Simple Church Journey w/Results

Hi folks! For those of you interested in our journey after being silent for a few years I think I'm ready to share some observations from the last few years and revive this blog. About three years ago I heard a PBS interview with Michael Ray discussing his then new book "The Highest Goal", a guide to helping people find their "calling" or assignment from God . It shook my world when he said "No one should work at a job that he doesn't find true joy in doing". As a denominationaly employed and subsidized Simple or Organic Church program director I had been feeling more frustrationa nd less fulfillment as time went on. So after completing the guided excersises in this book I discovered my true calling which was to "Encourage people". Simultaneously I floated a resume and got a call from a Customer Service Compny for interviews. I was hired with the specific charter to provide encouragement to a 500 strong workforce of CS Agents. I took it and began to see God expand what Organic Church or Simple Church looked like as I fulfilled my call. Within a year or so I found God had put me in a defacto role as "pastor" (as they called me) providing daily counsel in basic life skills that often included requested prayer. I distributed bibles, books and writing to encourage consistently a group of about 50 people or so who had this one thing in common; the place we spent the majority of our awake hours was the Service Center. It's where we worked out the Gospel with fear and trembling. Many tears, laughs and life impacting decisions were happening daily in this relationally based "Simple Church". After several years and until recently I retired from that assignment with joy. Many of those folks are now on my facebook friend's list. Here's the net sum, the nugget of what I learned; Simple Church is relationships happening where the rubber hits the road, anything else is abstract and not natural or organic. As we live our lives openly with those we work with people see what grace and faith is firthand. In this environment most of the negative baggage of today's Churches is left behind. And virtually all of the folks that constituted this congregation God planted me in were non church goers. They eagerly drank the milk of the word.
So as I enter this new phase of life and ministry I want to encourage each reader that you too are planted in a sea of relationships and in fact can "be" the church every day with those you work with. Nothing artificial about meetings, names, budgets or programs. Just let "Christ within you, the Hope of Glory" to an onlooking world shine through your lives, excersising your gifts and expecting that you transform the landscape of where you work, study, live and play. In this new phase of life let me encourage you to leave the religious language, books and tapes or any other props planters use behind you. And yield your lives so that Christ incarnate can embrace those many lonely hurting souls God has placed you in the middle of. I have seen historically how God has transitioned churches, peoples and congregations as they stay in motion yielding, trusting and obeying the Word and the Spirit. Eventually each of us can come to experience an entirely different kind of church as we "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together" in the marketplace, in the field where the harvest is ripened to harvest, not in buildings made by hands, or denomination fortresses governed by traditions of men. My experiment has transformed how I view the church that Jesus is building today. No walls, with His kids holding forth the Word of life to all those we have relationship with. Recognizing that yes fellowhip is vital with other believers, but that can and does happen in groups of two or three, but rarely in Sunday or Weekday mass meetings. So for me as I move forward and share with you this Novemeber 4th I will continue to share my thoughts experience and passion for being obedient to the Spirit of Truth with you a whole lot more as e move forward. May God Bless you this wonderful day of our Lord!

The conversation amongst the current visible Church is beginning to increase and become pore strategic in character. Christ seed, most often sown into the hearts of it's "kids" is germinating, and the cultural climate in our country is serving up the ingredients for a healthy "springtime". Little shoots are 'emerging" all over the country. Some are tares, most are wheat. I believe everyone on these lists have an important part to fulfill our Master's call in the planting, cultivating and support of an entire new generation of leaders for His church. Leaders that will inherently possess the good DNA to stay in the Truth, in the Way and cultivate the Life of the Spirit. I have monitored and participated in many streams of the new church but seldom have I seen such illumination flow forth as I find with our friends at Alleon Community.

Here are a few links for your edification to important essays related to this new work of the Holy Spirit we tag as the "Emergent church"

http://www.allelon.org/about/ourteam.cfm Here you will learn of Alleon's mission it's fine staff (including Craig Morton). It's a well rounded team committed to developing leadership development resources for all of us. I appreciate the many streams of historic Christianity and commitment to good thinking from seminarians and Collegiate resources (Regent University, Eugene Peterson's home for many years) I would sum up what I know of them as mature yet clear in vision.

http://www.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=240 "Leading from the Margins"


http://www.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=239 Beyond spiritual formation

I encourage each of us in this group to prayerfully consider whether you might be led to join this e-group. The mailings are less frequent but always challenging & thought provoking. We need each of the gifts Christ gives us, and I believe this resource is in that category!

Have a blessed week!

love,
Harold Bohr

"We've only just begun----"

The conversation amongst the current visible Church is beginning to increase and become pore strategic in character. Christ seed, most often sown into the hearts of it's "kids" is germinating, and the cultural climate in our country is serving up the ingredients for a healthy "springtime". Little shoots are 'emerging" all over the country. Some are tares, most are wheat. I believe everyone on these lists have an important part to fulfill our Master's call in the planting, cultivating and support of an entire new generation of leaders for His church. Leaders that will inherently possess the good DNA to stay in the Truth, in the Way and cultivate the Life of the Spirit. I have monitored and participated in many streams of the new church but seldom have I seen such illumination flow forth as I find with our friends at Alleon Community.

Here are a few links for your edification to important essays related to this new work of the Holy Spirit we tag as the "Emergent church"

http://www.allelon.org/about/ourteam.cfm Here you will learn of Alleon's mission it's fine staff (including Craig Morton). It's a well rounded team committed to developing leadership development resources for all of us. I appreciate the many streams of historic Christianity and commitment to good thinking from seminarians and Collegiate resources (Regent University, Eugene Peterson's home for many years) I would sum up what I know of them as mature yet clear in vision.

http://www.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=240 "Leading from the Margins"


http://www.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=239 Beyond spiritual formation

I encourage each of us in this group to prayerfully consider whether you might be led to join this e-group. The mailings are less frequent but always challenging & thought provoking. We need each of the gifts Christ gives us, and I believe this resource is in that category!

Have a blessed week!

love,
Harold Bohr

"Avoiding Deception"

Prov 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

(17) A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, (19) a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren


We need discernment. Prov 19:2 (NIV) It is not good to have zeal without knowledge!

The new books skillfully assembled and marketed through SC/HC/ EC leaders are cleverly named so as to make one think that Jesus Presence is never encountered in buildings anymore-- or some variation thereof"

Sounds intriguing, catchy and even palatable, but sugar coated or not poison is still has the same effect.

Listen to the heartbeat of Jesus here in John 17:21 as He prays "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."

Let's be sure our spirits are alignedwith His.

As the Spirit moves like the wind across the land the enemy is not far behind trying to take advantage of our weakness and lack of discernment and as such attempts to dampen the work of God. By getting us to believe lies such as God leaves buildings(a partial truth leavened with lies) is to neglect the rest of the truth-that is He dwells within us and as we enter or leave buildings so does Christ.

Those of you fighting on the front lines as Christ increase His rule of human hearts need to discern the voices we hear. In all wars their are the "Tokyo Roses" that spread lies and half truths to get us to question the truth. This is how movements often miss the mark.

Please avoid the voices of the "accuser" and those who sow discord, and those who lie with not so clever exaggerations.

We need relationships so tightly in covenant with one another and Christ that we can speak the truth in love when we see another drifting off the center line.

And finally, recognize that when God's people gather in a field or a house or a large building of course God is present, and of course good things can happen.

Let's make it clear that we are for every holy convocation gathered in Jesus name SC is not about brick & Mortar or clapboard in a neighborhood, pure and simple---it's all about relationships, bridges built strong enough to carry the Truth, the Word of God, our ultimate weapon, the Sword of the Spirit, not intended to cut each other off at the knees with--but rather to free the captives!

Let's be discerning When reading/promoting books and seminars thatmight foster division or tiered class spirtuality. Be aware of that cold chill that sweeps over us when encountering the accuser at work.

We will be led forth in Peace and go out with joy, as we follow His gentle voice!

We can do this stuff Saints.

Blessings,
Harold

"I am very sure of this"

"I am very sure of this ------thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of the very return of Jesus christ, developing that good work and perfecting and bringing to completion in you" Phillipians 1:6 (Amplified) version.
From the Church that Paul and friends planted in Lydia's home (Acts 16;12-40) this Church became the model of joyfulness for thousands of years, making it on the top of Paul's petitions of gratefulness to God for the depth and intimacy of fellowship he had with them. With the theme of joy and rejoicing repeated (16 times) in this letter written from prison we can be encouraged that as we carry this hope of Glory (Christ) within us and help new worship gatherings emerge, that He will finish all He starts. Here we have Paul showing how the apparant halting of His ministry through imprisaonment really was god's advancing of the gospel. Look at 1:12 and here Pauls's passion in saying "I want you to know and continue to rest assured----. Nothing can really stop us in this advance of His church. So when momentarily challenged, and doubts insue, knees shake, take heart! God isa continuously taken Satan's schemes and reversing them and his curse. Think of the crucification and then ressurection! It's the same Spirit that raised christ from the dead that will quicken our mortal bodies and provide that deunomos power needed to like Paul, help our feeble apparant failing efforts become instruments of His Spirit to advance His Kingdom.

Note the passion of fellowship Paul expresses, submission to one another, the Spirit of giiving displayed, all of elements of emergent Church life, similar to what God is at work in and through you. Catch Paul's demeanor and faith as expressed in 1:19 "I am well assured and indeed know that through your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my preservation, and for ths spiritual health and welfare of my own soul and avail towards the saving work of the gospel! (Amplified). And I add to the work each of you are engaged in by saying the obvious--Amen! and Amen!!

"How the Church Grows"

Thanks Sam for writing as led to on this crucial subject. If there ever was a "besetting sin" that sterilized previous house church movements it was this "cloister" mindset. That is to enjoy the Presence of God in our midst and the comfort of loving and being loved by the saints already accepted by one another. I have been sensitized to the concept of our gathering places being "Lighthouses" in our neighborhoods. Shades drawn, windows and doors open so that all that pass by in our relational circles can sense the light, love, and open arms of our saviour extended to them. One meeting in our circle is referred to as the a "safe house" on the block where kids, adults and whomever can find help when things go awry. "Hide it under a bushel "NO" goes the chorus we all know, this applies to our gatherings. Each of need to champion Paul's example of "I entered their world----" 1 Corinth 9:22 ---"to understand things from their point of view with the goal being to lead some to a God saved life"--Message Translation. Being proactive is the faith posture needed herein--and the temptation is to remain passive and mildly content with our extended family as it is. God help us! (and He will!!)
Blessings,
Harold & Wendy Behr
Jacksonville Oregon

Home is where the heart is.... The more I connect with people, the more I realize that the idea of family and connectedness is central to the the heart of God in redemption. We have been redeemed by the Lord of relationship to be in relationship with Him and with one another. Of all the language of the New Testament, the most compelling, the most raw and in your face, is the "one another" passages, and in particular the "love one another" passages and their implications. For many, and I among them, we have cherished the "home is my castle" mentality. This is not a negative, and even though it may appear\n to be an oxymoron, it is not. Our homes should be places of refuge, such as a castle, but our homes too need to be like an open garden, a place of welcoming and resting. Our homes should be "safe" places for people, and also a welcoming place for new people, new relationships. Home is where the heart is. If our hearts are open to the Lord and His passion and compassion, surely we will yield to Him, and seek to open up our homes to new people, and new relationships, and the deepening and strengthening of existing relationships. One of my concerns in the "house church movement" is the capacity to "ghetto-ize" and become separate from those relationships we had previously. I am seeking to remain connected with people I was once closer to, and also seeking to re-connect in some relationships that have become somewhat distant. "

Sam buick

"Helping those born upside down"

C.K. Chesterton is one of the writers I retreat to when I need a spiritual "tuneup" In this discussion on the Organic Church Life let's look at what it means to cultivate the "fruit of the Spirit". That is, the orchard of our heart that through the rain of His Spirit & the light & warmth of His Love results in the 9 fruits listed in Gal 5:22&23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, a quiet mind, kind acts, well-doing, faith, gentle behaviour, control over desires: against such there is no law."

Chesterton outlines the issue quite succinctly in what follows, but I would like to add that in our SC Gatherings the tendency towards introspection and sobriety can rob us of our rightful inheritance, that is the "Spirit of Joy", the "joy unspeakable and full of Glory" that carries with it the inherent ability to heal, to strengthen and to give evidence to an on looking world that though we don't see him in the flesh we experience what Peter refers to in 1Pe 1:8"To whom your love is given, though you have not seen him; and the faith which you have in him, though you do not see him now, gives you joy greater than words and full of glory:" BBE translation.

There is a luminescent, evervescent Glory that flows forth from the joyful heart that contains a measure of the Glory of Christ. It speaks of "Life" and "Life more abundantly and is best cultivated in small fellowships. St. Ireneaus of the early church is often quoted saying "The glory of God is man fully alive." and we can participate in His Glory when we cultivate this fruit of the Spirit.
Listen to Chesterton's perspective;

"The mass of men have been forced to be gay about the little things, but sad about the big ones. Nevertheless (I offer my last dogma defiantly) it is not native to man to be so. Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial. Melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul. Pessimism is at best an emotional half-holiday; joy is the uproarious labour by which all things live. Yet, according to the apparent estate of man as seen by the pagan or the agnostic, this primary need of human nature can never be fulfilled. Joy ought to be expansive; but for the agnostic it must be contracted, it must cling to one corner of the world. Grief ought to be a concentration; but for the agnostic its desolation is spread through an unthinkable eternity. This is what I call being born upside down.

The sceptic may truly be said to be topsy-turvy; for his feet are dancing upwards in idle ecstasies, while his brain is in the abyss. To the modern man the heavens are actually below the earth. The explanation is simple; he is standing on his head; which is a very weak pedestal to stand on. But when he has found his feet again he knows it. Christianity satisfies suddenly and perfectly man\'s ancestral instinct for being the right way up; satisfies it supremely in this; that by its creed joy becomes something gigantic and sadness something special and small. The vault above us is not deaf because the universe is an idiot; the silence is not the heartless silence of an endless and aimless world. Rather the silence around us is a small and pitiful stillness like the prompt stillness in a sick room.

We are perhaps permitted tragedy as a sort of merciful comedy: because the frantic energy of divine things would knock us down like a drunken farce. We can take our own tears more lightly than we could take the tremendous levities of the angels. So we sit perhaps in a starry chamber of silence, while the laughter of the heavens is too loud for us to hear."

from Generous Orthodoxy by C.K. Chesterton

Organic Church Life

Making Spiritual Course Adjustments

Welcome to 2006! One certain word of prophecy that is true---major changes are in store for the world, yours and ours, the culture, and the Church. It happens, look at Paul's journey to Macedonia--the progressive revelation of God's Spirit, the lamp unto our feet, our understanding of Scripture, all of these and other facets of the Spirit filled life necessitate course adjustments as our shift to recognizing what God is doing and saying requires that we get in step as well. And this is a good thing!

What follows reflects our changing perspective as I talk, mostly listen, with the Lord and others. Simple Church and the resulting new fellowships that emerge as a result of this revelation are increasingly being called upon by the age old traditional church being asked to minister, help lead and to share the principles of life they experience in their smaller fellowships. How we respond to these queries will determine the staying power of the new gatherings we shepherd. Why? The answer is "simple"; There is only one body, one faith etc. and we each have individual functions to perform throughout the church universal as well as within our small gatherings. The same "body life" that strenthens and guides the smaller expression equally applies to the larger body as well. Without each member's function nd contribution we all suffer weakness and lack. As God grants us these platforms to share we can speak to the reality that the same "Organic" principles of communion and fellowship can be applied to larger ministry center type institutions if they really desire to respond. The same principles that make the SC so desirable can be cultivated amongst the larger meetings with synergism. (God adding the "plus" factor of our combined efforts. For clusters of smaller fellowships that are born outside of, yet from within the larger concentration and growth in full participation, everyone gets to minister, missional outreach can and is being realized. Genuine simple church life, the principles of relationship that spur one another on in the faith, should and can be a part of the ethos that constitutes the entire body regardless of size or style of any one congregation. Simple Church Life is simply a way of being Church and is not exclusive from any form that God chooses to

Recognizing this, I am in the process of taking down my Simple Church websites and raising up a new one named "Organic Church Living" to focus on what the Churches (SC & conventional) are learning as this new phase of our life\'s work continues. If you are interested in being included on the new distribution list please let me know by separate e-mail at haroldbehr@gmail.com. There are oodles of other sites that cover the mechanics of simple church, but few that emphasize the organic function that leads to life. Quite frankly their are many house churches that are dead as dead can be for lack of understanding God's organics. Thebottom line to this is that the same principles of living life in the Spirit that lead to new works, Simple Churches and in some cases house church equally apply to enhancing the effectiveness and fruitfulness of modern & conventional congregations. All it takes is a willingness to being filled, being taught, and being commissioned by the Holy Spirit. Without this all forms, models or approaches to any kind of Church activity is all froth, all smoke, wood hay & stubble, and in the end illusionary.

It's our hope as we journey together that as God shines more light for His Church that these discussions will expand in 06. Only God knows what the future holds for us and this world he so dearly loves, but with Christ as our Shepherd we will not lack for spiritual manna and subsequent growth towards maturity.

Love from our hearth to yours,

Harold & Wendy Behr

"Sowing the seed of His Kingdom hilariously as we go"

"A Kinder Gentler SC gathering"

Wendy & I have been in this harvesting profession for a long time. Our invites to many different forms of house churches, meeting simply, NT Plants, in and out of denominations have yielded some unique perspectives and I want to share one of them with you now.
Because we encourage folks to a "life in the Spirit", to cultivate an overflowing life, to the exercise of their faith based upon God's Promises in the Word, these terms and the life manifested itself often serves as a "Pavlolian Response" by those deep with Pentecostal history. It's a response much like Paul referred to the Corinthians with the thought that "They will think you mad" when they can't understand. I'm talking about behavior that "excludes" new participants, the kind of meeting that has the ring of "club" membership where there are insiders and outsiders and by virtue of how the meeting is led, what people are doing and saying etc.
Quickly the new people know what group they are in. There is much we can do to make our gatherings more entreatable with out compromising the integrity of the gathering. Paul empathizes this in 1 Co 4:13 "being defamed, we entreat" even towards those who might be hostile. The bottom line is you as an undershepherd have the responsibility to "take out or dampen the edginess of some".
Being intentionaly incarnational means that first time attendees need to feel the love and grace, the inclusiveness of Christ's mercy and acceptance coming forth from those gathering. Not confusion or feeling like an outsider. These kind of gatherings grow up, the former often "blowup" eventually. It's my firm belief that those who are more mature should take their "urge to go weird" captive and do their praying in the Spirit and intercession like zeal to their private prayer closet. Being incarnational is not about our rights, but how to love and extend ourselves towards those not yet Christians, or newly born.
This is why you are needed as an undershepherd. And one more characteristic of a healthy SC is it's focus is not about "propagating a movement", it's not about dos and don'ts and it certainly isn't about proselytizing. It's all about gathering together in Christ's name, in His Presence, each person having opportunity to share what the Spirit would have them speak. In other words it's not about charismania, audiences for prophesying or practicing some ancient mystical ritual. it's just never about us. With you setting the tone for thios kind of gathering, often in the silence Christ will manifest himself to people for the first time. Let's be careful not to thwart God's intent. Always it's about "Lord, what would you say to us as we gather?" And of the more important roles of the undershepherd is to gently lead and keep the flock grazing in this rich field of blessing. May God empower you and instruct you this week as you go forth with Joy!

love,
Harold

"When our lives lose their Edge"

It happens, more with leaders then we want to face up to, our testimony loses it's sharp edge, our prayer becomes just that (ours not the Spirit's), and we murmur and grumble and finding ourselves wanting to quit, after all "it will serve them right" as we pass blame unto the precious sheep we are called to feed and protect,"after all, they don't listen, don't obey, and yes they just never seem to get the giving thing". Ever been there? Truthfully? I have more then once.
Well, I never have heard a true undershepherd who hasn't slipped into this malady. And, I never have met a fruitful servant who when encountering this attack on our spiritual nervous system hasn't had to repent and return to our first love. But do we need to cycle up and down like we are on some king of Christian rollercoaster? I don't think so.
The Spirit of Wisdom (which we all should have, or give up ministry until we do), says in Pro 8:33 "Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don't squander your precious life. Pro 8:34 Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day's work. Pro 8:35 When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of God's good pleasure." There it is, the simple discipline of seeking the Kingdom of God 1st, not 3rd or 10th or until you get around to it, or "oh well, God knows my heart", I'LL GET BACK TO IT TOMORROW MORNING". Ad nausea.
The truth is simple, choosing God first when we awake, like David, early in the morning, saturating our spirit with the Word, the living Word, sharpening up our senses, testimony, setting our course, heavenly and incarnationally to all we touch. Then, like St. Francis we can say "I preach always, sometimes I use words.", others can see our lives as "living epistles" like in the earliest days in the Church.
Listen to Jesus here in Luk 21:34 "But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, Luk 21:35 for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. Luk 21:36 So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."
If you find (When) yourselves losing the edge, feeling like what's the use, that is the perfect time to take Proverbs 8 before the Lord some morning early, sooner then later, and listen to the Holy Spirit of Wisdom teach you, and then Luke 21 in it's entirety, and add your "amen" to Christ's "Amen" and walk on into the daylight where everything looks differently through His eyes. Faith, hope and charity (love) abide in the light of His Word. Let's not be careless, nor let our friends slip into the state of unbelief, together we can do this thing-the Lord's commission to you and us, in the light of His Word and the Power & Wisdom of His Spirit!

And one final admonition, let's be careful whom we party with and what cup we imbibe of----and let's not get caugjht up in the holiday spirit of shopping!

Blessings fellow sojourners,

Harold

"What's the SC Message?"

What is the Message of God's Simple Church?

Well Paul, who is the champion of SC planters makes it very clear, so clear that nobody can honestly debate it. Listen in---"I Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus." from 2 Timothy 1. Clearly the "Message" is one of "Life" by Jesus. How clear read vs 10----'1:10 But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. And as any SC planter can identify with, listen to his singleness of heart in vs. 11----" This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher." Now nothing happens apart from it being proclaimed---think of this week's celebration of Rosa Parks statement and the impact it's had in driving back racism. But as she knew and Paul knows proclamation can bring on "Trouble"-with a capital T. Listen to vs 12---" It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground--the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end." Once again the simple message we proclaim is according to 1Jo 1:5 "This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him."

Paul reiterates in Eph 3:6 "The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I've been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board."

Notice the planter's focus "Eph 3:7 This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details."
Paul earned his way in his profession while pursuing his "life's work", and God revealed how he could integrate work and calling--do we get this?

Was Paul adequately trained? Was he prepared for this call? This is important! For those of us inclined to always be searching, reading, attending seminars and seminary in preparation for the calling listen up!

Eph 3:8 "When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ."

Eph 3:9 "My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along."

Quite Simple wouldn't you agree?

Here's how he accomplished it----Eph 3:10 "Through Christians like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!

The strategy? Eph 3:11 "All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus." So what's our part? Look at Eph 3:12 "When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go."

He equips each of us with a holy "boldness" to do "bold things", and it's not so much about the words we say but as my son Jon likes to quote "Preach Always! (Use Words if you must! St. Francis first echoed this as he lived his life as a "living epistle".

It's important to connect the dots and go deep in God to touch that vein of living water that causes His life to bubble up and overflow from us such that everyone we come in contact has had opportunity to drink from this fountain we call our lives and find refreshment, light and most of all what it means to be loved as a result. This kind of life overflowing and spilling into the dry deadened lives of the lost results in new life springing up everywhere we go. It's not possible to be around the fellowship with overflow and not become changed. Life always begets life!

To sum it up, the message is incredibly simple yet profound "In Him there is Life". And we can't, shan't and not be bewildered as to our incompetence to reach those "outsiders". We simply are to make ourselves to be the "available" vessels for God to fill to overflow. After all it's "Christ in you, that is the hope of Glory" for the world.

Be strengthened in Christ,

Harold Behr

"Misfitism"

When you look carefully at Jesus teaching in Luke 15 you pick up on how he and his associations stood out---like a sore thumb.

Luk 15:1-7 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story. "Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it--there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good.

When you look at the qualifications and character of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus you can understand why they were viewed as misfits. (None would be ordained or recorded as pastors today). Yet these so-called "misfits" were who God used to turn the then known world upside down and give birth to Christ's Church. Those of us engaged in SC development see God restoring this remnant that possesses the singleminded, some say simple minded goal of bringing today's misfits into his Kingdom. We believe there are still yet new Matthew Luke and John people out there. But they are not to be found amongst ther mild mannered religious any more today then yesterday.

The characteristics of a God Chosen Misfit iinclude their ability to "count it all joy:" when persecuted---according to Jesus.

Being a "misfit" puts us in good company now and forever.


* Criticism hurts for we all want to be accepted, but because we believe in tent making leadership anointed by God, and are not interested in doctrinal purity and belief systems as much as "being" Christ's incarnated body touching a disenfranchised generation, because we put value on small gatherings of 6-12 meeting obscurely in a home without fanfare, because we stress a radical all out discipleship, because we discharge formulaic growth strategy in exchange for relational connections, because we emphasize a Spirit led approach rather then purpose driven-and on and on-organic versus organizational methodology--we just don't fit very well. But it's part of our calling. They misunderstand Jesus, His life and teaching, even to the point of crucifying him---should we expect less?

"In pursuit of Misfits"

In building Simple Churches food is an important activity. There is a spiritual component of fellowship that accompanies gathering folks around a table to share a meal. Jesus teaches us to be proactive this way in Luke 14, and I hope you will take some time to re-read His careful instructions on this teaching as soon as you can.

I'm going to draw down on a few verses for our discussion.

Luk 14:12 Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor.
Luk 14:13 Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks.

Let's consider being deliberate in whom we invite over, everyone is invited, but not everyone will show up.

Note Luk 14:18 "Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. Then listen to what happens in Luk 14:21 "The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, 'Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.'

Luk 14:22 "The servant reported back, 'Master, I did what you commanded--and there's still room.' Luk 14:23 "The master said, 'Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full!

The expectation is that most of the well to do we invite will beg off, but the wretched misfits will show! Wendy & I have experienced this over and over. The poor, the sick (mentally, socially and physically) and lonely will show up and as such become those whom when we allow God's Spirit to work his "ministry of reconciliation" through, as we extend ourselves as God's instruments of salvation. These folks re resposive to love!

It seems that religion has problems with God's people gathering clusters of misfits and wretchedness together. And having fun and enjoying these people is enough to get one thrown out on their ear of many "holy" convocations, or at best shunned, guilt by association etc. In following Jesus this is part of the cost we incur.

As long as SC and HC leaders are willing to gather other flock's sheep and neglect the hard work (but rewarding--and yes even fun) of building bridges of relationships with these unlovely, crude and crass misfits Christ speaks of, we won't see real Kingdom growth in our generation. But many of us (you) are finding the exhilaration associated with watching and cooperating with God as he imparts new life and transforms these folks right before our eyes. Yes misfits are to be our target demographic according to Jesus! And sometimes it will take months and years for the process of being saved to manifest itself before us, but the sense of thankfulness and freedom That results is reason enough to stay the course. So let's look at ways of "crossing the tracks", and inviting these people that God loves so dearly.

And at the same time be discerning when it comes to dislocated sheep. Sometimes the best thing we can do is redirect them back to the flock they came from.

Be Blessed,
Harold Behr

"Gigs, Performances and Numbers"

I've been musing, thinking about this business of "being" the Church, "sent", not gathered, "into" the world --- not the sanctuary. When it becomes clear who we are and what is our mission and our "model" being (Jesus), many other things fall into place and perspective. One of the more difficult perspectives to communicate in the development of Simple Friend's Churches is where, with whom and the nature of what is our work, and what true "success" really is. (I'm aware this could foster healthy discussion in itself so if you are inclined reply with your thoughts) Note this short story Jesus used to illustrate this;

Luke 15:1 "By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently." Who do we gather with-saints or sinners? It's easy and tempting, even profitable sometimes to gather "found sheep" and declare this as new church development. But is it really?

Luke 15:2 "The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Where are we scheduling our time to hang out? Church/Religious crowds? With the "saved"? Who's coming to dinner?

Luke 15:3 "Their grumbling triggered this story." Does Jesus wants to redirect our focus and understand whom the harvest consists of?

Luke 15:4 "Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?" Would we, would I? What about our performance reports? Do we go for the best numbers? Offerings? Or after the lost soul who "should of known better anyway" or whatever excuse for uncomplicating our lives we choose.

Luke 15:5 "When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, Being a saving agent is much more fun then fattening up those in the holding pen. What are we doing anyway!

Luke 15:6 and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' This is a real Party!

Luke 15:7 "Count on it--there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue." If our life's work can be likened to a performance, whom are we playing for? The Kingdom of His Dear Son and the hosts of Angels? If so Jesus makes it clear what brings joy to Him, and where our priority should be if we are to be serious.

Our audience does not consist of whom is over us , or whom we are accountable to, it is not and can never be to those who we walk beside, but rather it intended to be the ultimate gig performed for Jesus and He alone. And here in this story He makes it clear what is music to His ears.

Let's examine ourselves and see how our lives are being read and "ponder the paths of our footsteps" KJV, or as the CEV does it "Know where you are headed, and you will stay on solid ground. Proverbs 4:26.

Jesus prayed that the Father would "not remove us" but "keep us in" the world. Paul says "I entered their world" 1 Corinth 9:22

I believe this is one of the single most important concepts to be learned and practiced amongst those who sense what's good right and true with simple church life today.

"Jesus, open our eyes, as we unplug our hearing may your Word penetrate and be inscribe upon our hearts. Lord empower us to rewrite our day planners and make it priority work to make friends with the lost. Teach us how to speak without religious gibberish, how to laugh with hurting people, how to heal with comforting words and actions. How to see ourselves as your Priests in the parish of our neighborhoods. Lead and guide us, fill us to overflowing with your Spirit, and at the end of our day may we say your ways are ours. In Jesus name, Amen."

Blessings,
Harold

"Making Tough Choices"

As we "walk in the Spirit" (and thus avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh) we have choices to make, sometimes any of which could be considered "good" in the eyes of an onlooking world. The early disciples faced these situations wherein they reached the end of their ability to make a cognitive decision sometimes resorting to what some would say gambling or casting lots.

The nature of making a God pleasing decision does not conist so much in the processing of information as it is to adjusting our bearing and posture. Whatsoever is not of faith----is sin, God says, so in the process of choosing we want to assume a bearing of "faith", not fear. Decisions by the roll of the dice may seem desperate but the truth is there are choices we face where we just don't have an objective "Word" from the Father nor a subjective leading of the Spirit. Sometimes the correct choice is just to risky or difficult.

This is when we want to get down on our knees, humble ourselves before God and simply say "I can't decide, help me Lord". Telling God of our inability to choose and asking Him for help will place us in a "listening mode" apt to hear clearly what to do or not to do. With the hearing comes the empowerment to obey.

Travel with Jesus and note His posture;

"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles. Luke 6:12-13 - NKJV

Prayer proceeded all that Jesus said and did. He prayed to the Father before He made choices or settled on decisions and before every other kind of task that He faced. As a result, He said of Himself, "I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." When we give prayer the same priority Jesus gave it, we'll also come to see what the Father does and hear what He says. (John 5:19)
Jesus' ministry was led by prayer. Yours (our) life and ministry in the world and with His Church will have to be led by prayer too. If we're going to follow Jesus, we're going to have to follow Him in prayer.

Like most lessons this one has been reinforced personally when deciding what bivocational job I should take in supplementing God's gifts for the ministry. I had two great offers and simply couln't decide. Well after counsel with my dearest friends and praying this way--God removed one of the choices and the burden and presure rolled off my shoulders.

If you, like me, enjoy walking unemcumbered in the Spirit one vital "simple truth" is we want to get used to a default bearing of "faith" and a posture that causes us to fall on our knees before God, like Jesus---saying "not my will--but yours be done".

"Numbers and Numbering"

Our world, in and out side of the Church,inspired by the dark "prince of the power of the air" is being damaged, driven and destroyed by it's ill informed view based soley upon numbers. Phrases like "the bottom line", the "number of churches in our networks", "souls saved", "attendance up by #" and of course "offering totals" are only a part of the "littany of success "as defined by this spirit of the age.

And Simple Churches are no less subject to this bent view often lookin to find it's security in numbers. Numbers attending meetings, numbers of House Churches, Conference totals--- ad nauseum. One of the truthful perspectives about our life with God is found in how a father "knows" his children. We don't think of our kids in terms of numbers and even moreso our God knows us by name, the number of hairs on our head, our future and all of the details in between.

Dare we view our little flocks we undershepherd with any less concern for detail? Are not the contours of their lives , their hopes, fears and faith worthy of our knowing?Years ago when Wendy & I first concluded God was asking us to open our home and lives for the gathering of His Church Wendy said "Question Harold---if it's only our family that gathers will you still lead the meeting?" Of course I said yes, but it was an important bridge to cross. We sometimes are tempted to think that it's not as good a meeting when few or none show up as compared to when the living room overflows.

It is no small thing to realize the value of one soul, young, old, little or big, smart or lacking intelligence, healthy or infirmed. Jesus said it best---the Father notices when a bird falls, how much more does He care for you! Consider the Scripture's perspective found in Romans 9 as found in the Message translation.

"Hosea put it well: I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I'll call the unloved and make them beloved. In the place where they yelled out, "You're nobody!" they're calling you "God's living children." Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled "chosen of God," They'd be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn't count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. Romans 9:25-28

Something to consider when tempted to defend the "size" of our ministry-----.

The Pathology of enthusiastic Lies"

One only needs to compare advertising of products in the 50s and 60s to what we see coming through TV today to realize that we accept half truths and lies like never before. Whatever happened to "Truth in Advertising"? We can't blame the merchandisers any more then the consumers, them versus us. We all buy hype and propagate hype even after we find it to be empty.
It is similar in religious circles today, with the emphasis on marketing new churches, we find along with most church going people that the sales pitch is flawed and empty in content. Words like "Powerful", "Miracles", "deliverance", dramatic, exciting, relevant, dynamic all fill the brochures and advertising spots created by the new churches. The turnover, attrition and revolving doors testify to the reality that most churches fail to deliver what they promise. When certain characteristics are deemed "in", books conferences and "how-to" seminars are developed for small groups, house churches and even "simple church".
But we say they are so "passionate" it must be true! Agreed ,it takes passion to lie effectively and to trumpet vanity, but is this God? Are we not confusing anointing with enthusiasm? For anyone who has been in sales training you will recognize the talking point "To be enthusiastic you must ACT enthusiastic". Passion is neither good or bad, it's the source that is the concern. I know pastors (several) that in preparing for the Sunday pulpit, rise up and play volumes of upbeat Christian music to get in the mood, something that they never do otherwise. I know so called "apostles of the emergent Church that count numbers two and three times over in selling how successful simple church work is, especially in order to procure operating funds. The sad truth about the ensuing attrition and final dismissal of going to church by so many is found in the passage "Hope deferred makes the heart sick". Too many people are sick and tired of commercial religion.
Friends today have a vital responsibility to exercise in the new emerging church movement. One of several points to be made is in the area of our testimony of speaking the Truth. Early Friends realized that an important part of the message of Jesus was how we treat our fellow human beings. They felt that honest dealing with others meant more than just not telling lies. Friends feel that it is important not to mislead others, even if the words used are all technically truthful. Fair business practices were hugely affected by early Friends. The Quaker's insistence upon integrity was paramount in all areas of speech.
This modern way of lying in public is part and parcel to the work of the "spirit of this age", parented by the father of lies himself--Satan. As we continue to walk in continuous revelation of the Scripture today let's stay fixed upon the author and finisher of our faith---Jesus, of whom is THE TRUTH! Let's learn together how to "Speak the Truth in love" and thus speak and be a people of blessing. {More to follow when we address "The Truth about Simple Church life.)

"Making or Cloning?"

Of course I am talking about disciples in response to the great commission of Jesus. Word meanings change over the years and through translations and cultures. The term "disciple" is not immune from misunderstanding today. In general terms the more accurate way of expressing what Jesus is saying is for us to make "learners", in other words help people to experience the reconciliation between themselves and God that Christ sacrificed his life for. And then of course as Jesus said (says) "I must go so I can send the Teacher" The disciple in this context becomes the "learner" in God's classroom (planet earth), and the Teacher who guides us all is the Holy Spirit.
This a long way off the mark from where evangelical and orthodox Christianity as a culture and tradition has taken potential disciples. Whether it's a series of discipleship courses or confirmation/membership classes taught by men & women surely this is not what the first disciples learned as Christ breathed upon them and they were filled with His Spirit. In rediscovering/restoring the foundations of primitive pre Constantine body life in His Church this is the beginning point that is linked to the Promise that "which He has started in you He will complete". Today's approach to discipling is almost entirely through the head, never touching the heart. I have been guilty in my early years in making "converts" to my belief system, taught classes on how to be a disciple, essentially teaching that they should follow me as I follow Christ and model a collection of external behaviors like the rest of us. Drowning one's individual gifts and personality with mine, and other "great Saints of the faith". The results are minimal in the larger scope of things, that is we can overlay our own chariture upon someone and teach them to parrot our belief system and results will always be "clones" of ourselves. Not disciples or learners of Jesus. The Church suffers when we clone Baptist, Pentecostal and Quaker inquirers for we then lack the depth and breadth of diverse gifting and callings. The way out of this is once again to observe the way of making disciples Jesus used. Simple impartation and direction towards the holy spirit is the way of Christ. Can we do that---Absolutely!
Should we do it? No question! When do we begin? Now!

"Release your Simple Church"

Way too much of what is branded as simple church or the emergent church has become the clustering of church people who have dropped out or are misfits for one reason or another, gathered to nurse ("heal" is the normal term used) each others wounds, seemingly or at least presumed to be caused by some monster traditional church. I don't know how you define these clusters but they certainly aren't much like the simple church plantings Paul and the other disciples were engaged in. What is the life cycle of a biblical patterned simple church? Well there is preaching of the gospel to the lost, the poor and the needy, followed by gatherings for spiritual formation that lead to transformation. These happen as the caring undershepherds equip the little flocks for the work of the ministry, including building one another up. The process of "body life" occurs as all members particpate in the growth and development of one another. But----does it stop there? Of course not! Jesus modeled the small simple church cycle perfectly with the 12, and the cycle included graduation and release. The great commission followed, and each of the 12 went on to accomplish some wonderful and power filled days of carrying the gospel beyond just a small Jewish sect into the entire known world at that time.Here's the point----there comes a time in every simple gathering of the church where release is necessary. Most SCs I am aware of, with a few exceptions, stay together beyond what is healthy for them. And there will never be a worldwide multiplication of simple churches again unless we teach and release setting the proper expectations as such from the beginning. Are you part of such a group? Remember Paul spent as little as 2-4 weeks with pagan peoples in preaching the gospel and gathering new believers together before he left. What are we doing that makes US think we need to continue and continue on to feed and nurse one anther's psyches forever and ever. I am suggesting as an effective undershepherd we need to "kick them out" into the work of the ministry--an accurate translation of the greek for Mat 9:38 "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest."The great commission given to the early disciples says "go" not stay. It's safe to say that a simple church flock is ready for dispersion when it realizes that the entire group is a leader. The ultimate end for Simple Church leadership is to raise and release the entire body of ministers into the harvest to repeat the cycle. Not to sit, and wait on and pray for perfection amongst the saints. That happens positionally in Christ, but to be released is less demanding. To be full of the Holy Spirit and anointed to preach the good news, by word and deed that is the end game. Some imperfections and chinks in our armor will be healed as we are proactive in faith. We are too concerned for how we will look, how we can fit into existing establishment religion, and waste way to much energy trying to fulfil one another's expectations. There is a time to be released. And as an undershepherd it may be the single most important thing you do! These truly are the days of Elijah and we need to be proclaiming the day of the Lord that is approaching, quickly. Let's get moving folks, while the wind is a blowing.

"Branding" Simple Church

Well it's happened, just like with the "Jesus People", "Charismatic" and "House Church" movements, the enemy of our souls, and of whom is constantly at war with His Bride, has succeeded in appealing to our prideful lust and "need" to be recognized for what we are involved with in ministry.

To be a valid "simple church person" or leader the following certifications must occur;

Have a firm solid line relationship vertically with one of the new breed of self appointed "apostles". (Someone who has written an "Emergent Church" book.

Not be connected in any practical way with a denominational movement

Be able to recite the SC creed--see below.

To know the difference between a "Care group", a "house church" and a s"Simple Church.

Having read Wolfgang Simpson's and The Dale's books and magazines.

Attended at least one SC regional gathering.
To be single minded in thinking we are on THE Leading edge of what Gods is doing.

To feel empathy for those poor Christians who just don't get it.

I realized this spirit of pride is beginning to swallow up some leaders and meetings at a recent conference I attended. not unlike what has happened in the past. It was sealed for me in discussions with a vibrant and fruitful apostolic like SC planter in Washington State who has written a good book and how hard it was to get it published. First he needed to front cover the "Emergent" term (because it helps sales) and that he needed a Tier One writer like Brian McClaren to write the forward--(presumably because it boosts sales). What to do? Put on humility and guard our hearts as Paul warns, adopt the heart of a servant, follow Christ in extending grace in all directions, not just the lost or pagans. And above all reject the notion, refuse to be "branded" with any kind of label other then "servant". I have struggled over the years to adequately define what we are engaged in and have come to the conclusion--we are just "friends" of Jesus as we each apply ourselves to radical obedience, individually and relationally. The scripture records just one kind of ministry given to us, that being as verse 18 speaks, "reconciliation". Note the context; (CEV)

2Co 5:15 And Christ did die for all of us. He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us. 2Co 5:16 We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way. 2Co 5:17 Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2Co 5:18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. 2Co 5:18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;" (ASV)
Can you see the gist of what God says through Paul? Let's be careful not to judge and let's comitt ourselves in word and deed to the spirit of reconciliation---on all fronts.

A proposed Creed for real simple church members (absurdium plustas)
"I believe in the one true simple church, an covenant to never gather in a church building, sing hymns or allow anyone to preach, I believe that God speaks only through the Message translation, I covenant with other SCs in never allowing ourselves to grow larger then the apostolic number of 12 persons, and to prove I am not bound by any traditional practices I covenant to always show up late or later for any attempt at starting a meeting on time. In addition I insist with my Simple brethren to not suffer teaching or preaching in our midst. Also in order to maintain spirituality I agree with the others not to invite or bring a pagan into our midst until they are mature enough to minister with the rest of us. And finally I walk with my brethren in agreement never to sanctify Sunday morning with a regular church meeting"

humbly yours,
Harold

"Sharing Life"

If their is one area that continues to hinder the growth of the Kingdom of God in men's hearts today that drives hordes away from the cross it is what has been called "witnessing" or "soul-winning". Devices such as the "sinner's prayer" and "altar calls to recieve Jesus" just are not part of the gospel or new covenant. People come to Christ (and other religions) today mostly in small steps in response to what they sense is real in a friend's life. It is usually a slow evolutionary process rather then a single crisis experience. (with a few exceptions). This being the case it would serve Christ well that people called by His name would emanate Christ's being "the friend of sinners", building bridges with those they have the most contact with (oikos).

But for our lives to have impact this way we need to adjust some practices;

1) Start befriending lost people (more time OUT of Church meetings and IN the world.

2) Developing an overflowing relationship with, and continuous filling of, the Holy Spirit.

3) As we "enter their world" (1Co9:22) learn to respect and honor each persons dignity.

4) Beware not to lay practices such as devotions, meeting attendance, tithing on anyone.

5) Become known as a person of "blessing" and fun to be around.

6) Learn what it means to "call forth all that is good right and true" in your new friends lives.

7) Be a faithfull friend that listens, plays, and laughs with those God loved that you meet.

Let's forsake proselytizing and embrace incarnational living amongst the hurting and lonely.
George Fox, a friend of the American Indian because he refgused to call them heathen and rather embraced "their fine nobility" as God's creation modeled and taught his approach to what we might call the normal Christian life here recorded in Setember 1663.

"Sing and rejoice [Zech 2:10], ye children of the day and of the light [1 Th 5:5]; for the Lord is at work in this thick night of darkness that may be felt [Exo 10:21f]. And truth doth flourish as the rose [Isa 35:1], and the lilies do grow among the thorns [Song 2:2], and the plants atop of the hills, and upon them the lambs do skip and play. And never heed the tempests nor the storms, floods nor rains, for the seed Christ is over all, and doth reign. And so be of good faith and valiant for the truth [Jer 9:3]: for the truth can live in the jails. And fear not the loss of the fleece, for it will grow again; and follow the lamb, if it be under the beast's horns, or under the beast's heels; for the lamb shall have the victory [Rev 17:14] over them all. And so all live in the seed Christ [Gal 3:16], your way [John 14:6], that never fell [1 Pet 2:22]; and you do see over all the ways of Adam's and Eve's sons and daughters in the fall. And in the seed Christ, your way, you have life and peace; and there you do see over all the ways of Adam in the fall, in which there is no peace. So in the seed Christ stand and dwell, in whom you have life and peace; the life that was with the Father before the world began."

And I might add "and let's pass this Peace to all we encounter.

"Tithing; Low-realm, Obsolete & Defunct?"

A dear friend and SC partner/veteran, Nate Krupp has sent me this work, by Matthew E. Narramore which is another in a series of wonderful new books made available for free, to help equip the Body of Christ these days, simply click on, and read it on line, download it or purchase it. It's at www.tekoapublishing.com/ Like most of what I publish and share on this blog this work has a prophetic edge that may offend or anger some readers, and that is not it's intent. If we don't get Christ teaching concerning the use of money right we won't get much else right either. For much of what is wrong with contemporary christianity finds it's root in the inordinate affection for money and the associated power and/or control that is attached to it. Here is some of his introduction;

By Matthew E. Narramore

The problem with tithing is not about money. It's the low spiritual mentality that the doctrine of tithing produces and reinforces in the Body of Christ.
For God to achieve his objective of bringing Christians to full stature in Christ, he must first change their mindset from a carnal, Old Covenant paradigm of being merely servants who are keeping laws and following principles to the New Covenant paradigm of being sons of God who live by the indwelling Christ himself.
This book examines all the arguments used to justify the practice of tithing and compares them to the finished work of Christ at the cross. It explains who we are in Christ and how we can be led by the Spirit in our giving.
Discover:
How the tithing doctrine contradicts the New Covenant and destroys the power of Christ's finished work on the cross.
What the Bible actually says about tithing before the Law and why the popular teaching that promotes tithing is wrong about the tithe that Abraham gave to Melchizedek.
The truth about tithing during the Law and how the confusion about tithes, offerings, and gifts contributes to the erroneous teaching that Christians should tithe.
What the Bible actually says about tithing after the Law and where the misunderstanding originates that causes people to think that tithing is God's plan for the church.
Answers to more than twenty of the most popular statements that are used to promote tithing—each statement scripturally analyzed and exposed as being contrary to the New Covenant.
God's glorious New Covenant paradigm for giving which is separate from and superior to any concept of tithing.

"A Radical but Simple Calling"

Two themes working in my heart this week;


On Guidance:

First is the sometimes hyperspiritual approach that religious people go through in determining the "will of the Lord" or "leading of the Spirit" in daily decisions to be made on the road of being a Christ follower. I've been finding that viewing people and things through the simple eyes of Jesus is a rather simple way to know what to do, what choices to make etc. etc. and there is a super natural rythym of His Grace that allows us to participate in this "dance" with Christ and His Creation . It is so simple we often miss it tripping over ours and one another's feet like a drunkard in a square dance. Hardly ever are decisions made with the same grace and ease that would define the dance. We tend to dispute, hold grudges, yield to the majority and secretly disagree with the community's consensus often hoping their innermost positions are verified with failure. You say "Christians don't do that" and I say like Popeye's girlfriend Olive, "Phooey, Phooey, Phooey" it happens every day in churchland. But, in Graceland where we find ourselves when their is different thoughts the obious response by the community is we just don't know--so what to do? Is this an excuse for passivity? Well as I reminded by a friend lately--perhaps in some situations like in the early church--we just need to "flip a coin" or draw straws. Sometimes that is the way of faith, to beleive when we don't know, that God does control the flipping coin. Consider "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:33), or "Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart." ~ Proverbs 18:18 For some that want to complicate and mystify the simplicity of a childlike walk with his father, these points are part of the organic whole of Proverbs and the Bible. You can't tip-toe through the scripture and dispensationalize or atomize the truth without it taking a different form in the end. The early church drew straws or flipped coins so to speak for who to choose to replace Judas with and in other situations as well. Pray yes, trust God--and move forward folks. Let's avoid the hard feelings, yield our thoughts or put them on hold until God gives us the missing piece, but please, no more spiritual seance like spookiness. In most situations doing the will of God is as easy as listening and watching how and what Jesus says and does as seen in scripture, and as His disciple just following Him in obedience. For instance concerning money, giving and worshipping God with the money He gives us. No other subject has been misused, abused and perverted as much as how we handle our finances. The "love of money" is the common denominator of this perversion, and many a soul has been shipwrecked upon the rocky shoals of greed. Amnd yet the simple teaching of Jesus on handling money overshafdows everything else He tells us! Get this area right and life eternal is yours--get it wrong and expect to find yourself in a stormy sea grasping on to rocks trying to get a foothold on land!

Next week we will explore this second area, "Greed"-and it's resultant carnality"
in depth, with it's implications for the redemptive community in action.

May God richly bless your lives,

love,
Harold & Wendy
haroldbehr@gmail.com
www.simplechurches.net

The "Conversational Church"

This past weekend Wendy & I were able to share in a retreat gathering of around 15-18 leaders of Simple Missional Communities, meeting in homes and other places, and we shared a most unique and wonderful series of conversations and music. We met primarily outdoors, in the shade in a spring formed"oasis" of birds, trees, frogs and pleasant breezes while listening to each share observations and inspiration from their hearts. Our theme seemingly consisted of various threads of how we are engaging culture as a sent people. It seemed that folks shared with ease, carefully worded thoughts that strengthened us all. Strategy was discussed, Scripture was shared, and beautiful acoustic picking and playing served as a backdrop at times. The food was great as we shared, prayed and mostly enjoyed God's Presence, Peace and Joy engulfing us all. It was sad to go, but as we did I think we wanted to continue the "conversation" amongst those gatherings we are serving as undershepherds. It was these conversations we see Jesus had with His disciples that drew many from the outside into the Kingdom.

Consider Mattherw 9:10
"Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them.
Mat 9:11 When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?"
Mat 9:12 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?
Mat 9:13 Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."

Iam sure if our meetings are not simply a house church image of Sunday Worship in the traditional sense, that outsiders will enjoy our conversations and enter into them and will hear the Message that will help them join the circle. But not so if we practice our gatherings full of religious gibberish and complicated songs and prayers that require insider knowledge to understand.

We need to be more open and inviting with our meetings, our lives and our prayer. All this instead of gathering for a hyperspiritual seance where we try and conjure up strange messages in foreign tongues that no one understands.

Consider Jesus again when he says in
Mat 5:13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Mat 5:14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
Mat 5:15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand.
Mat 5:16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Mat 5:48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.

Would you join me in starting spiritual conversations, each sharing, each participating in language that is inviting and understandable and that reaches out to those outside God's Kingdom? To those who don't realize yet that they are being saved?

If we never sing another song or preach another sermon but rather share the light of His work within, share the hope and the future that results in the Peace that surpasses understanding we will find many attracted to this Gospel of the Kingdom!

Bland Spirituality

Summertime coffee drinks are soooo good!! Wendy had a new Starbucks frappacino" made with chocolate mint and I always drink a few heavy draws on the straw even though I'm lactose intolerant--so what, the extreme mint, extreme chocolate and always extreme Mocha is worth it! We like them double blended for the extreme cool---Once you have tasted real coffee with it's depth and breadth of flavors, brewed properly why would you ever want to settle for the same old restaurant coffee again? The same goes for genuine encounters with Christ's Spirit in worship gatherings, and the same could be said for the sense of genuine community at work ministering to Christ through needy face on the street, in prison or the neighborhood. One can never go back to bland religious activity again once having tasted the heavenly reality.
Today many are group and church hopping looking for something that satisfies and instead finding in most cases it's all the same "bland", lukewarm, average delivery. You know "average don't you? It's where the worst of the best meets up with the best of the worst. I guess the 50/50 mix of hymns and choruses fits that description. My wife Wendy gets frustrated when we settle in to a glorious hymn and sing verses 1 & 4 for time's sake, skipping most of the heart of the story the writer gives us. The same goes for 3 choruses sung three times liturgy. The Spirit of Life calls for more drama then this. Our hearts were designed for radical extremism in worship and living. Radical honesty radical application to the Truth, radical love, all in response to a radical outpouring of God's grace and forgiveness is priceless and received joyfully by the unchurched. Jesus spoke to his disgust with lives that are lived lukewarm in radical terms. (spits it out). Bar room conversations center on this around closing time as drunks speak to the hypocrisy and moral weakness they observe by the churchgoing public.We are challenged to "Taste and see, the Lord is good", once one tastes of the heavenly Kingdom it's at least as good as Starbucks Coffee, who would settle for anything less?
This all begs the question "What am I serving up?" these days. Lukewarm, burnt yet weak coffee? Stale bread? Yesterday's news? God forgive me when I have "settled" for the dull edged butter knife in place of the two edged sharp sword that cuts to the dividing of soul and spirit.
I believe we are so used to bland that when we draw upon our experiences and default to responding like we are conditioned to mediocrity we miss the mark. God offers us the ability the gifts the unction to be a prophetic people, eyes emblazoned with the Spirit of Elijah, seeing through the obvious into the not yet seen with the natural eye. I believe He wants us think radically with His mind, to love with His heart and even go to the extreme sacrifice empowered by His "dynamite", His explosive power. One Word obeyed, One Word spoken and expressed incarnationally through us will change the course of history.
The emergent Church Christ is building these days is nothing if not extreme in it's obedience and discipleship. Petty bible studies that study a few verses in the abstract as guided by a pre printed study guide are another example of lukewarm comittment to the Truth. Why not comitt to 30 chapters read in community a week and then being held accountable to one another in obedience to what has been learned. Many are doing this discovering a treasure trove of revealed truth as God breathes life into a radical discipleship. Nothing less will satisfy the palette of the unlooking world that's taste buds have become numb with commodity food, politics and religion. Let's ask God to fill us with this radical lifechanging, world shaping and yes most radical Holy Spirit! What say you? Do you think "balance" is a biblical concept? Do you think aquiecesing to normalcy is an asset to kingdom Living? What say you?

Harnessing the Power of the Wind!

This summer I intend to take sailing lessons, it's something I've wanted to do for years.I learned the hard way that sailing requires knowledge and hands on skill if you want to avoid terror, injury or - - get anywhere. When my daughter Lori was about 10 we rented a small sailboat and "took her sailing". We were on a small lake, and afterall I had 7 years of Navy shipboard experience, and grew up as a kid on the ocean with my parents. It couldn't be that hard, I thought. We pushed off and I hoisted the sail, easy enough, it filled up and away we went for about 5 minutes of bliss, the silent sound of the wind propelling on out towards the end of the lake. As we approached I thought well I'll just spin the rudder around and well---you might know the rest. I had our boat 90 degrees on it's side at times, Lori crying, me trying for an hour every concievable combination of sail and rudder and we just sat there. Fortunately the Coast Guard came and towed us in. She still has a post traumatic laugh at my expense on occasion.

Sailing through the Seas of people's lives is not unlike sailing a ship. For one thing, we need some help with the equipment God gives for navigating the shoals, rescuing those drowning and returning safely to port.

First and foremost harnessing the power of the wind require us to raise our sails in such a way aws to catch the wind. The rigging has to be right and tight. As we do this, with practice, we then have the propulsion, the power to steer the course that the Spirit of Discernment reveals for us. Many times I had the discernment without the power of the wind, and had to use the oars and after countless attempts at what proved to be futility was unable to help the one I wanted to. Other times I harnessed the wind and got blown away for lack of being able to set the proper course. The Holy Spirit, like the wind is an awesome power and not to be handled in a careless manner. I know, God will tow us back in if we get stranded or blown over. But wouldn't it be better to be mentored, coached, and discipled as to how to use of the equipment?

The poet Tagore said "The winds of Grace are blowing. But it is you that must raise your sails."

Let's be sure we know how to sail, navigate and return safely as we hoist our sails, and we'll avoid winding up on the rocks with those we are trying to lead to a God saved life, eh mate?

We're here to help-let us know! Meanwhile I will learn in class how to properly rig sails and operate a real sailboat this summer.

May God's Peace be your Compass,
Harold Behr

"When Storm Winds Blow"

It's for certain we will always face tribulation as individuals, leaders and fellowships. Jesus promised it "In this world you will have tribulation". This has been a problem for today's western Church that has altered the Truth in order to sell more "decisions" for a Santa Claus Jesus that promises health, prosperity and happiness. But it's a lie! The temptation to blame Satan for every accident, affliction or unfavorable condition is hyperspiritual foolishness. Yet that's what some traditional evangelical teaching concludes. The damnable heresy in this is that it has us looking for demons where they don't exist, personal sin that has been cleansed from our soul, and results in a fatalistic feeling of failure. As we are seeing new testament faith & practice emerge in our midst we need to hold for the clear & wholesome truth about tough circumstances and periods of our walk with Christ & one another.

1)Fact one---the entire creation experiences cycles of affliction and blessing, ease and disease, highs and lows, sadness and joy. Life here is cyclical, and the truth is whatever tribulation we face "It too will pass".

2)Fact two---Matthew 24:13 (MsgB) "Staying with it that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. " Perseverance through the trial is what God wants to be with & through us as we press on.

3)Fact three--Psalm 84:5-7 (KJV) "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. [6] Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. [7] They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. " This the Promise you can hang your faith on when tough times come.

4)Fact four----Psalm 18:11-21 (MsgB) "Now he's wrapped himself in a trenchcoat of black-cloud darkness. [12] But his cloud-brightness bursts through, spraying hailstones and fireballs. [13] Then God thundered out of heaven; the High God gave a great shout, spraying hailstones and fireballs. [14] God shoots his arrows, pandemonium! He hurls his lightnings a rout! [15] The secret sources of ocean are exposed, the hidden depths of earth lie uncovered The moment you roar in protest, let loose your hurricane anger. [16] But me he caught reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, [17] that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. [18] They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. 19] He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved surprised to be loved! [20] God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. [21] Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted.

Here you have the truth, God is in the storm, wrapping himself in the black clouds, just over the horizon His presence displaces the low pressure area and the incoming high results in us standing in blue sky, fresh ozone charged air, able to say with the psalmist "Blessed people pass through". It's normality here on earth, and it's redemptive all the way--if we just keep on placing one foot in front of the other,not faltering , not looking for an escape clause, hanging our faith on the objective Promise s. After all it's a war we are in, not a vacation cruise.

May Christ empower you to turn your Baca Valley experiences into springs in the desert, wells you can be refreshed by. It's the realty of what we face, Jesus did, all early saints did as well until we meet our Master in heaven.

May the God of Strengh lead you on & through the adversity you face, and may you find His Grace suficient for the journey.

Chasing the "Apostolic", (will we ever learn?)

35 years ago a "movement" of house churches developed quick, went worldwide, and shared almost all of the same qualities that today's "movement" possesses. It was originally a grass roots start where many of the "Jesus People" movement gathered together for fellowship. There were a series of conferences usually led by what is now called the "Fort Lauderdale Five". These men were great platform speakers, all deeply Pentecostal and gifted. They saw themselves part of what is called Restoration Theology, wherein positionaly the church experiences rebirth of the Ephesians 4:11, and these in turn release others, commission others to plant new Churches. It became known as the "Shepherding Movement" and evolved into a hierarchial movement not unlike the catholic church. As it developed these regional conferences were held regularly with the strong Pentecostal element, and they became focal points for men (evolved into men in leadership only) to find their "covering", in other words who they were to be "under". These were high profile meetings, held worldwide, and initially gained a lot of press, first positive then very negative. National leaders such as Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel) and others condemned it, mostly because of their heavy handed top down approach to running peoples lives, and the upward flow of tithes. I was in one such gathering in Montreat North Carolina (Billy Graham attended in the front row) where upon the conclusion people (1000 or so) all tried to get under an "Apostle" for covering. People were jumping over pews scurrying to get in little groupings their "apostle commandeered. Over time, being a mid level ranking shepherd I found myself pretty high up the food chain or pyramid, and ever so gradually I found myself losing any semblance of direct relationship with God, depending more and more upon recieving all spiritual directions and sustenance from the one over me. Gradually my spiritual life began to take on water, and my ship was capsizing. Meanwhile we were directing peoples home purchases, marriage decisions, total control, all in the guise of making disciples. One day I woke up spiritually bankrupt. I resigned from eldership out of sheer hypocrisy. I was clear that I had no tangible relationship or connection with Christ! Only a cog in a machine like structure put together by well meaning men. We filled our meetings with pentecostal deliverance and shenanigans of absurd magnitude. Many others left as as well, most of us discovering how much God wanted a one on one, no intermediory, direct relationship with us. It was then I began cultivating a listening friendship with God and by His grace recovered, truly standing upright in His righteousness. From there I discoverd this journey learning how "simple life" with Jesus is meant to be. We don't need books, conferences, seminaries or tutorials on how to experience "being" the Church. Just a simple listening & obedient heart, and the scriptures, and fellowship with other pilgrims that God adds to our journey.

So what is happening today? I suspect shades of yesteryear all over again. Will any of us that survived the last fiasco be able to help? I don't know that our older voices are able to be heard amongst the cry for stoking another "movement". I know I speak straight to the heart of the matter when invited, and occasionally I sense a prophetic fire burning within to want to dare and stand and say "enough of this foolishness", but it is risky business and rarely heeded.

As for the visitation of God's Spirit on the peoples of the earth today, it's for real. And Jesus will continue to build His Church, the question is will be part of what He is doing or will we settle for something less, some kind of madison avenue driven needs oriented substitute. My prayer and counsel for all who sense His Visitation today is to listen to God speaking as you read scripture and fellowship, and with a singleminded zeal probably unknown previously, apply yourself to a radical obedience to the Spirit, always staying within hearing distance of our Saviour, and King and most comforting, our Friend. The big "D" is the operative word for today. We need sharp Spirit empowered discernment! How do we avoid becoming sidetracked? For one, avoid anything that would speak of a higher knowledge or secret understanding. One of the meanings that used to be associated with evil is "complex". Remember the highly skilled work of writing God's Word upon our hearts is the Spirit's doing. Any thing that speaks of anything other then the simple gospel is probably not God, rather the substitute spirit of antichrist. Secondly, avoid any person or group that is attempting to control it's member's even if it be indirectly. One of the ways the enemy of our souls works at this is to get us to buy into some prescribed behaviour, do this or do that, this or that translation, this or that baptismal forula, etc. I see men and women, (mostly men) doing the same things today as they (we) have in the past. This includes forming oranizations via networking and building databases, mass mailings, heady "sales talk", building conference audiences, magazines, web sites. Like in the world much of Christianity including sectors of the house church "movement"places a high premium upon personal charisma, building and holding a crowd's confidence, powerful platform skills and musical talents.. This stands in stark contrast with the lowly apostle Paul, short, pussy eyes, slow of speach, putting people to sleep as he taught all night till after midnight. How in earth did Christ work with him in planting a worldwide multiplying Church that turned the whole world upside down? No magazines, tv show, megaconferences, jet transportation, email the internet, no top 40 christian music artists or choirs, why one would think it had to be a miracle! Exactly! Listen to Zech. 4:6 (KJV) "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah is a good starting point to understanding what the Spirit is doing in today. My counsel to you is simple. Avoid the cult of personality, and establish a tight, communications with the God who loves you, refusing to run here, and run there, or buy up more books then you could ever read. Comitt yourself to a "radical obedience" to what you hear the holy spirit speaking to you. Take a "no compromise" stance to laying your life down for the friends you gather for worship with. Live entirely and unashameably incarnational. (If you don't know what that means---study how Jesus lived and loved. And be careful!

May God protect us,

Harold Behr

Harold & Wendy Behr serve as coaches, friends, and spiritual parents to a number of leaders across the country comitted to this Gospel, and can be reached at haroldbehr@gmail.com .

Why?

CRUSHED GRAPES MINISTRY A Brief Poetic Vignette Frank B. Smithcell (760) 641-0251 or (402) 451-1693PO Box 3009, Vista, CA 92085 or5016 No. 42nd St., Omaha, NE 68111fsmithcgm@aol.com www.crushedgrapes.org

WHY

Why are we living? Why are we here?
What is our purpose? And, why all this fear?

Is Jesus for real? His promises true?
What or who is pulling the strings on you?

Is earth and its glories our true destiny?
Or is some other Kingdom the priority?

Have we given our life to succeed in a race,
Where frantic participants are running in place?

Has your desire to succeed, blinded your eyes,
As dead ends and pitfalls shape our demise?

Tho our lamps still shine, is there oil in our flasks?
Have we emptied them out in unworthy tasks?

Has spirit and truth gone away from the Way?
And performance reviews now eat up our day?

Do our hearts burn with love for Jesus our King?
Or do man’s contrived systems control what we sing?

Are “Well done, good and faithful” the words for my life?
Or will “I never knew you” cut like a knife?

God bless you, I love you,
Frank Smith

Sometimes "Enough is enough"

This business of Kingdom living is about "now" Jesus says. It's about choices, every step we make. Transparency takes time for hope and trust to develop. This means time together, not time in meetings conferences and an endless parade of futurists books to read. We need to choose what we will do with our waking hours.. Quite frankly I see little time left for those authors and conference speakers to practice and/or prepare now for what they "see"on the horizon. It takes time & proximity in order to listen and to hear one another's struggles.
And consequently we see little"Shalom" or peaceful wholeness developing, rather continuous strife and confusion, blaming it on the devil. It's not a new thing for believers to allow God's Spirit to pour forth from within touching encounters that God gives us with neighbors, fellow sojourners, the hurting and healthy.
I don't really think anyone has a clue what the"emergent church" will look like . I don't expect it to look like an image seen from one's personal vantage point based upon projections tabulated by pollsters and futurists. We do know what it means tol ive and experience being "simply church" in context with the normative pattern Christ and the early Christ followers model inScripture. Beyond that I suspect like one writer said to me recently,"It seems anything with emergent attached helps sales". Publishers won't accept his copy without a well known emergent futurist speaker's writing the Introduction, based upon what will boost sales. Our friend Eugene Peterson is right when he speaks of the polluting effectof sales talk in advancing God's Kingdom. I'm old enough to rememberthe "God is Dead" front cover of Newsweek in the late 60s forecastingt he death of the Church. Bishop Pike was interviewed extensively on network news proclaiming God's death. No one forecasted the immediate Jesus People explosion which had Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel on the cover in
the pacific ocean baptizing hundreds, or Ruth Carter Stapleton\'s (Jimmy Carter\'s sister) being interviewed by networks in regards to her role in inner healing andthe unforecasted Charismatic Renewal a few years later. No one knew what God would do then, and I think it's safe to say the same today. Whatever the Church will look like that our kids and grandkids will worship with will probably look different outwardly but at it's core will have ths same DNA of our forefathers, as found in the early Church. Yes it will be a new generation with somewhat different language and dress, adapted to minister life to a somewhat differentculture. But it will have the same "head", and as a "body" will be equipped with the appropriate gifts such as to communicate the Gospel. But thank God we don't have to try and figure it out! All we are called to do is be faithful, be filled daily with His Spirit, and trust and obey.
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) speaks to this saying; "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed onthee: because he trusteth in thee." Or as the Message phrases it: "People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit." This from the God that owns tomorrow and grants us strength & mercy for Today---Perfect Peace here is that "shalom" that speaks of transformation, health & a sound mind promised by God to us as we keep our minds and hearts focused on the now of today. .",

The Hundred Year Old Piano

I inherited a beautiful 115 year old Cabinet Grand Piano of which I intended to take lessons with sometime soon, then we sensed the Call to southern Oregon and a series of events that started with the selling of this home and buying a smaller one in Central Point necessitating the sale of this very heavy and large piano. We sold it today and the buyers and their professional piano mover came with his trailer and large dolly. Since my back isn't that strong I stay away from these heavy lifting opportunities, and watched the mover and buyer mount it on the dolly and move it out to the trailer which was on a slight downward hill facing a 1/4 mile downhill driveway. After taking a casual look at the effort I walked behind the trailer and saw a red faced straining professional losing ground trying to push up the ramp and his untrained buyer fumbling trying to get a rope around the upper axle to pull. .
I got to thinking when the day was over this is a good word picture as to the problem conventional Christianity (u.s. style) faces. We have a paid professional to do the heavy lifting of ministry, and even though it often steamrolls the man or woman, manifesting itself in some form of addictive medication, drugs, sex, name your poison, and we replace the "position" with another who may or may not kill themselves in the process. If we are fortunate they last a few years. Could this be part of the reason why so many kinds of alternative ministry are emerging? Our congregations are "playing by the rules" expecting and supporting this approach where the crushing weight of the ministry destroys so many leaders. Some studies indicate that 80% of the pastorate would work at another vocation if so trained, and are quite discouraged with their employment as the minister. Then we have the startling facts speaking to our ineffectiveness and declining influence in the culture. And what about the pent up visions and desires to minister that are stifled buy the top-down approach to ministry.
When one looks carefully at the various alternative worship groups that are growing in number and influence you see find at least one common denominator, that is in these gatherings a high premium on everyone's participation in the work of the ministry is essential. Something first restored at the reformation, and in various streams of the body including early friends, but ebbed with the passing of time. Now back to the piano.
Not wanting to see the mover flattened or piano tumbling down the mountain side shattering into pieces, I quickly rushed in to help and we barely made it into a safe place The professional appreciated it, I felt rewarded, and no I didn't reinjure my back. Could the Church morph or move into a simple, organic body of believers that received it's leaders as not paid hirelings to "move the old piano" but rather as the equippers Paul called for in Ephesians 4, for the body to the work of the ministry, thus not exhausting and supplanting the calling of pastors. You know the old Piano plays ancient music and new choruses and fine spiritual jazz equally well, it's all about how we play it. There will be less confusion as the new church is born if we play our part, and regardless of the public interface, buildings, homes, schools His Kingdom will be advanced as we like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22 do whatever it takes "to enter their world with the intent of understanding things from their point of view so We can lead them to a God saved life" We live in a post Christian multicultural world where in any city we live and work with a variety of "tribes' and foreign cultures. God will not be limited to having us play the melodies of yesteryear no mkatter how nostalgic they may be, especially when people's eternal destiny is at stake that simply cannot and will not enter our religious heritage. Change is inevitable, thank God!

Bilgewater & Barnacles

Barnacles attach themselves to a ship's hull and need removed regularly for they are heavy, and increase drag on a ship when it is at sea. Likewise an undershepherd or (captain) of an SC fellowship they too can effect your progress and your rescue operations. If for no other reason
other then to reduce fuel consumption, (that is reduce the drain or strain on one's life) the barnacles of sin that "so easily beset (attach) us" directly impact the fellowship and those Christ commissions to rescue. That's why God implores us in Hebrews 12:1 (GW) to "strip off" MsgB) the barnacles or " Since we are surrounded by so many examples {of faith}, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us.

We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up." The "race" is for men's (women) souls, and we ought not be so inclined to ignore these parasites that by their drag on us would cause us to be disqualified. For years I tried to lead, justifying my besetting sins based on the fruit of ministry, but eventually found myself so laden down I could no longer maneuver. So, I was placed in dry dock as God stripped down underbelly of my life and prepared me for relaunch unto the high seas. The freedom, ease of movement, and exhilaration experienced as I hoisted the sails of faith and saw God's Spirit filling them and propelling us on left an indelible impression deep upon my heart. And that is to schedule regular dry dock inspections and hull maintenance.

I am certain that the lack of such due diligence on our part is to a large degree the reason why we see so many ministries shipwrecked these days. It's a choice---one yielding life, the other almost certain disaster.

Avoiding foolish & devilish teaching

"We wouldn't put ourselves in the same class with or compare ourselves to those who are bold enough to make their own recommendations. Certainly, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves to themselves, they show how foolish they are". 2 Cor. 10:12 (GW)

Leaders, (undershepherds and overseers) seem to continuously repeat the same mistakes over the millennia, that of "comparison" of the organic, small redemptive fellowship with previous generations of traditional and/or contemporary congregations that are larger and meet in buildings. I was reminded of this when invited to a traditional Friend's Church in Middle River Ohio last week. What we experienced was communion with God and many others as we worshipped with hymns and choruses followed by a good pastoral teaching. There was a strong sense of shared lives, community and mission as we met in their almost new sanctuary with a vibrancy and spiritual dynamic that imparted life and joy. God makes sure we participate in other then Simple Church gatherings from time to time in this way, I suspect because He knows my tendency towards an "all or nothing" abandonment to what we are currently experiencing as revealed truth. TIn Ohio there were all ages present, and we left refreshed and encouraged that the God of yesterday and tomorrow inhabits all of the praises of His people, regardless of what form the worship group is gathered under. If we that are empowered to plant simple redemptive fellowships would get this we wouldn't be finding ourselves participating in the work of the enemy--that is of attempting to divide the Body of Christ. Comparisons are a fruitless work of darkness.
The Truth is we need ALL expressions of the Body gathered, and what and why God has enlisted us plant simple churches is to reach those not being reached by the rest of the Church, (these days the majority}. We are reaching people (unchurched and outchurched) who will gather in our homes but for whatever reason Satan has hindered them from entering our larger more intimidating meetings. NOT to displace or minimize the work of the rest of Christ's Body. The trap of comparing what we do to what "they" do is shear foolishness and certainly unprofitable. I implore you to be careful as we run the race set before us to be a people of "blessing" all forms of the Body, and not stray off the path into the ditch of judgement or condemnation. The simple church stream of the river of God has some trickling coming from bitter waters of "againstness" and pride. Books and websites abound from some of the house church movement of days past that have self appointed apostles spewing there condemnation of everything other then what they are doing. The same goes for some futurist speakers, leaving congregations feeling hopeless with their fatalistic rhetoric. It's a true saying that "nothing can separate anyone from the love of God as found in Christ Jesus" including meeting configurations. Any other thought or teaching is just well---"Foolishness"! I should say the Redemptive Fellowships I know of who have stayed humble and in fellowship with the larger gatherings have flurished and multiplied over the decades. In contrast, thos whose leaders fostered an independent and pride filled sense of seperation have withered, dried up or have blown up from internal strife. When running this race we like Paul need to keep our eyes on the Prize, the Goal and not trip over or step on fellow believers
that meet in a different setting. Let it be so Lord Jesus!

Sincere Blessings,

Harold Behr
haroldbehr@gmail.com

Sharing Christ in You, "THE HOPE of GLORY!"

The world God has placed us in is drowning in despair on every front. TV, magazines and newspapers communicate fear, failure and frustration. The emerging generation has all but lost all faith in ourhuman institutions. Marriages are flying apart and suicide and violent crime affects everyone. Meanwhile, we hold this treasure--hiding it sometimes, or at best get the "message" or "good news" confused with sales talk to join "our??" church. What we have(if properly cared for) is this incredible "hope" that if shared will attract an onlooking world to the Christ. Consider the innumerable references to this in these familiar snippets from the Bible. .Acts 2:26 (MsgB) I 'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the land of hope. Ephes. 4:4 (GW) There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. Acts 15:32 (MsgB) Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. Acts 20:2 (MsgB) Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. And so on and so on----. The gist of my words to you are found in Romans 8:24 (GW) We were saved with this hope in mind.----. Because we were saved with hope leading us to faith and then love, don't you think as Christ's ambassadors we should lead with hope as well? It is like water bubbling out of our lives overflowing on to a dry hopeless land, watering peoples lives and allowing for the sprouting of the seeds of the Kingdom we and others have sowed. I can say with certainty as you "pitch your tent in the land of hope" you have the antidote to what is poisoning our land. (your neighborhood). It starts in looking for what is "good, right and true" with your friends and neighbors and cultivating hope upon that foundation. If we allow God's Spirit to flow forth in our words and actions we will impart the start of what will be the unstoppable flood of God's Spirit throughout our "Oikos". Many will be attracted to your sense of unquenchable hope, and you in turn can help them be reconciled to Christ, the only source of hope. consider Matthew 12:21 (MsgB) "the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers." People respond to the optimismistic and enthusiastic attitudes towards life when they are genuine. It's Christ within you that is THE hope of Glory. Matthew 12:21 (GW) speaks to this in saying; "The nations will have hope because of him." As believers some of us seem to have forgotten wherewe live (as I have at times). And so if we find ourselves wandering in other lands such as despair, or hopelessness, or fear, or sin, it's time for a homecoming. The road to the "land of hope" where we are topitch our tents is found to be headed "True North". It's there we find all ofour springs of life and where we find the well of hope within. As we ponder this let me leave you with this benediction found in Romans 15:13. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." So, be of good courage, and boldly communicate the "hope" we have within. There is a day that we will see the Lion and lamb will lie down together, and war will not be anymore, and sickness and disaster will be over for all time. Night will cease, and the entire world will live in peace and harmony haven been remade all over again for life eternal, life more abundant, with our loving Lord and Saviour,friend and constant guide as our great Shepherd of the flock!

Creating & Maintaining the "Climate of Mercy"

In every living thing God has made there is a neccesary Climate that is condusive to growth and reproduction. In our ministry, being undersheherds and Overseers of smaller redemptive fellowships this climate is one of mercy. Note Peter's admonishment as to how we should approach our call.

Peter 5:2-3 (MsgB) "Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but actings pontaneously.[ [3] Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. Have you ever wondered how Jesus could gather such a Church of 12 with their questionable and unscrupled pasts? Picture how quickly they would head for the back door in most of our "Churches" in the west today. We can't honestly say that their jealosy, carnality or selfs erving interests vanished after Jesus called them, for the Scriptures are full of examples to the contrary. No, I suggest that that small band of disciples wanted to with Jesus, and were drawn by theTruth he lived and taught. Even more important then that for you and I to grasp was the "Climate" he cultivated. A Climate of tenderhearted Mercy. And so, as undershepherds in his Church today, perhaps we need to reflect upon what kind of climate we create. Thenatural tendency and practice of church planters (myself included in times past) was to create a conditional atmosphere of mercy. That is, as long as we sense we are maintaining control and people are responding to our direction we'll be gentle and kind. But I have, in the past, so loudly blew the clarion call of Vision, that I injured some along the way.
Consider this; "Fr. M.A. Couturier (the Dominican apostle of sacred art, not the ecumenist) declared with perfect truth that many Christians "are enclosed in their Church and in their faith as others are enclosed intheir Party. They aspire to a totalitarian state: and none of this has anything to do with the Gospel." In fact, the climate of totalism, which as we know to our own cost can very easily become that of religion itself, is a climate of security purchased by servile resignation under human power: obedience to the authority of might rather than freedom in the climate of life-giving love and mercy. This, of course, raises a most difficult, not to say most urgent, problem of authority in the visible structure of the Church. There must obviously be some visible authority and there must be some form of law in any institutional structure. This authority and law must be justified, as also the sacraments and the Sabbath are, by being propter hominess. (sacraments are for the people) They must serve only to protect and preserve the climate of mercy, or life-giving forgiveness and reconciliation. Hence, authority and power become abusive when they become ends in themselves to which the good of persons becomes subservient: when, in other words, souls for whom Christ died are allowed to be destroyed inorder that power may be preserved intact.The climate of mercy, which is the climate of the new creation, depends on the realization that all men are acceptable before God since the Word was made man, dwelt among us, died on the Cross for us, rose from the dead, and is enthroned in our flesh, our humanity, and in the glory of God. Hence, all that is required for a man to be acceptable before God, and a recipient of mercy, is for him to be a man and a sinner. (Idid not come to call the just, but sinners . . .Matthew 9:13; Romans 5:8). We ourselves are not entitiled to be more demanding than God. Whoever is acceptable to Him is, therefore, acceptable to us, and this is the test of our faith and of our obedience to Him (John 15:12, 17; 12:34-35), that we become to some extent able to be merciful to others as He has been merciful to us, knowing that this mercy is the cohesive power that establishes and manifests the father's love in the living and unified Mystical Body ofthe Son (John 17:11-12, 21-22)."

(This is part of a tribute to AlbertSchweitzer written by an obscure monk, aptly titled "The Climate ofMercy) So it's the totalitarian rule of leadership that destroys souls as ite xcludes and precludes and functions as a mediator between God and man that cannot be tolerated amongst us as undershepherd's approach to oversight. Rather, all we do as Christ followers, should be permeated and led by the gracious Spirit of Christ. In the end we we will find our fellowships to be "mercy ships".
Such is the eschatological climate of the new creation,in which pardon replaces sacrifice,(Math. 9:13) and the whole world is filled with the mercy of God as the waters cover the sea.

Note; This starts towards ourselves, our families then the missional fellowship etc etc.

Comments, just reply to the group!

"Remembering your Future" ---Authentic Faith!

Most would admit, especially those called to lead, that what we call "church" can, could, and often does function as well, or better without God attending. The sheer fact that Christ-less gatherings occur regularly and offer the kinds of programs and projects that this world system lauds praise for is evidence of this. Beautiful buildings, Universities and programs for the poor are more part of institutional and ritualistic religion than the "Kingdom of His Dear Son" which is built by God from living stones joined together by the Head, Christ, working through faith & love to care for inner man, caring for the heart and mind and spirit in a transformitive manner that stands in stark contrast to the slavery of institutional religion in whom external appearances aimed at self perpetuation of "dead works" is the goal.
An intriguing question that is rambling through my mind these days goes like this;
"Why don’t we remember the future like we do the past?" The natural mind finds this to be foolish, but the renewed Spirit filled Christ follower understands this after pondering it a while. The Spirit says to the listening heart in Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. " This is the forward look of a proactive faith! Remembering the "future" set before Him He recognized His future and was constrained and motivated, even empowered pass through the shame, suffering for the absolute future hope of resurrection and reuniting with His Father in Heaven.
We have those objective Promises, the written ones that Peter spoke of in 2 Peter 1:4 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
In addition to the written promises available to any who will find and act upon (faive, future active verb form of Faith) we have the more subjective "Word of Promise hope or Vision" that the Spirit of Christ whispers to our heart or causes us to dream upon. Without this "Vision" the people perish! What we need to recognize and own for ourselves is our future in Christ and eternity largely depends on our ability to remember the "Future", following Christ in this regard. It’s true one can’t see these promises and equally true is the fact that "Faith is the substance of things not seen"
We need to recognize whether it’s remembering the past or in this case the future, there is no tangible substance within the thought process. Faith is hanging our body and actions upon the promises written upon our heart. Grasping and appropriating the future is part of our forward march of faith! Faith is the currency of heaven, and it’s how we enter the gates, and how we experience the "Ancient-Future" Church here and now.
Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God. Let’s be moved forward being transformed into His image even as we proactively become agents of spiritual transformation. This only happens as we "with eyes fixed upon Jesus", the Living Word, follow Him because of the joy set before us. That’s remembering our future!

Selah.

"Sky Diving" & "Free Fall"

As you may know Wendy and I have entered into a new phase of our life & ministry as a result of being "released" from our call to work with the Friend's Church Southwest. I want to share a few thoughts that God has written upon my wife and my hearts, individualy, and in unison.

1) The initial shock of being "layed off" from a "call" seemed contradictory and left us with an initial "sting" that I would describe as being drop kicked. (First time in 60 years to be layed off)

2) Very quickly we had this sense of exhilaration and spacious freedom, set in motion by the Lord not knowing where exactly we will end up, but enjoying the windswept journey, knowing we were traveling downfield!

3) A recognition that in some ways nothing has changed, we are still called to encourage, and mentor many people like yourselves, called to the new/ancient Simple Redemptive Fellowships that God has emerging worldwide. But continued growth and illumination as to how God is speaking to we undershepherds is anticipated so much in fact I believe we will find everything continuosly changing around us, coming to a dependance upon the Holy Spirit and one another unprecedented since the ealiest days of the Church recorded in Acts.

4) A fresh determination to keep our eyes on the prize, fixed upon Jesus the Author AND the Finisher, and His sure Promise "I will build my Church----" This will take us for the ride of our lives as last day occurences become everyday experiences for us.

The feeling of freefall I sense (and Wendy is totally at Peace in this) is summed up in an older Barry McGuire song (Bullfrogs and Butterflies) aptly named "Cosmic Cowboy". In this disco narrative Barry finds himself out riding on the range when he encounters this rider wearing a white hat (remember Zechariah?) with blazing eyes that saw right through Barry, inviting him to ride together and away they go right off a cliff , of which Barry hesitated then leaped into the seeming sea of nothingness free falling into what Barry speaks to and I feel these days "falling right into the arms of God" and the transforming nature of that ride that ensued. We are feeling something akin to that now and it's a wonderful place to be. We use to sing an old hymn that the chorus went; "It is joy unspeakable and full of Glory--full of Glory--and the half has never yet been told", that sums up what we are experiencing these days, and I hope we can impart some of this to those of you that have chosen to sojourn with us! Many of you with us are at the cliff's edge and are a bit hesitant. Remember God is only longing for our Trust--. And just like the young child that eagerly jumps into their father's arms, God's faithful to catch us-midair.

Keeping Simple Churches "Fertile"

The news story that is widespread thes days is heavy users of laptops (males) may be slowly sterlizing themself. It still isn't approved as a birth control device, but nevertheless if I were wanting to grow a family I would stick to desktops! The biblical story of spontaneous multiplying simple churches can be neutered as well unless we take heed to the foundations laid by our Lord and the Apostles, especially when it comes to money. We can't expect to see a rapidly expanding multiplication of new redemptive communities if we plan for leaders to be receiving salaries and churches needing facilities. And so, be prepared as members or leaders of SCs, to keeping your vocational job and to think of your meeting's collections as opportunities for worship for the needs of the poor in the community where you live. Sponsor free meals, free entertainment venues such as saturday evening community family nights or art walks or whatever allows you to touch people and serve them as an act of worhsip to Jesus (Matt 25) Anytime a stream within the body of Christ (or a large Church) thinks they "need to" employ an SC specialist to do the work of an evangelist we will see the beginning of the end. Now short term assignments like Pauls' may or may not be sponsored, but permament paid positions implies that a move of God, spontaneous and consisting mostly of new faces born into the Kingdom requires "big bucks". Some Churches and groups aere taking this approach and mark my words---it will not contribute to a revival of new churches being planted in the SC format. Money--the love of such is the root of all evil Jesus says. In denominations and psuedo denominations there is a comptetition for who gets the lions share of the budget. This is a battle no SC leader can win. The reason for this is simple. It takes years of discipleship for the "Spirit of Giving" to overtake a new beleiver, unlike transfer growth where people are already conditioned to tithe. We don't lead with "give me your money" in building bridges to the lost. I counsel leaders of SCs to avoid the offering gig when gathered and just have a basket in an unconspicuous location and let those who give do it as Jesus says, without coertion or constraint in private. Those of us who have done this know how God really works in an internal way with us. Another sterlizing effect of "paid leaders" in the SC movement is the expectancy that since the minister is paid we can just show up and be taught, causing spirtual atrophy to overtake each member for lack of individual excercise. And ther are more and more. Most of called to being sent in apostolic fashion are aware of these dangers and do not cultivate a "payroll mindset" in our fellowship with planters. This age is much like the Corinthians and us, like Paul, will work till midnite making tents rather then hinder one's path to Christ. Personaly, Wendy & I have been doing this for 15 of or 20 years of ministry. It's only recently we have had opportunities to be paid by denominations to do this, and it was not without misunderstanding and competition for funds. So now we are without the payroll check again and feel "released" to pursue where and what God want us to do to keep the bills paid as we continue to cheer you on, you being today's real "heroes of the faith" that give of yourself without monetary recompense. Let me know if any of you want to subscribe to our "Simple-Churches-Today" e-newsletter, interactive and informative as well a place for us to share together our journey in SC planting. May God richly Bless you this week as you walk daily full of truth & full of Grace.

Simple Church, Rescue or Cruise Ships?

As the emergent Church takes on more visability and the fog continues to clear, there are two classes of vessels appearing on the water. The first, a Cruise ship, is tied up at the pier, while passengers disembark to see the sights, shop, carouse and recreate. The passengers received instructions from the Captain and Staff as to how best cater to their needs when in port. There was a storm out on the sea so in order to avoid rough sailing they continued their stay in the safe harbor, eationg and drinking, (Matthew 24:37-38). The Cruise ship is unmistakeable because of it's size, and it's configuration, everything being designed for the comfort of it's passengers.
The other ship barely visible on the sea's horizon, is rather small and seems headed out into the storm clouds. It's a "rescue ship". and it's purpose is clear! It's seaworthy and takes the largest of waves. The "fellows that make up this ship's crew" are a team focused upon pulling those drowning in loneliness and isolation, some being devoured by sharks, others hearts failing them for fear out from the roaring sea. They work together almost with hilarity as their tired and aching bodies are beaten and tossed by the waves . The storms rage causing new bodies, drowning to bob in and out of view. The ship is configured to care for those who are pulled from the jaws of the sea, including being trained to be part of a new rescue ship soon to be launched. You see, their is no end to this task for countless souls are perishing daily. Meanwhile back at the Pier the captain and crew are watching the weather charts plotting a smooth course to the next tourist haven for the returning passengers.
Today amongst the Simple Churches there are those with missional purpose setting sails unto the storms of life, and there are others gathered that are preoccupied with their own needs and wants. It's up to us to decide what ship we want to be part of, either a Redemptive Fellowship that can't wait to plunge on out on to the high seas----or a comfortable dry safe Cruise ship that will pamper us, and feed the longings of our flesh.

Let's be careful what ships we board, are they missional? Or or they recreational.

And for those charge to lead---let's engage the storms of life through redemptive acts of faith, that is faith in the Captain of our Faith, raising our Sails to be filled with the breath of God, with watchful eyes for those who are destined to be saved!

Responsible Commissioning 1 Timothy 5:22

I believe one of the darker truths about Simple Church Development these days is the almost cavalier disregard for what the Apostle Paul learned and wrote Timothy as found in 1 Tim. 5:22 (MsgB) Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice.---." History teaches this mistake resulting in shipwrecked lives in the midst of most "moves" of God over the centuries and yet-----here we go again. This was brought home to me again recently when a all around very popular & gifted younger SC leader candidate that we launched (with probation) then within removed from leadership shortly later because of some serious personal daliences with sin (non repentant), (with much questioning from onlookers). This was a few years ago and admittedly there was significant second "guessing" and doubt as whether "Did we do the right thing", until yesterday when this brother was arrested for, and confessed to sexual abuse with a live in child. After the sadness passed and was replaced with sobriety I realized the approach God led us towards exhasustive Assessment in northwest and southwest Friends (myself) are requiring for any SC leaders we commission for the SC Network we undershepherd is in the spirit of what Paul is referring to in this passage. Immediately some of you might say "there they go again" that is,adding restrictions that stifle the spontaneous expansion of the Church. The Truth is just the opposite. Apostolic Oversight in the Spirit of Ephesians 4:11 speaks explicitly to the contrary. At times I believe in our zeal to see a "movement" emerge we are being deceived, substituting simplistic perspective and naievity for the simple truths of church multiplication. Let's be responsive to the Spirit of discernment and be careful to "build carefully" in accordance to Paul's word in 1 Cor. 3. Because the work of disciplemaking in the SC world is that of "impartation" rather then transference of information---we want leaders in place that are pursuing Christ and the holiness He imparts. Harold here saying let's not repeat the mistakes of past revivals! We want to join Paul in having SC overseers be able to say with clear conscience "Follow Christ as you see me do".

Simple Church "Lording it over the Flock"-A Warning!

Simple Church is all about relational spirituality. Godly leadership is definitely neededand serves a purpose if it's base upon apostolic instruction. It's a gift to the SC meeting, but one that can easily degenerate into one of spiritual abuse. You say how can this happen? What happens is because with SC the focus is in sharing the good news of Christ's Kingdom is towards the lost, the broken, lonely and weak, the danger of a co-dependency forming with the disciple (learner) and his/her leader or overseer can develop naturally. The only way to avoid this is for the Overseer to recognize his/her leadership gift is intended to "equip the individual" (Eph 4:11&12) so that they to can share the new found freedom in Christ and the work of the ministry with others. In other words we as leaders are given the responsibility for exercising the "Ministry of Reconciliation", or bringing people into one on one relationship with the head---Jesus. NOT the role of intermediary! If we are to avoid the oft repeated error of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2) that Christ despises we will have to avoid allowing ourselves to be "God's answer person" for every question a new learner has. We will have to be careful to facilitate, not "preach" in our meetings for worship. In other words our goal is to make disciples (learners) of Christ, not ourselves. Some House Church streams have eliminated the God appointed role of Overseer (see Acts 20:28) with resultant confusion, introspection and immaturity often being the result. Other HCs' have allowed leaders, often designated shepherd or apostle, to assume tyrannical rule, literally ordering all facets of a disciples lives to their detriment. No one dare asume the role as the "middle man or woman" between a disciple and his/her Lord . Sometimes the role of Spiritual Director degenerates into this state. Overseers are charged to not Lord it over anyone. 1 peter 5:3) For a good Bible Study on this subject click on the following URL http://www.bright.net/~bkrajcik/lordingover.htm For personal questions concerning your situationb as it relates to this area please e-mail me personally at haroldb@efcsw.org .

Methods, Models, or Message--a Warning!

by Harold Behr

Paul addressed early believers as "Living Letters" or as Peterson translates "You are the Message". IThis is in stark contrast to a new way of "doing church" as some books and manuals indicate. It's about the life lived in, and exuding the Grace of God, that is incarnational living that takes place outside the meeting, in the world God chooses to place us, this is the pure undistilled essence of "Simple Church". The act of "simply being" Christ to a Christless sea of lostness is an important part of what God is birthing today. Today the sad and sorry clone of this supernatural wonder is being propagated as a "new thing", or a Model or Method that promises to rapidly increase numbers. As early followers of Paul, Fox and Wesley soon found out, much to the dismay of these apostolic leaders, Satan stands all to ready to engage our flesh in the co-opting of what God starts with His Spirit. Today the net is full of websites peddling books, start up manuals and self help programs aimed at giving us "all we need to gather a group in our home". But a closer look at what these groups look like will often reveal more of a gathering of burnt out disgruntled church goers meeting sort of as a 12 step group grope then a gathering of unchurched pagan seekers of the truth responding to the overflow of a transformed life demonstrated by the overseers shepherding a simple church in their home. The simple truth is their is no method, book, or workshop that will substitute for a radical living relationship with God that spills over to draw, bless heal and yes "save" anyone that gets too close. Let's not let our instinctsand carnal reasonings subtrefuge what God is doing today in building His Church. It's that plain and simple. Let's avoid the plight of the foolish Galatians and having started in the Spirit went on to try and finish the job in the flesh. Discern the fount of teaching, there is recycled tap water bottled to look like spring or artesian well water. Let's check the source the next time you are tempted to take a drink!

"As Shepherds watch"

One of the spiritual disciplines people engaged in organic or simple church practice undertake is the listening to God speak to the heart by His Spirit while we read broad swaths of scripture. I like to journal in three categories in this regard, 1)surprise, 2)instruction and 3)my response. In reading the Christmas story this way in Luke 2 I saw the birth of Jesus through Shepherd's eyes and easily connected with Wendy & my personal experience as "undershepherd's" of God's little flocks. This was gleaned through desparation as I continue to find it more difficult to redeem this orgy of commercialism, religious hyprocrisy and soaring suicides (not a response to any Good news!) so prevalent during these periods. Here's what I saw/heard;

1) While faithfully shepherding "out in the fields" (watching their flocks) the Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared! Luke 2:9 (overseeing and shepherding an Organic church isn't so glamorous in many's eyes, nothing spectacular is underway, buildings, sermonizing or building programs-- just routine same same peaceful activity, and here in this story this is the setting God appears! They were terrified (as I come close to when God speaks to concerning the challenge of miussional purpose for the organic church gathering),

2)They heard the message from God and carried it straightway to everyone they met, Gloriying and Praising God, for all they had heard and seen!

3) My response is, "Lord keep me listening while carrying the shpherd's crook, and empower me with the singleminded response to telling everyone on life's way of what I've seen and heard", bringing glory and honor to you.

Shepherding God's way, (Ephe 4:11), equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry, carefully faciltating God's work amongst us, is often like flying an airplane --sustained periods of boredom interrupted by brief moments of panic!

Faithful shepherds that are appointed as overseers by his Spirit (Acts 20:28) are rare. !