Friday, June 29, 2007

Prayer & The Lord's Supper

Fresh ideas for a Lord’s Supper service
by Diana Davis

Small enhancements and attention to detail can enliven your church's celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection. It's worth the extra effort!"

Diana Davis, author of

Fresh Ideas: 1,000 Ways to Grow a Thriving and Energetic Church

It's an apex moment in your church. Celebrating the Lord's Supper is a meaningful privilege, and Christians anticipate it. Without careful preparation, however, the ordinance celebration could become mechanical. Small enhancements and attention to detail can enliven your church's celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection. It's worth the extra effort! Need a few fresh ideas?

But first

Vary the personalized method above by stationing a deacon in each aisle to pray with each group before they go forward to receive Communion.

Another time

If you normally observe Lord's Supper on Sunday evenings, consider planning it occasionally during morning worship. Some churches celebrate it on Maundy Thursday, a Thanksgiving service, or Easter. Our church served the Lord's Supper at the annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, and the attendance was one of the highest of the year.

Softly and tenderly

While elements are being distributed, the music leader or praise team, seated at the front, worshipfully leads the congregation to sing familiar songs about the cross, smoothly transitioning between songs.

Silent service

For a meaningful "come-and-go" service, several tables of bread and juice are set up across the front of the dimly lit sanctuary. Soft, worshipful music plays, and a large lighted candle, representing Christ, sits in a square of decorated floral foam near the front. If it's a Christmas Lord's Supper and you have observed Advent, use the Christ candle. As they enter, worshipers receive a small candle and an instruction sheet, directing each person to be seated alone for a few minutes of silent personal examination and prayer, to read the Scriptural account of the Lord's Supper, and then go alone to a table to partake of the bread and juice. As a commitment to shine for him, each person lights his candle from the Christ candle and places it firmly in the display before leaving silently.===>Click headline to access complete article with more than a dozen additional ideas . . .

Whether your Lord's Supper ordinance is part of a worship service or fills an entire service, make it a meaningful, important occasion. Until he comes... "do this in remembrance of Me." 1 Corinthians 11:24

This article has been adapted from Diane Davis' book, Fresh Ideas: 1,000 Ways to Grow a Thriving and Energetic Church.

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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Revival without a Tent?

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Congregational Prayer Leader Reports on National Conference

Empowered 2007

June 13-15, 2007 Grand Rapids, MI

Testimonial from Brenda Guastadisegni

Brainard Avenue Baptist Church

Countryside, IL

The conference was far more than anticipated for me. I learned more about being a prayer leader and it gave me great passion for prayer both in my own personal prayer time and for the corporate prayer at our church. It taught me that it only takes one to start a revival. God has shared with me NOT to give up and many others also learned this at the conference. When God’s fire burns within you; you must continue to pray and let God work, then the fire will catch. I now have a much deeper and greater fire for God. In addition, God has given me divinely-inspired ideas to use at our church to help people get a grasp of what God can do and will do if only we will pray.

I personally learned to listen intently to people when they pray; I also listen closely to people when they are telling their story. Our prayers come directly from the heart in reference to other’s stories and prayers.

I attended the conference expecting to be ministered to by the many who were there, both on the platform and in the pew. God graciously turned the tables on me and helped me to minister to the people that I attended the conference with. We had many long discussions long into the night and I know that I MUST stand on the word of God and if something is not scriptural; then it is NOT from Him.

God decidedly confirmed to me that I am to be the prayer leader at my church. God is taking me so much deeper into my walk with Him and also my prayer life.

Worshipping and learning with many people from many different faiths was a true delight; people who have the same passion for spending time in pray that I have. I saw what God can do with a church through concerted prayer.

We have had one twenty-four hours of prayer meeting with a theme of “surrender”. Each person picked up a white paper flag from a “rock” (spray painted Styrofoam) with the verse

“Lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge, a strong tower

against the foe”. Psalm 61:2-3.

People were then encouraged to go forward and pray listing their requests on one white board and praises on another white board. When finished, all took a red marker and wrote/drew on their flag what they were surrendering to the Lord. The flags were placed in another “rock” with the verse

“He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress.

I will not be shaken. He is my mighty ROCK, my refuge.

Trust in Him at all times, O People; for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62-6-9
===>Click headline to access future similar conferences . . .

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Design a Garden of Prayer

Meet Jesus in the Garden

By Barbara Clark

God is growing the "Garden" concept! It began with Vaughn Forest Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, as their pastor, Dr. Lawrence Phipps opens their church every year for 10 days of self-paced renewal and revival through the "Garden of Prayer."

The Garden is now spreading to other parts of the country and may be presented in many ways. It is so simple, and so effective! Set up in sections, areas of rooms, or entire rooms, it is a self-paced, interactive prayer walk, learning about God and Christ through different and exciting themes.

Many churches and associations have focused their Gardens on the acronym ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication), some around the Ten Commandments. Themes of harvest, Easter, winter, and spring have blossomed.

Some Gardens are set up for just a few days and some for as much as two weeks. In many associations there will be a special day set aside just for the churches' staffs. Pastors will bring their entire staff to share together in this time of reflection and renewal.

Rick Shepherd, Director for Revival and Spiritual Awakening for Florida shares, "One of the sure signs that revival is happening is that the Holy Spirit provides a freshness. You will be able to see creativity occur in regard to sharing God's plan for salvation." Where churches and associations have had a "Garden of Prayer" that is seen!

Linda Bemis and Trudy Bowles, Prayer Coordinators for the Brevard Association in Florida, said that the FBC of Cocoa, Florida, opted to build their Garden around Easter time with a theme of "Following Jesus to the Beach". Trudy and Linda said, "With vibrant colors and the questions presented on flip-flops, God's message of repentance sprang forth! The Cocoa Garden used "push lights" to reveal to the visitors the names of God and who He is in the midst of this sinful world. By using familiar objects and ordinary surroundings in a new and unique way, people are meeting God one on one."

Many beautiful stories blossomed as God moved in that garden - that is the case everywhere there is one! The latest vision in Brevard County is for a permanent Garden of Prayer to be set up at Port Canaveral's Seafarers Ministry. Trudy shared that the main message of that Garden will be "God's Plan of Salvation." In addition they are planning a Garden for the association's ladies' retreat in July.

Three years ago, Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Powder Springs, Georgia, began their "Garden of Prayer" to prepare their hearts for Easter. The first year the Garden of Prayer Team learned more about Vaughn Forest's Garden, gathered Easter ideas from other churches, and then sought God's guidance. Now each year they focus on particular scenes in the last weeks of Jesus' life on earth.

As the people entered the Palm Sunday area, they felt the excitement of those celebrating Jesus as some asked, "Who is this Jesus? Come learn who He is!" Burnt Hickory invited not only their own members, but reached out to the entire community to come learn who Jesus is.

Then they continued through the Garden seeing Him as teacher, healer, and friend to all. The people's expressions changed as they saw the "Lord's Supper" and meditated in "Gethsemane" on the names of Jesus. As they walked into the Cross Room, their hearts were touched! God loves us so much that He gave His only son, Jesus. And Jesus loves us so much that He died for us!===>Click headline for complete article . . .

Monday, June 18, 2007

Pray for a Change

Change abounds, Rankin, Mohler tell DOMs

Posted on Jun 18, 2007 by Don Graham & David Roach SAN ANTONIO (BP)

Jerry Rankin and R. Albert Mohler Jr. believe Southern Baptists must learn to better embrace change and work together in order to fulfill the Great Commission.

The pair spoke separately at the 45th annual meeting and 300th anniversary celebration of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions, preceding the Southern Baptist Convention's June 12-13 meeting in San Antonio.

"We've not passed this way before," Rankin told a gathering of 100-plus DOMs on June 11, exhorting them to "embrace accelerating change" or be doomed to irrelevancy.

Quoting Joshua 3, the International Mission Board president compared the challenges DOMs face in ding their associations to that of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

"Our world, our denomination, is changing - are you changing to keep pace with it?" Rankin asked.===>Click headline to access complete article . . .

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Join 1,000 Southern Baptis in Prayer

I had the privilege of attending a corporate prayer time with around 1,000 delegates at the National Southern Baptist Convention yesterday. It was very moving as the key prayer leader and historian, T.W. Hunt, led us in a time of corporate prayer around attributes of God that he believes that this is the hour that the Lord want to birth these attributes in the church at large as a condition for spiritual renewal. The 5 attributes/prayer points came from his study of the Word of God.

As you know, well known revival historian Dr. J. Edwin Orr quotes Dr A. T. Pierson as saying, 'There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.'

I urge you to spend time this week in agreeing prayer that the church, world-wide, would begin to exhibit these character qualities - and that as His nature is revealed in us, that the church would move forward in power, experience the manifest presence of God, and reach out to a dying world.

Please forward this e-mail to others who will pray. "God, help us to be more like you!"

Thomas Bush | Director of Prayer Ministry
7220 Trade Street | Suite 105 | San Diego, CA 92121
Office 858.444.4400 / Direct 858.444.4407 / Cell 619.742.8694 / Fax 858.444.4439
tbush@visionsd.org or praysd@aol.com

Prayer focus to bring The Southern Baptist Convention to God-Centeredness

Qualities for us in the Godhead

(Pray that these attributes would be manifested in individual and in the Church at-large)

1. Otherness – in our churches, institutions, and in the convention.

(This is evidenced in that the Father points to the Son and the Spirit. The Son points to the Father and the Spirit. The Spirit points to the Father and the Son. There is communication, partnership, agreement, harmony, etc. in the God-head.)

2. Love – sacrificial divine love.

(Note: It was emphasized that God was motivated to create because of His "otherness" and His "love". Both of these attributes are outward-focused.)

3. Humility – not negation but affirmation of others.

4. Christ’s supremacy – Why God is conforming us to His image.

5. Nobility – How we are being prepared for eternal nobility.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

President Warns About Prayer

Seeking His face
Frank Page

TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--As we continue our emphasis upon spiritual awakening, renewal and revival, we continue to focus upon God's prescription found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This great text says the following, "And (if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

While God's prescription remains clear, the evidence of a lack of revival continues to grow. Recent statistics show that our baptisms continue to decline. While there were modest gains in other areas, the true barometer of our spiritual health continues to slide.

We are not far behind that which is happening in Europe. A recent Wall Street Journal article carried this headline, "As Religious Strife Grows, Europe's Atheists Seize Pulpit." It tells of an increasingly potent phenomenon in Europe, that being a zealous disbelief in God. Author Andrew Higgins writes, "Passive indifference to faith has left Europe's churches mostly empty. But debate over religion is more intense and strident than it has been in many decades.... That is all adding up to a growing momentum for a combative brand of atheism, one that confronts rather than merely ignores religion."

I believe that we are not far behind that trend. Already, that trend is showing itself in certain places in the United States.

What are Christians to do? While many seek ways to alter this growing phenomenon through legislation and education, the true remedy is God's people reaching the lost with a passion that can only come from a Holy Spirit renewal.

In God's Word, we are taught to "seek His face." Is this another way to say "pray?" I believe it is different. To seek God's face indicates a seeking of His approval, a seeking of His direction, a seeking of His affirmation. I believe we must submit every part of our convention, our churches, as well as our lives to the scrutiny of God. We must ask for Him to share His light on every aspect of our lives.

We need to move past merely talking about the inerrant Word of God; we need to start living it to a far greater level than ever before. We must seek His face as we submit our hearts and lives to Him.

Frank Page is president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C.

Baptist Pastor Calls for Prayer

A call to assemble is being issued to every state leader, pastor and layman across our nation. Please join me in prayer that the people of God will heed the call.

All of us see the cost of sin in our churches, pastors, and families. We know that the only hope available is found in repentance and a return to an obedient walk with our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thankfully, promises of God’s deliverance and help in such times are sprinkled throughout the Bible.

The “call to assemble” is literally a prayer conference entitled, “Broken Before the Throne” scheduled to take place November 3-11, 2007 at Westview Baptist Church, Martinsburg, WV. The invitation is coming to you during this most desperate time of our nation encouraging you to seek a closer walk with Christ and to lead your people to do the same.

A.W. Tozer declared, “Whatever is holy is healthy; evil is a moral sickness that must end ultimately in death.” How many times in recent days have people asked or wondered, “Why are we so morally sick?”

My belief is that we are morally sick as a nation because holiness is absent in people of faith. I’m praying and believing that we can and will return to a right relationship with God that will make us holy through Christ.

At Keswick, the location for a Great Awakening movement in the past, a few concerned believers assembled because they were deeply distressed by the coldness and deadness in the Church and by the lack of holiness in Christians. John Hyde assembled the Sialkot convention in India for similar reasons. As both groups prayed and humbled themselves they found God’s mercy and power poured out in abundance.

To my knowledge there has been no such assembly in recent years, perhaps even decades. That is not to say that there has not been a desire or attempt to conduct such events. No doubt God’s faithful servants are tucked away in many places who are laboring night and day for His kingdom and who are yearning for Spiritual Awakening.

T.W. Hunt has said, “God has His remnant always in place and among us.” I am seeking to assemble that remnant of intercessors to pray with unity. With such desperate times pressing upon us should we not carefully consider a desperate plea for prayer and this call for a holy assembly. I am pleading with you to join me in this sincere call to assemble.

The location for this meeting is in Martinsburg, WV which is accessible from the Baltimore and Washington DC airports as well as being only a few minutes from an exit on Interstate 81 in the eastern panhandle of the Mountain State. While you may feel challenged by the distance from your home to this location, careful study of who participated in the Great Awakenings of the past shows they came from near and far to be where God was meeting with His people. It has been written that Hudson Taylor, China Inland Mission, came specifically to Keswick because that was were God was shaping men for the mission field. That was where God was speaking and anointing people for His service. We are in need of such a move of God again today.

This is my vision for the next Great Awakening in America and I have sought to share it as clearly as I am able to do. I believe that history has taught us that God meets with His people when they come together to repent and pray. He has promised, “Draw nigh unto Me, and I will draw nigh unto you.” I believe that He will do so November 3-7 at “Broken Before the Throne”.

For more information including the featured speakers and agenda, check out the website at www.prayerconference2007.com.

Sincerely, Rev. Dan Biser

Saturday, June 02, 2007

"There simply is no more important principle in church growth than prayer"

Strategic Prayer Efforts

Ed Stetzer

Historically, revivals have taken place when God's people prayed fervently and earnestly, and when they obeyed God's Word profoundly. Not only do churches and missionary leaders need to seek earnestly the power and presence of God in their lives, but they also need to pray strategically to utilize God's power in places where God is multiplying disciples and churches.

The Holy Spirit's presence and power is released through intentional prayer. The book of Acts provides several examples of early believers coming together to pray for boldness. In his book The Book of Church Growth, Thom Rainer explains, "Prayer is the power behind the principles. There simply is no more important principle in church growth than prayer. The prayers of the early church unleashed the power of God to add thousands to the church. It happened then. It is happening in some churches today. And it can happen in your church."

After praying, those early believers were empowered by the Spirit, and people believed in the resurrected Jesus. The same pattern can be followed today. Praying for boldness and for a movement of God's Spirit within the community and in the lives of those who are not believers is part of an effective outreach strategy. Comeback leaders pray strategically and fervently for themselves, their church families and their communities.

According to Roger Lipe, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Illinois, the Word of God and renewed prayers were keys to their church's renewal. The church gave new emphasis to prayer during the Wednesday evening services. Lipe read Scriptures dealing with prayer and led the church family to focus on praying for the needs of the church. This church was $109,000 in debt in July 2001, but was completely debt-free by November 2002. Giving continues to increase, and the once dead church is alive and ministering effectively to the community around them.

Comeback churches across the country reported an increase in evangelistic zeal in response to their strategic prayers for their communities. Many emphasized the importance of weekly prayer meetings and a deeper passion for the local community.

On Mission, Summer 2007

IBSA Prayer Ministries