Interesting comments, by George Barna, on the American church post-September 11 - "Barna's Beefs: His nine challenges for American Christianity — prophetic words, or sweeping generalizations?"

Space results from an invitation to draw aside, for a moment, from the hectic activity of life. It’s about the creation of sacred space - holy ground - qualitative time opened up to the possibility of encountering and being moved by God: God most fully revealed in Jesus Christ, and present by his Spirit, through Word, language, music, image, silence, action, and symbol. These gatherings are about the ‘framing’ of space within which to relax, to create, to listen, to dream, to reflect, to pray, and to be replenished and renewed in both the presence of ‘God-who-is-with-us,’ and of each other.

We encourage and welcome your participation to the degree that you are comfortable. Equally, and importantly, you are free to simply watch and listen. This is your space.

Finally, this space is a new ‘frontier’ - an exploration. It’s fluid, experimental, and therefore able to be changed and adjusted. What happens and doesn’t happen will be the result of where God leads, and what each of us allows it to be and to become.

Next "gathering" 7.30pm. 28th July. Church Centre. Entry via the carpark. Should be finished in 45 mins, but you're free to extend the 'space.'

More on the importance of couches....

the 10 most common mistakes made by church plants
by Jim Griffith

1. Taking Spiritual Warfare Lightly
- Spend time in fasting & prayer (as an association, as a launch team, etc.)
- Get God's perspective
- Realize this is "war" and those involved are in the line of fire and will be wounded; therefore, adopt a plan to deal with the wounded.

2. Attempting to plant a church that reaches everyone
- No Focus; therefore, no strategy
- No target, no plan EXCEPT that it will change with each new addition
- Identity: what makes us unique? -- Issue of Emphasis
- Strategy: Forget to focus on what will put people in the seats

3. Premature Launch -- always shows up in "post-mortem"

4. Recruiting ceases after the "grand opening"
- Point person now forced out of "recruiting role and into "pastoral" role
- Majority of time spent on those who come through the door, rather than those who are not yet in the door.

5. No plan for the other 6 days of the week
- Must have a process whereby people are connected to each other & to God, DURING the week
- Orient attendees to the mission of the new church

6. Fear of talking about money until it's urgent
- It takes money to conduct ministry
- More ministry costs still more money
- Absence of stewardship disciple making
- Build in a "operations" budget
- Conduct yearly one-time gifts

7. Not differentiating a church plant from an established church
- It's a developmental issue
- You have to "act your age"
- Must have a few key elements in place so that you give the appearance of being developmentally sound

8. Formalize leadership too quickly

9. Once the project is up and running, Fail to reFocus on the target
- Too much time discussing "church in a vacuum" creates hardening of categories
- Must accommodate those who actually come and modify what's working and what isn't
- Don't hold each other to those things which no longer matter
- Failure to match target & strategy
- Failing to adjust to what God seems to be doing

10. Relying on the Advice of Experts
- Tempted to listen to successful people -- THEIR SITUATION IS NOT YOURS!
- It's not their vision -- keep their hands off
- Stay sober; make sure your judgment is clear!

Book Review by Jonny Baker

The Provocative Church by Graham Tomlin
published by SPCK, 2002, NZ$42.00

"Several things made me suspicious about this book. Firstly it looked like yet another 'catchy' church book - we've had alternative, youth, network, niche, new, virtual, cell, emerging.... and now provocative church! Secondly the author is a theology lecturer in an evangelical theological college. And thirdly it is a book about evangelism. Well I've had to eat humble pie. Whilst all the above are true, this is a great book.

Graham very helpfully puts his finger on several important issues. The word and indeed the idea of evangelism makes most Christians feel guilty. In our current (postmodern) context the usual approaches to evangelism come across really badly - persuading people that we're right about our truth claims seems arrogant and one hard sell too far. Tomlin rewrites Lyotard's famous definition of postmodernism by describing it as 'incredulity towards evangelists'! Further with refreshing honesty he suggests that there is a big problem with church which is that Christians by and large don't invite their friends to come because they don't really want to be there themselves. Church simply isn't connecting with the real issues they face. As he says 'Come and be bored with me is hardly the best line to attract people into church!'.

Tomlin's main argument is that the way we have thought of evangelism as presenting someone with a list of proofs for Christianity is probably a waste of time. If they're not ready to believe or they're not asking the questions, we're headed down a blind alley. Rather than presenting evidence, the crucial factor is to provoke or awaken a desire for God in them. Transforming communities of faith where people are becoming more human and living out an alternative (kingdom) vision of life is the essential (often missing) factor in the equation.

The book is accessible, practical, and thought provoking. It manages to be positive about evangelism and church whilst addressing peoples misgivings with both. If every church were to ask itself the question of how it can provoke desire for God in people so that they start asking questions (that can then be answered) that would be a wonderful step..."

An article by Caleb Quaye called, "Indigenous Worship" mmmmm. Thoughtful......thinking.....