No sooner had I written the article “Time for New Trees” (Christian
Odyssey—October/November 2011) than it seemed the Lord had another series
of lessons for me to learn from my family orchard.
You may have noticed that McDonald’s recently added sliced
apples to its menu for side items. This has helped increase the demand for
apples, which is good news for those who grow them, including the Williams
orchard.
It is always a bittersweet experience to go back after
several years to revisit a home you have lived in or a place where you have
worked. Although I was never actually assigned to the Ambassador University
campus in Big Sandy, Texas, I knew it well. I visited often, as a guest
lecturer from church headquarters to teach a few classes or as a video writer
and director for the church’s television department.
Perhaps you
know of someone who might like to watch this program. If so, go to the bottom of
the page and click on "Email this page." Fill out the short form, and share the
good news! There's also a way to share the page on Facebook, Twitter,
Buzz, and other websites.
If you'd like to support this ministry, click here.
Small group
discussion guide
Discussion groups
might wish to prepare their own topics, request topics from the group, use the
following suggested topics, or mix and match all three.
Suggested topics:
1. How do you understand the assertion that programs don’t
work very well because renewal is primarily something God does?
2. It was stated that renewal always has an element of returning to the core
of the gospel. Why?
3. How were you impacted by Dr. Colyer’s experience with the angry and
dysfunctional church?
4. “If the rose has fragrance, people will come to smell it.” What meaning
did this have for you?
5. The quality of community was emphasized. Why do you think this is
important?
6. “We’re not simply saved from sin; we’re saved for loving relationships.” Please comment.
7. Please share your views regarding large churches, small churches, and
small groups.
8. Why is it critical to revitalize our congregations before we talk about
outreach?
A
few simple guidelines for leading a discussion: 1) Encourage open discussion.
2) Ask questions relevant to the topic. 3) Listen attentively. 4) Encourage
divergent views. 5) Encourage everyone to participate. 6) Summarize and
paraphrase. 7) Minimize teaching and preaching.
Program Transcript (click to view):
Introduction: You’re
Included is a unique interview series devoted to practical implications of
a Christ-centered Trinitarian Theology. Today’s guest is Reverend Dr. Elmer
Colyer. Dr. Colyer is Professor of Historical Theology at the University of
Dubuque Theological Seminary and an ordained United Methodist pastor and elder.
Dr. Colyer is Editor of The Promise of
Trinitarian Theology: Theologians in Dialogue with T.F. Torrance and he is
the author of How to Read T.F. Torrance:
Understanding his Trinitarian and Scientific Theology.
It is an interesting time in the
life of the Williams family apple orchard. Our modest 35 acres of trees in the
rolling hills of western North Carolina are going through two major
transitions. The orchard has been leased to the Henderson family for the past
25 years. The arrangement has worked well, and it is now time for a younger
generation to take over. The second major transition is the uprooting of old
trees and the planting of new ones.
Even though I am what some would consider a professional
nomad, I realized after a recent trip overseas that I needed to plant a few
roots somewhere. Anywhere.
When I returned home, I got involved in some local things. I
joined the Knitter’s Guild and a camera club, plus I started going to a church
down the road.
Rod Koop, director of church multiplication ministries for the Foursquare church, talks with us about the challenges and rewards of starting new churches.
Perhaps you
know of someone who might like to watch this program. If so, go to the bottom of
the page and click on "Email this page." Fill out the short form, and share the
good news! There's also a way to share the page on Facebook, Twitter,
Buzz, and other websites.
If you'd like to support this ministry, click here.
For the GCI ministry that promotes the planting of new churches, click here.
Program Transcript (click to view):
J. Michael Feazell: Welcome to Dimensions of
Ministry, where we take a candid look at the opportunities, resources,
possibilities, and challenges facing Christian pastors in today’s multi-faceted
world. We’re talking with Rod Koop, National Director of Church Multiplication
Ministries for the Foursquare Church. Rod’s experience includes service as a
youth pastor in California and Oregon, as a senior pastor in Stanwood,
Washington, and as a District Administrator and Director of Church
Multiplication in the Midwest District of the Foursquare Church.
I came to live in the USA from Trinidad and
Tobago in 1975. My wife, Renee, is from the Philippines. We met in Connecticut
while both attending military school and have been married for 28 years. We
have been out of the military now for quite some time, and I currently work as
a senior network engineer supporting the Department of Homeland Security (U. S.
Coast Guard) computer network systems. My wife works in the same department as
a Program Analyst. We currently live in San Francisco, California. And we moved
here for the purpose of planting a church.
One Congregation’s Success
Story in Reading Out to Young People
Most churches want a way to
reach young people. The congregation I pastor, The Shepherd’s Community Church
in South Holland, Illinois, has had some good success in doing that. We have
also made mistakes and learned a lot. Let me share some of our story to help
you decide what might work for you.
It is always a bittersweet experience to go back after
several years to revisit a home you have lived in or a place where you have
worked. Although I was never actually assigned to the Ambassador University
campus in Big Sandy, Texas, I knew it well. I visited often, as a guest
lecturer from church headquarters to teach a few classes or as a video writer
and director for the church’s television department.
