So what are these Podcasts all about? How can they be used in your life and church? Listen in as Andy gives the lowdown on what we are calling - "a modern take on Paul's letters".

The next number of weeks we are going to work through our vision and values - they are what hold us all together. In this opening week, we walk through the opening stanza of our vision prayer. It's a stanza all about us longing for intimacy with Jesus.

Before you get into this one, read: Isaiah 66:1-2; John 15:1-6

Our second week walking through the opening stanza of our vision prayer. It's a stanza all about us longing for intimacy with Jesus and us becoming the resting places of God. In part 2 we look at things we can do to help create an environment that welcomes more fully the resting presence of God.

Before you get into this one, read: Isaiah 66:1-2; John 15:1-6; Psalms 131,132,133

We're moving on to the second stanza of our Vision prayer. Here we're beginning to look at community - what it means to be the church in realationship to others and the world. Before you get into this it'd be good to read the following: Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5; and 1 Peter 2:1-9.

Hello everyone! Second week on stanza two of our vision prayer. This week we are looking at "unity" as we work through this whole community thing - becoming a community with Jesus at the center. in preparation for this teaching you might want to read: Genesis 2:23-25; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 1:19-20,3:11-17; Eph. 2:11-22; and Rev. 7:19-20.
Afterwards two questions to wrestle with: 1) Read James 3 - How is your tongue aiding in brining unity to life? How is it eroding unity? 2) Mark Peters at the retreat talked about the trinity as a perfect portrait of unity. The key to this was each member of the Trinity submitting to each other.

This week we continue with stanza two of our vision prayer exploring this idea that as a community we are called to be "different". What does this mean for us? What does it mean to live different lives?

Before you get into this one you might want to read through these verses again: 1 Peter 2:9-12; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Cor 13:1-13.

Through it all here are a few questions to explore: 1) How does this call to be different intersect with Paul's statement that he will become all things to all people in order that some may be saved? In other words, how does our call to be different intersect with our call to be relavent? 2) Read through 1 Cor.

Hey Gang... last week on stanza 2. Next week we are on to stanza 3 and mission. But for now, God has some more to share with us about community and our experience together. This week we consider the idea of "life" and how we are to be a people who are experiencing "life" together.

Before you get into it you might want to read: John 10; 1 Thes. and Gal. 5

As you listen, here are some questions to wrestle through: 1) When you think about the fact that "Jesus has saved you" - do you consider this just in terms of heaven? How would it impact you and your life to view your salvation as something that is a present reality? In what ways are you experiencing this to be true? 2) How does Jesus demonstrate zoe life? What is it that you see in him that clearly is "different"? How is his life different from the average persons experience? Can you believe that he wants that kind of a life for you? 3) As was said in the talk, we will not experience the fullness of zoe life until heaven, but is there a part of this life that you know you are to be experiencing now - but are not? What is that part of life? Why is it not being experienced? Are their roadblocks in the way? Is it just a time thing?

This week we are on to stanza three - following Jesus into mission. Anytime we talk about mission, it seems like it can so quickly spiral into self-condemnation. The line of thinking goes... "I'm obviously not doing enough! Time to do better." From a teaching persepctive it can seem difficult to offer a challenge w/o laying down the guilt.

Lets just say it right up front: the point of the next three week is by no means guilt. Guilt is not a tool of the Spirit. That said, we do want to be a people that are open to being challenged into leading a life that is even more oriented around God's plan and kingdom. So the prayer is that we'd rise to the challenge and where there creeps in guilt - well, lets offer it to God and ask him to plant in us a seed of hope.

Hi guys... so for the next couple of weeks we are going to post part one and part two of our "Kingdom, Justice and Mission in Vancouver" talks. The timing is perfect as it dovetails with the "Vision -Mission" talks that I was recording prior to the conference. 
In the new year, we'll wrap up our vision talks and move on to new things - but for now... keep being stirred by these themes that the Lord is working out in our midst.  
Bless you all and have a great Christmas.