http://www.newchurchlife.com new environments to experience God & community Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:49:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Even though homes were places where believers gathered in the first century, and modern church planting movements are house-church based, many church pastors are wary of them. There are good reasons - but also some misunderstandings! First, local church pastors don't want to lose attendees. Attendees provide financial and human ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/08/house-churches/house-churches-to-expand-your-witness/ Dave Lawton has just returned from Mongolia and reports: '... the fire is gone. Western models of Church have been imported. These 'traditional style' churches have locked Christians up and created a passive Christianity. The Gospel has stopped spreading. Initially I was discouraged when I observed what was going on... ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/07/planting-movements/in-mongolia-the-fire-is-gone/ Check out Dave Lawton's blog on sharing faith with ABC Bible reading - essential to church planting movements! http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/07/planting-movements/sharing-abc-bible-reading/ 'Do we build God a house so that we can choose when we go to see God? Do we build God a house in lieu of having God stay at ours? ... What happens to the people who never show up in our houses of God?' (Barbara Brown Taylor, An ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/07/ideas-for-planters/on-building-a-house-for-god/ The first Matthew Party was thrown by Levi Matthew, a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him. The story is given in Luke 6:27-32 - and also Matthew 9:9-13 and Mark 2:14-17. When Levi followed Jesus he 'held a great banquet for Jesus at his house' - inviting a ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/06/ideas-for-planters/matthew-parties/ In England this last Saturday I met Dusan Uzelac who is equipping community chaplains to connect with and support their neighborhoods. As Dusan says, 'Everyone knows what a chaplain is - and they are respected!' They work in pairs, wear a badge with name and contact details identifying their church ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/05/simpler-church/community-chaplain-services/ What does this exceptionally well-done video say about church (conventional or consumerist) - whether on Wed, Sat or Sun? What is church? Check out ‘Sunday’s Coming’ - and maybe check out church in the book of Acts (yes, in the Bible!). Share your comment on church TODAY & church in ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/05/new-churches/%e2%80%98sundays-coming%e2%80%99-worth-seeing/ Download the study guide for Steve Addison’s Movements that Change the World – and use this in small groups committed to obedient discipleship. Between sessions – apply what is learnt. http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/05/planting-movements/movements-study-guide-%e2%80%93-ready/ Just launched - an outstanding Church Planting Movements website. http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/05/planting-movements/david-garrison-%e2%80%93-church-planting-movements/ Dave Lawton, church planting coordinator from Crossway, recently spent time with Floyd and Sally McClung in South Africa. At ‘retiring age’ Floyd and Sally moved to South Africa to cultivate a planting movement across nations. He shares some gems on church planting – in just 2 ½ minutes: go to ... http://www.newchurchlife.com/index.php/2010/05/planting-movements/must-see-floyd-says-%e2%80%98hi%e2%80%99/