180 Symposium Focuses Spotlight on Secular Campuses

I just got back from the 180˚ Symposium at Andrews University, sponsored by the Center for Youth Evangelism. Kudos to Ron Whitehead, Japhet De Oliveira, Steve Case, Ron Pickell, and all others involved. Our topic: public campus ministry. I presented a paper on Ellen G. White and the Secular Campus.

Adventists have a spotty record when it comes to ministry on public and private (“non-Adventist”) college and university campuses. We have good examples at places like Berkeley and Knoxville, active student organizations at schools like Texas A&M, and promising new ventures like that led by Sebastien Braxton in Boston. We have some training resources, like The Word on Campus (available from Advent Source) and a Campus Spiritual Life Certificate Program at the seminary that can provide quality training (but it is under-advertised and so few have taken advantage of it).

But we have little money. Our NAD coordinator is a full time pastor and works on a meager stipend and travel budget.The same is true at the conference and local level. Because of this, you can count on the fingers of one hand the number of full-time Adventist chaplains. There are only a couple who have bothered to seek endorsement from Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (and none of us can name those people). There is little stability in ministry, and so little wisdom gained from years of experience (again, we’re talking fingers on one hand when we speak of the number of campus ministers with 10 years or more of experience).

And yet there are 19,000,000 students at these colleges and universities in North America–the combined population of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix. 70% of Adventist students are at non-Adventist colleges.

We were reminded in an NAD report last year by Monte Sahlin that Adventism is “graying.” The median age is high, and not just because Adventists are living longer than the general population, but because we are losing young adults in their 20s, and have a dearth of members in the 20-45 age bracket.

How much wisdom and experience and giftedness have we lost through this attrition? How much tithe money has the church lost because today’s young doctors, lawyers, business entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and video game programmers did not find the church there for them during college and grad school?

We spend millions of dollars on evangelism, throwing much of it away on mass mailings to tens of thousands of people that will result in one or two baptisms. Why not spend this money to evangelize college and university campuses that are full of seekers–and our own young people?

The harvest is ripe–where are the workers? Where is the passion? Where are the resources?

Advent Conspiracy

It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas. You know the decorations will soon be in the stores. Are you disappointed with the commercialism and the crush of the crowds and the stress and the co$t? Then check out Advent Conspiracy.

From the webpage:

The story of Christ’s birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it’s all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

There’s a DVD available with four short videos that can be discussion starters, and there’s a book with discussion guide, too.

Encourage a different attitude in your young adult ministry, campus, or church. Join the conspiracy.

moments before… GODencounters Tennessee/Georgia

the staff assembled this morning. it’s the 2nd year of having a GODencounters here in Tennessee/Georgia (we are technically at Southern Adventist University). we added a few new people to the team and are waiting on a few others to come (volunteers from out-of-town and even out-of-state) but most of us met this morning for our first staff worship.

some of us spoke of our young adult friends, or those that have been mentioned to us, who need an encounter with the Living GOD. then some became vulnerable and spoke of the difficult times that have recently weighed heavy upon the soul.

it became real to me in that moment…

WE are in need of a fresh encounter with the Living GOD!

After reading Jeremiah 24:7 – “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart,” as well as some other texts, we began to pray. I must admit that, at first, I did not feel like praying. But then it happened. Something took over me, something I call the Holy Spirit. I was impressed that I must pray, I must seek God, I must return to God… because although all of life’s chaos and busyness and brokenness, GOD has given me a heart to know Him! GOD, the Supreme Ruler of the universe. GOD, the Almighty Lord of lords and King of kings. GOD, who is from everlasting and to everlasting. GOD, who is the Father of all compassion. Yes… this GOD has given me a heart to know Him! What a terrible and beautiful gift – a heart from GOD, to know Him and not my own ways. I’m broken in His grace and restored in His mercy. He loves me that much that He would see my sin-stained selfish heart and say, “No, that won’t do. Here, take this one instead… with it you will know Me, and when you know Me, it is salvation!” (John 17:3 reference)

So because of this new heart GOD has given me, it allowed me to pray. It inspired me to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy in time of need. There I was. There we were… encroaching into the throne room of GOD through prayer – seeking to encounter this LIVING GOD.

It is just moments before our first GODencounters gathering for the week – only a few hours to go… and it’s becoming clear that this time and this place and this Divinely-saturated space has been set apart by GOD Himself… so He may give people hearts to know Him, so He may be their Lord and they will be His people, returning to GOD will all their heart.

Día 35: No dejes para mañana lo que puedes hacer hoy.

F=(fast) deja de dilaciones

E=(Encourage) anima a una persona que deseaba hacerlo hace tiempo, no vacila mas

A= Admite que dejado de hacer cosas que Dios desearía que hiciera

S=(Scripture) Proverbios 6:6; Proverbios 6:9-11; Proverbios 13:4

T=(Trust) Confíes en Dios que te ayude priorizar tu día

Ve, mira la hormiga, perezoso,
observa sus caminos, y sé sabio
Proverbios 6:6 (La Biblia de las Américas)

¿Hasta cuándo, perezoso, estarás acostado?
¿Cuándo te levantarás de tu sueño?
Un poco de dormir, un poco de dormitar,
un poco de cruzar las manos para descansar,
y vendrá como vagabundo tu pobreza,
y tu necesidad como un hombre armado.
Proverbios 6:9-11 (La Biblia de las Américas)

El alma del perezoso desea, pero nada consigue,
mas el alma de los diligentes queda satisfecha
Proverbios 13:4 (La Biblia de las Américas)

Baby Prayer for FUSIONchurch

FUSIONchurch in Atlanta, GA, just had the grand opening launch this past Saturday, March 21, 2009, in an art gallery just north of downtown.

This brand new church brought together 100 people to meet up over creative expressions of faith… mostly young adults. The entire praise team and drama team are all 20-somethings… and that pastor guy is still (barely) a young adult as well.

It’s also great that the treasurer is nearly 70 and a few other couples in their 60’s are supportive of the vision to have a casual, contemporary & creative church led by young adults and targeting young adults.

This “baby church” is now 3 days old… and many new young people are caring for it deeply and have indicated a desire to volunteer.

It is so encouraging to see the desire of young people to serve GOD. They are going to fulfill the vision of FUSIONchurch: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF TOGETHER.

Just this week, not only did FUSION worship in music, singing, teaching, prayers and praise… they also raised money to send Mercikley, in Brazil, to a university for an entire year!

Yes, Mercikley will feel the power of FUSION… it will change his life forever. My prayer and confidence is this:  that it will also change my life and yours… as we make a difference together!

Here’s my “Baby Prayer” for FUSIONchurch:

GOD. we submit to you. we are now a 3-day old church. we are just a baby… but we are Your baby.

Care for us, guide us, teach us, lead us, feed us, hold us, mold us, make us, break us, take us into Your plans from before time itself. May we fulfill our destiny in You, since we are created in Christ to do the good deeds You have designed us to do.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

~Ephesians 2:10

Have a great week exploding God’s love all over others!

Día 18 ¿Qué apariencia tiene el amor?

F=(Fast) Deja de ignorar instrucciones o ajustarlos por razones egoístas

E=(Encourage) Escriba una nota o tarjeta de ánimo a un una persona

A=Admite que has alejado de otros por contestaciones que no te agrada

S=(Scripture) 1 Juan 4:17-25

T=(Trust) Confía en Dios para guiar tu vida y sanar tus relaciones

Si en verdad amamos a los hermanos, y si vivimos como Jesucristo vivió en este mundo, no tenemos por qué tener miedo cuando Jesús venga para juzgar a todo el mundo. La persona que ama no tiene miedo. Donde hay amor no hay temor. Al contrario, el verdadero amor quita el miedo. Si alguien tiene miedo de que Dios lo castigue, es porque no ha aprendido a amar.
Nosotros amamos a nuestros hermanos porque Dios nos amó primero. Si decimos que amamos a Dios, y al mismo tiempo nos odiamos unos a otros, somos unos mentirosos. Porque si no amamos al hermano a quien podemos ver, mucho menos podemos amar a Dios, a quien no podemos ver. Y Jesucristo nos dio este mandamiento: “¡Amen a Dios, y ámense unos a otros!”
1 Juan 4:17-25 (Biblia en Lenguaje Sencillo)

And He rested…so should we

Genesis 2: 2, 3 : And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

A good friend and I have had several conversations about the Sabbath. Each time we seem to bring up the same point time and time again – the Sabbath has somehow lost its holiness. I’m not saying the Sabbath is not holy, it is! But in many of our churches today, we’ve filled it with so much activity that the true meaning and sacredness of God’s wonderfully blessed and holy day has ceased to exist in the hearts of His people.

For many, the Sabbath meaning of rest has been taken literally as an excuse to sleep the day away. For others, its become the time for  meetings, choir practice, and almost non-stop programming. I’m not saying that activity on the Sabbath is a bad thing, but we must remember the kind of activity we do must be God focused, spiritually lifting, and faith strengthening. When God rested on the seventh day, He did not sleep the day away or fill it with meetings and activities to keep busy.  He rested from the work of creating by spending time with the created, specifically us.

I’ve grown tired of how complicated life has become. I will admit my fault in it, in that I have, like most, made life complicated by bringing it upon myself. I’m weary and long for the simplicity and purity God has given the Sabbath.  God knew what He was doing when He made keeping the Sabbath a commandment – He knew we would need it. I pray for forgiveness for turning what is sacred and holy into something altogether ordinary.

“I’m coming back to the heart of worship, because its all about You, its all about You, Jesus. I’m sorry for the thing I’ve made it, when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.”

So the next time a meeting or practice is scheduled during the Sabbath, when it really could be set for another day, let us remember the seventh day to keep it holy, and schedule it for another time. Let us rest on the Sabbath by spending the day with God and one another – visit, fellowship, worship …the created resting by spending time with the Creator.

If you can relate, pull up a chair, come sit awhile,  and share your thoughts…

Día 11: Humildad -Ouch

F=(Fast) Deja de pensar que tus ideas son mejores que los demás

E=(Encourage) Elogia hoy las ideas de alguien

A=(Admit) Admite que has sentido que tus necesidades y ideas son mas importante que lo demás.
(continúa creciendo ese Corazón de sirviente)

S=(Scripture) Filipenses 2:3-5; Mateo 5:5; Proverbios 16:18; Filipenses 2:1-4

T=(Thank) Agradecer a Dios que sus caminos es mucho mejor que las nuestras

No hagan nada por egoísmo o vanidad; más bien, con humildad consideren a los demás como superiores a ustedes mismos. Cada uno debe velar no sólo por sus propios intereses sino también por los intereses de los demás.
La actitud de ustedes debe ser como la de Cristo Jesús,
Filipenses 2:3-5 (Nueva Versión Internacional)

Dios bendice a los humildes, pues ellos serán dueños de la tierra.
Mateo 5:5 (Biblia en Lenguaje Sencillo)

Estoy seguro de que Cristo les ha dado a ustedes poder para animar a los demás. El amor que ustedes tienen los lleva a consolar a otros, y sé que todos tienen el mismo Espíritu y son compasivos. Por eso les pido a todos ustedes que me hagan totalmente feliz, viviendo en armonía y amándose unos a otros. Pónganse de acuerdo en lo que piensan, deseen las mismas cosas y no hagan nada por orgullo o sólo por pelear. Al contrario, hagan todo con humildad y vean a los demás como mejores a ustedes mismos. Nadie busque el bien sólo para sí mismo, sino para todos.
Filipenses 2:1-4 (Biblia en Lenguaje Sencillo)

El orgulloso y arrogante
al fin de cuentas fracasa.
Proverbios 16:18 (Biblia en Lenguaje Sencillo)

Séptimo Día: Primer lugar en tu corazón

F=(Fast) Deja de ver televisión, internet o escuchar el radio

E=(Encourage) Indica a una persona lo mucho que aprecia sus dones o talentos

A=(Admit) Admite que has usado el televisor, computadora o el radio para tomar el lugar que debería corresponder para Dios.

S=(Scripture) Mateo 22:36-40; 1 Juan 5:20-21

T= (Trust) Agradecer a Dios y confiar en Su soberanía

Y sabemos que el Hijo de Dios ha venido y nos ha dado entendimiento a fin de que conozcamos al que es verdadero; y nosotros estamos en aquel que es verdadero, en su Hijo Jesucristo. Este es el verdadero Dios y la vida eterna. 1 Juan 5:20 (La Biblia de las Américas)
Hijos/as, aléjate de todo aquello que puede tomar el lugar de Dios en tu vida
1 Juan 5: 21 (New Living Translation traducido por BV)

–Maestro, ¿cuál es el mandamiento más importante de todos?
Jesús le respondió:
–El primer mandamiento y el más importante es el que dice así: “Ama a tu Dios con todo tu corazón; es decir, con todo lo que piensas y con todo lo que eres”. Y el segundo mandamiento en importancia es parecido a ese, y dice así: “Ama a tu prójimo como te amas a ti mismo”.Toda la enseñanza de la Biblia se basa en estos dos mandamientos.
Mateo 22:36-40 (Biblia en Lenguaje Sencillo)

NEW Young Adult Church in Atlanta, GA

FUSION

church

launches

March 21, ‘09

Casual. Contemporary. Christian.

FUSION meets in an art gallery, The DeFoor Centre, just a few exits north of downtown Atlanta.

At least 80% or more of the attendants are Young Adults in their 20’s and 30’s. Many are unchurched or just coming back to church.

FUSION is a new emerging faith community of people who are passionate about Jesus and His incredible love and grace. We are casual and contemporary… a safe place for you to explore life, faith, and God and not worry about where you’ve been or what you’ve done. We’re not worried about it and welcome and accept anyone – no matter your age, ethnicity, style (or lack of style), background, beliefs, doubts, fears and failures.

We understand that each of us is on a journey and we want you to be true to yourself in exploring spiritual depth. We believe that as you do, along with us, God will be more fully revealed – along with His love and grace, forgiveness and healing, peace and hope, laughter and joy, as well as the purpose and meaning for our lives.

Some churches are creative and have a lot of fun. Other churches dig deep into the Bible. A few churches are great at connecting people. FUSIONchurch aims to be all three.

Vision

Unleashing the Power of Together

FUSION is the process of atomic nuclei uniting together at the sun and the difference in mass between them is released as power. We feel that power at over 93 Million miles away!

When we come together in unity around the Son of God, Jesus Christ, God’s power is released in our lives and felt at far-reaching distances. As we lay down our differences and unite in Christ, we unleash the power of together!

United together in Christ, we are a powerful force for good.

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one;
they get a better return for their labor.
~Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

Mission

FUSIONchurch has no mission apart from God. It’s not the church’s mission but rather it is God’s mission. We are simply joining God in what He is already doing.

FUSIONchurch is UNLEASHING THE POWER OF TOGETHER through God’s mission:

Search. Find. Form. Send.

God searched for me. I will search for others.
God found me and is forming me into something new.
God will find others through me and form them into a new creation.
As Jesus Christ was sent for us, and then sent us, we send each other…
To go… and make followers of Jesus.

When we gather, God’s power is unleashed in us and then through us as we go back out on His mission. Many churches gather for a worship service and stop there. America is home to many 1-hour Christians every week, practical atheists, who “believe” in God but don’t live like it matters.

We gather to…

“Encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.”
~ (Hebrews 10:24,25)

We cannot separate the Word of God from the work of God. The church, as the body of Christ, is not only the mouth for Jesus but also His hands and feet.

FUSIONchurch seeks to impact the lives of others in significantly measurable and tangible ways – to fight injustice and oppression, to relieve hunger and poverty, and ultimately to inspire and restore purpose through the abundant life Jesus offers humanity through selfless love and giving.

For thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out… I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord GOD. “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick.”
~ Ezekiel 34:11-16

Please PRAY for FUSION and connect us with anyone you may know in Atlanta!

You can join our   ::   FUSIONchurch Facebook Group

We are holding a 21-Day Prayer Campaign from March 1-21, leading up to our Grand Opening. You can log onto Facebook and post a prayer on our Group page beginning March 1.

May the mission of God come alive in Young Adults… may they be empowered to live for Christ and share the Good News of salvation by grace through faith, and tell of His glorious return and the hope in everlasting life… may they seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick… may they BE THE CHURCH by being the hands and feet of Jesus.

_________________________________________

~ Chris Bullock

Lead Pastor – FUSIONchurch

www.fusionchurchatlanta.com