iHOPE

A Workshop for the "Devotionally Challenged"

If you are like most people, prayer is one of those things (like eating healthy and exercise) that you know you should do - and do better. No one has to convince you of that. What you need is for someone to show you 'how' to do that in the midst of a busy and hectic life.

That is why I am leading a workshop on February 18 called, "a prayerful life:  helping real people get real prayer into real life." It will be short on theory and long on a few simple practices that I have found useful in my own life and would love to share with you.

We'll meet from 9:00-noon. Childcare will be available upon request and there will be a place to register through the web page next week as well as through the Connection Card in worship.

If you have a deep and rich prayer life already, you don't need this workshop. But if you struggle to find time to pray, feel inadequate in knowing how to pray and would just like some practical ways to get prayer into your everyday life, then you might want to check this out.

 

More Than Semantics

This is part three of my response to the formation of a new ‘denominational entity’ called the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECOP).  The first two posts are below

For my money, the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership (ZMP) is a terrific example of what happens when churches gather around a common mission. If this project stopped there, it would still be an inspiring story of what happens when churches respond to God’s Spirit.

But this story doesn’t end there.

  As the ZMP progressed in its work, connections were made with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. Conversations began about establishing an official connection between the Presbytery of Denver and the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.  In 2005, that became a reality. I was privileged to be part of a delegation that went to Zimbabwe to ratify a new, missional relationship between the two presbyteries.

Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing

This is part 2 of my response to the formation of a new ‘denominational entity’ called the ECOP.  You can read the first post here.

The Main Thing is to keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing

Max Dupree

One of the stated reasons for launching the ECOP, is to restore the ‘missional’ nature of the church. The PCUSA, we are told, has become so bogged down in bureaucracy and squabbling about ‘fringe’ issues, it has lost its core, its passion and its ability to effectively engage in Christ’s mission to the world.

I get it.  Who would want to be a part of a church like that? Not me.

That’s why I love telling people about the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership. It is a prime example about being ‘missional’ and keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing.

What Happened in Orlando- and Why I Wasn't There.

This past week, more than 2,000 Presbyterians met in Orlando for gathering to discuss the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA)- or rather, the lack it. Beginning last year with a letter from a group of (mostly large church) pastors that declared our denomination was "deathly ill", an organization called the Fellowship of Presbyterians (FOP) was formed and culminated in the unveiling of a new denominational entity called, The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECOP- their new logo is displayed above). You can read more about it here. While it claims that this split was not simply over the issue of homosexuality and ordination, it is also no secret that this has been the lightning-rod that spurred this movement. At this point, it is a new denomination that allows others to affiliate with it, even if they choose to stay in the PCUSA.

If you click on the links above and read through the materials, you will find some exciting materials about what the Church is called to be- and could be in the future. I love the passion, admire many of the leaders and embrace their stated values.

So why wasn't I part of the launch of this "new reformed body"?  I will answer that question more fully in the week to come, but I'll answer it briefly here with another question:

A Good Week to be "New Hope"

  It's been one of those weeks.

  There was a lot that was planned that didn't happen. That is because there was a lot that happened that wasn't planned.

  We had two funerals this week. One was for a man almost 91. The other was for a young man just 18.