 Tools & Trainings E-Newsletter Issue 67 February 1, 2012 |
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Learning from History: Russia and China
 We can learn much by comparing the results of the communist revolution in Russia with that in China. Both were bloody revolutions that attempted militarily to snuff out all opposition, close down all churches, remove all missionaries and incarcerate all of the church leaders.
The church found in Russia prior to the revolution was centered on cathedrals led by priests and was distant from the everyday lives of the people. When communism seized the church and all her assets the people had nothing to turn to spiritually and there was no movement.
In China, leaders such as Watchman Nee, had already made strives to empower ordinary Christians with the Gospel and let indigenous churches form in homes and places of business. As a result, when the revolution occurred the true church was still intact even after her buildings and leaders were taken away.
In fact, the Cultural Revolution of Mao Tse-Tung sought to eliminate all religion from society in China but instead mobilized the church and it grew from about 2 million Christians in 1949 to over 60 million. It is estimated today that there may be upwards of 80 million Christians in China.
Why did the church thrive in China and not in Russia? The foundation of empowering the common Christian in China set the stage for what happened there. The Little Flock movement and others we already in place so that when the heat of persecution hit the church she exploded with growth. There was no such preparation prior to the Soviet Union's rise to power in Russia.
How will you prepare those in your "flock?"
by Neil Cole
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 Upcoming Trainings- Organic Greenhouse
Los Angeles, CA // Story 1 & 2 February 3-5 with Neil Cole, Ed Waken & John Huddle At-the-Door Registration still available!!
 Seattle, WA // Story 1 & 2
March 9-11
with Neil Cole & Ed Waken
Early Bird Registration Ends 2/9 Details Church Transfusion Training: Releasing Organic Principles in Established Churches March 9-10 in Long Beach, California with Phil Helfer & Bob Mabry Special underwritten registration rates: Only $75 early bird (thru 2/16) Details Toronto, Canada // Story 1 March 23-25 with Phil Helfer & TBA Details Dripping Springs (Austin), TX // Story 1
March 23-25
with Neil Cole & Katie Driver Details Others in the works: Harrisburg, PA; Houston, TX; Boise, ID; Sydney, Australia
Click HERE for more Details and to Register
Other Organic Church Learning Opportunities
Verge 2012
February 28-March 2, 2012
Austin, TX
CMA discount use code "CMA12" to save!
More Info
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Featured Resources
 Letters to the House Church Movement: Real Letters, Real People, Real Issues
by Rad Zdero
This book is a collection of real letters to real people facing real issues. This 10-year collection of over 40 real-life letters will challenge, persuade, and encourage.
 Organic Leadership: Leading Naturally Right Where You Are (Hardcover) by Neil Cole
Cole builds on his previous works, offering insight on church leadership today. Inthis work he addresses: How the church has carried on for far too long with faulty leadership ideas, without questioning them, and much more... >> SALE -- ONLY $5 Order now
 Upward, Outward, Inward: Passing on the Baton of Discipleship
by Mitsuo Fakuda
This book from the Japanese house church provides one way for any Christian to become a discipler: it gives simple, practical ways to live out the Gospel, to explain the Gospel, and to pass the baton of discipleship on to others.
 Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship
by Alan & Deb Hirsch Mentoring Guide Forms are a tool to be used by a leader or mentor to take notes on during a mentoring appointment with an apprentice. A key recording tool for the growth & multiplication of leaders, that is: Mentoring 2 Multiply - M2M.
For the whole list of resources on Sale >> click HERE
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Featured Article
The Truth, Adventure and Mystery of Evangelism
by Ed Waken
 For too long the truth, adventure, mystery and joy that comes with giving away the life of Jesus has been stolen from the ordinary believer. We have been taught methods of sharing Jesus that feel more cold, distant and dutiful than life giving. We have heard that just a few gifted ones will really be successful at evangelism. This is yet another blow designed to sideline the ordinary person from engaging in the supernatural work of sharing the life of Jesus with those thirsty to taste the goodness of God.
The Truth The great commission is often seen as Jesus' marching orders to make disciples, which must include ongoing sharing of Jesus' good news with those who have not yet heard. The great commission and Jesus' similar instructions to the twelve in Acts 1:8 were delivered directly to His twelve Apostles. This has caused some to believe that not every follower of Jesus is responsible to engage in giving away the life of Christ; it simply is not their gift. This is not the truth. An often overlooked statement in the great commission instructs the Twelve to be teaching their disciples "to obey everything I have commanded you." The Twelve were to teach the ordinary believer to obey everything Jesus taught them including the making of disciples or being a witness to all the world. Everyone is responsible to be intentionally sharing the life of Jesus with the world. The truth is that the ordinary person is a competent minister of the good news (2 Cor. 3:6). The truth is that success in evangelism should be measured by conversations about Jesus not conversions to Jesus. Ordinary people.....
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