encouraging

just had some interesting thoughts and connections this week.

One international group known for radical youth evangelism, is now developing a mercy / serving side to their ministry. I had an opportunity to pitch in some thoughts, ideas and some advice. (advice...doing the stuff for a long time tends to make advice worth listening to and if received helps people not make the same mistakes, or to reinvent the wheel.)

One church I have visited over the past many years is now moving outward. The pastor is developing a seven week series to initiate outward movement. Casting Vision is key...What would it look like if? Second...How can we create on-ramps to move people into the arena of evangelism out into our community through service?

Louis Palau is moving toward developing a serving component to the festivals they hold in major cities around the world. Check the link to Christianity Today

"The impetus for this odd harmony had been happening all summer. Season of Service united Portland-area churches around five community concerns: homelessness, the medically uninsured, public schools, hunger, and the environment. It drew 25,000 volunteers for projects civic leaders had selected." CT

Even the Salvation Army has developed a serving aspect...Actually it's being re-established...William Booth was a server of servers and a creative cultural current(at the time) creative man with passion. I'll fight day.

Soul Survivor also has been combining worship and serving for years. This months Worship Central podcast (always worth a listen) Tim and Andy(who lead worship for SS) spoke about how Worship 'aligns God's kingdom in our lives.' Soul in the City combined radical serving and passionate worship to produce a city reaching impact. Mobilizing thousands of young people In Manchester, London now on to Durban.

Aligning with God's Kingdom creates God space where God things can happen. I personally believe worship toward God and service toward people are the two sacrifices God gladly receives. It follows the commands to Love the Lord Your God with all...and Love your neighbor as yourself.

When the two commands collide, God moments are created. Heaven comes down to earth and stuff happens. In my experience Prayer (stepping out in faith by responding to God's heart for a person) seems to be the connection point as we reach out to give away what God has given us for others. Knowing Him we can make Him known.

Heb 13:15-16 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.