<fontfamily><param>Arial</param>Dear Tuesday night "followers":</fontfamily>
<fontfamily><param>Arial</param><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param>Thanks
for the letters and comments of support. Deeper relationships. It is
evident that is what we all want.
So, let me honor things as they have come to me. And they are not in
any particular order.
Meeting-At the Springfield Savings & Loan on Main Street in
Springfield 9-12.
Music-so far we have Aaron G. and Aaron S. who have been playing on
Tuesday nights ushering in a wonderful spirit. I hope we will see more
of this. I know there are some drummers floating around and hopefully
some more instruments will join in. (I wrote this in
'96-</color><italic>I believe God is going to develop a worship and a
worship team to carry the message of freedom and grace.</italic>) Your
gift of music is always appreciated. Please note we are hindered by
sound system capability at this point so, perhaps an amp for now. and
worship people-be ready. Sunday morning is not the time to practice(do
this during the week) or do something new. We want a system that is
easy to follow and for others to plug into.
Clarifying Sunday-Sunday is predominantly for the believer. It will be
a time of fellowship and food(details to be worked out on the food), a
time of praying for one another and time for worship. Worship may only
be a CD being played in the initial stages. Sunday will be a day of
parents(Need help? Ask.) bringing the training of their children into
worship and praying for one another into the church corporate setting.
As the result of parental guidance at home in these areas, it is our
hope that children will worship and pray for one another...and of
course eat! Sunday will be a day where we bring new believers and
introduce them into the process of worship, prayer and community. We
may have a few minutes of exhortation. We may have prophecy. We may
direct prayer into the community. But mostly, it is to connect and to
bless God for what He has done. We can be "free" with the process of
Sunday. Other believers can come and take it back to their bodies,
whether they be home or corporate. Our teaching/training will be
reserved for our Tuesday nights and ultimately our training center.
Clarifying Tuesday-This will be a time of training. Bring the unsaved
if you would like. It is the word of God and His anointing on it, that
transforms. It is for adults and children who can sit and learn and
participate. If your 5 year old can worship and pray and preach, then
bring him or her. If they will study and do homework, bring them. If
not, until they are trained do not frustrate your self or them.
Perhaps some of the young adults would be interested in sitting for
your children (so that husbands and wives can come together.). And we
will have small meal and a time of fellowship for the adults. When we
have guests(Like the 28th of this month-Darryl & Martha Rodman) it
will be on Tuesday nights for this season.
Young people(13-25)-there seems to be an awakening among that group
coming. So if you want to ignite your own children and build
continuity, invite them to your home(Prepare lots of food!), and see
where it goes.
Singles-I think the same rule applies. Open your homes to the
believers who are single. They often feel left out and left to their
own devices.
Children-for now, we are on the team of it is a parental
responsibility to train up their child into worship and prayer and the
word. But, I am hoping that mature, experienced believers will be
allowed to get into the picture as time and parents allow. A few
children adopting an elderly person in a nursing home or senior
building can go a long way for both. If children are participating
they are changing. And perhaps in the future, there can be a a
gathering geared just to the children. But please-no flannel
boards:<<) Maybe some of you can talk to us about this. David Walters
has some very good material.
<color><param>0000,0000,0000</param>
Commitment-I am concerned about commitment. Commitment is one of the
dichotomies or parallels of church. We need to ask for commitment on
some levels; whether it be music, money or ministry or adherence to
the word. People are counting on you just as you are counting on them
to share your gift. And at the same time we want it to be Spirit led.
So, let's make it easy. Until many are here, we have greater reliance
on few. Tina and I are committed to the process but can not be there
every Sunday. We want you to take a Sunday off occasionally as well.
Go to another church body, visit family, etc. Just let us know, if you
have made commitments to music, etc. here, so that we can cover. We
need people to agree to open the doors when we are not there.
Leaders-Tina and I have accepted the "challenge" of leading this group
for this season. (Many of you are leaders who have not fulfilled your
destiny. We hope that changes. A leader can be one who faithfully
opens their home every week to study scripture.) We are going to be
raising up some others to have their hand on this over the next 6
months so that they can manage the day to day activities and things
related to Sundays. We believe that is what we are to do. Our future
will be the training center and travel, taking people with us where we
go through NEST.
Training-We will be preparing you for ministering one to another,
ministering to the lost and going and doing the "stuff."
Ministry-What is ministry? It is the overflowing of the Spirit's love
through you. It is not forced. Like a tree growing apples, there is no
straining and neither ought there to be in ministry. This has a lot to
do with the fruits of the spirit. No tree ever strained to produce
fruit. Embrace the Son, be watered by the word and the changes will
come.
Five-fold- wow. where do we go? Some will be teachers and we will see
you in the training center. Some have hearts to help people-perhaps
you are a pastor. Some love telling the unsaved about the Lord. Please
go do it. (Don't try and evangelize the church.) Some are builders.
You will see the fruit. And some are prophets. Again you will see the
fruit. Please note, a pastor is not necessarily a leader. Do not fall
into the American way of thinking. And let us just build deeper
relationships, using our gifts.
Money-For ministry to be done, it will require money. Everyone on this
lists understands tithing and offering. (Whether that indicates
transformation or not, time will tell.) Know that we will be praying
for finances and this will be critical. If we want to reach the poor,
it will take money and time. The word stewardship will become more and
more important in the days to come. O</color>ne who manages another's
property, finances, or other affairs is how it is defined. It also
includes talents and gifts. Only yesterday I came home to be blessed
by someone's purchase of materials for the meetings.<color><param>0000,0000,0000</param>
Our time commitment-This has to do with Tina and I. We are going to be
committed to the work of the ministry. That includes a small group of
believers who are our friends or spiritual children. We are going to
give our all to these 12 or so people. Many of these people have been
with us a long time. My criteria will be commitment to one another,
Springfield and moving ahead. We encourage you to consider the same.
No one can build deep or deeper relationships with 25 people. Most of
you have some really good friends. Enhance them. Take these
relationships to the next level.
Homes-The opening of your homes is critical to the process of the
Kingdom going forth. When you open your home to unbelievers you
embrace a biblical precedent. It is the opportunity to have believers
and pre-Christians in the room as you teach them to pray and to
understand Him. I know at least one couple who has their home open and
would love to have others join them as they break open the word,
worship and pray.
Reasoning together-Aaron S. and I do a lot of "reasoning" together as
I often do with Ken. We are not debater's. Learn to reason. Learn to
be open to the new and not understood. Be willing to have the eyes of
your understanding opened.
Excitement-A lot of people think excitement happens in the "church." I
do not necessarily see that. I believe it can. But most revivals start
outside the realm of the "church" per se. The 120 in the upper room,
saw no excitement until they took it outside. Most miracles and
healings happen when the lost are around.
Simple-In all things we are striving for simplicity. It leaves little
room for chaos and allows newcomers to plug in.
PCF-If you have questions about our stance, our finances, or our
organization, please let us know. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit church
by IRS status. Your donations are tax deductible. (You may give
through credit card or checking account online at Paypal. If you need
information on this please let me know.) You may view our articles of
Incorporation, including our by-laws, with the State of Vermont.
We are seeking transformation for ourselves, for you and for our
community. Transformation is the process of embracing an idea and
never turning back, but as the result of the encounter with Him and
His teaching, we change. For instance-we may understand giving to the
poor of our time and our money, but until we do it, we have not been
transformed.
i know it is a lot, but I feel each of you and your questions and
concerns are important.
FEEDBACK APPRECIATED!
Love from Tina and Lee.
</color></fontfamily>Pillar of Clouds & Fire Ministries
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885
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