Amanda Wells Ministries

Hi All!

I received this from a good ministerial friend, Col Stringer, as we all know Col has so much knowledge on wildlife having written books etc and his book on Eagles is one of the best I have read. Sadly I should have researched Col's book and not a Christian website on eagles! LOL.

It's good to make sure our info is correct and I so appreciate Col writing. Also i recommend Col's book on manhood - ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! Every man and woman should read it.

From Col Stringer...

Hey Amanda, just looked at your blog on eagles...thought you might like to know that it is a myth (perpetuated by many christians) that eagles pluck out all their feathers...not true. They do remove a few problem or old feathers...but never totally remove them all. The bird would die.

Also some preach they smash their beaks on rocks...also a myth. Having studied eagles for 5 years I thought you might like to know this...sadly so much of what some ministers preach about eagles is totally false...which then gets us a bad name with raptor experts.

Blessings,

Col Stringer

DISSENT AND DISLOYALTY ARE NOT THE SAME THING!

In leadership I have often had to reflect the importance of healthy dissent in the process of leadership.

The Chilcot Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Britain's entry into the Iraq war featured testimony from several key ministers in the Blair cabinet. Among them, certainly the most outspoken, was former international development secretary, Clare Short. In part of her testimony, it seemed that Ms Short is a person who would find team-work difficult at the best of times, a truly independent spirit who is determined to strike out on her own in most situations. She cannot have been easy to work with in a cabinet arrangement. That said, her testimony revealed that in the lead up to the war, any degree of dissent was unwelcome at the highest level of government.

This, of course, may be understandable once the nation had committed itself. But a culture discouraging dissent apparently continued even while Mr. Blair and others were telling the nation that no firm decisions had yet been made, that open debate was ongoing at the highest levels of government.

At a state level, our Opposition Leader was criticised unjustly for allowing a new 'young gun' MP to disagree and even challenge parts of his leadership.

It is a fundamental tenet of leadership that dissent is not the same as disloyalty.

In any enterprise, a healthy team culture will be open to voices of disagreement, provided they are motivated not by a desire to destroy or demean but to improve the overall game-plan.

It is always more comfortable for a busy leader, whose time and talents are often stretched to the limit, to hear subordinates and colleagues say 'yes' to his/her wishes and get on with the job. Yet at times a 'no' is healthier, both for the leader and for the organisation - or nation.

When it comes to innovation, resistance is inevitable - people dislike change - but the finest ideas are only strengthened when challenged.

Apparently, this is a principle the scientific community should take on board, too, especially in its efforts to garner public support to tackle climate change.

It was a fear of dissent that led certain key advocates and researchers to hype or shade statistics or projections in favour of their argument. In the end, they have succeeded only in breeding a sense of public unease, a suspicion that if spin can be used to help justify a war, it can also be employed to sell the ideas like human-sourced global warming.

In all spheres of leadership, including business, politics and science, there comes a time for declaring the way forward, articulating the vision and marking out the strategy for the future.

But if leaders expect their people to feel a sense of ownership of and loyalty to decisions taken, they must allow people into the decision-making process. Some of leadership is, of necessity, top-down, unilateral and fast-moving, but much of it is middle-up, based on consensus and more deliberative.

Even where unilateral decisions must be made, leaders help themselves when they explain their thinking, openly, honestly and as quickly as possible after the event.

Aligned with the ability to handle dissent is a willingness to take responsibility for the failure of decisions taken.

I have been on leadership teams where dissent has been strangled and you are classed as disloyal for disagreeing at any time. I see some leaders who when you disagree take it personally and become insecure and then shut you out.

The other week at a leaders' Summit, it was so refreshing to see a panel with opposing views and beliefs come together and disagree yet not feel intimidated, now thats maturity!!

The word 'Sorry'!

A graph featured in The Times more than a year ago tracked the number of incidences of certain key words in its news and editorials from 1985 to the present.

Predictably, one of the most oft-used words in that time was 'terrorism' which showed a sharp peak in 2001.

The line on the graph that was most interesting, though, was the one representing the word 'sorry' as spoken by public figures. It followed a sharp and steady incline.

As politics becomes more personality-driven, it seems people want their leaders to take responsibility and to show that they take seriously the idea of accountability.

The ability to handle dissent, integrating opposing views, along with a solemn commitment to accountability is especially vital with decisions which will have a national or global impact.

In a world of rapid change and technology that makes the global local, we need leaders who will allow and even encourage healthy dissent; where the disagreement is based not on an anarchistic drive to destroy people in power, but a sincere desire to move society forward in a positive direction.

Hi All!

2010 is certainly a year of Divine appointments, its the year of chance meetings and chance moments.

Have you ever known you were to be somewhere and when you went to the event, the meeting changed your life forever...I have, and I would never take back that moment. One bus ride in the early 70's: on a bus I wasn't to be on but felt at the last minute to jump on, was the day I met my husband of over 30 years. One moment when staying in London I felt I needed to be at Heathrow airport earlier than my flight was to leave, that was the day of the London bombings. One meeting I went to on a busy day when I had no time, gave me a prophetic word that changed my life. One conference I stretched myself to go to in the USA changed my ministry forever.

The thing about these moments are they are just that, Divine moments, minuscule seconds that will change the course of your future and your future assignment.

Next week I believe is one of those moments!

Don't miss it!

Jesus said in the parables many will, they will be too busy when invited, some will have small issues of life stop them coming to 'the dinner'. Sometimes we look at the context of that Scripture in the 'end time' so it will be OK, I have time, but what if Jesus was talking about Divine moments...and we miss the opportunity?

There is a saying, "Opportunity only knocks once", and I have known that to be true. We usually only get 'one shot', one moment, one Divine connection that will open up the gate to take us to the next level.

Next week will be that Divine moment! Will you be the one to say, I'm too busy, I'd love to come, maybe next time? There will never be a next time like this time, life happens once, we catch the significance or miss it, its OUR CHOICE!

If you haven't registered for CLASS I urge you too!

We won't get these women, the calibre of these women together again. This was a Divine time when by Divine arrangement all could be there, they all feel this is a God time and they need to be here. I guess the question is do you believe it is and will you be there!!

Many of you signed up for the mentoring night, but are missing the whole conference, if I could give you one word its this DON'T!

Don't miss one minute!!

WHEN:

Thursday 22nd April 2010 till 24th April 2010

TIMES:

THURSDAY - 7.30 pm

FRIDAY - 10am -12.30pm, 2pm -5pm, 7pm – Close

SATURDAY - 10am-12.15pm, 2pm-5pm, 7pm - Cose

WHERE:

Sydney House of Worship

80 Belmore Street,Ryde Sydney NSW 2112 Australia

If you need assistance with any further information please call SHOW (02) 9808 2880

By Special Request for those unable to attend the full conference we are making sessions available:

@ $ 20 per session

Morning Session = $20

Afternoon Session = $20

Evening Session = $20

This includes morning or afternoon tea BUT not lunch or dinner .

Lunch available $5 per person

Dinner $12 per person

Lunch and dinners must be pre-booked if you are only attending sessions or part of conference.

Full day Friday or Saturday (3 sessions) is $50 and includes morning afternoon tea and lunch BUT not dinner. Dinner $12.

Christian Ladies Australian Strategic Summit

Women who want to go to the next level in your field then this is for you. Many of us are looking for mentoring/coaching to the next level of achievement!

PURPOSE

To activate, impart, equip, encourage, mature, network, transform, empower and connect Kingdom market place women in politics, business, humanitarian and finance in Australia to-day by the Power of God through Jesus Christ.

Learn how to lead in to-day’s culture, shifting the spiritual atmosphere over strategic markets, regions and cities.

The Holy Spirit is calling the valley of dry bones together (Ezek.37) in the marketplace to rise up and come to life, to connect and knit together, to align into unity of purpose and order, to prosper and multiply, and to deploy strategically to conquer and occupy territory (spheres of influence and authority).

Let’s come together as leaders to declare, decree, legislate, negotiate, set policy, plan the future, discuss issues, enter into agreements and form coalitions.

Lets be leaders who are supernaturally taking back the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ advancing His Kingdom in the marketplace on earth as it is Heaven from those who have no legal right to it.

In order for the transfer of the Kingdom to happen, character, maturity, wisdom, discernment and understanding must be developed and evidenced in the lives of Christian leaders in the market place.

SPEAKERS

Dr Pat Francis (from Canada)

Dr. Pat Francis through her local and international ministries has reached millions of people with the message and mission of hope.

Pat believes that "knowledge is power" and through her dynamic teaching seminars and weekly television program "Good News with Pat Francis" she empowers millions of people with wisdom and practical strategies to reach their full potential with the help of faith in God. She believes that education is the door to freedom and provides the foundation for a prosperous future. Pat Francis and her team have developed many schools from kindergarten to College and many associated programs to provide academic, social, and spiritual enhancement for children and young people. Over one hundred scholarships have been awarded to students to aid them in achieving their goals.

Pat's latest project "KC Collegiate" is an alternative high school with a customized program for high school dropouts providing a solution for the thousands of young people who are frustrated with the traditional public school program, with learning challenges and greatly at risk. Her Restorative Justice and Rehabilitation Program for youth were recently featured on "CFTO TV" referring to Dr. Pat Francis as a person that is "saving lives and stopping the cycle of crime in young people".

In 2004, Dr. Francis was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the United States Senate for her work in the faith community and her efforts to rescue at risk youths. She was also awarded recognition in "The International Who's who" because of her passionate commitment to helping children at risk and her positive influence in the local community.

Through her international charity "Compassion For The Nations" Pat has supported orphanages, pastors, and annually takes teams to third world countries and the Caribbean for medical missions, develop health care centres and teach at conferences throughout North America, The Caribbean, India, Africa, Peru, China and other nations.

As a Business Person, Dr. Pat has developed several businesses. Additionally, she has engaged the services of the business owners to teach people on successful business strategies and has helped hundreds to purchase their own homes or start businesses.

Dr. Pat is a graduate of the University of the West Indies in the medical field of Radiography. She is also a Certified Psychotherapist and holds two Masters degrees and a Doctorate from Christian Life School of Theology, Columbus, GA. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and is the founder and President several charities.

She is an author, pastor, humanitarian and international conference speaker.

Evie Kesek (Indonesia)

A successful business woman in Indonesia. Evie has served pastors and leaders throughout Indonesia imparting fresh zeal keeping them abreast with current moves of God. Her prophetic gifting is able to unite the Body of Christ in the realms of Glory and she carries a breaker anointing. Evie has established many orphanages training and mentoring the children to become successful in education and business. Evie has an ability to impart the life of the Spirit to those she ministers to.

Amanda Wells 

Pastor. passion for the church to engage in the community and have prominence in the market place was recognised in “The Heritage Who’s Who” for humanitarian work and is strongly involved in politics at a federal and state level.

Bev Murrill (Leads the CGI movement of Churches with her husband) based in the UK, Bev’s apostolic ministry is expressed as a prolific mentor to leaders across several continents; an author and international conference speaker; founder of Cherish Uganda for abandoned children with AIDs; and the visionary leader for Liberti, a fantastic new magazine for Christian woman.

Cathy Stoner (wife of Andrew Stoner MP)

Robyn Peebles  Pastor involved with government. Federal state and local.

Helen Rogers Pastor. Prayer and missions.

Laura Smithard Pastor, involved in local community, particularly fostering children in need of a loving environment.

Register for CLASS Online at: http://sydneyhouseofworship.webs.com/classonlinerego.htm

Reigister by Phone: Sydney House of Worship: (02) 98082880

EAGLES

In Luke 17 the Bible tells us, 'That where the body is, the eagles will gather,” so how can we tell an eagle, what are their defining features and why are they so important.

Here are 7 Principles of an Eagle:

1. Eagles fly alone at a high altitude and not with sparrows or mix with other smaller birds. Birds of a feather flock together. No other bird goes to the height of the eagle. Eagles fly with eagles. Never in a flock. Even when Moses (Old Testament Bible) went to commune with God on the mountain, he left the crowd at the foothills. Stay away from sparrows and ravens. Eagles fly with eagles. Sparrows have you flitting here and there, thinking small, pigeons have you scavenging from peoples left-overs, and ravens will cause you to eat on something that’s dead.

2. Eagles have strong vision, which focuses up to 5 kilometres from the air. When an eagle sites prey - even a rodent from this distance, he narrows his focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacle, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed.

3. Eagles do not eat dead things. He feeds on fresh prey. Vultures eat dead animals but not eagles. Steer clear of outdated and old information. Do your research well always.

4. The Eagle is the only bird that loves the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the wings of the storm to rise and is pushed up higher. Once it finds the wing of the storm, the eagle stops flapping and uses the pressure of the raging storm to soar the clouds and glide. This gives the eagle an opportunity to rest its wings. The eagle is the only bird who will fly toward a hurricane. In the meantime all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees. We can use the storms of our lives (obstacles, trouble, etc) to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably.

5. The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her. Some of us need to check out how people are, if there down to earth!! I saw a Youtube clip of a thousand Christians doing a 'Christian Simon says' it was embarrassing and obvious there were no eagles among them! You be the one to fly and let others pursue you!!

Once the female eagle has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases until he reaches it and has to catch it before it falls to the ground, then bring it back to the female eagle. The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a much higher altitude pursued by the male until she perceives it high enough, and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of picking the twig which shows commitment, then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her! Whether in private life or in business, one should test commitment of people intended for partnership.

6. Eagles prepare for training. When about to lay eggs, the female and male eagle identify a place very high on a cliff where no predators can reach; the male flies to earth and picks thorns and lays them on the crevice of the cliff, then flies to earth again to collect twigs which he lays in the intended nest. He flies back to earth picks thorns and lays them on top of the twigs. He flies back to earth and picks soft grass to cover the thorns, and then flies back to pick rugs to put on the grass.

When this first layering is complete the male eagle runs back to earth and picks more thorns, lays them on the nest; runs back to get grass and rugs and lays them on top of the thorns, then plucks his feathers to complete the nest. The thorns on the outside of the nest protect it from possible intruders. Both male and female eagles participate in raising the eagle family. She lays the eggs and protects them; he builds the nest and hunts. During the time of training the young ones to fly, the mother eagle throws the eaglets out of the nest and because they are scared, they jump into the nest again.

Next, she throws them out and then takes off the soft layers of the nest, leaving the thorns bare. When the scared eaglets jump into the nest again, they are pricked by thorns. Shrieking and bleeding they jump out again this time wondering why the mother and father who love them so much are torturing them. Next, mother eagle pushes them off the cliff into the air.

As they shriek in fear, father eagle flies out and picks them up on his back before they fall, and brings them back to the cliff. This goes on for sometime until they start flapping their wings. They get excited at this newfound knowledge that they can fly and not fall at such a fast rate.

The father and mother eagle supports them with their wings.

The preparation of the nest teaches us to prepare for changes;

The preparation for the family teaches us that active participation of both partners leads to success;

The being pricked by the thorns tells us that sometimes being too comfortable where we are may result into our not experiencing life, not progressing and not learning at all. The thorns of life come to teach us that we need to grow, get out of the nest and love on. We may not know it but the seemingly comfortable and safe haven may have thorns;

The people who love us do not let us languish in sloth but push us hard to grow and prosper. Even in their seemingly bad actions they have good intentions for us.

7. When the Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast as he should. When he feels weak and about to die, he retires to a place far away in the rocks. While there, he plucks out every feather on his body until he is completely bare. He stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers, then he can come out. We occasionally need to shed off old habits & items that burden us without adding to our lives…

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:” - Deuteronomy 32:11.

Here are six marks of an eagle in Leadership"

1. Eagles are catalysts of experiences - Eagles make things happen based on their skills and abilities. They walk the road less traveled, defying models in order to blaze new trails.

2. Eagles possess great vision and execution - Eagles don’t perch on a tree and wait for manna to fall from heaven. They go out and look for opportunities. They are not risk averse.

3. Eagles are change agents - Eagles influences others in positive ways. They are 360° influencers. Their influence is not restricted by attributes like age or profession.

4. Eagles are multipliers of value - Growing organisations have people who bring added value to the company but great organisations have people who multiply value. The average organisation has people who subtract value while the mediocre organisation has people who divide value.

5. Eagles empower eagles to lead - Birds of a feather flock together because only they have an uncanny ability to bring out the best in each other. Eagles don’t hang out with hawks.

6. Eagles are sources of creativity - Eagles hunt for ideas that result in quantum growth for the organisation. Because of this, an organisation with eagles will always be a leader of the pack.

Marketplace is the Mission Place

Your Business is the mission field.

The greatest "unrealised potential" in the Christian movement for the next 20 years we could say rests on the shoulders of Christian business people. What more could you ask for when your faith and your love for business intersect?

The marketplace is the only institution that touches virtually every person on planet earth. Pastors are very limited in their direct exposure to the marketplace. At the same time, the marketplace in general terms doesn't look to local church staff for guidance on managing their business. They do however need the church to help disciple them on how to live out their faith, but most churches still haven't showed those in the marketplace how to connect it to the marketplace.

Here is the GREAT question:. What is our strategy to reach this world for Christ? Do we try to hire another 600,000 pastors, missionaries, worship leaders,etc? Or do we unleash 6 million business people to take the Christian movement to the next level?

For too long, many faithful Christians have "out sourced" their responsibilities as believers. They give generously to the church and then allow the "organised church" to do the work. Many business people feel that church and marketplace are not connected and that many pastors are looking at them like their there cash cow. Are we teaching or people to live their life in compartments. There's your task driven, results oriented, hard charging business world. Then there is your church world.

I heard a pastor say not long ago that Christians shouldnt be in politics, they should just have a voice. Do we realise how silly that statement is? In my family to have a voice in there you have to belong to it! Another pastor said 'there is no other vision except my vision for my church'. Where does that leave our corporate Directors, teachers, film makers, fashion designers etc?

Have we been indoctrinated to believe that oil and water do not mix?

There is a new generation of business leaders who see the world differently.. For them, God has called them into business. Its their God given assignment! Or if we use 'old dialogue' its their vision and mandate. Their company is to be used by God for His purposes. They are passionate about creating products or services. They love marketing and sales. They are always mindful of the bottom line. But there is a higher calling. Everything that the church stands for is actually expressed in "real terms" in their business.

Most people today, don't think this way but we need to see that more do. I'm convinced that we can discuss terms like Business as Mission and Marketplace Ministry until we are blue in the face but unless the bridge between our sacred spaces of Sunday morning is bridged with our work, then we'll continue to struggle in living a segmented life.

Creating A Culture Of  Influence

It is fundamental to the Christian worldview that human beings were created for influence. According the Gen. 1:26-28, the first calling God placed upon the shoulders of humankind was command to influence. We were enobled and enabled to influence our environment more than it influences us; to shape our world more than it shapes us.

Influence is hardwired into the human condition. One way or the other, influence will flow. Either we will influence the godless, egocentric culture around us or it will most certainly force us into its mould.

All around us everyday, there is a battle for influence going on. Light vs darkness, flesh vs spirit, temporal vs eternal, spin vs truth, political correctness vs prophetic accuracy. Either you will invent the future or someone else’s vision of the future will re-invent you! When we fell from grace, we lost some of that capacity for influence, becoming in many ways the influenced rather than the influencers. When Christ died, his redemptive work bought back everything we had lost in the Garden including our ability to create and shape and influence our environment more than it shapes and influences us.

As Christians, we have been re-positioned to influence our world. Romans 12:2 shows us that it is our right and privilege to be transformed as our minds are renewed, so that we are able to overcome the world’s pull on our hearts and minds, and live out the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.  Abraham Kyper, the nineteenth century journalist, theologian and Dutch Prime Minister, wrote: "There is not one part of our world of thought that can be hermetically separated from the other parts, and there is not an inch in the entire area of our human life of which Christ, who is sovereign of all, does not cry "Mine!"'

While some churchmen of his era taught that Christians should retreat from everything relating to the secular world, Kuyper borrowed from Paul’s teaching to give us the idea of ‘sphere authority’. This is the idea that church and state are both of divine origin, yet both serve different functions.

Each must obey God's laws: the state must not try to be neutral towards God, but must recognize his supremacy over the civil sphere of authority. Government policies and procedures must respect God's moral precepts, so they must uphold the sanctity of marriage and the family; they must restrain and punish.

No one is entitled to rule absolutely, for that is a divine prerogative alone. God delegates authority to human agents in family, church, school and state, and those who govern in such spheres are accountable to God in the discharge of their duties and in the exercise of their limited authority. This means, for example, that neither the state nor the church is to intrude upon the other spheres. Each should seek to protect the rights of the other to operate freely. Kuyper's concept of sphere authority contradicted the basic principle of socialism that would give the state the right to regulate life in practically all of its aspects, economic, political and social.

According to Deuteronomy 28, God’s people are destined for leadership; to be the head and not the tail; to be above and not beneath. Leadership on any level begins with creating a culture. Culture begins with an accepted way of seeing reality. A culture is the reflection of a world-view, applied to a group of people in a given environment. A culture is a way of interpreting what is good, acceptable and normal.

It is a fact of sociology that the group within a society which has the strongest and most well-defined culture will become the leading voice in that society. In any group of people, the one who builds the strongest culture always takes the lead. For churches and leaders to influence our highly secularised society, they must establish a culture of influence within the church which is stronger than that of the surrounding environment.

We need to build into the people we lead a sense that influence is their right and responsibility; that God has called them to shape events in their world and equipped them to change the city more than it changes them.

That begins with answering three fundamental questions: What kind of city or nation do I want to be living in 10 years from now? What kind of city or nation would God want me to be living in? And what am I prepared to do now to set that in motion?

Ten Paradigms of changing our thinking toward the Marketplace

The winds of change are beginning to gather strength and it is obvious that change is coming. All over the world there is a quiet movement of the Spirit of God that is causing believers to re-examine how they “do church.” Churches are throwing out the old measures of success. It’s no longer merely about size, seeker sensive and friendly services, spiritual gifts, church health, nor the number of small groups. It’s about making a significant and sustainable difference in the lives of people around us—in our communities and in our cities.

There is a growing awareness that we cannot continue to do the same old things and expect a different result. If we want to be the salt and light, as we the church were created to be, we have to do something different…we have to be something different!

Community transformation is not found in programs, strategies, campaigns or tactics. It may take a paradigm shift of seismic proportions to create what the the church is to be in the 3rd millennium. A paradigm is a model consisting of shared assumptions regarding what works or what is true. A paradigm shift is that “aha!” moment when one sees things in such a new light that one can never go back to the old ways again. Each paradigm shift takes us from a model of thinking that we must then discard into a new model that we must then embrace. A new paradigm is the new wineskins that will be needed to hold the new assumptions about what is true.

To maximize our impact on our communities--urban, suburban or rural, we need changes in at least ten of our paradigms of how we currently view church.

This newsletter we will discuss five...

1) From building walls to building bridges.

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13,14). The first paradigm shift pertains to where we, as the church, see ourselves in relation to our communities. Will we remain outside of the community inviting people in or will we go to our communities, seeking to be a transforming agent? The church is called to be separate in lifestyle but never called to be isolated from the people it seeks to influence.

The church must be challenged with the question, “What can we do that would cause people to marvel and say, ‘God is at work in a wonderful way for no one could do these things unless God were with them?”’ That one question is the first step in becoming what we could call a “bridge-building church.”

A transformed community touches every area, schools, governments, media etc even down to setting records for Red Cross Blood donations and enlisting thousands of new organ donors. The church must reach out to the community through "LifeSkill" classes (on finances, wealth creation, marriage, wellness, aging, etc.sexual issues, health and weightloss) Its the church that must have an answer for school bullying and meeting the needs of at-risk youth.

The church must let their light shine in such a way that Jesus Christ is made real to the community. Once a church makes this mental shift regarding how it lives in its community, it is only limited by its creativity in how it can serve its community and be the salt and light it was meant to be. It makes the transition from providing ministry programs for the community to forever changing its relationship to a community.

2) From measuring attendance to measuring impact.

“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast...mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33). In a post-modern world most people are neither impressed with the size of a church or its commitment to “truth.” Yet from the cover of TIME magazine to the front page of the Wall Street Journal, transformational community-centered ministries are grabbing the attention of people. Perhaps, in this century, the greatest apologetic for the reality of Jesus Christ living in a community will be observational more than propositional. To have a faith that can be observed is to be living out the truths we want others to grasp and the life of the Savior we want them to know.

When Jesus chose one passage to describe his mission and ministry, he picked up the scroll of Isaiah and read from Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…” The way he “preached” best was by holistically combining proclaiming with comforting and providing. This is how Jesus did ministry. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Likewise, the apostle Paul was as “eager to remember the poor” (Galatians 2:10) as he was “eager to preach the gospel” (Roman 1:15-17). Effective ministry has always been holistic, combining good deeds with good news (Acts 10:36-38).

Lets be frank and ask the question that churches in all kinds of neighborhoods must increasingly ask themselves: "Would the community weep if your church were to pull out of the city? Would anybody notice if you left? Would anybody care?"

The question, “How big is your church?” should be replaced with “How big is the impact you are having on your community?” Every other measure is interesting but not relevant. Let’s refuse to be impressed by numbers alone. There are many ways to engage the community and make an impact. The only “bad” way to engage the community in service is not to engage at all!

3) From encouraging the saints to attend the service to equipping the saints for works of service.

“It is (God) who gave some to be…pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service…” (Ephesians 4:11,12) In the typical church, lay people are asked to serve in five or six capacities:

· Teach a Sunday School class

· Work in the nursery

· Lead a home Bible study or small (home) group

· Sing in the worship team

· Be an usher or greeter

· Serve on a board or committee

Little wonder pastors lament that only 20% of their members are “active.” Could it be that the service opportunities are not broad enough to engage the energies and passions of people in the church? many pastors believe the only vision that matters is 'his 'vision and so is it any wonder we observe that after around five years, people get bored with church if they are not involved in ministering to others. It is only when the church begin to serve their community do members find their serving niche and continue in their growth. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City writes that the process of mobilizing members into ministers “starts by articulating clearly and regularly a theology of ‘every-member ministry’…From the pulpit, in the classes, by word of mouth, it must be communicated that every layperson is a minister and that ministry is finding needs and meeting them in the goal of the spread of the kingship of Christ.”

4) From “serve us” to service—from inward to outward focus.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give…” (Mark 10:45). When the Communists took over Russian in 1917, they did not make Christianity illegal. Their constitution, in fact, did guarantee freedom of religion. But what they did make illegal was for the church to do any “good works.” No longer could the church fulfill its historic role in feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, housing the orphan, educating children or caring for the sick. What was the result? 70 years later, the church was totally irrelevant to the communities in which it dwelt. What Lenin did by diabolic design, most churches have done by default. But the result is identical. Church is irrelevant to most people. Take away service and you take away the church's power, influence, and evangelistic effectiveness. The power of the gospel is combining the life-changing message with selfless service.

The power of the church is not merely in the number of churches but the focus of those churches. Churches should perhaps have an admonition to church planters : “Don’t go to start a church…go to serve a city. Serve them with love and if you go after the people nobody wants, you’ll end up with the people everybody wants.”

First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Florida (population 20,000) has a prevailing influence on their community though their incarnational (John 1:14) ministry which they call ‘ministry evangelism.” The church has spawned over 70 ministries to intersect the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people in Leesburg. Through their Men’s Shelter, Women’s Care Center, Benevolence Ministry, Latchkey Ministry, the Children’s Home etc, they regularly lead hundreds of people to Christ and disciple them towards maturity. Senior pastor Charles Roesel (since 1976) says, “The only way the gospel can be biblically shared is to focus on the whole person, with all their hurts and needs, and to involve the church in ministering to those persons and leading them to Christ. This is the essence of ministry evangelism.”

5) From duplication of human services and ministries to partnering with existing services and ministries.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Nearly every community has a number of human service agencies that are morally positive and spiritually neutral that are doing their best to meet the needs of the underserved and under-resourced people of the community. Such agencies include the local food bank, homeless shelter, emergency family housing, and safe houses for abused women etc. Equally true there are church and parachurch ministries that are effective in ministering to specific target audiences (business community, youth, uni students, etc). Rather than starting a new ministry, why not form partnerships with existing groups as “partner ministries” of a local congregation? Chances are that people from your congregation are already serving in many of these organizations. Why not use the current community energy to create synergy?

The Bible is replete with examples of how God used secular people in partnership with his people to fulfill his purposes. Think of Joseph and Pharaoh, Nehemiah and Artaxerxes, and Esther and King Ahusuerus. Instead of each congregation having its own food pantry, why not partner with the local community food bank? When needy people request food, congregations could refer these people to their “partner ministry.” Maybe we can effectively love our city with the love of Jesus Christ through agencies and mechanisms that already exist! Most human service agencies need what the church could readily supply--caring volunteers, financial support and even facilities. We form partnerships not around theology but around our common concern and love for the city.

6) From fellowship to functional unity.

There is a strong case to suggest that there is really only one church in a city or community (made up of all believers) that meets in several congregations around the city. In Philippians 2:2 Paul implored, “…make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Only unity of purpose around the vision of a transformed community is strong enough to unite pastors and churches of different denominations. While solid relationships form the basis for unity, we can’t stop there. My observation in city after city is that oftentimes unity becomes an end in itself. So we see repetitive efforts to demonstrate our unity through citywide worship events, prayer vigils…and other similar events. These activities…are wonderful symbols of our unity but they rarely produce real substance. They make us feel good and sometimes result in great newspaper coverage, but the cities remain unchanged. Community transformation begins at the intersection of the needs and dream of a community, the calling and capacities of the church and the mandates and desires of God for a community.

7) From condemning the city to blessing the city and praying for it.

Jeremiah 29 begins by saying; “This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem…to those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.” What follows are instructions on how to live as aliens in a foreign land. Listen to his admonition: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (v.

For too long we as the church have positioned ourselves as adversaries to our communities. The monolithic church has stood from afar condemning the city and those who are trying to serve it. Maybe it is time we began blessing the city by blessing those who have given themselves to the city! Anyone can curse the city but pastors are in a unique position to really “bless” a city and her people. Each year perhaps we should honour a different group of servants—the police, firemen, schoolteachers, etc. Perhaps the next great reconciliation movement will be between the church and the community.

We not only need to bless our communities but we need to pray for them as well. We will see the church being reconciled to the community.

8) From being a minister in a congregation to being a minister in a parish.

“As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it…” (Luke 19:41). A congregation is made up of people who attend a local church from a community. The minister typically feels that this congregation is his flock. They consume his time and energy. Being in a parish is different. A parish differs from a congregation in that it is a geographical scope of concern and responsibility. A congregation is a subset of a parish. So what difference does that make? Being in a parish gives one the God-given right to minister to anyone in the community, whether they are part of one’s congregation or not. Urban theologian, maybe a local pastor's office should be the local coffee shop. ( mine is the Coffee Club!!)

9) From anecdote and speculation to valid information.

Two pieces of information changed the course of Nehemiah’s life that resulted in the transformation of a community. In Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah learned that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were broken down and her people were in great distress. These two pieces of accurate information were catalytic to Nehemiah’s prayers and plans to restore a broken wall and a broken people. His burden to transform the city came from accurate information. We too need correct information about the real needs of our community as well as the resources we have to meet these needs. Do we know the demographic information of our community? Do we know the number of churches? Do we know the spiritual history of our community? In assessing community needs we need to identify the people in need (poor, disadvantaged, children, elderly, single parents, disabled, prisoners, sick, aliens, etc) along with the type of needs they have (physical, spiritual / moral, social, emotional or cognitive). Most information is readily available through local human service agencies, governments and the census bureau. We also need to identify the spiritual assets of our community—the number of faith communities and believers. Together, these two research pieces give us a picture of our “mission field” and our “mission force.” Armed with accurate information, we can determine best how to go forward.

In 1994, 21 year-old Pastor Matthew Barnett began the Los Angeles “Dream Center” by walking around his neighborhood looking for unmet needs. He saw the thousands of outcast people living on the fringes of society. Today the Dream Center—“the church that never sleeps” has adopted 50 city blocks (2,100 homes!) that it serves with 200 volunteer staff. Its Franciscan Hospital campus houses 400 people in its rehab and discipleship program and feeds more than 25,000 people a week. They have a free 24-hour medical clinic, a mobile medical unit and dozens of effective ministries that are finding needs and meeting them. Scores of churches around our country have adopted the Adopt a Block strategy as a means of touching the lives of people around them.

10) From teacher to learner

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” (James 1:19).

It is interesting to note that for the historic African-American churches, the concept of holistic ministry is not a new concept. They have never suffered from trying to split effective evangelism from social justice or meeting the needs of those around them. It’s how they’ve always done church. A study of 2,150 black churches by C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya in their book The Black Church in the African American Experience report that nearly 70% “of black churches are involved with social service agencies and non-church programs in dealing with community problems.” The effective churches see the community as one that is full of assets more than full of problems.

Where do we go from here?

From Isaiah 65:17-25 we find the outline of seven characteristics of a healthy community from the heart of God:

Public celebration and happiness (18, 19)

Public health for children and the aged (20)

Housing for all (21)

Food for all (22)

Meaningful work (22, 23)

Family support systems (23)

Absence of violence (25) ( especially bullying so rife in schools at the moment.

This list outlines our potential marching orders. The Spirit of God is at work. There is a good chance that the next great movement of God will involve putting the church back into community where it can be the leaven, salt and light God designed the church to be. Will we join God in this transforming work? For the sake of the gospel, the church and our communities, in faith… let’s move forward!

The Challenge of Leadership in 2009.

I have a problem. As I minister in the nations I am seeing the dishonouring of the older leaders in the Body of Christ. Almost every 'older in years' leader, that I have spoken to recently, have been asked to step aside to let a young gun come and take over what the older leader spent years building!

You see I take issue with this. Why you ask? Because in 5 /10 years that leader who asked an older leader to step aside will be old himself. Where do we end this? Is there an answer? Years ago we had all the 30 year olds preaching that 40 was ancient and to move aside if you were over 40. Problem is most of those 30 year old preachers have now hit 50 and now it seems 60 is the golden age for shoving a pastor off his turf!

I believe there is an anointing of recognition God will bless you with when you make a ‘place’ for another! When we recognise and affirm each other’s call and partner with each others destiny! As we recognise each other and we release each other, then we all get the benefit of the extended radius of authority of the kingdom.

Results of Removing Father's

1) Last year was horrendous for the Body of Christ! I believe when we started removing the elder 'father's' from the Body of Christ we removed the table set before us. A table is a place to eat and be nourished, we need to eat off the right table. He prepares a table before us.

We need to be careful whose table we sit at!! If the family table is removed then the children have to find their own food with devastating results. Third world countries attest to this!

Hungry people will eat anything unless they have a family table!

Jesus said those who hunger & thirst after righteousness will be filled - RIGHTEOUSNESS means HONESTY, INTEGRITY & MORALITY. Survivors of disasters often become so hungry they eat each others flesh. When we start to eat each others flesh example, Jealousy, backbiting, envy etc, we begin to realise our hunger has taken us to the wrong table.

When we take away mum and dad as the providers of the family food, then the kid's eat take out! They become lazy and obese, have heart problems etc. Same in church, remove the family table and the kids run here and there picking at any food and end up with 'heart' problems. Not generational curses etc, just a wrong table!

It will no longer do to say a man has an unclean life but his fruit is OK! God is saying if the tree is bad then so is the fruit! We need to teach the younger ones about their future not their past. Jewish children know from a young age their generational blessings, those of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, BUT if we remove Abraham we end up with a distorted future!

2) 1 Peter 2 v 17 - Honour ALL people.

A Jew learns as a child to honour his elders. Why does the Body of Christ despise theirs?

The other day I found this Scripture and I believe it is a warning for the Body of Christ.

LAMENTATIONS 5 v 14

When the older men no longer sit in the city gates the young men don't sing and dance

The elders sat at the gates of the City. They watched who came in or out, they protected and sheltered. They gave the younger wisdom/ discernment. When we remove the older men in the Body of Christ from the Gates or Doors of the church, we remove the PRESENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST FROM THE HOUSE.

Singing and dancing represents His presence and worship. If we remove the elders from their posts we will remove the Presence of God and Worship from the House and the next generation. You can't have one without the other. We may have slick music, etc but if the elders are no longer at the Gates and fathers removed from the house then we will have a business and not His Glorious Church!

I love what Josh McDowell says in his book, Last Christian Generation, "The issue here is that the majority of our young people lack a relationship with spiritual mentors who are models of Christ likeness, and these youth are building their faith and lives on a false foundation, a distorted view of who Christ is, why he came to earth, and what the Bible and truth really are."

Conversely, many older adults feel disconnected from succeeding generations and seem ready to cut the cord altogether in the mis-belief that they are no longer needed or even wanted. It's one of the gravest mistakes facing the modern-day Church. A dangerous spiritual blindside. It is time that we step up to our privilege and responsibility; time for the Church to "engage the culture and to provide transformational leadership for life's second-half!"

Besides, the next generation deserves to place its hand on the helm of the Church. But young leaders steering through uncharted waters are wise to draw knowledge and wisdom from 'older captains' who've been there before. And 'older captains' are wise to let the young steer the ship without abandoning them to the task altogether.

Responsibility for the future of the Church is as much in the hands of the elders as it is in any others. Not 'old elders' with spirits that are dulled, eyes that are dim and ways that are set; but rather 'new elders' with spirits rekindled, vision that is clear, and an eagerness to adventure with Jesus. These are the future of the Church. The new elders. These 'new elders' are us!

I believe its time that we stopped disconnecting people because of age but the older Captains help guide the ship with the younger ones. I believe whether you are young or old that today is the day you embraced your call once again, and decided that you are the future of the emerging church. Whether you are 20 or 80 if you are still passionate and visionary then arise.

Timothy needed Paul.

Joshua needed Moses.

Ruth needed Naomi.

The Bible is full of these stories and testimonies, yet why is the church purging herself from hers?

Culture, Sub Culture and Trends - Whats the difference and is there a difference?

In the past months I have consistently heard around church, this statement, 'Who is dictating the culture in your church?'

In essence it sounds feasible even plausible, even to the point of me deciding to try and create a different culture in my church, dismiss the oldies, fire the pastor (he is too old) and create a whole new set of programs in the belief I am changing the 'culture' of my church!

So lets try and unwrap this subject of culture, sub culture and trends and see what, why and how they effect us. Also look and see if the church have an impact on the culture of our City and nation and if so how?

What is Culture?

In anthropology the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another. The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought on a society.

Subculture.

Sociology.

a. the cultural values and behavioral patterns distinctive of a particular group in a society.

b. a group having social, economic, ethnic, or other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society.

Trend.

To tend to take a particular direction; extend in some direction indicated.

A general tendency or inclination.

So lets now try and uncouple ourselves from all those meanings.

Firstly, why are we developing a 'culture' in our churches in the first place? If culture is an action that effects society and is passed on from generation to generation, may I ask the rather obvious question here? Whatever we create today will be a behavior or belief that will be passed on down the generations. Could I also add how large is our church, that that group has the ability to persuade and influence the populous? Isn't the bible clear on what we pass down  -  the Word of God alone?

In saying that, why as a church are we creating a culture on the inside of a building instead of changing the culture that is in the populace of our city?

Could we really be saying that we are trying 'trends' and progressing with 'trends' that cause us to create a sub culture?

Why is the church intent on creating within itself, as a group, that keeps trends and creates a subculture that in essence has absolutely no impact on the society we live in?

Is this what we are really called to do? Isn't the church called to go into all the 'world' ? Greek word kosmos, which means constitution, order, government, world affairs. Doesn't Matthew 28 v 19 say, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Nation Greek ethnos, coming from the word Ethnic... which means a people group of a PARTICULAR CULTURE.

So why is the church now no longer going into society and teaching society and changing society's culture but we are now staying within our walls and we believe that our few hundred people is our world whose culture we are to change?

Does this make sense yet?

So we have churches saying what's your culture?

Are the youth playing the music?

Do you have a cafe?

Is the interior modern?

That is NOT culture it is a trend because the only people you are affecting is your few hundred NOT society's beliefs, and in 30 years will be different!

Coffee in itself is not a culture - it is a trend that formed a culture!

What do I mean? In the generations prior to the 70's, women had tea/coffee in the home, around the kitchen table. It was the place to catch up and its main purpose was because the family kept us at home, as a woman was a homemaker. Then the feminist move caused women to go out of the home, get second jobs and a coffee shop culture was created around women outside the home & family So for church to just have a cafe does nothing to affect the culture in society except get people to mix - this is NOT a culture its a trend!

In the 80's we girls wore spiral perms, big hair, huge shoulder pads, etc but the trend disappeared (thank you Jesus) some are still stuck in the 80's trend but it was not a culture because we haven't passed it down to our children. So if in the 80's we waved flags in church, played timbrels it is not a culture until it has an impact on society and is passed down the generations.

It is a trend and we just may be stuck in it, but don't say its a culture - its NOT!

Can trends become culture?

The answer is yes and no.

On their own ... no.

But if we look at the Bikini, it wasn't simply because a woman wore one on Bondi beach! The bikini followed the feminist move and it was birthed out of that 'culture' The Beatles hairstyle was a 'trend' but the hair wasn't the change of 'culture'. Their clothes, style and statements made them trend-setters but it was birthed out of the growing social awareness that saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. They therefore, had an impact on politics and the economy, and changed the culture within society, but it wasn't their hair it was the belief beyond the hair.

Culture affects society. Culture molds the intellect and understanding (mind) of our society and therefore has an impact on the way society behaves in the future. What therefore are the mind molders that create and shape our future culture that is passed down to the generations affecting the way they think or act? Education ( schools, universities etc) government ( left or right) media, arts and entertainment, family religion, business Look at Censorship, the Hayes office censored all TV and Hollywood, till Hollywood produced a movie called 'The Clockwork Orange ' in the 1970's and created such a stir the culture changed and censorship no longer was deemed necessary. Was it the movie, no it was the political revolution that was occurring in the nation & the movie took advantage of the change USA always had God in schools, and government places, until Madalyn Murray O Hare took advantage of the decline in society's family values and created a culture of secularizing America's education system.

Rosa Parke took advantage of the climate of racial unrest and slavery and created a new culture where all men are created equal by refusing to give up her seat on a bus. It wasn't just the act but the reason for the act that changed the culture So in saying that it isn't the long hair, the bikini, the bus that creates culture but the reason behind these acts that cause the acts to effect society and bring change The church is called to change society, to be the cultural change in society. Tell me how is this done if 300 people sing loud songs, wear trendy clothes and no longer wave flags.

I hate to burst your culture bubble but all you are doing is setting a trend and at most becoming a sub culture So in essence whether a pastor is 28 or 82 has no effect on society's culture!!

The Beatles were teenagers.

Rosa Parke's was 42.

Madalyn Murray O hare was 55 when she managed to change the christian values of a nation into atheist beliefs.

So coffee before or after church isn't shaping culture, old or young pastor, isn't shaping society's culture, youth in band isn't shaping society's culture. It is just keeping up a trend that is forming a sub culture in your small group of members that has no effect on your city or Nation.

So whats the answer?

Certainly the church needs to keep up with trends. No business, company or group can expect to press into the future by antiquated ideas but lets be real, where not, as a small group WITHIN a building 2 days a week, changing the culture at all. Its what we do and affect and what that affect has on society in the marketplace that will change the culture in our Nation. Sure, keep up the trends to keep us a compelling group of individuals that make the church enticing to join. Lets keep the culture talk where it belongs - with the CHURCH affecting the MARKETPLACE, be intelligent about the marketplace and look to what crucible is in the marketplace that we can use to bring societal change.

If you want to add a cafe, lets not fool our self that I am changing culture, because if I don't recognise the belief I am not going affect the whole. I hope this note makes sense, and perhaps by uncoupling ourselves from fallacy's it allows us to align ourselves as an effective church impacting our city while keeping with the trends in today's generations.

Lets get on with being the impacting church in the marketplace that effects the values of the generations tomorrow and realise old young, black paint or blue, coffee before after or in coffee shops IS NOT culture but just keeping trends.

Where is the church in the mind molders of our society? Where does this leave the bible in all this 'culture' spin? Where does it leave 'honour your mother and father ' in this spin?

To me it seems the church has become so obsessed in 'trends' we have forgotten that our next generation are living in a culture that we have left to go to the 'dogs'!!

Be Blessed!

Do You Change Culture Or Does Culture Change You?

As people of faith, we like to think that we actually impact culture. But the truth is, historically speaking; it's usually the other way around. You've no doubt read the classic quote: Christianity began as a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When it went to Athens, it became a philosophy. When it went to Rome, it became an organization. When it went to Europe, it became a culture. When it came to America, it became a business."

Over and over, it seems Christianity absorbs the surrounding culture, rather than Christianity transforming culture. In order to be more effective, Christians should infiltrate the pillars of society that shape culture. The church has been successful at evangelism but has failed at changing nations which is Kingdom!

People in positions at the top of each pillar of society (religion, family, education, government and law, media, arts/sports, and we could add health business/technology) actually determine what happens on the pillar or area of society, thus, shaping culture. As Christians we have made the mistake of merely focusing on getting people to the religion sphere rather than training and sending believers to infiltrate other spheres so that Kingdom principles can be applied and promoted there.

In the Bible, David was anointed to be King, a secular position even though he was an incredible man of God. Daniel was promoted into a high ranking government position due to his spiritual gift of dream interpretation. Moses, Joseph, Cornelius, the list goes on and on.

In history, the anecdotes may be even clearer than the obvious Biblical examples mentioned above. One of the most profound examples I believe is Constantine and the conversion of the Roman Empire. In 312 at the Battle Milvian Bridge, it is said that Constantine saw a cross and light above the sun with words saying, “By this, conquer!” A year later the Edict of Milain was instituted which decreed the tolerance of Christianity and removed penalties for professing Christianity. Constantine began to promote Christians in high-ranking government positions, supported the church financially, and built a number of extraordinary buildings for them. Many claim this was the beginning of Christendom.

By the conversion of one man in authority on top of the government mountain, God spread Christianity throughout the world. (This is an example of one man effecting society and not a debate on his belief system). We cannot forget the story of Marco Polo, while it may not have been as successful as the opportunity could have been,. His family spread Christianity along a trade route to Asia. Intrigued by their claims of Christianity, Kublai Khan said, "You send me a hundred men skilled in your religion, and I shall be baptized and all my subjects will study Christianity too. There will then be more Christians in the East than in the West…The men remained in China for 17 years, during which time Marco carried out diplomatic missions throughout the empire. Marco claims that he held the position of governor over the large commercial city of Yangzhou. He also claimed to have visited hundreds of Christian churches. These would have been the result of Christianity that had arrived in 635 from Christian merchants along the Silk Road.

When Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, the devil took him up to a high mountain and showed Him the Kingdoms of this world and said ‘there yours if you worship me’. Satan didn’t show him souls, yet it was the souls of men and women he had gained control over in the garden, why, because if you can gain control of the kingdoms or spheres of influence you automatically get the souls. Just like Kublai Khan told Marco, get me and my kingdom and you get the people. If we can get the culture and the kingdoms that produce the culture we will get the people within them! History proves that there is no greater way for nations to be converted than through leaders in high positions.

John 4 v 5 -7 & 28

Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." The woman then left her water jar, beside the well, and went back to the village and told everyone, If we take a look at this scripture again you may be surprised! If you look at Jewish history (many historians i.e. Wolff, Haverford, Mich to name a few) tell us that there were two types of legal marriage in that time, one was a cohabite, where they just lived together and had a sexual relationship, in Jewish law this was legal, this was common in lower classes therefore if she had been in this type of relationship Jesus would not have said the 6th man is not your husband because under this law he would have been. The other was where a dowry was involved & marriage through church system. This man must have been a casual relationship.

So perhaps this woman was not as we always believed just the low class scarlet woman. She was near a very Jewish memorial place and a Samaritan woman, which would be most of the reason she was at the well at the time when other women were not there. The other thing is she left her jar, and went to the city and told everyone about her conversation! If she had been a woman from a low class and committing sexual sin, no one would have listened, especially not the men.

Perhaps this woman was more significant than we have believed. Perhaps if we look afresh this woman was significant in the city, perhaps a business woman and therefore was able to have a considerable impact upon the city itself. This woman was the media of the day!! That ‘well’ was the starting place of media influence! (Just another way of looking at scriptures that we perhaps just take for granted because that’s the way it’s always been!!)

Look at the media's effect on culture today and how the church has responded. The media through access and repetition influences culture, and the church rather than try to lure people to it's doors should meet culture at it's JACOB'S WELL, the media (social & mainstream media), and confront it with truth, the church has a responsibility to influence culture.

We sometimes allow the pressure by the media of cultural shifts and analysts to bully us into diluting truth and altering our personal convictions or moral code. We are so afraid that if we state truth as presented in the bible that we will be accused of being extremists, loose our audience or popularity. There needs to be a wind of change in the church's interaction with culture and it begins with each of us in our own sphere of influence.

Remember Acts 17 v 1

Now Paul and Silas traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. Amphipolis was a known trade route from Northern Greece to the East for timber, gold and silver, it was also known for its Art and entertainment. When Paul approached the philosophers at Mars Hill in the city he had plenty of opportunities to speak to the political leadership (usually after he got arrested) and also the business men of the city. We have done a fantastic job at teaching the church through media, TV etc, but perhaps its time for this generation of believers to re-think the balance. The dichotomy of secular vs. Christian markets should not be an issue.

Maybe we need to get to movie making. Become Politian’s, write for secular publishers. Get in the news business. Create video games, record with secular labels. Let our life and work tell the story of your faith. Trust me; there will always be plenty of people to create media for the church. But the rest of us need to pop the bubble, get outside, and change the world.

We are seeing where there is a completely separate industry called "Christian Music" with Christian artists, labels, etc. We have successfully kept the world from hearing our message. We need to engage the world. We can be there as salt and light. "YOU are the message."

Everywhere I go I see people who have filtered their faith through the lens of rock & roll, Hollywood, business, family values, indigenous traditions, media, customs, sports, and more. They live the life they want, and just surround themselves with a customized "lifestyle" edition of the Bible, Christian t-shirts, or the celebrity pastor of the moment. They pick a local church based on "how much it ministers to me," and support whatever is trendy.

Culture has changed them. Their faith is defined only in the context of a greater culture. And the minute a little persecution happens, it's the faith that gets tossed, not the rock & roll, or t-shirt. I'm wondering what would happen to a generation that actually defined culture through the lens of their faith. What if we practiced what we preach and stopped worrying if the clothes we preached in were cool?

What if instead of culture changing us, we actually changed culture?