Tools & Trainings  for  Organic Church Movements  
Issue No. 8                                                                                                                   01.24.08 
 
Dear ,
 
Jesus modeled for His followers a God-honoring life 24/7.  To often we compartmentalize our lives into boxes-a "work" box, a "family" box, an "emotional" box, an "intellectual" box, a "spiritual" box, etc.  Jesus loved and lived as a whole person and encouraged His followers to do the same. . .

Jesus said, " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  Matthew 22:37-39

The early followers of Jesus lived out their lives loving God and loving people.  They did it in the "everydayness" of their lives.  They saw it in Jesus and began living it too.  They didn't stop living to follow Jesus.  They brought Jesus into their living.  So at a pragmatic level, they used the things that were already present in their life to follow Him. 
 
The followers of Jesus were spiritual families-also called "churches." These churches were the collection of followers of Jesus who lived in community with each other.  They didn't go out and find a building to become a church.  The group was already "living as the church" together.  They used the everyday stuff of life-their houses, the riverbank, the temple-to provide a place to gather the people. 
 
We are so glad to be living out "church life" alongside of you and those you are living it with.  May your spiritual families grow and multiply and be blessed!  Don't ever get beyond those first and second greatest commandments! 
 
Press on,
 
Mike Jentes
 
Church Multiplication Associates
 
In This Issue
Upcoming Trainings
Featured Resources
Feature Article
Quick Links
Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter!

UPCOMING TRAININGS Greenhouse Logo // www.cmaresources.org

 

February 15-17 Greenhouse Story 1 Training event in Coventry, London, England by Neil Cole. Contact person for more info: GFHParker@compuserve.com.

February 20-21  Greenhouse Story 2 Trainingn in Bergen, Norway  by Neil Cole
    Contact person for more info: morten.askeland@kristent-fellesskap.no.
 
February 29-March 2 First Story Greenhouse in Grand Rapids, MI by Neil Cole and Brad Fieldhouse.
    
For details and to register go to www.greenhousemichigan.com
 
April 12-14  First and Second Story Greenhouse Training in San Jose, CA (details coming)

>>Want to host a GREENHOUSE Training in your area?--Click here to Email Mike for details

 
OCM-08med
 
 
February 8-10, 2008  in Ontario California 
 
Updated Details HERE
 
Book your Hotel Now, Click HERE to go to the hotel reservation website.
 
Register Now  HERE
 
 
Check out our Facebook Page (here) and invite your friend
Featured Resources
 
 
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell

tippingpoint picThe Tipping Point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed best-seller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas.  An important perspective as we seek to see movements of disciples and churches covering our globe.

 
 
wayofjesus
The Way of Jesus: A Journey of Freedom for Pilgrims and Wanderers by Jonathan & Jennifer Campbell 

Are you attracted to the way of life and spirituality that Jesus promised? Have you wondered why there's such a gap between the life of Jesus and today's church? Do you hunger for a deeper spiritual experience with others? The Way of Jesus is written for those on a journey-from spiritual sojourners to religious refugees. With a focus on our yearning for the Spirit and spirituality, this book opens pathways for experiencing the powerful simplicity in the life and Way of Jesus.

 
Featured Article

The Unbeatable Foe
By Neil Cole

ANTS!!! It seems that no matter what I do they become more. They are in the kitchen, the bathroom, the dining room, the living room, outside, inside, upstairs, downstairs--they're omnipresent!

The Bible says that we should "Go to the ant," (Prov. 6:6) but I don't really have to--they keep coming to me! It seems that I have a lot more than just patience to learn from these little pests.

Solomon tells us that we can learn a lot about hard work and diligence from the ant. This is true. I must have seen 10 billion ants in my life, but I have never seen one taking a coffee break (though I have seen them take coffee). I've never seen them throwing a Frisbee, watching a sitcom, or laying out getting a tan (though I once toasted a few with a magnifying glass). I suspect their life span reflects this workaholic attitude (and all that caffeine and sugar can't be good for them)-but you've got to admit they work hard and accomplish a lot.

Read the rest of the article HERE

 
 

contact cmaCMA Logo1965 E. 21st Street
Signal Hill, 90755             www.CMAResources.org