Win the World for Jesus

This year I have occassionally fallen into a relaxed attitude about the ministry of The Salvation Army. Comfortable with how things are. Spending a considerable amount of time theologising about minstry I'm not particularly helping with overly much. Interesting position I've found myself in. But things are changing for me... Let me tell you why.

I've heard a statement recently, that I've heard before, and during Connections it has really hit my heart. It's the statement... 'WIN THE WOLRD FOR JESUS'. After spending some time studying the ins and outs of Mission in Salvation Army contexts and abroad, I am loving this statement.

If we win the world for Jesus, everyone is saved for starters. Not just that. Communities are transformed. Global warming would be a declining issue. Poverty would be non-existent. Human Trafficking would be a fleeting historical event which no longer applies to humanity. Reconciliation; Salvation; Justice. It encapsulates all this.

We win the whole World for Jesus. Every part. Every community. A big vision. A big dream. A future reality? Let the Revolution begin...

Lord, renew in us a deep, deep passion for winning the world for Jesus. It is time for a Revolution.

A NEW DAY!

It's a new day! Amen. Let me share some thoughts following a huge week of Connections 07':

* The Salvation Army is a force to be reckoned with; watch out Devil, Jesus has conquered the grave!
* God is bringing more and more people to their knees in prayer and submission. I said to Jo on Thursday morning, after we had been down the front kneeling before the Lord in tears, I never want to stop kneeling before God in surrender, even as a future officer into the future.
* The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory has begun a new day, a new era. A time where encouragement will be the attitude, and blessing others will be the norm (trust me I'm learning this one, as I believe many Salvationists are)
* As I prayed Saturday night prior to the two Sunday events, I saw a vision of the Holy Spirit's fire weaving in and out of the rows of seats in the venue. Like the Fantastic Four fire guy; a flaming fast fire enveloping all those it touches.
* I have a new passion for the mission of The Salvation Army!
* I'm loving the phrase, 'WIN THE WORLD FOR JESUS' I believe it encapsulates all that we are about. If we win the World for Jesus then the World is reconciled to God through Christ, the World will be just, and Nations will be Holy and Sanctified, as will all individuals!
* On the train to Parliament Station, a lady asked us for some money. She looked really drugged and sleep deprived. We found out she needed a meal. She came with us to Mc'Donalds near Parliament Station and we bought her a meal. I'm loving the opportunities God gives us to put the talk into action.
* On Sunday afternoon we sat with mates for lunch at Southern Cross Station, and we talked with a lady next to us about The Salvation Army and even better, we spoke about the saving grace of Jesus!
* I believe we need large Salvation Army gatherings at least once a year, where we can come together as a large group and connect with the Lord. Here's a vision I saw earlier on in the year, while at Rod Laver Arena... I saw the Rod Laver Arena (seating atleast 15,000) filled with Salvationists full-on worshipping Jesus, with Salvos wearing many different uniforms, united in their mission and focus. Lord let it be! Maybe some of us young people will be reaping the harvest of the painful, hard work of our forefathers...

AND LASTLY:

* The vision outlined by Commissioner Jim Knaggs in his new book, 'One Day...', will soon have to be called 'Today...' ; you understand what I mean??

Connections is here!

Bring your faith and put on your armour. What an awesome weekend this will be. If you're coming just for the Sunday why don't you put aside what you're doing on Saturday and join in the Parade/March and the great electives that will be on.

Today was Covenant Day for the Heralds... and many of us prayed and prayed as we watched these guys sign their covenants. Vowing to make winning souls the first purpose of their life, and committing their lives to serving the poor and needy. What an awesome thing! Will you commit your life to winning souls and serving the needy?

Bring your mates to Connections. Believe its going to be powerful. Lives will be transformed in the presence of Jesus. I believe that. Believe that with me.

Bring your faith and put on y0ur armour. This weekend is going to change the face of The Salvation Army.

It's about Jesus.

The Torquay Salvation Army

Jo, myself and Aaron Stobie had a chance to go to Torquay yesterday and help out. What a great community. From what I know things began with the Thrift shop in Torquay, and income increased through that and contacts were made in the community. Then some ministries began to sprout up from the Thrift shop, like Mainly Music programs. The Salvos then at Torquay commenced a Church service on a Sunday arvo over a year ago.

In amongst all the things we could have assisted with, we helped with the Sunday night service. About 40 people rocked up, with heaps of children running around and just having heaps of fun. We helped with the music, and parents worshipped while kids had fun playing little shaker instruments (Maracas?) Anyway, what a great missional community. The fellowship is relaxed and genuine, new people came along, people are becoming adherents, and Jesus is the focus!!

Good stuff Torquay. I pray a blessing upon your leadership team, and for Cath and Phill this coming week for Commissioning!

Planting Churches

Here's a Church Planting Video I put together following a Church Planting Conference in Melbourne a couple of months ago. (I finally got the editing done... Check it out)

McDonalds and Church

I've been thinking a little lately. Our churches are much like McDonalds...

When you go to McDonalds you know what to expect. The menu is set. You know the cost before you walk in. In fact, not often does the price you pay differ from normal. The service is predictable. The layout is the same in many McDonalds restaraunts.

Church. You know what to expect. The meeting lead is set. You know the cost before you walk in. In fact, not often does the price you pay differ from normal. The service is predictable. The layout is the same in many Church buildings.

Our Australian culture. People are different. Immigration sees many differing nationalities. People enjoy varying things. People have a whole lot of personalities. Our lives are unpredictable. Our homes are unique, with the style that we have chosen.

To effectively impact communities with the Gospel, with all their variety and passions, we can't put forward a McDonalds style church.

Holy Discontent - Bill Hybels

A month or so back, I read a new Hybels book called, 'Holy Discontent'.

It's a fairly easy read, but with an important message. Each of us should find our holy discontent, that is, find the thing that frustrates us, or the injustice that needs to change... and then work on that holy discontent.

For William Wilberforce, his holy discontent was slavery. He dedicated his life to seeing slaves be set free, and for government policy to be overruled. For Mother Theresa, her holy discontent was people in poverty deserving dignity and compassion and support. She, as we know, devoted her life to aiding those in these situations.

I wonder, what is your holy discontent? Find it. Then as Hybel says, feed it. Don't lose the passion you have for that discontentedness.

Successful TACO night

Well, the TACO Trivia Nights have come and gone. You may be wondering how much we raised... well I tell you that in a minute.
We were raising money for Cadets in Indonesia, and for the Training College in Indonesia. The money we raised will go towards supporting cadets who struggle financially, also the cadets who are waiting to enter college because of lack of funding, and also to possibly supporting the improvement of the facilities of the Training College.
We ran two events on Saturday. One at The Salvation Army Training College in Melbourne, and one in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. We had over 60 people at the College and over 40 in the West, and everyone seemed to have a great night, plenty of laughs, plenty of itchy heads, and sore brains...

Through the running of these two events were able to raise $1,220. Well done everyone!

I would like to thank those who helped serve on the night, and those who helped prior to the two events. A special thanks to Cadet Nicole Snead for her leadership and organisation of the College's TACO night.

HERE'S THE VISION FOR NEXT YEAR: TACO Trivia nights in atleast 6 or 7 locations next year around the Territory, raising towards $5,000 for Cadets in Indonesia. Let's empower and train the next generation of officers to see the Revolution happen! Can you see it happening?

TACO Trivia: Last Chance!

Last Chance folks! We need more people to travel down to Werribee and join us in the fun. This Saturday!!!!

Send me an SMS and let me know if you're coming... 0412 997 125

What an awesome time. Two venues, and we'll raise lots of money for cadets in Indonesia. If you're in the state, come along!