Transformation: Dream or Reality
June 2010
Transformation: Dream or reality?
Many people involved in missions are wondering, “Shouldn’t we be seeing more transformation in our societies after all the apparent conversions and new church plants? What has gone wrong? Should we do something differently?”
These are important questions that need to be addressed. In this article Bob Moffit, founder and president of Harvest Foundation and cofounder of Disciple Nations Alliance, seeks to explore some biblical responses to these vital issues.
Here is an extract:
“God brings about transformation in individuals, families, communities and nations where local churches understand and respond to his full intentions. Too often, however, transformation has not followed evangelism and church planting because Christians miss God’s intentions.
The term transformation is a “hot button” in Christian mission circles. It merits analysis from a biblical perspective. I define biblical transformation as the process of restoration to God’s intentions of all that was broken when humanity rebelled against God at the Fall.
Read the full article |
Your Kingdom comes
Ric Benson, who pastors a large church in Brisbane Australia, is a strong advocate for the Kingdom. In this article Ric looks at some of the tensions in a Kingdom-based theology and the application of this thinking in a local church. Also included are some excellent questions for break-out groups to consider and a helpful reading list of books that explore the Kingdom.
Here is an extract from Ric’s article:
‘The fundamental purpose of the Christian church, and therefore every local Christian congregation, is to work with God in the realization of His kingdom. It is the kingdom of God that powerfully and predominantly lies at the heart of the teaching, life and action of the Lord Jesus and it is this kingdom that pervades His parables, His miracles and His passion. Sadly the significance of this teaching has been sadly ignored and neglected by the modern church……
The two greatest dangers to Christian teaching and practice lie in the two extremes of teaching on the kingdom of God. One is that it will come at the end of time when Christ returns (catastrophism/future focus), and the other is that it is entirely about the here and now (gradualism/present focus). The former teaching fails to address the current pain and needs of the world, whilst the latter projects a reliance on social action and change, or a spiritual triumphalism promising more than it delivers.
Read the full article |
‘Awakening the Nations’ Convention in the Solomons
Next month is the ‘Awakening the Nations’ Convention in Honiara the capital of the Solomons Islands. The theme for the convention is ‘Kingdom Leadership and Lifestyle for Church, Government and Nations’.
This Convention comes at a critical time for the nation of the Solomons Islands – the church leaders are praying that God will use this event to speak to the nation as a whole as it prepares for elections in the near future. The Awakening Convention has been endorsed by both Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA), the two umbrella Christian Associations in Solomon Islands. The Government also has given its support with the event to be opened by the Governor General and closed by the Prime Minister.
I will be one of the plenary speakers on the topic ‘Rediscovering the Kingdom’
So please join our brothers and sisters in the Solomons in praying that God will bring change to this nation that will see lasting transformation in every part of this society. |
, a real relationship with God is of great iotarpmnce and is probably going to be a major focus of this ministry. Thanks again for the feedback and may God continue to work through you and bless you.In Christ,Ryan