Gospel for Asia

My mentor pastor and close friend, Ron Herrod passed me a book. That has happened to me 1000 times. I tend not to read free books, even from people I respect so deeply. Maybe it was a God moment, or maybe I was just tired of reading the same old stuff. I lot of good stuff is being written out there these days. Not much of it is anything that has not been said before.

Indy, Tennessee, Dad, Dad Regrets

Indy Wrap Up - Slowly, the climate is changing in the SBC. I spent an evening at the convention shadowing Ed Stetzer (getting him soft drinks, carrying his brief case, etc. you know what I mean). The love he is getting from the SBC mainstream is amazing. That says more about the state of things than anything else. The platform is changing, too. Less bashing of the new, more, where do we go from here?

Tennessee - Great fun hanging out with family for the weekend. Covered Bridge 5K, Celebration Church www.celebrationchurch1.org with my former friend and blog promoter, Sid, and Coffee Company www.experiencingcoffeee.com.

Dad - for the first time in years I spent Father's Day with my dad. Dino Sr. is soon to be 76 years old. He doesn't make it to first base as fast as in days gone by. He is, however, always good for a belly laugh, great conversation and wisdom about life. Fond memories: He always overstated how good I was at doing things; He loved people; People loved him.

Dad Regrets - My wife and I should have sat on the same side of the table . . . I am not out of time here, and have made significant changes over the past 5 years. My daughters should have seen more evidence that my relationship with them was not as important (you read that right) as my relationship with my wife.

I want to be even more careful calling my one-on-one time with my daughters dates. I understand the relate to men thing, but I may have cut off my nose here. My daughters are not my girlfriends and I am not their boyfriend. My wife, and my wife only, is my girlfriend. Should my daughters and I have one-on-one fun? Absolutely! Just don't want to send the wrong message.

Now That the Easy Part is Over

Just kidding! Tell that to a woman (or maybe not) just after labor and see what response you get. The birth pains of "detoxing" from previous ministries or models or comfort zones or hurts or . . . are not easy. The labor of birthing new concepts, thinking of how to "penetrate lostness" in your context, and formulating next steps is not easy either. Neither is gaining clarity on God's call and either stepping off the diving board in faith (like our folk hero "Bean") or putting on the brakes to wait and learn some things first.

But in some ways the labor pains - though intense - subside rather quickly and may be easier than the years of parenting and investing and caring and hurting and encouraging that are to come (I've had two kidney stones, and one of the nurses told me it was similar to labor, so I have some background here). So the hard part really may be in front of us - actually doing this thing that is in our heads and God's heart! But it is also the most rewarding and wonderful part, even when it's hard!

I enjoyed our time together last week. I encourage each of you to pursue the things God shared with you and do the hard things that have great reward for THE Kingdom. Give God room to show you your city; to keep you up at night wondering how to help every man, woman, and child see and hear the Good News of Jesus. Pour yourself out, not just to plant and grow a church, but to engage in transformation - in the people you see far from God, in your community, in your world!

Everyone should have a follow-up appointment with a coach. If not, please let me know at the email address to the right. Work on developing your mileposts and scorecards before things get "old" from our time together!

Let me know how I can help you, as we engage in changing the "landscape" for friends, communities, and nations.

One Week Later

A week ago your were getting your feet wet, listening to Neal talk about your team. So, one week after, give us some feedback.

How has your thinking changed from a week ago?

What action steps have you taken since last week?

Email me - dinosenesi@scbaptist.org


Great week, btw. You all were a blessing from God to us. Leading you helped us learn!

In Christ
Dino

II Chron. 7:14

Day 3 - Session 7

Bryan Plyler, planter of The River church in Lugoff/Camden shared his Church Planting Experience after lunch http://www.riverchurchonline.com/ . Bryan told how his approach to church planting evolved as a result of his first attempted church plant in Florence.His relationship with North Rock Hill Church provided a new picture of investing in people far from God. The stories of life change at The River were amazing.

After a brief panel discussion with Bryan, John, Neal, and Chris ICPT 807 moved to presentations of disciplemaking systems. Each group shared progress to date and prayed for each other.

Vision Carolina is being caught. Imagine North and South Carolina being the next states where the per capita rate of Christians would grow. How would things be different? Could God deploy people who will be a part of a movement? Could the result be spiritual re-landscaping that would touch the nations?

Day 3 - Session 6

John and Jackie Waters set the pace for ICPT 807 with a challenge to look to the harvest. Then it was off to systems design! The birthing process is normally gets uncomfortable here. Planters attempted to design a system that will move people from "madmen to missionaries."

Neal talked about scorecards and mileposts. Dino highlighted the latest "survivability study" that produced information about new churches that make it. Kermit addressed Natural Church Development, a church health evaluation tool. New churches will be contacted by Kermit 12-18 months after launch. Thirty key leaders and the pastor will complete a survey that will help measure congregational heath.

Day 2- Session 5

Chris and Jason took a wrong turn on their road trip. Chris has missed his calling, no question. LOL funny! Great time of prayer for each other, worship, and a challenge from the Word.

Remember, you are the only light the world has! Here is a review of three simple ways, direct from the heart and prayer life of Jesus (John 17), that He intended for Christianity to be exposed:

1. Intimacy (21,24)

What are ways you can cultivate intimacy with God?

I sense God most when ___________________________

The greatest obstacle to my intimacy with God is _________________________

In the past, I have grown the most when______________________________

2. Unity (21-22)

What steps can you take to promote unity in the body of Christ?

How will this fit in your core development plan?

3. Love (23-26)

What are good ways to respond to people not like you?

How can you communicate the love of God to people who think Christians "hate" them?