Names

So, here are so names, in no particular order. I have no agenda, other than to inspire conversation: 1) mini flocks; 2) connection groups; 3) fellowships; 4) cells; 5) cohorts; 6) POCs (places of collaboration); 7) rest stops; 8) mile posts; 9) oasis; 10) watering holes; 11) study groups; 12) monastic orders; 13) tiny units; 14) labs; 15) pit stops; 16) rings.

Small Groups

Well...here begins a piece of our conversation about "small groups". And the first question I would like to pose is : Is there a name for the idea of what we are trying accomplish through small groups that better communicates to our demographic and captures the cry of our hearts for unity, growth, and discipleship?

Journey Leadership

What an amazing weekend! Not only did we experience God's grace as we walked through the retreat and then our Sunday gathering, but both David Nixon and Katharine are going to be utilizing our model weekend as well. Just think...kingdom impact that is spread to the East Coast and Scotland as we were letting Jesus draw us near to him.

Looking forward to our time together and I promise that Patsy will do something other than soup and salad for our Thursday meal:)

The Journey continues...

Missing Journey

started out concerned that the weather (it snowed at the beach) may cause problems in driving over the coastal range towards Portland. But as I’ve been working my doctoral work today, it is painfully clear to me that I cannot return tonight and have my work done for my doctoral class on Monday. I’m going to check to see how Tim is doing (he was sick this morning) to see if he can make it in tonight.

The truth is that the Journey team is mature and capable enough to work together to cover the night. Abe will still be bringing the teaching, but someone will need to intro him to the entire group. Below I’m posting what I sent to Tim to use for the morning...perhaps one of the team might feel more comfortable because of historic relationship to do this...I’ll let you decide.

Josh...you will need to come up after Abe (work this out ahead of time with him) to close off the Journey with a song. Andrea/Jeff/Josh...make sure you touch base with Abe prior to the evening to make sure he is aware of our current culture so he can feel comfortable with what he’ll be doing. It is important that we stay as consistent as possible when we have guest.

Of course this is the last week to sign up and push for the retreat...let’s get some money out of those registering if possible, otherwise we may have people registered but then not showing up. Let them know that if they register they will be OBLIGATED to pay whether they come or not...and we will bill them:)

I was suppose to have dinner with Abe tonight, but I’ll call and talk with him...I’m sure he’ll be fine hanging out with his family some more.

***below is intro material that can be used for Abe...same as Tim used this morning***

(You can speak this in the first person)
Abe of course is no stranger to most of you at PDX4 but for those who may not know him, let me briefly set the stage for his ministry to us this morning.

Abe Pfeiffer was a member of the pastoral team here at PDX4 and served alongside both Pastor Dennis and previously with Larry Spousta. He was commissioned and sent from our church to take the Lead Pastor role of the Grand Junction Foursquare Church in Colorado. It was just last year in Houston, Texas that Abe along with two other emerging leaders joined with Pastor Dennis in presenting a workshop to leaders on bringing renewal to the local church...something that he has been doing with obvious fruitfulness in Grand Junction.

(This is where you can let them know that I’ve asked you to include the following)
Pastor Dennis, who is not with us today because he is away for two weeks of doctoral studies, invited Abe to bring the ministry of the Word this morning because:

1 We want to regularly reconnect with those who have been sent out from PDX4 that we might celebrate the story of how God is using them and be reminded to pray for their ongoing fruitfulness.

2. Because he loves our church our city and comes with a commitment to minister a Word that will serve to advance God’s work among us. In fact, I originally was intending to have Abe minister from a passage of Acts and partner with us in our current series. But after talking with him and hearing what God had placed on his heart about releasing an emerging generation, I thought it was a word that he needed to bring and we needed to receive.

I want you to welcome Abe as a trusted brother in Christ, a faithful shepherd of God’s people and one that is assigned by the Lord today to bring a message to speak to your heart. Please join with me in welcoming Abe (and Stacey, who also is with us) as he comes to minister the Word.

Retreat Sign-ups

Alrighty.... the is the list of names

Registered and Paid
Monica Lauritsen
Josh/Camilla Storlie
Andrea O'Dell
Jeff/Erin Lowe
Elise Pfeifer
Dan Kyle
Shelby Jones

Registered- need to pay
Matthis Gehring
Katy Goodheart
Luke Walker
Carlos Cruz
Chelsea Mandeville
Ty/Danielle Jorgensen
Christina McLain
David Mossholder
Stephen/Liz Gomez (one or both may attend- they are unsure)
Tom Tillman
Brandon Sears
Samuel Spotted Elk (can not pay- but would really like to participate)
Reina O'Beck

So- 24 signed up to come, 9 paid to come.

Let us know who you will be talking to this week.... I think we should hit 30 at least with a few more weeks still to go before the retreat.

Andrea

a question.

hey all. What does it look like for the journey to be a vibrant, healthy, motivated by grace and love church? Shoot me some thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5-6

So, after our meeting on Thursday and what we have been learning from the teachings we have had recently, I wanted to re-share this verse that Tim touched on last night. I especially love the way the message words it.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.

I hope you are all having a great day.

Is anyone reading this blog

Hey, just checking if anyone is reading the blog. I know I forget to and I haven't figured out if there is a way to get an e-mail when a blog is posted. Need to figure that one out.
Anyway... just wanted to say that I think we made a great decision by sticking with service. Yes, other things might have been good as well but we had new faces and that is always a reason to keep things going. Would have hated for them to show up to locked doors. Anyway, thanks to everybody and love you all!

Potluck Dinner?

As we are needing to finalize plans and preparations for the 1st Sunday meal, I am wondering if we have decided on whether or not we were going to do it Potluck style. If so, we need to get the word out next Sunday. If not, I need to get a team together to prepare the meal.

Let me know what you all think and maybe what we had decided.

Also keep in mind that day is SuperBowl Sunday. Are people going to be coming from parties, going to parties during the service or after service? What are your thoughts?

Much Love,

katy

Sticky Church reading?

Hey Everybody! Josh and I hope you all have had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We are back around and ready to get back into the swing of things. We have started reading the "Sticky Church" but weren't sure of how much we were needing to get done before our next meeting. Anyone have the answer to that? Thanks! Can't wait to see you all!