God wants us to understand the moment.
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Dr Martin Lloyd Jones – "Discerning the Times"
o
When you see the clouds you know that the rain’s
coming
o
A lot of times when we look at God, we look at
God and things He does with such mystery and who knows what God’s going to do.
What’s interesting is that when Jesus talks about that passage about the
clouds, what Jesus was trying to tell people was that a lot of times discerning
God is not that complicated and mysterious.
o
Instead of asking God what are you up to, just
try to understand where you are and look around and see what God is doing around you.
o
As time is passing by, I was wonder what God is up
to. As I asked that question I started to think about what is it that I see right
now. We have a good dozen people who are committed and that’s what God has done
already. That’s not something that has happen by accident. It’s amazing how God gathers people
(different combinations/groups of people). And then we have these meetings and
at times I wonder if we really need these meetings. Well we’re doing these meetings and
God orchestrated that – He wants us to gather and pray and share our lives
together and not worry about what are we going to do in September. If I were to
explain to you what God’s will is, this is it. Doesn’t mean it won’t change
next week. What we need to focus on is how can we make the best of where we are and what we have
right now and "what is it that God wants me to learn through this...?"
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Zachariah 4:10
o
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, ....."
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Really enjoy this time. It is a special time.
When things start going, it’s going to be hectic with so many things to do.
These days are very special in that sense. No doubt God is up to something and
will do something. We’re just going for that ride and the train will take off.
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Phil asked if we will go forward if this is
the only group we have. I said no probably not. I’m thinking this is not why
God is starting another church for SSM grads. I feel like we are 1/3 the way
there in terms of gathering people. As I’m praying, different things have
happened. (1) met with pastors in the area. They talked about ways they can
help. Their churches are not big (60-80 people) but they are willing to help.
(2) Mike and Vicky at our church were sharing there’s a church plant going on in Ann
Arundel/Howard County for the past 5 years and they might be interested in joining us if we started this church. They have some families and a group of youth who they have been reaching out to for the past several years...We’re
not sure if it will all work out, but it’s exciting how God is opening up doors.
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Follow up with people that God puts on your
heart. (1)There are people that can be part of the church plant (2) people who
can attend (3) and people you are always evangelizing to. It’s like an
evangelism prayer list expanded. Follow-up on leads. Knocking on doors. Hopefully
through these leads the different populations will come.
Worship Space
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By August, hopefully we’ll find a place of
worship.
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Will need to do a service and there might be
people in our church now that might not fit with SSM and The Light. Also people
we are reaching out to won’t wait forever for the plant.
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PR isn’t the only one looking for a space.
There are others in the Howard County area helping to look for a worship space.
SSM Serving
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How much can you serve at SSM?
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Don’t know exactly how much but one thing
definite is at minimal you will have to participate at the Sunday service at
the new plant which will most likely be a morning service. But if that grows
there will be more to do.
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It’s safe to commit to another ministry that
will require up to 2-3 nights at SSM.
o
Ex: dship (night of dship, night of following
up with members)
o
You don’t want something that will require 4
nights out – takes too much time.
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Need to be creative so you don’t do 5 nights
of ministry – that’s when you burn out
o
Want ministry at FOUR NIGHTS MAX (three is
ideal)
o
How to go from 5 to 4 nights – think about
things you can combine and streamline
o
Can meet with people early in the evening or
meet with people before dship, etc
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Spring of next year, might be 3 nights of
church plant activity
Inventory
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In July we’ll need to go through the Methodist
Church and see what equipment we have and what works (most likely a Saturday or
Sunday)
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See if we need to buy anything to get the
service going (we’d like to minimize the buying)
Do you have things in mind in terms of how you want to spend the
time during these meetings?
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Time for us to get to know each other better
(eating together)
How to pray for this (church plant)
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Yourself – asking God why am I a part of this
plant/to what capacity do you want me involved
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With things happening with the church plant –
the leads PR gives us, needing a place in August, list of ministry needs, money,
more people
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Spiritual aspect – warfare, how God is moving,
bigger picture things, what God is trying to do, how He’s guiding the overall
plant
o
Also pray for each person in this group and
those that are missing
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Where we all are right now is normal. People want to see things
more tangible to hold on to before they get involved. It will come. I know that
this is where your faith kicks in. You have to have faith, believe what God has
in mind and keep pressing toward that. We are here because we’ve had enough
confirmation to be here. We need to press forward and things will be clear.
Don’t make any final decisions until things do become clear. Some people bail
midway, but wait until things are clear to know for sure if you want to bail or
not.
Next meeting at PR’s (June 6, between 6:30 and 7pm)
