps”.

REMINDER

“Fear not!”  for fear is the work of the enemy.   Trust in the Lord for He is near.  He is with us.

Part of the His commission “to go” is the promise that He will be with us “even to the end of the age.”   

Do not go alone.  We have each been given gifts and talents.  We are called to sing a new song, but the song sounds better and stronger when done together.   Like a bouquet that magnifies the beauty of a single flower, so we too strengthen and make each other more beautiful.  Celebrate our gifts.  Encourage all to offer their best efforts to the work.  Support one another in mission and ministry so that our song rings out clearly to those whom the Father is trying to reach.  

REPENT

Matthew 3:2  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Often in times of revival, which are rooted in prayer, the call to repent is one of the first words that comes forth.  This day the call was first to:

1)  “Come out from the dark to shine the light of God’s love”

We need to each keep our heart pure before the Lord.  Inviting Him to purge us from all darkness.  You know where the darkness lurks in your life.  Call out to God and ask Him to work in you strength, courage and power to resist the darkness and to be set free from the power of sin, which you hate.

2)  Repent of what we have left undone.  

There have been times we have not stepped up and used our gifts for the work of the kingdom.  We have turned our back on ministry opportunities.  We have not asked for more gifts for the work of the Kingdom.  For this we must repent!  

3) Proclaim the work of God you see.

This exhortation came in the following prophetic word given below in the form of a “Call” and “Response”:

CALL: Lord, you have gathered so many of us that have traveled long with you. Sometimes it seems that though we are filled with belief we still tend to ease back into a "been there-done that" approach. I perceive that we love you with our whole heart, but not each other. Too often we go our separate ways and our lives are too busy to give you our full attention. We are, all the same, expectant that you will act, perhaps in spite of us, and you will grow your Church at New Wine.

RESPONSE: You wait on Me, but when I act you barely take notice. It is as if it is enough just to be expectant without ever acknowledging My movement about you. There is great need for you to reach out, speak out, and make Me known among the people, even those who already bear my name.

I am doing a new thing, (I ALWAYS DO A NEW THING), but so few of you perceive it. Turn to Me and seek My face, worship Me only and know that I am God, the one who formed you and has led you to this place. Draw close and walk with Me, not as churchmen do, all stiff in their pews, but as My loving children. Hold My hand and take notice of the things I show you as we walk together. Love and care for those whom we meet. BE PERSISTENT!

Spend time with Me and know that I will not fail you; that all will work for My glory.

RELEASED FOR MISSION

It seems like New Wine has been stuck as of late.  But something is already happening.  Since our call to prayer there have been several new people coming across our path. Some visiting the church, others inquiring about our work and mission.  A dream was shared by Pastor Dave+ of hauling a truck load of buffalo  (not dainty little sheep) but majestic, powerful and yet non-threatening creatures.  The truck gets stuck in the mud.  The truck is freed only after the buffalo are released.  Even though one was seen with a wound, in order to move forward they must all be released and sent out.  

We suspect this was more than a silly dream but a call for us to get off the truck!  Each of us must step out in ministry, despite our wounds.  Each must boldly exercise our gifts and minister in word and deed to those around us.  We cannot hold back.   Go deep with the Lord.  Draw near to Him and out of that deepening relationship give and pour yourself out for the sake of others.  

CONCLUSION

The Spirit was definitely saying be persistent, it is not time for New Wine to close its doors.  We are called to repent for work left undone.  We are invited, even called, to love deeper and work harder.   That work starts and flows out of us each working on pursuing after the “face of God”, not half heartedly, but whole heartedly.   Fruit has come since we have focused on prayer.  Therefore, do not let up on your conversation with God on behalf of the church, the city, the wider church and our pastor and church leaders.   Ask for and look for moments to demonstrate love to those who are near you and even those who are far off.  Be intentional.  Boldly share at church and in the world where you see God working.

“My children, I am at work.  I am always working,  Join me in my work, at the market or in the church.  Are your needs met?  Switch your thinking.  Mission is everywhere; your home, your neighborhood; your work, everywhere.  I’m not done working yet.”  

Godly Advice for New Wine

One of our member found 3 text full of advice for a church like NEW WINE:

Passage in Hebrews 10: A Call to Persevere (18-25)
Five exhortations: 

v.22: “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…..”

v.23: “Let us hold unswervingly to the faith…..”

v.24: “….spur one another on toward love & good deeds”.

v.25: “Let us not give up meeting together….”

v.25: “…let us encourage one another…

2Timothy 4:5: (Actually, v.1-5, but I only picked upon the 5th verse this morning).

“…keep your head in all situations…”                “…endure hardship…”

“…do the work of an evangelist….”
“…discharge all the duties of your ministry…”


Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed”.
16:9  “In his heart a man plans his course,  but the Lord determines his steps”.

Another New Wine member reminded us that it is not about a PLAN but it is always about our relationship with the Father.

Call & Response - June 14th

A prophetic encounter.

Rob shared this Word that is quite challenging.  Please read through it at least 3 times.  Test the Spirit.  How is what is said Biblical?  How does it speak to you?  What is your response and what action step do you feel led to take?

CALL:

Lord, you have gathered so many of us that have traveled long with you. Sometimes it seems that though we are filled with belief we still tend to ease back into a "been there-done that" approach. I perceive that we love you with our whole heart, but not each other. Too often we go our separate ways and our lives are too busy to give you our full attention. We are, all the same, expectant that you will act, perhaps in spite of us, and you will grow your Church at New Wine.

RESPONSE:

You wait on me, but when I act you barely take notice. It is as if it is enough just to be expectant without ever acknowledging my movement about you. There is great need for you to reach out, speak out, and make me known among the people, even those who already bear my name.

I am doing a new thing, (I ALWAYS DO A NEW THING), but so few of you perceive it. 

Turn to me and seek my face, worship me only and know that I am God, the one who formed you and has led you to this place. Draw close and walk with me, not as churchmen do, all stiff in their pews, but as my loving children. Hold my hand and take notice of the things I show you as we walk together. Love and care for those whom we meet. BE PERSISTENT! 

Spend time with me and know that I will not fail you; that all will work for my glory.

Call to Prayer - Week #2

We have been fasting and praying in various ways for over a week.  We have cried out.  Guide New Wine as we move forward.  Direct our path and our work.  Send revival on our small church, our city and even the wider church.  Bless other Anglican missions in Michigan and raise up Godly leaders.

If last week was intercession, let this week find us listening.  "Speak, Lord, for you servants are listening!"  As you sit quietly before the Lord, what Bible text does He bring to mind?  What visions or dreams does He inspire?  What words and phrases does He place in your mind for you and for the church?

Today, I prayed for the sick in body and spirit as I delivered some frozen meals  to one of our members who is in a state of recovery after  a stint in the hospital.  They were blessed and your pastor had a taste of what it feels like to be a "pizza delivery man".   Blessed are the feet of him who brings good news (and bearer of the gifts of the saints)!

As you continue to walk and pray.  As you intercede on behalf of your family, friends and neighbors. As you meet in cell groups for worship, study and prayer seek His face while He wills to be found.  Call upon his name and the promise is He will draw near.

Join us next Saturday from 9am to 1pm at Mt. Zion Catholic Community Center in Flushing for a time of "listening prayer" and sharing as we seek the Lord together.

New Wine Report - June 2014

At New Wine Anglican Mission this month we have entered into a Season of Prayer and Fasting.  We are praying about our future,  for an Awakening in our church and the people around us.  We are praying for revival in our community and praying for  growth in the wider church in Michigan.  

Honestly one of the most critical issues that we are bringing before the Lord is the question of  what lies ahead for this mission.  We were birthed in the summer of 2005 and are coming up on 9 years of ministry as an Anglican Church plant.  Our story has been a constant testimony of God’s provision.  He has used us to impact one life at a time and I could list several dozen names of people we have impacted, two of which even went off to seminary.  Our focus has been all about building relationships.  We have been building relationships with each other and relationships with the Lord.

As pastor I have seen us at our peak of numerical outreach impacting over 50 people at one time involved in several small groups while our maximum Sunday was only around 25.   Presently we are only gathering around 18 or so on a Sunday and our groups around 25.  

Practically this reduction has impacted our support.  A few months ago I started part-time work selling cheese at the Flint Farmers Market.  With the opening of a second counter in the area this will mean I will be working 2 days a week outside the ministry.  We hope this is only a temporary stop-gap solution required to make up for a reduction of $460 a month in church pay.

New Wine must grow numerically and financially in order for Deb and I to stay the course in this work.  New Wine can continue without us, but as we have experienced, there are always changes in the comings and goings of our church community.  More of our members are traveling away in winter months, reducing a sustainable level of involvement.  Without a permanent pastoral presence, it may be difficult to maintain a sustainable mission community in Flint.

Please pray for the Mission and for us as we look at what is ahead for our life together. 

Interestingly, since I announced our season of prayer, we have had several new people come to Sunday worship.  I even had one long-time acquaintance express a desire to talk about meeting since he has recently been looking for a new church home.  In this same period several friends of members have come to visit and I have been following up with one on one contacts.  This rise in interest has encouraged me, suggesting to me  that we are on the right track to be “on our knees” as we seek God’s favor and guidance.   

I end with an encouraging note.  A person joined our fellowship about a year ago.  Seeking to reconnect spiritually, and hurting after the end of bad relationship,  they found themselves connecting with New Wine.   Over the year it has been our joy to see this person grow and develop in their faith as a result of worshiping with us and joining a cell group.  They have sought mentoring type relationships and readily confess a new sense of peace and well being as they celebrate this first year at New Wine.  God has been working and we rejoice in these relational victories.  This seemed to be a reminder to me that “this is what disciple making is all about”.  The Lord suggested at our last Listening Retreat that this would be a year of “Healing and Restoration”.  

Keep us in your prayers as we work in the vineyard of the Lord at New Wine this summer.

"Saving Station"?

Note from a church member:

Prior to the "official," time of prayer and fasting, I asked friend of mine to pray with us,( that would be New Wine) and for us, (again, N.W.) concerning our situation at our small church! I did not tell her much, only that we were having 2 weeks of fasting and prayer, seeking the Lord as to His direction for the church! I actually, did not even mention the church by name! Anyway, as I was getting ready to send you that web site last evening,my friend, Louise, who is about 80 yrs old, from Arizona, we have prayed for each other many times over several years! 

She sent me an email, among some personal remarks about her health and things of that nature, things not really pertaining to the prayer request, she sent the following comments, as a"word of encouragement" (She knows nothing about how "It's all about relationships!" Our unofficial slogan for our church!)  She said, "I will be praying with you to God to make His plans for your "little church," to become a "saving station," for the ones with wrecked lives that are just waiting for someone to care for them!" I started to sob at those words!

Anyway, she went on to say," Perhaps, there will be a little larger group, or church, that our church can join and pool all of our resources together? "There is sooo much work to be done and so little time to get the job done!" "We both know God is Very interested in "good relationships!" ( it' all about relationships) We are "His Church!" Anyway thought that I should send this along to you.. That one sentence," become a "saving station, for..other waiting for someone to care for them!" Hope this is encouraging? Anyway, sending it along!

Prayer Starts with Loving God

Here is an article that Jim Sartor found that spoke to him as he began his time of prayer this week.   As he and I discussed it, the idea of "Delighting in the Lord" as a place to begin and even end got us really thinking.  We think it might challenge you too!

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/loving-god-for-who-he-is-a-pastors-perspective

The article was written in 1995 by Rev. John Piper:  "Loving God for Who He Is"