Planes, trains and automobiles

Well,
On Sunday, I was laden and all set for my German adventure. After 2 planes ,2 trains and 2 cars i FINALLY got here only to find myself in a very cold tent!!! Two days in however and things are better , we have a heater for the tent.

The questions thus far are

Who is JESUS to you? What a question..... something to mull over

Money Management Ministry Update

This is just a wee quick thank you for those of you of you who were praying for the Money Secret course in Arbroath. I have just realised that I have not updated you. We had 7 people on the course. The feedback we had was very positive. In conjunction with the course Marisa offered one to one time on Budget planning, since we are Stewardship Budget Coaches. A couple of participants took that up and found that benefitial.
Some people had been interested in the course but due to the evening time and having no childcare they were unable to attend.
The good aspect of this course is that it is very flexible, so it would possible to shorten and offer it again during school time. (Possibility for the future??)

It would seem that participants felt more skilled and informed by the end of the course and for some it may have been enough and for others it was a step along the way.

I really enjoyed working with the group as well...I would reccommend the resources as well, they are easy to work with. Money is not an easy topic of discussion but this makes it far easier.

Germany 6 days and counting

I leave for Germany on Sunday...I am both excited and nervous about it all.
It has been some time since I have travelled overseas alone and its a bit of a challenge for me. In my 10 years of marriage, I have not been away from my lovely hubby for more than 10 days in one go....so 3 weeks seems an eternity.....as for the kids Jen can grasp mummy is away for a bit but still finds 3 weeks a hard concept, while Douglas, bless him is to young to comprehend anything.
One the other hand, I am going to have spectacular teaching, as Loren Cunningham and a lot of YWAM big names will be there.....And God I am sure will do stuff.
My hubby is more than capable at looking after the kids.

People have been asking what will I be doing
DNA Infusion will include

- The Belief Tree
- YWAM History and Foundational Values
- YWAM – Big Picture and Future Growth
- YWAM’s Apostolic Call and The Five-Fold Gifts
- Value-Driven Movements Versus Structure-Driven Organizations
- Character & Conduct of a Leader
- Leadership Giftings: How Visionaries and Implementers Work Together
- Creating with God Versus Fatalism
- 4K and Call2all
- Hospitality
- Grace Ticket
- Listen and Learn from our Founders and other Leaders of our Mission
- Plenary Sessions
- Small groups and Discussion groups
- Worship and Intercession
- Workshops and Networking times
- Fun and Fellowship
- Question and Answer
- Getting to know each other

I will try to update this blog or my Living It blog if I can while I am away.

A challenging statement

Approaches in mission

I have recently been in a bit of a dialogue with people that follow Sunday papers with regard mission. The question was posed "Why are we rubbish at it?" I have made some comments about being in it for the long haul and sometimes its our mindset to mission that is a barrier.

Our mission is to share God's love and ultimately see people experience and have a life changing encounter with God.

There were those in the discussion that seemed to favour direct evangelism, after all there should be a question of urgency in our Gospel message.

I see the value in any approach. I have been aware however that timing is vital. We do have to ask God what to do. There have been times where a team has asked to come and when we prayed about it we felt it was a "No". I have also seen teams sweep in and out of a village or town claiming x number of conversions, with little or no thought about follow up and discipleship....and sadly few people have managed to link in with a local church and stick with it.
Of course God can use that again later.

And of course I have also seen that kind of thing done well....In fact I am testimony to that...22 + years on.

This dialogue has prompted me to ponder my church mission statement

My church developed a mission statement a few years ago:
"to be a people radically devoted to Christ, unconditionally committed to each other and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside God's family with the Gospel of Christ".


This has been challenging me lately as this is a BIG statement. It sounds good and is even a high expectation. The statement is fully loaded however.

If I break it down we have

1. A people radically devoted to Christ.

2. Unconditionally committed to each other.

3. Relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside God's family with the Gospel of Christ.

1. A people radically devoted to Christ
If we look at the first section, in particular "radically devoted".

What does that mean exactly?

Radically according to Dictionary.com is
"2. in a complete or basic manner; thoroughly; fundamentally.

and devoted is

zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection: a devoted friend.

Without delving too deep into this statement we come into words like fundamental, zealous and ardent, all of which are very strong deep rooted words.

To fulfill this aspect of the statement alone would require commitment to our the Word and our own journey and discipleship.

I would also point out that these words are not always welcomed in our society today as we have a tendency to lean towards "each to their own" and a melting pot of beliefs and religious tolerance. People don't like fundamental anything.

2. Unconditionally committed to each other.
This again is a tall ask. Of course I am committed to my church. Having been there since my commitment 22 years (give or take time away, although it has always been my home church)

I have seen it grow and develop (there have also been times of pain, where I could easily have walked away) I would like to think I could say YES LORD emphatically to that part of the statement.... but the truth is that in a church that size there are people that I don't or vaguely know. So I can't say Yes entirely. I know that I could empathise with someone and pray for them.... so in that way I could commit to them.

There is a part of me though that knows that as humans we naturally have deep and shallow relationships, therefore I am limited in what I can commit to....and who I would share with. Some only get the superficial layer, few get the depth. That is natural. However, in principle I am committed to people and even those I don't know well. Likewise many don't know me that well. I can pray for in their time of need. BUT it is still HUGE.

3. Relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside God's family with the Gospel of Christ.

It is the relentless bit of this that challenges me here...

Dictionary.com says "that does not relent; unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh; unrelenting."

I have a passion for my city, I would like to see it and God's people thrive, so yes I can say that this statement I can relate with. There are limits to what I can do and if I am unyielding all the time, I will burn out, no question. This is where the cogs of the church family and organisation comes into play.

As an organic organisation we need to be united and committed to our vision. Mission for me is local, God has given me a heart for my city - it is no more or less important to Oversees mission.
Having said that however being a missionary in my home city has its pros and cons.....I am pushed back to point 2. Unconditionally committed to each other.

It's a BIG statement whether you break it up or not.....a work in progress. Organic, evolving and an unfinished task

Published Poetry

Another aspect of me is that I enjoy poetry. I don't get quite as much time as I used to for writing but here are a few anthologies in which I have been published.

Inspired Reflections 2007

A New Horizon 1998

China Soldiers 1998

Harbour of Thoughts 1998

Seeds of Faith 1997

The Heavenly Light 1997

Voices in Harmony 1997

Chosen Grace 1996

We Are His Hands 1996

Hands in Harmony 1996

The Christian Poetry Collection 1996

Faith & Friendship 1996

Christian Meditations 1996

Christian Poets from Scotland 1995

The Gift of Love 1995

The AP Book of Christmas Poems 1995

Celebrations 1994

There are a few missing, I will add them when I remember. Most are under my maiden name of Patricia Rosie.

Ministry Update

THE MONEY SECRET
Last night was the last night of our 6 week course in Arbroath. The Money Secret is a book about how to budget and take control of your finances. Produced by Care for the Family. Alongside the book, which is written in a story form (Teaching key principles through a story) there is a workbook and adult education course - making it very user friendly.
The course in Arbroath seems to have gone well with 7 participants and some positive feedback.

You don't need to be in trouble to do the course. Some people just do it to know how to help others, or how to develop a budget that they can stick to.

Alongside the course we offered Budget coaching since we are trained Stewardship Budget Coaches. Some participants took the opportunity for a one to one financial "health check".

Street Pastors
Last Friday saw the launch of Street Pastors in Stirling. The launch was in Sporters Bar in Stirling, then 15 volunteers were on the street to help. Normally it will only be a team of 3 or 4 on each night but we wanted people to be aware of the new initiative so 15 were out at once.
Some great opportunities and chats were encountered. A great way to sho God's love practically.