God and Satan both want the same thing. They both want to kill you, only for different reasons.
Satan wants to kill your effectiveness for the Kingdom of God. He does this by enticing each new believer to remain aloof from body life. He really doesn't care about what happens after we die; he just doesn't want us, while alive, to disturb his kingdoms in this world by being part of a cell group that reveals Christ's Presence, Power and Purpose.
God wants to kill everything in you that He cannot use for His Kingdom purposes. One thing is certain, he must kill you to the idea that you can exist in the Kingdom apart from body life. Entering the kingdom requires us to die to self, for in this new realm we "look not to our own interests, but also to the interest of others."
The Kingdom of God is all about community. Believers who never find themselves bonded (“baptized”) by the Spirit to fellow body members are not living a normal spiritual life. Becoming a part of a community that exists as the body of Christ is the launching of His reign in you.
The folly of evangelistic appeals is the emphasis on the "ladder" that takes us from "downstairs" to "Upstairs," from the life of darkness to the life of the Kingdom. We talk about passing from death to life but never explain that this new life begins after we die to the old one.
We focus on the new birth without expanding what the new eyes must see: the Kingdom! Too many have been "born again" without any explanation about what the new life, joined to fellow body parts, involves. Thus we have thousands of pews every Sunday filled with disconnected body parts! It is ghastly!
I resent the parachurch teaching about every Christian having a “Quiet Time.” The idea that I have a “personal” time with God every day is a horrible obstruction to Kingdom body life. Instead, we need to approach the Throne as a body member, meaning that we bring our community of body parts into each communion with Christ. We are sensitive to His relationship not only with us but with us along with the other members of the body we are joined to by the Holy Spirit.
Any reflections on this? Add them to my blog.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
An amazing man!
Dr. Victor Chudhrie studied medicine at Christian Medical College in Vellore. He married Bindu Sukhnandan and went to England for higher studies in surgery. He returned to serve in Padhar Mission Hospital in a tribal village in District Betul in Madhya Pradesh, India.
In 1993 he committed himself to bringing about a Saturation Church Planting Movement throughout India, especially in north India. Since then God has blessed this ministry and thousands of house churches have been planted.
He has graciously permitted me to release three of his writings to those who are seeking to learn how to minister to this generation. I am not going to expose his precious materials at this time to "just anybody." If you would like to receive a treasure chest of spiritual materials free of charge, you must write me and request his first three documents: Teaching Cards, The Prayer Warrior, and Greet the Ekkleseyia.
He writes, "Whether we know it or not and whether we like it or not, a fierce battle is raging for the souls of men. This decisive battle will be won with wet eyes, bended knees and broken hearts. It also means using your God given gifts and taking authority to usher in the Government of God."
My email address to request them is: ralph (at) touchusa (dot)org.
In 1993 he committed himself to bringing about a Saturation Church Planting Movement throughout India, especially in north India. Since then God has blessed this ministry and thousands of house churches have been planted.
He has graciously permitted me to release three of his writings to those who are seeking to learn how to minister to this generation. I am not going to expose his precious materials at this time to "just anybody." If you would like to receive a treasure chest of spiritual materials free of charge, you must write me and request his first three documents: Teaching Cards, The Prayer Warrior, and Greet the Ekkleseyia.
He writes, "Whether we know it or not and whether we like it or not, a fierce battle is raging for the souls of men. This decisive battle will be won with wet eyes, bended knees and broken hearts. It also means using your God given gifts and taking authority to usher in the Government of God."
My email address to request them is: ralph (at) touchusa (dot)org.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Powerful Words!
L.T. Jeyachandran is executive director of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Singapore. He writes:
In a society that is increasingly fragmented and individualized, it is easy to develop a theology of the Church as a collection of perfect individuals. But a right understanding of the relationships within the Trinity would militate against such an interpretation. We do well to remember the powerfully acted parable of Jesus as he washed the disciples' feet. The feet of all the disciples were dirty, but as they would submit themselves to cleansing by one another, they would emerge as a perfect community (John 13:14). We may fundamentally have no difficulty having ourselves cleansed by Christ, but to submit to ablutions by another is virtually unthinkable. The disciples (and we as well) would have been very happy to wash the feet of Jesus, but his injunction was that they should wash one another's feet. It was a strange but effective way of communicating the importance of relating to one another by forgiving, cleansing, and accepting one another in perfect mutuality. In other words, two imperfect individuals can synergistically portray a perfect relationship--the very antidote so desperately needed to correct our individualistic privatized spirituality!
It is an issue within Scripture that cannot be overemphasized. The hallmark of the Church of Jesus Christ is a relational testimony which serves as a pointer to the reality of the Eternal Triune God. May we, under God, consciously discern every trap that the devil sets for us to rupture relationships, and trust the Holy Spirit of love to breathe his healing and remake our fractured bonds.
In a society that is increasingly fragmented and individualized, it is easy to develop a theology of the Church as a collection of perfect individuals. But a right understanding of the relationships within the Trinity would militate against such an interpretation. We do well to remember the powerfully acted parable of Jesus as he washed the disciples' feet. The feet of all the disciples were dirty, but as they would submit themselves to cleansing by one another, they would emerge as a perfect community (John 13:14). We may fundamentally have no difficulty having ourselves cleansed by Christ, but to submit to ablutions by another is virtually unthinkable. The disciples (and we as well) would have been very happy to wash the feet of Jesus, but his injunction was that they should wash one another's feet. It was a strange but effective way of communicating the importance of relating to one another by forgiving, cleansing, and accepting one another in perfect mutuality. In other words, two imperfect individuals can synergistically portray a perfect relationship--the very antidote so desperately needed to correct our individualistic privatized spirituality!
It is an issue within Scripture that cannot be overemphasized. The hallmark of the Church of Jesus Christ is a relational testimony which serves as a pointer to the reality of the Eternal Triune God. May we, under God, consciously discern every trap that the devil sets for us to rupture relationships, and trust the Holy Spirit of love to breathe his healing and remake our fractured bonds.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
BOOT CAMP EQUIPPING VIDEOS ARE ON LINE!
Many years ago when we formed the TOUCH FAMILY in Houston I spent many months preparing equipping modules for those interested in joining the new church plant. Later these went from powerpoints to videos. Now I have taken the time to move the entire series into a format that can be viewed on the internet as streaming video.
Take a look at the listing in the right column. View some of the ones already downloaded. If you want to use them, they can be downloaded to your own computer.
Give me feedback about your use of them, would you?
Take a look at the listing in the right column. View some of the ones already downloaded. If you want to use them, they can be downloaded to your own computer.
Give me feedback about your use of them, would you?
Friday, December 12, 2008
"God is certainly among you!"
In 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, we see a form of proclamation that is as scarce as hen's teeth in our generation. The passage describes a small group being attended by observing unbelievers and "ungifted ones." The group itself contains 100% "gifted ones" who are all prophesying("all" means "all," all of the time). "Prophesying" is precisely what Paul expects from all believers, for he specifically states "all should prophesy" in 1 Cor. 4:1.
Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives makes reference to cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains but ignores another domain: revelation. The form of proclamation of the gospel mentioned here is in the revelation domain. It can only take place when the indwelling Christ manifests His presence by empowering the believers in the group to prophesy, to reveal His Presence and Power.
When and where does this take place in our generation? How do we prepare new believers to understand how Christ reveals His inner presence through them? Have you ever heard a sermon, listened to a teaching, or read a book that clearly shares how we enter this level of proclamation?
I am curious to know if anyone reads my blog. I get no responses. This time, if you have read what I wrote, please leave a comment. When and where have you personally experienced this?
Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives makes reference to cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains but ignores another domain: revelation. The form of proclamation of the gospel mentioned here is in the revelation domain. It can only take place when the indwelling Christ manifests His presence by empowering the believers in the group to prophesy, to reveal His Presence and Power.
When and where does this take place in our generation? How do we prepare new believers to understand how Christ reveals His inner presence through them? Have you ever heard a sermon, listened to a teaching, or read a book that clearly shares how we enter this level of proclamation?
I am curious to know if anyone reads my blog. I get no responses. This time, if you have read what I wrote, please leave a comment. When and where have you personally experienced this?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Importance of Mentoring
I have just come back from a series of seminars and speaking engagements that took Ruth and me to Brazil (Belo Horizonte, Maceio), Singapore, Hong Kong (CCMN)and Switzerland (Bern, Frutigen, Zurich).
I was made aware that most cells do not prepare all cell members to both mentor another person and to be mentored by a person in the cell at the same time. My emphasis in each case was to point out that the "Basic Christian Communities" term used by Eddie Leo (Abbalove, Indonesia)solves this problem. Triads within the cells meet for 15-20 minutes following the worship time in the cell, with some attempt made to connect the three levels of maturity mentioned in 1 John 2: "Little Child" being cared for by the "Young Man" being cared for by the "Father."
Harold Weitz in South Africa introduced these "Basic Christian Communities" into his cell system after discussing it with Eddie, and in Brazil they have been incorporated into the Year of Equipping training provided by TOUCH Brazil (Robert Lay).
A serious error takes place when a cell group mimics a traditional "sit and soak" mentality by not activating ministry between all the cell members, leaving the "discipling" to the cell leader. In the community of believers, everyone is a "minister" and everyone should be receiving ministry from others. The "Priesthood of all believers" should be more than a theological teaching: it should literally exist within the body of Christ. After all, every single believer contains an equal amount of righteousness--the righteousness of Christ.
If you are interested in this, investigate the web site of Little Falls in South Africa: http://www.littlefallsnetwork.com/ffmi/.
Have you registered yet for the Cell Symposium (www.cellsymposium.com)? Don't linger! The 300 chairs seating delegates are fast being filled. If you delay you may find you waited too long...
I was made aware that most cells do not prepare all cell members to both mentor another person and to be mentored by a person in the cell at the same time. My emphasis in each case was to point out that the "Basic Christian Communities" term used by Eddie Leo (Abbalove, Indonesia)solves this problem. Triads within the cells meet for 15-20 minutes following the worship time in the cell, with some attempt made to connect the three levels of maturity mentioned in 1 John 2: "Little Child" being cared for by the "Young Man" being cared for by the "Father."
Harold Weitz in South Africa introduced these "Basic Christian Communities" into his cell system after discussing it with Eddie, and in Brazil they have been incorporated into the Year of Equipping training provided by TOUCH Brazil (Robert Lay).
A serious error takes place when a cell group mimics a traditional "sit and soak" mentality by not activating ministry between all the cell members, leaving the "discipling" to the cell leader. In the community of believers, everyone is a "minister" and everyone should be receiving ministry from others. The "Priesthood of all believers" should be more than a theological teaching: it should literally exist within the body of Christ. After all, every single believer contains an equal amount of righteousness--the righteousness of Christ.
If you are interested in this, investigate the web site of Little Falls in South Africa: http://www.littlefallsnetwork.com/ffmi/.
Have you registered yet for the Cell Symposium (www.cellsymposium.com)? Don't linger! The 300 chairs seating delegates are fast being filled. If you delay you may find you waited too long...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Fifty Years!
A half century ago, at age 29, Ruth and I were seminary students in New Orleans planning to serve in Africa. Our plans were stopped when she came down with a little tiny ulcer. That was enough to end our processing with the Foreign Mission Board! I was stunned. I had already entered the PhD track and now had to ask, "Lord, why is this happening?" He replied, "I want you to know that two thousand miles of bathwater doesn't make you a missionary!"
I applied to the Home Mission Board, explaining I was searching for God's direction for a US assignment. I was not prepared for the response: "We need you right now, if you are willing to drop out of the seminary. Harrisburg PA is desperate for a church planter."
Two days later I was on a plane to Harrisburg. The Lord said, "This is your mission field." So it was that in a matter of a few weeks we were situated in a tiny plant in Middletown, PA, started by Frank Brown, a displaced Southern who was stationed there to coordinate trucker's movements for a corporation. The dear guy saw a need and although not trained, he began to evangelize and formed the Valley Baptist Church in the basement of his home.
According to the church log, Frank was member #3 and I was member #93. We had far less than 92 others, but Frank's passion for the lost had reaped the first harvest, mainly from the military stationed at Olmstead Air Base (now closed). From 7/1960 to 2/1963, Ruth and I pastored Valley Baptist and I planted additional churches in the area, finally constituting 7 of them in 1963 as the Keystone Baptist Association. When I left, the next pastor's membership number was 309. So we saw a great revival break out during that brief period.
It was there I read Watchman Nee's The Normal Christian life. It totally transformed my life! And that truth was the theology that spawned the harvest.
Have you read the book? It's a classic.
I applied to the Home Mission Board, explaining I was searching for God's direction for a US assignment. I was not prepared for the response: "We need you right now, if you are willing to drop out of the seminary. Harrisburg PA is desperate for a church planter."
Two days later I was on a plane to Harrisburg. The Lord said, "This is your mission field." So it was that in a matter of a few weeks we were situated in a tiny plant in Middletown, PA, started by Frank Brown, a displaced Southern who was stationed there to coordinate trucker's movements for a corporation. The dear guy saw a need and although not trained, he began to evangelize and formed the Valley Baptist Church in the basement of his home.
According to the church log, Frank was member #3 and I was member #93. We had far less than 92 others, but Frank's passion for the lost had reaped the first harvest, mainly from the military stationed at Olmstead Air Base (now closed). From 7/1960 to 2/1963, Ruth and I pastored Valley Baptist and I planted additional churches in the area, finally constituting 7 of them in 1963 as the Keystone Baptist Association. When I left, the next pastor's membership number was 309. So we saw a great revival break out during that brief period.
It was there I read Watchman Nee's The Normal Christian life. It totally transformed my life! And that truth was the theology that spawned the harvest.
Have you read the book? It's a classic.
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