The Dream Church

Try to imagine the Church and what God has for 2009. What is in the heart of Jesus for the ministry? It is easy to get lost in thoughts and fantasies about 'The Dream Church." It is a beautiful organism. But what does it look like? What does it do? Why does it do what it does?

To start with, it would be a place where different preachers would come together rightly dividing the Word of God but in a systematic, relevant and engaging way. Teaching would be strong, tackling current ideas and schools of thought as well as introducing new and creative views of Jesus straight from the Word itself. It would also cover the entire Bible. These preachers would also be responsible to get more and more training all because they want to. After all, Jesus grew in wisdom (Luke 2:53) and who can forget Paul's prayer to the Philippians that, "...that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight" (1:9) These preachers are hungry to answer that prayer.

There would be discipleship classes giving people all the fundamentals about the Bible and more... There would also be many other classes on more specific topics of peoples preferences. Some topics would include Christian Sexuality, or Global politics and much more... There would be open forums where people are invited to express their views and live in harmony with those who don't agree with each other. But before these forums would start with sound teaching to break people's ignorance and keep each other on the same page.

There would also be prayer meetings that are open to the different moves and manifestations of the Holy Spirit found in the Bible. The leaders who run these meetings would have a sensitivity to new people who may not be familiar with the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and would politely educate and teach the teachable. They also would show much patience for those who get easily offended or those who are rather unteachable.

This Church would also be open to the creative arts such as painting, pottery, drama and making movies and even musical bands of many flavors and genres. There would be musicians combining the beautiful beats of Northern India's Punjabi Tabla's with the eastern Tyco drums with a wailing electric guitar for example. People would worshiping in their language of preference and personal origin during various days of the week. Worshippers would celebrate and get enlightened by the positive virtues of our diverse cultures. There would be harmony with each member embracing each others cultural distinctiveness rather than feeling threatened by them. After all, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ?" (Mark 11:17) These creative efforts would express the message of Jesus and the greatness of His gift of salvation.

There would also be a sports complex. Why a sports complex? It is a great means for people to build community and learn to work as a team and enjoy each others company and meet new people. It will also help come against the growing trend of obesity that is plaguing the nation. Did you know that the current generation of young people are the most obese in history? What a way to cut your future short.

The Church would have a heart for humanitarian causes both locally and globally. There would be programs to help addicts, single parents, the homeless, hungry and those victimized by despicable atrocities. This would be in fulfillment of the Great Commission.

So what is stopping this? A couple of things. One of them is manpower... The dream would require having a team who are in the ministry for Jesus and not for self. There are too many shallow Christians who are all about 'me' and who want to use the altar as a platform to exalt self rather than Christ. These are the people who seek and audience and live to be praised rather than lifted the praise to the one due for it and that is JESUS! More people need to be in it for Christ and not self.

The other thing that is stopping this is money. Sure there is a global economic crunch and people are stingier than ever. Many are stingy not by choice but are forced to. Times are tough...

Also think of the high-minded people in their high horses who have their noses so high in the air that couldn't see the value and potential for a vision like this. They cynically snark, bark orders and put unreasonable expectations on others. Patience is needed for these types and I'm in desperate need of it! Whatever happened to servant leadership these days? Whatever happened to those who were like Paul and said, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me..." (1 Corinthians 4:16) Well, I won't be to hard on these folks because I'm not quite there myself but I wish these people would use the same measure on themselves as they use on others. It would be more humbling. It would also help position these people to be used mightily by God.

It is important to conclude with other thoughts. The thoughts from God's Word. The thoughts of people like Moses and Nehemiah who had a vision from God and were faced with similar and even bigger obstacles but still overcame. They had people slander them, in some cases threaten their lives and have put many obstacles in front of them but these men of God overcame it by the power of God. God Himself came on the scene and delivered His people and used them on the journey. With that in mind what is really stopping this vision? What?
More on the Dream Church later!

FF5 Christmas Wishes

V-Ball 2008 Memories...

V-Ball Memories 2008

Elvis Has left the Building

Christmas 2008

Thanks Again!

Hello Friends in Christ,

I just wanted to flash a quick message to you all and commend you for your hard work! I know many of you prayed hard, worked hard and even stretched yourselves beyond your limits for the work of Jesus. And for that I applaud you but more importantly, I know Jesus is smiling down on you all for your grand work.

It is moments like these that we cherish, remember and recall to remind us how God is wonderfully and intimately involved in our lives. He is in the BIG things and the little things and in everything in between. I know that I have had the opportunity to see Christ in you and it fills me with great hope for the future! There is greatness in all of you!

As I take time to sit, pause and reflect I find myself thanking God for all of your lives an the impact you have had on me. I don't know what kind of year it has been for you. It may have been a great one or a tough one but what matters is that we are all in it together, never alone and never without hope.

I look forward to working with you all next year in taking on a greater vision, stirring new passion and realizing new potential in all of us. But until than, I'd like to extend a very Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year. May God richly bless you as you spend time with your families, friends and enjoy another season of God's grace and blessings in your lives.

Thanks Again!

Mr. Bilson
PMC
________________

SAGC 2009 July 22 - 26 Singapore
www.southasianconnection.com

Ignite Youth Drama.

PMC Christmas 2008: A Christmas Wish List

Without God

Without GOD, our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday & Shatterday. If you are not ashamed of GOD, pass it on

- 50 C

It is -50'C in my hometown. I'm so glad to be in Buncouver!

You Got my Number on that One!

A Matter of Personal Frustration.

Is it optional to train for a marathon? A personal choice whether or not to go to school before you try surgery? Is ‘on-the-job’ training enough if you want to build a bridge over Niagara?

Then why is it considered optional to train for international short-term missions work?

There are some who say that this is an obvious overreaction, after all we do not need to train for a party, or for a walk, we do not train for a vacation - there are many things in life we do not have to prepare for. Additionally, many people go every month on a short–term trip, they meet at the airport, and they seem all right.

These, of course, are often the same people who return angry at the world, there two weeks has convinced them that they have seen the light and now know how international ministry is supposed to work. I have met countless short-term missions participants who return, depressed and upset.

Too many others return with the impression that they have ‘done their duty’, they have accomplished the missions thing. I would beg to differ, a focus or mission should not be activity, it should not simply be a once-in-a-lifetime goal – like sky-diving, or a return to my college weight.

I once trained a team that was working in Southern Africa, they got together 12 times before they departed, one of the team members lived in another province – a one-way six hour drive – guess who was on time every week? As far as I remember, she only missed one training event – due to a blizzard

Compare her to the more awkward occasions when people, who promise the world in order to get on the team and then do not bother to show up for 1/2 or more of the training (always for very, very good reasons). If I remove them from the team at this point, I am accused of being a controller. But in EVERY occasion when they have come on the team, they have been a problem, never fully part of the group, the loudest complainers, and involved in the most destructive forms of participation.

In my view, team preparation is non-optional. To expect a very high degree of participation in the process is neither unreasonable nor unwarranted. We are, after all, not tour guides, nor activity directors. We are calling teams to real commitment, and significant participation. STM is no longer simply jr. high teams arriving with their skits and puppet shows .

Once a team leader explains the requirements, some potential team members will immediately counter with the reasons why it is impossible to meet those requirements: work, busy-ness, family obligation, conflicting schedule with another ministry, they are all great reasons but the list is endless. It is important that a team leader does not reduce their expectation. Team leaders need to commit to the tough work of team preparation, even to be ready to disappoint others as they say ‘no’ to people for a team, who cannot commit to prepare with the team. The kind of participants who find the time to prepare, are the people who work in effective short-term mission. Experience is a tough teacher, no one is doing a team leader a favour by coming along.

For those who feel my high expectations too unrealistic, all I can say is that the teams that engage in a full training process, prior to going, do better. They complain less, work harder, accomplish more, harm the situation less, and missionary hosts want them back.

Missionaries know the difference, they might not say it to you because they might not want to offend a possible support stream, but they want you to do a better job. You can, if you are willing to work at it.

Mark Crocker

Planning

We use tasks to accomplish relationships but we don't use relationships to accomplish tasks.

- Mark Crocker

Christmas Drama 2008

Highlights Christmas Drama 2008

FF5 Sings...

So tomorrow is the BIG day. We are waiting in eager anticipation... We've been praying, planning, plotting and rehearsing for our next PMC Drama. It is a new script, characters and even props and including body motion. It is a stretch for us and the rehearsal was fun! God, we love you and thank for being so faithful. Now is the time for rest, refresh, re cooperate and re ignite! Thanks Jesus!

"We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Random Pics

Building Construction

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18)

The dialougue in full

PMC Christmas Dialougue 2008

Ignite Radio a better copy!

Ignite Radio: A Youth Presentation.

Here is a ROUGH Draft of the Ignite Youth Presentation for Christmas this year. IT IS THE ROUGH DRAFT!

Left Overs

Some people wish that had this much to eat!

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'"

(Matthew 25:41-43)

Impossible by Manafest and TFK

This sums up 2008!

Ans

Muddled in the Confusion...

There is more confusion. We live in a world where there are those who want children but can't have them. Than there are those who don't want children and do have them. It makes you feel muddled in confusion. But what is known is that,

"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD." (Psalm 113:9)

I Don't Understand..

There are so many different kinds of people in the world. Some are wicked and others are so beautiful. Some of the wicked people can come from perfectly sound and peaceful homes while some of the beautiful people can come from the worst circumstances and environments you can think of. I don't understand why this is so? But it also goes both ways. The unstable environments can give birth to such wickedness and the stable can make some people become so beautiful. It all seems like a mystery. One thing I do hold on to...

"...the future of the wicked will be cut off." (Psalm 37:38)