Friday, February 19, 2016

Conference: The Great Commission Summitt

The Great Commission Summit exists to teach, equip and connect pastors and church leaders to be effective ministers of the Gospel amid the changing dynamic of global Christianity.

"To Christianize cannot be the same as to Westernize."  - Vitalino Simalox

Concordia University Irvine, guided by the Great Commission of Christ Jesus and the Lutheran Confessions, empowers students through the liberal arts and professional studies for lives of learning, service and leadership.

Dates June 9-10, 2016

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  (2 Corinthians 5:18)
Paul tells us that God did two things to him.
First, God reconciled Paul to Himself through Christ,
and second, He gave Paul the ministry of reconciliation. What an incredible statement. We are reconciled to be reconcilers.

In our communities opportunities abound for reconciliation.
Person to person.
Church to community.
Church to church.
There are needs for reconciliation between races and classes.
Great Commission Summit 16 will focus on the two calls to reconciliation -
how those calls are being answered in the Global South -
and what God would have us do in our local callings.

Featured Presenter
Femi B. Adeleye has been involved in student ministry with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) for more than thirty years. He is now IFES Associate General Secretary for Partnership & Collaboration, working to nurture nationally led Christian student witness that will produce a new generation of leaders for the church and nations of Africa and beyond. Born in Nigeria, he is currently based in Ghana.

For more information and to view the presentations of the Great Commission Summit in 2014 visit http://www.cui.edu/church-relations/great-commission-summit#.VSwce27tJ6k.facebook

Book: Getting to know Jesus - using the six core teachings of the bible

Getting to Know Jesus: Using the Six Core Teachings of the Bible to Grow in a Deeper Relationship with Jesus by Pastor Paul Schult

Getting to Know Jesus connects the dots between knowing the right Bible answers and having a real relationship with Jesus Christ. The six core teachings in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism summarize the most critical truths of the Bible. However, the heart of the Bible is not just to know the right answers; it is to know Jesus. Drawing on his personal experience as a pastor, the author unpacks six core teachings of the Bible in easy-to-understand relationship language. You will discover a deeper meaning in worship, prayer, Bible study, and personal devotions and be more deeply connected to Jesus. Plus, you’ll be better prepared to talk to family and friends about your relationship with Jesus in a clear and personal way. Ideal for new Christians, new church members, or small groups.

What others are saying about Getting to know Jesus
“This book reads like a conversation. It anticipates questions. Makes you glad you were about to ask. And offers keen biblical insight. I couldn’t help feeling like I was sitting with a trusted friend over a cup of coffee who was ready to tell a story or answer a question to help me. I recommend this book to anyone on the journey or to anyone helping others on the journey of Getting to Know Jesus.”
Pastor Jock Ficken, Executive Director, Pastoral Leadership Institute, Wheaton, IL

“Outstanding! Paul has given us a wonderful tool for helping understand the six chief parts of Luther’s Catechism from the framework of a relationship with Jesus. I love it! Getting to Know Jesus is easy to read and uses simple, contemporary concepts! It is definitely a tool that we will use within the ministry of Concordia. Thank you, Paul!”
Bill Tucker, Sr. Pastor, Concordia Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX

“Knowing about Jesus is good, but knowing Jesus is the real gift. Rev. Paul Schult gives us a refreshing and faithful pathway for knowing Jesus better via the treasures of the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Using rich relational language and analogies, Paul brings correct doctrine to life and helps us embrace and apply it to everyday life.”
Greg Finke, Dwelling 1:14

“Pastor Paul Schult is a pastor’s pastor—relational to the core with a firm commitment to the enduring truth of God’s Word and its applicability to everyday life. This “little handbook” for transmitting those truths to the next generation should find a welcome place in any congregation trying to find the right marriage of doctrine and pastoral care in adult discipleship.”
Scott Seidler, Pastor, Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, MO

“Getting to Know Jesus helps the reader see Luther’s Catechism in a fresh and exciting way—focused on a God that loves us and seeks to restore us in our relationship with our creator. Drawing on lessons learned from daily life and from modern scholars as well, the book makes deep theological concepts accessible to all. Finally there is a book about the Catechism I can highly recommend to my whole congregation!”
Mark Schulz, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, IL

“Paul has given a fresh framework of relationship for the core teachings of the faith. His contrasts, pithy turns of phrase and jewels of quotes are worth your time. As a pastor who himself prays to know Jesus better and help others to do so, this a fresh tool in that God-designed calling.”
Jeff Schrank, Pastor, Phoenix, AZ

“Pastor Schult does a fantastic job in sharing the truths of God’s love in a simple and straightforward way. This book would be very helpful to people who are introducing a loved one to the Christian faith. The personal reflection questions at the end of each chapter compel the reader not to pass a quiz on content, but to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly. This book is a homerun and I joyfully recommend it.”
Tim Klinkenberg, Pastor, St. John Lutheran, Orange, CA

“Once in a great while, a book comes along and makes things make sense. Getting to Know Jesus is such a book. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand who Jesus is and why he wants a relationship with all people. If you are looking for fresh material for your adult confirmation class, or you just want to make the understanding of doctrine more personal for you and your learners, this book is for you. After reading these pages you will come to know Jesus and his desire for you to “live in a deep, genuine, life-giving, and personal relationship” with him.”
Joel Koerschen, Executive Director of Education, CNH District, LCMS

“Disciples seek to get to know Jesus better each day of their life on earth. This book is a terrific step in the journey for the infant and mature disciple alike. I found this book helped me grow in the core teachings of the Bible and strengthened my faith in the love of Jesus that is shared within these pages.”
Greg Griffith, Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, MI

“As a psychologist, I have spent a lifetime attempting to understand and to mend relationships. As Paul Schult has stated in his excellent book, relationship is the essence of life. Paul goes on to describe the foundational relationship that each of us, either today or sometime in the future, must establish and nurture—the relationship with Jesus. Reading this will greatly assist everyone, no matter where they currently are in the journey with Jesus. I highly recommend it.”
Dr. James Osterhaus, Senior Partner, TAG Consulting, Fairfax, VA

“Paul Schult brings profound Christian doctrine alive with practical, down-to-earth pastoral insight. Getting to Know Jesus is relevant and readable—a great new tool to teach and share the Gospel.”
Ted Laesch, Senior Pastor, Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO

“I’ve known and admired Paul Schult for fifteen years as his friend and consultant. Getting to Know Jesus is a superb book. In explaining theology from a highly relational and practical perspective, Paul has taken a subject that is too often overly academic and made it accessible to the average person. I hope this book reaches a large audience, as it certainly deserves it!”
Kevin Graham Ford, Principal of TAG Consulting, and author of The Secret Sauce: Creating a Winning Culture

“I’ve had the opportunity to use this resource three times to teach adult confirmation. I intend on using it more. Why? It connects the head of faith with the heart of faith! Pastor Schult rightly reminds the reader that being a Christian means more than having the right answers. It’s about being in an active, ongoing relationship with the Lord. Using the Six Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism, Pastor Schult clearly demonstrates these Biblical truths in a way 21st Century Americans will easily understand. This book is a great resource and long overdue!”
Jason Auringer, Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wentzville, MO

“I have admired Paul as a pastor, teacher, and leader for the past fifteen years while doing life and ministry together. Now, I am so pleased to admire my friend as author. Nobody gets to the heart of the matter quite like Paul. God has blessed him with the gift of making the complex simple, and in so doing, wonderful! This book zeroes in on the ultimate area of life that matters most—knowing Jesus!”
Chuck Schlie, Pastor, Messiah Lutheran Church, Weldon Spring, MO

“I’ve known Paul Schult for ten years, and I can promise you that by reading this book, you’ll see a reflection of his heart as a pastor. More importantly, you’ll see a reflection of the heart of God. Getting to know Jesus isn’t something you do once or even five times. It’s a lifelong relationship, and this book will serve as an instrument for you, no matter what stage of that relationship you’re in.”
Mark Rouland, Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Harvester, MO




Video Presentation related to the book

Paul Schult - An Idea for Teaching The Six Chief Parts from Christ Church Lutheran on Vimeo.

Ideas for Pentecost Sunday worship

Following is a collection links for ideas to assist with planning worship for Pentecost

Pinterest - a visual display of various ideas

LCA worship resources

Ministry Matters 

Billabong worship resources

Rethink Worship resources

re:Worship worship resources

Fairchild and Blair worship resources

Uniting Church of Australia worship resources

Reformed worship resources

Kids Friendly worship resources

Liturgy by TLW

Living Lutheran resources

Bach Pentecost Cantatas

Lisa's liturgies for small churches


If you have further recommendations or are willing to share your own resources please feel free to email them to richardschwedes@gmail.com













Book: The Missional Church in perspective - mapping trends and shaping the conversation

The Missional Church in perspective by Craig Van Gelder  and Dwight J Zscheile

CONTENTSPart 1 - The history and development of missional conversation
Concepts influencing the missional conversation
Revisiting the seminal work missional church
Mapping the missional conversation

Part 2 - Perspectives that extend the missional conversation
Expanding and enriching the theological frameworks
Missional engagement with culture in a globalized world
Missional practices of church life and leadership

What others are saying about the book:
"The term 'missional' has been adopted by a wide variety of traditions and attached to many add-on programs. This book brings much-needed clarity to a confused picture. It is no rehash of familiar material but rather breaks new ground and leaves the reader with an appetite for more!"--Eddie Gibbs, Fuller Theological Seminary

"This book is the most precise, informed, and uncompromising parsing to date of the history of the concept of 'missional' both as a sensibility and as a form of praxis. Like all good historical analyses, it provides not only a basis for understanding where we have been but also a well-honed tool for considering where we may need and want to go next."--Phyllis Tickle, author, The Great Emergence

"Concertgoers are familiar with the cacophonous roar that precedes great orchestral performances as musicians tune their instruments. When the conductor takes the stand, however, these same instruments--now focused on a musical score--produce music. The Missional Church in Perspective provides sheet music for all those who want to participate in the missional symphony. The book's scholarship and synthesis qualify it to be a common score for us all."--Reggie McNeal, Leadership Network

"This book is a veritable morphology of the term 'missional.' As such it provides both conceptual tools with which to assess the impact of missional ideas on the Western church and a map that helps us chart possible future trajectories of what is clearly one of the most important movements in our times."--Alan Hirsch, Forge Mission Training Network

"A helpful and well-researched work that traces and evaluates streams within the missional church conversation, showing a wide awareness from evangelical, mainline, and historical sources. I have found a new required textbook for my missional church class."--Ed Stetzer, LifeWay Research; missiologist

"It is a rare book that can clearly and cogently describe a highly complex field while also setting a bold course for the future. The Missional Church in Perspective does precisely this. I have little doubt that it will serve as a centerpiece for the missional conversation for the next decade and beyond."--Jack Reese, Abilene Christian University


Sermon and Bible Study series: Where love comes to life

SERMON AND BIBLE STUDY TITLEWhere Love Comes To Life
BIG IDEAS FOR THE SERIESMission life flows out of who God is and who we are becoming.
EXPLANATION OF THE BIG IDEAA missional life participates in the shared life of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As a consequence, we are transformed to be a community where God's love comes to life. The same love that transforms us is drawing our families, neighbours and friends into new life in Christ; thus we are compelled to include and invite all people to belong to God's family.
PURPOSE OF THE SERIESTo help people grow in their understanding and participation in the mission of God in the world.
SERIES OUTLINE 
Over five weeks, discover why a missional life is where love comes to life.
  • WHERE LOVE COMES TO LIFE - introduction to the series
  • WHERE LOVE
  • WHERE LOVE COMES
  • WHERE LOVE COMES TO LIFE
  • LOVE. LIFE COMMUNITIES

  • To download the package and for further information visit 
  • http://www.lca.org.au/renew.html