Shalom
Do you know what this word means? It is a Hebrew word that means peace. This is the state that God wants us to be living in. At Jacob's Well, we have spent way to much time in conflict and not nearly enough time in peace. In order for Jacob's Well to survive we need to get ourselves to a point where shalom reigns our gatherings. Right now, I don't see it. In fact, I see the exact opposite.
I know that the way that we are attempting is not the way that you have done church in the past, but Jacob's Well was never supposed to be a church that is like the churches that meet in the buildings that have been erected for that purpose.
We are not a church that is 'selling' God to others. We are not to assume that just because people don't attend a regular church gathering that people don't believe in God. We assume the opposite.... that God is already working in the world around us and we need to recognize God where God is showing up. We join God where ever God is at work. This is what it means to be a part of a missional church...
Missional Church
I know we have been talking about it for awhile at Jacob's Well, but I think it would be helpful to see what others have said about the missional church. Please read at least the front page of this website:
Friend of Missional - What is a Missional Church?
It explains what a missional church is supposed to be about. Please be praying about if this is the type of church that God wants you to be a part of. This kind of church is not for everyone. Some people fit better in a more traditional congregation where there is preaching from a pulpit and Sunday school each week. It is between you and God to discern where you belong.
Readings
I want each of us to be looking at the Gospels and Acts to see how the early church interacted with the world around them. We will talk about this as we are doing our 'Mission to Montose' on Sundays. When you do these readings, read a version without commentary so that you can look at the text and come to your own conclusions without seeing what another author has to say about the text (let it speak directly to you).
For next week, read all of Mark and look for the answer to the following questions: How did Jesus and the disciples respond to the people that they met along their journey? What did they talk about? What was the first thing that Jesus says in this Gospel? What is the last thing Jesus says in this Gospel?
Peace,
Lisa
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Jacob's Well... a Mission to Montrose
Jacob’s Well is a Christian neighborhood church dedicated to serving the community of Montrose, Minnesota.
I was reflecting on the mission statement of Jacob’s Well tonight. In October 2003, we began Jacob’s Well to be a church that serves the community of Montrose, Minnesota. While we began with good intentions, we have become a church that is serving a few select residents of Montrose, Minnesota. And this needs to change….
As Jacob’s Well… we need to be active in the community.
As Jacob’s Well… we need to get to know our neighbors.
As Jacob’s Well… we need to serve Montrose, Minnesota.
As I have said before, God loves Montrose. And as followers of Christ, we need to be showing love to Montrose, Minnesota.
I think that as individuals, we have been showing Montrose that we care, but we need to be doing this as a group. We have talked about being a missional church many times and I think that we need to be putting this to action.
Starting on Sunday, August 26th we will start approaching Jacob’s Well a little differently. We will be going out into Montrose each Sunday at 10:00 AM as a group to see where we can serve our community. Some weeks this may be a meal at Red’s or Alice’s… other weeks could be a prayer walk through a neighborhood or a roadside cleanup. I am excited about going out into our community and I hope you are too.
Peace,
Lisa
PS For more information on missional church, check out http://www.friendofmissional.org/
I was reflecting on the mission statement of Jacob’s Well tonight. In October 2003, we began Jacob’s Well to be a church that serves the community of Montrose, Minnesota. While we began with good intentions, we have become a church that is serving a few select residents of Montrose, Minnesota. And this needs to change….
As Jacob’s Well… we need to be active in the community.
As Jacob’s Well… we need to get to know our neighbors.
As Jacob’s Well… we need to serve Montrose, Minnesota.
As I have said before, God loves Montrose. And as followers of Christ, we need to be showing love to Montrose, Minnesota.
I think that as individuals, we have been showing Montrose that we care, but we need to be doing this as a group. We have talked about being a missional church many times and I think that we need to be putting this to action.
Starting on Sunday, August 26th we will start approaching Jacob’s Well a little differently. We will be going out into Montrose each Sunday at 10:00 AM as a group to see where we can serve our community. Some weeks this may be a meal at Red’s or Alice’s… other weeks could be a prayer walk through a neighborhood or a roadside cleanup. I am excited about going out into our community and I hope you are too.
Peace,
Lisa
PS For more information on missional church, check out http://www.friendofmissional.org/
Friday, August 10, 2007
Fishing for Men of the Spirit... Fishing with a purpose.
Fishing for men of the spirit: Is a group of men that through fishing are able to change, not only their lives, but lives of other men and children. We can be mentors to one another and the children by teaching how to take care of our ecosystem and building relationships.
Where: Big Waverly Lake: AMERICAN LEGION PARK public boat launch area.Entrance at PARK DR and LAKE AV. Of WAVERLY township.
Date: Starting Aug 8, 2007 Every Wed Night.
Times: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Other: Every one of legal fishing age must have a fishing license. Please, no alcohol. Boaters please have life jackets for every one on board your boat. Please recycle your used fishing line and throw your trash in the trash bins. Please practice catch & release, but if you decide to keep fish, follow MN state guidelines and rules of fishing. Follow all rules of boating. There will be a snack & drink provided by Jacob’s Well Church of Montrose, MN. Let’s have fun and catch some fish!
For More Information contact: Michael Dueball
Email: www.mdueball05@aol.com
Phone: 763-675-3507
Where: Big Waverly Lake: AMERICAN LEGION PARK public boat launch area.Entrance at PARK DR and LAKE AV. Of WAVERLY township.
Date: Starting Aug 8, 2007 Every Wed Night.
Times: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Other: Every one of legal fishing age must have a fishing license. Please, no alcohol. Boaters please have life jackets for every one on board your boat. Please recycle your used fishing line and throw your trash in the trash bins. Please practice catch & release, but if you decide to keep fish, follow MN state guidelines and rules of fishing. Follow all rules of boating. There will be a snack & drink provided by Jacob’s Well Church of Montrose, MN. Let’s have fun and catch some fish!
For More Information contact: Michael Dueball
Email: www.mdueball05@aol.com
Phone: 763-675-3507
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