net news

In this issue:

  1. Tim's ramblings (a wee bit longer than last time)
  2. Tony Campolo CD's
  3. Business in the Sectors
  4. Network Conferences 2007
  5. Visit of Andrea Minichiello-Williams (SOR expert)
  6. Trumpet Call at The NEC/Global Day of Prayer
  7. June's Prayer Conference with Suzette Hettingh
  8. "Faithful Cities" Conference
  9. Black Country Blokes
  10. Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis) in Wolverhampton
  11. Next Dudley Focus for Men event---Henry Olanga
  12. ShockWave Academy: Performing Arts Project
  13. Jobs
Dearest Black Countryites,
 
I trust that you are well. Well, I trust that you are, but I hope that above this, you are challenged, facing trials and in some or another, discontent with the status quo. I just read James chapter one!
 
Being well is wonderful, and being comfortable can be lovely, but very few things in this world get improved by comfortable people. I have been reminded again recently that there are still things that need to be changed, improved or revolutionlized. Thanks to Dr Campolo, and others.
 
Take drugs, teenage prostitution and family breakdown for example. And what about the average person's view of Jesus, or The Church of Jesus Christ? Maybe you are happy to live in cloud-cuckoo land and think that Christianity is just about as good as it gets in Great Britain, and perhaps you are well content in the cocoon you exist in when most of your neighbours, family and friends are lost to The Father.
 
If you are reading this all smug that your social world is all Christian, get out more! None of us should ever surely be proud that we have won our worlds for Jesus when we are called to the nations, as well as the neighbours?
 
You may choose to read this from a negative angle and think that "people like him" are never content with anything. That's a great deflective excuse to justify your own attitudes, and what exactly are people like me like anyway?
 
I have just been challenged massively again to realize that The Kingdom is an invasive reality, not a passive theology, and I do not want to spend the latter half of my life perpetuating history when my children are growing up in a Godless and shallow culture. Salt changes things. Light always changes the level of darkness in a location. Period!
 
Will my kids will grow up into a "United Kingdom" or a "Great Britain"?? If things don't change, I doubt that either is possible is all honesty. Our world is rapidly spiralling into moral chaos and cultural hedonism, and we need to get the salt out of the cellar, and the lamp out from under a bowl.....didn't someone say something like this 2,000 years ago?
 
Who did Jesus say would be salt and light? YOU!
 
He didn't say that this role would be delegated to some spiritual elite, and He never expected some religious organization or institution to fulfill this God-given role. He calls individuals into His footsteps, one by one. He asks you and I to FOLLOW HIM, very often alone and in spite of how we feel.
 
As we connect together, The Church is then released as an organic movement into our world as His Body, carrying the same ability, authority and compassion that He carried, and we can fulfill His great commission in exactly the same way that He did.......and in exactly the same way that He is still fulfilling this today, in and through people who understand and obey. Trust and obey, their is no other way!
 
Jesus meant what He said. You don't have to go to Bible School to do His will. Many of Jesus' heroes today have never even been to normal school. They are nameless, faceless individuals who just believe that Jesus meant what He said, and that He has called them in spite of their lack. They are discontent with their world, their community and their neighbourhoods, primarily because they do not see God's will being done in many quarters.....and after all, isn't this the very essence of what The Kingdom was meant to bring.
 
"Thy Kingdom come.....(how?)...Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven".
 
If you are convinced that Heaven will look something like your street, community or region, then relax, the job's over. Now it's time to be content. If not, listen to His heartbeat once more, and pick up the rythymns.
 
Someone once said, "You have to go to theology school to realize that Jesus didn't really mean what He said!". That's a bit naughty, but from my own experience, our theologians have largely influenced a Christian culture that has not fulfilled it's potential, and I want to see that change. I am not content with what our Christian culture is creating, and with how we are viewed by the world's culture that we are called by nature to alter.
 
And I must stop apolozing for that too, I am told!
 
One day, we will be able to look back and see exactly what we affected. I pray that this generation will do more than get rid of pews, hymn books and organs.
I trust that we will not be content with merely changing our name from "Church" to "Christian Centre". I hope that we will be able to pass on a baton to the next generation as they run past us, and that we will not hinder them in running THEIR race in any way, whether intentional or not.
 
Bill Johnson says, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor". We must leave our kids with more than we had. We cannot be content with seeing them have to contend for things that we should have possessed for them. An inheritance is something you get for nothing, that cost someone else everything.
 
Come on Black Countryites, lift up your eyes. See ahead.....see beyond......see above. What God can do in a region and in a generation when His Body is truly ONE is within reach, and we can ensure that is much closer for the generation rising now.
 
To paraphrase the prophet, "Come on Lord, I have heard all the stories of what you did in the past, and I have read about the amazing stuff you can do, BUT I WANT TO SEE IT WITH MY OWN EYES, and I DESIRE MY CHILDREN TO BE WITNESSES TOO". (or "I am not content just to recount history or sing about the last revival.....I amnot comfortable with that in light of the revelation I have received).
 
So, there you go. Have a nice day! I now trust that you are well ready for more.
 
Much love,
 
 
Tim
 
For YOUR NETwork of Black Country Christians
Tony Campolo CD's
 
The two sessions were recorded from Dr Campolo's recent's trip here, and copies can be obtained from Ryan at Revival Fires in Dudley. Tony was absolutely tremendous again, and we would strongly recommend that you get these as they will both challenge and inspire you, and your family, friends and colleagues. Just contact Ryan as below;
 
Business in the sectors (..about our Father's Business)
 
We had a very encouraging breakfast at the last Business Net gathering …. a gathering which is rapidly becoming a network of Kingdom Networks emerging across many different sectors….

We heard wonderful testimonies of how God has positioned brothers and sisters strategically in places of influence - in education, the media, social action, local government, probation, health and in business …encouraging them to arise and shine and build network relationships as they influence their individual sectors….

Journey “to be continued” at our next breakfast gathering on May 2nd …..!!

 For those looking further ahead – on June 6th we shall have Andrea Williams with us from Christian Concern for Our Nation, an activity of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship working to influence both lawyers and the law for Christ… Andrea will inspire you..!

 Thanks to the many that booked and paid upfront for the next breakfast … (a list of those who have already booked / paid is available on request) and we are now encouraging everyone to develop this as a habit …..but please still continue to book in via email as well.

Love,

The Business Network Team  

PS: Future Dates (all Wednesdays except September)
 June 6th**; July 4th; August 1st; Sept 4th (Tuesday); October 3rd; November 7th; December 5th.   

Sector Registration
 
Please continue to register your interest so that we can in some way connect you guys up in these vital limbs in culture and society so that The Church can be seen, known and heard in every aspect of our local communities.
 
Law & Justice    Education & Learning   NHS & Health    Social Services & Action
   Local Govt & Politics         Business & Commerce        Media & Arts

Andrea Minichiello-Williams**-Barrister, Public Policy Officer, Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship joins with Business/sector session on Wednesday 6th June @ 7am.

We are thrilled to have Andrea with us again in The Black Country. Her reputation is growing with great speed, and her voice in the secular press is becoming louder as she represents many of our views in the Public Square.
 
We hosted her a few months ago at a Leaders' Net gathering and she received a long standing ovation at the end of her talk. Here's an opportunity for those who may have missed her, or if you want to recommend her to others....those who like an early morning!!
 
Click here for her full biography.

TRUMPET CALL/GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER

AN INVITATION TO BIRMINGHAM

Trumpet Call VI is a call to the church across our nations to come and stand together and through worship, prayer and declaration, ask for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done.

For more details see [click]

Prayer School with Suzette Hattingh and Gayle Claxton (Voice in the City)

Hosted by The Net

Suzette Hattingh is an international Motivational Teacher and Evangelist with a distinct focus on intercession and evangelism. After 16 years in the ministry of Reinhard Bonnke (CFAN), Suzette founded ‘Voice in the City’ in January 1997 with a vision to train the body of Christ in prayer, reach the lost and broken hearted.

Gayle Claxton is an anointed minister of the word who, under the leadership of Suzette, organised crusades and street outreaches for CFAN.

Working alongside Suzette in Voice in the City, Gayle pursues her calling in teaching and building up the body of Christ.

Combined, their experiences and giftings bring tremendous impact and understanding. The course is designed to lead people deeper into intercession with practical application, equipping them to equip others. A school set out for all levels of maturity.

  • ·          Activate scripture & increase your prayer life
  • ·          Times of worship
  • ·          Pull down strongholds & build God’s kingdom
  • ·          Practical application
  • ·          Learn & teach others.

Where:   Zion Christian Centre, Little Cornbow, Halesowen

When:     21st – 23rd June 2007

Times are as follows:

                                       21st June – 9.30am til 5pm

                                       22nd June – 9.30am til 5pm then 7pm – 9pm

                                       23rd June – 9.30am til 5pm

Cost:   £30 per person (£25 conc.) £55 per couple (£45 conc.) or £15 for a day pass. You wil be able to pay on-line shortly using Paypal, or by cheque via Zion Christian Centre (cheques payable to " The Net").

There will also be a Healing/Prayer event on Sunday 24th June at 7.45pm at Dudley Concert Hall which is open to all. This will be the third

             "Together 4 The Black Country Evening Celebration"

For more information contact Zion on: 0121 501 3542 mail@zionnetwork.org

or

The Net:01902 885651

anna@thenet.org.uk

www.thenet.org.uk

VITC web-site-----  www.voiceinthecity.org

Black Country Churches Engaged presents;

Faithful Cities

For churches and faith groups interested in    regeneration

14th May, 2007, 10.00-3.30 St Mary’s R.C. Church, Walsall Speakers: 

Sarah Middleton    -Chief Executive Black Country Consortium

Malcolm Duncan      -Director of Faithworks

Launch of Black Country Faith Audit

Workshops

Lunch available at £5.00

 A joint BCCE, Faithworks and Net event

      Email revpat@blueyonder.co.uk      or phone 01384 853044.

Black Country Blokes........

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all
your things be done with charity."

1 Corinthians 16: 13,14.

... Actively involved in organising men's events for the Kingdom?

... Got a heart for encouraging men's outreach in the Black Country?

Get in touch.! ...there are others who are keen to link-up across our area....

Iain Martin
07946 401139
i.martin23@btinternet.com

Calling All Peacemakers European tour by Rob Bell

Rob Bell, presenter of the ground-breaking and award-winning NOOMA films, and author of Velvet Elvis and the newly released Sex God, published by Zondervan, will be touring the UK and Ireland in June and July 2007 with a show called Calling All Peacemakers. See www.callingallpeacemakers. for full details, with tickets available from www.puratickets.com

From petty conflicts among friends to nations sending soldiers to the other side of the world, we live in a world in which bombs come in all shapes and sizes.

What we need to learn is the fine art of nonviolence, we need a path that isn't violent and isn't passive, one that subverts the aggressor and empowers the oppressed, that guides us into a better tomorrow.

What we need now more than ever is the teachings of Jesus, who pioneered a brilliant way of loving nonviolence that truly would make the world a better place, if we have the guts to listen...

£1 from every ticket plus all profits will be donated to the Turami microfinance project. The Turami project, operated by World Relief, extends business loans to 3,500 individuals in Gitega and Bujumbura provinces of Burundi.  It was judged by the United Nations to be the best microfinance operation in the country – see http://www.wr.org/wherewework/burundi.asp.

28th Wolverhampton – Wulfrun Hall, Wolves (next to Civic Hall)

Henry Olonga to Perform at The Mill Theatre, Sedgley

henry

Henry Olonga, the fomer Zimbabwean test cricketer will speak on ‘Zimbabwe, cricket and his Christian faith’ on Monday 30th April 2007 in Sedgley. He has a superb voice and will also perform some songs from his album ‘Aurelia’. The evening will be hosted by

For more details see [click]

ShockWave Academy: Performing Arts Project

Are you organising a summer event and in need of performers or a group to draw the crowds?

Perhaps we can help?

From its new training centre in West Bromwich, ShockWave is training teens in Pop Vocals, Street Dance, Break Dance, Drama and DJing etc..

to use in the bold proclamation of the gospel.

ShockWave have performed at many local and national events working alongside local churches and Para-church organisations.

ShockWave can also organise Workshops and Summer Schools.

ShockWave Academy is now taking bookings for the summer.

For further information, please contact our office

Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm

0871 717 7284

 info@shockwaveacademy.co.uk

P.O. Box 2156 West Bromwich

West Midlands B70 6HA

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