Sixth Leadership Training: Discernment Team Workshop on August 9, 2014, 7 pm – 10 pm in Midtown Sacramento, CA

TASK 3: Exploring the Possibilities 

Step 1: Brainstorm Possibilities Based on the Vision | Step 2: Experiment

Scriptures: Luke 10:1-16

1. What were some of the implications of the command to the disciples to “travel light”? What might it mean for you to “travel light”? What is behind Jesus’ sending them out in pairs?

We are in the journey in this world. We came to this world with empty hands and will die with empty hands. Jesus asks us to live a simple life by not possessing our treasures in this world but in heaven. Jesus asks us to focus on mission, spreading the Gospel to non-believers, rather than distracted by our possessions and worldly worries. As we “travel light” with one purpose, winning the lost souls, we will be freed from all distraction and easily mobilized to pursue His mission.

2. What does it mean to have your “peace received”? How might you know when your “peace” is not received and when to shake the dust off”?

Jesus instructs us to approach people with hearts of peace by saying, “shalom” to our neighbors and lost souls. For those who accepts us with hearts of peace followed by their hospitality will be the ones who Jesus prepared. They will easily accept the message of salvation, ” Kingdom of God is near.” However, we must avoid those who reject our words of peace because they are not ready yet.

3. What are the implications for the disciples to “Stay at one home and eat what they set before you”?

It is very important to win one soul after another rather than reaching bulk numbers because the deeper relationship will make them disciples. Jesus also asks us to be humble and thankful whenever we reach out non-believers because most of them are broken and poor in their situations. We will never win souls without showing our genuine love and compassion toward others.

4. How do you respond to the admonition (authoritative counsel or warning) to “heal the sick”?

We have to be careful not to offer our healing prayers to everyone, especially to those who are not ready. If there are enough hospitality and repenting hearts, Jesus will forgive and redeem them through our healing prayers. God is seeking people with humble and peaceful hearts who are ready to be harvested.

Step 3: Evaluating Our New Initiative

Scriptures: Luke 10:17-24

Q &A

1. How did the disciples return from their mission? What did the 70 see upon their return?

They returned with joy as they casted out demons in the name of Jesus. Jesus waned them not too much joyful with the power received from the above but rather rejoice because their names are written in heaven.

2. How did you feel after your new initiative was complete? What did you see happen during your new initiative?

After the site visitation, especially with experience in Davis, we felt strongly that our Macedonians are people live and gather in Davis where so many people are ready to receive the gospels of Christ. We identified the City of Davis as our ultimate harvest field with our new initiative.

3. Where was God in your experience? What have you concluded about your Vision? About your ability to move forward?

God was with us throughout our walkings on the streets of Davis and gave us opportunities to chat with many young people who were thirsty for truth and love. God assured all of our leaders to move forward with our vision and missions, reaching out Millennials in Davis.

What is Our Strategy to Reach Out Community?

1. Pray Us to be laborers of harvest.

2. Go out to our harvest field , City of Davis.

3. Approach people with peace (shalom) to find ones who are ready to be harvest.

4. Proclaim the message, “Kingdom of God is near” to those who gives hospitality.

5. Offer a healing prayer and lead them to repentance to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Fifth Leadership Training: Discernment Team Workshop on August 3, 2014, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm in Granite Bay, CA

Task 2: Step Four:  Who has God Placed on Your Hearts to Engage?

Scriptures: Acts 16:9-10

That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. (The Message)

• Have any new people groups emerged?

We have a new group of people (7~8 people) in their high teens to 20s in diverse ethnic background, who are now gathering at pastor’s house in Elk Grove regularly for Saturday Korean language study. Most of them are coming from Elk Grove and South Sacramento but some are traveling from as far as Roseville.

• Who is calling to you from “across the sea” inviting you to engage them with the Gospel?

We definitely felt that our Macedonians are Millennials from Davis, although further visitations of Midtown and Davis may be required to confirm that after checking each other about their experience with site visits. We were not sure if there are enough of Millennials are gathering or live in Midtown by first visit. We decided to have monthly visit to Midtown and Davis.

Our current gathering is at Parkview Presbyterian Church (727 T Street, Sacramento), located at least 5~6 blocks outside of Midtown, may not be the best place for our Macedonians (Millennials) because there is only one coffeehouse within 5~6 blocks (or 2~3 mile radius) from the church. Parkview can be served as our temporary place until we secure our ultimate location which is more consistent with where our target group is gathering.

After sharing the demographic statistics and site visitation experience, we all agree that Millennials of Davis are our ultimate target group along with Midtown Millennials as our secondary target group.

We have not confirmed yet who is already doing ministry for Millennials in Davis and Midtown and will research. Only church that can be confirmed is Davis Community Church (DCC) that plans to start community coffeehouse ministry by converting their huge social hall located near downtown of Davis. We will be getting involved with DCC as a partner in upcoming months.

For the effective evangelism of Millennials gathering in Davis and Midtown, it will be better to go to the harvest field rather than inviting them. The coffeehouse setting may work really well to attract non-believers to come to know Christ and love-filled young Christians who are ready to serve (or to harvest). Our young leaders are very determined about winning them.

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Step Five: Are We the Ones Who Should Go?

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

After confirming our target group and target area (Davis), we meditated on the Scriptures coming from 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, which explains what are the bodies of Christ, how we function each other, how we can develop our gifts and talents to serve better in the church, the body of Christ.

We learned that God wants us not only develop His given gifts in our life but use these gifts to build a better body, the community of believers. There are so much gifts that we received from God which He allowed us to use for the body of Christ, however, we tend to keep it for ourselves or forget about it. We need to encourage each other to be able to find out what gifts are given and how we can use these gifts for God and others. The ultimate purpose of gifts are building churches by winning the lost souls.

In order to receive these gifts whether they are hidden in our sprits or not given yet, we need to focus our eyes to God who gives all these gifts freely and abundantly for the glory of God. We have to be very sensitive to voices of the Holy Spirit who is leading our faith with action. We need to pray (with fasting) to follow the footsteps of Christ in a daily basis not to be distracted by worldly worries and flesh desires.

We are now ready to keep moving forward with common vision and tasks with full of love and compassion!

“He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Luke 10:2, NRSV

Fourth Leadership Training: Discernment Team Workshop on July 30, 2014, 5:00 pm – 11 pm in Midtown Sacramento & Davis, CA

Task 2: Step Two: People & Places on Our Heart

Scriptures: Acts 16:9-10

During our worship on July 26, after sharing with the story of “Prodigal Son,” we had time to meditate on Acts 16:9-10 and prayed for other people and ourselves.

I bow before you God – you from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name – and I pray that out of your glorious riches you would strengthen ____________________ with power through your Spirit in his/her/their heart(s) through faith. And I pray that __________________ being rooted and established in love, would have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that he/she/they may be filled to the measure of the fullness of Christ. (Based on Ephesians 3:14-19)

• Who is our Macedonians?

We deeply felt that all Millennials are our Macedonians, whether they are non-Christians or ran-away Christians. American churches are losing young people rapidly as the church activities are more focused on preserving tradition and maintaining buildings rather than proactively reaching out for young people. Millennials find themselves more welcome in their own secular gatherings propelled by social networks. More and more young people spend their times with internet where people can hide their agenda and identity or place like coffeehouse where freedom and privacy are protected. Although many of Millennials find their shelters in virtual spaces or a neutral place like coffeehouse, they are very confused with their spirituality and ego. They have knowledge of spirituality (usually dark-side or evil-fueled) but don’t have experience of spirituality so they are seeking easy-to-get new-age ideas and evil-controlled spirituality.

• What might it mean to “get ready to cross over to Macedonia?”

We felt that crossing over to Macedonia in our time is to reach out Millennials to find their ways in Christ who is the head of church.

• What dream has God given you about your “plans?” How will you discern if a set of plans is what God desires or is simply what you desire?

God gave us hearts to pray for Millennials who are least evangelized group in our time. As we prayed, we received strong hearts to evangelize them to glorify God who has most desire to win and love young people. As  we continue praying for Millennials, God will open the door for evangelism of young people because God desires them the most, not us. We are just instruments of God to be mobilized with the move of the Holy Spirit. We decided to visit two sites where the most Millennials are gathering, Midtown Sacramento and the City of Davis according to the recent demographic statistics.

Answer the following questions once you’ve concluded your prayers:

• Which people groups stand out? Where are they located?

• What images or phrases come to mind that describe them?

• Is one area or people group calling to you “from across the ocean?”

• Begin to list the possibilities of who and where that you are identifying.

• What is God saying to you? Is there a calling? Who is God placing on your hearts?

_____________________________________

Step Three: Site Visits – Where the People Are

Scriptures: Luke 10:1-2

Our leaders decided to gather little early at 5 pm to visit two restaurants in Sacramento Midtown and the City of Davis. Because of high temperature over 100 F degrees, there were not many people walking on the streets of Midtown. We first visited the Pour House, located at 1910 Q Street, Sacramento where we had our appetizers together. We observed that many of them are a couple of group of people who came to the restaurant for a happy hour specials and drinks. We noticed that it is hard to hear conversations of other tables due to heavy-volume background music although the place is very open atmosphere. There were lots of young people in their 20s, and some people in their 40s and 50s who were all dressed casually. None of them were alone in the cozy brick-built restaurant.

After the brief observation of the people at the Pour House, we moved to our next place, Ink Eats and Drinks at 2730 N Street, Sacramento where we had our dinner together. Ink was uniquely designed with many tattoo-like special paintings on its walls and ceilings. It was quite enough to hear conversations from other tables, however, there isn’t any excitement that young people are looking for. It was little boring. Because of family-style menus and seats, this place was filled with mostly working people in their 30s and families.

After the dinner, our group headed to the City of Davis where the night life is alive and packed with young people. We walked around several blocks for an hour to catch the street aroma. We finally landed at Mishka’s Cafe, where we had a serious encounter with young people which lasted more than 2 hours of long conversation about church and God, with full of debates, agreements and laughings. We became friends each other as both parties approached each other with love of Christ which was surrounded and covered us throughout our encounter. We exchanged our phone numbers and prayed together on the side of street around 11 pm before departing each other. What an awesome and unexpected gathering planed by God!!

There were plenty of harvest (fishes) on the every street of Davis downtown. Maybe our Macedonia is Davis rather than Midtown!!

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9, NIV

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” – John 3:36, ESV

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” – Romans 1:18, ESV

Additional report will be coming soon . . . (now in preparation by Sacha)

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“Never Once” by One Sonic Society

Third Leadership Training: Discernment Team Workshop on July 19, 2014, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm in Elk Grove, CA

Task Two: Discerning the vision

Scriptures: Luke 15:11-32 / Eph. 3:14-19

We gathered around 7:30 pm at our backyard in Elk Grove to start with BBQ birthday party for Sacha (one of our young leaders). After the dinner, we gathered inside again to blow Sacha’s 21st birthday cake and to be ready for the leadership workshop.

Step One: Developing A Heart For Those God Loves

The questions are:

– What does it mean to you to “love as God loves”?
– How can you increase your capacity to love as God does?

One of us said that putting others first before us is to love as God loves. Like Jesus who crucified for our sins, we have to follow His footstep to sacrifice for others. It will take a long journey and lots of practices for us to naturally sacrifice or do unconditional love for others. As we start sharing our love that we received from God for others unconditionally, not only people will start realizing God through our words and actions, but also we will increase our capacity to love as God does. It takes one step at a time to increase His love in our hearts.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30, ESV)

We must decrease ourselves while increasing Christ in our daily life to be able to win those who are hard to reach out.

Many times, we are acting like the older brother although we were called to be His children as we wandered around like younger brother. We need to embrace those who are not believing yet with unconditional love to win their souls because God loved us first (1 John 4:19).

God wants all of people in the world to be saved through our acts of love because all of them are created in His image and prodigal sons and daughters of His kingdom. Let us continue praying for those who around us who are not-yet-Christians. Let us also pray for those who are suffering with persecution and famine all over the world. Let God’s love cover all of men in the world so that there will be peace and love abundantly flourishing before the Coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

How can we demonstrate love of Jesus to others? How can we increase our capacity to love as God does?

1. Do good to others.
2. Bless others.
3. Pray for others.
4. Turn the other cheek.
5. Give without expecting anything in return.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – Eph. 3:14-19, ESV

 

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“You Are I Am” by MercyMe

Second Leadership Training: Discernment Team Workshop on July 6, 2014, 7 pm – 10:30 pm in Granite Bay, CA

Scriptures: Matt. 16:13-25 & Acts 15:36-41, NRSV

7 of our leaders (plus one guest) gathered at our worship minister’s home in Granite Bay. We spent over 3 hours of workshop to complete the “Step Two: Who Do You Say I Am” and “Step Three: All On The Same Page.”

After meditating the Scripture verses (Matt. 16:13-25), We discussed the Peter’s ‘getting i’ and Peter being ‘stumbling block.’ We agreed that we were/are all like Peter who was very spiritual at one moment and very flesh at the other moment. As we struggle with our own agenda, worldly desire and flesh things, we lose the mission as Christians. Rather than prioritizing Jesus, we tend to focus on our own priority.

Each shared who Jesus is and most of us said Jesus is everything of our life as Redeemer, Savior and Healer who we only can trust. To spread the Gospel to non-believers, we have act like Jesus. Without love, sacrifice, and suffering, we cannot be true blessings or blessed ones (makarios in Greek) to others. The only and most effective way to win a soul is to become like mom and dad who give love to their children. Lots of young people miss the true love that heals broken hearts and restores relationship. We also have another duty to restore the reputation of church by spreading the love of Christ, not by the mouth only but with proactive action. Love heals all.

The church (or fellowship of Christians) should be the community of love. When we share our true love to non-believers continuously, they will find the church as their haven and home to grow spiritually. We don’t have to tell who Jesus is directly to non-believers if we are able to show His love through us. Love builds relationship and Jesus can be best presented through our deeper love toward others. Jesus is love!

When we have disagreement in the community of faith, we have to do our best to resolve spiritually to avoid divisions and hurts. As we are guided by the Holy Spirit in every decision-making matter, we will become a great team whether we work together or work individually. The key to the blessed ministry is great team work followed by deeper prayer and love, which is work of the Holy Spirit.

These are the questions and missions that each one of us will pursue as we build a foundation for the Fellowship of Mosaics.

Who is Jesus?, What is Church? What is a witness? What is gospel? What is a disciple?

What is our missions?

Gen Xers should delegate more missions to Millennials (aka Mosaic Generation or Mosaics) as they are the most effective evangelists to their own peer group. Gen Xers should act like “mom” and “dad” who mentor and coach continually behind as Millennials seek love and protection. Gen Xers are responsible to heal the broken generation as healers of Jesus Christ. Love heals everything.

As Gen Xers and Millennials work together as a team, more and more Mosaics will come to know Christ.

Let us keep the fire burning and spreading for the salvation of Mosaics so that the Kingdom of God is expanded and the gospel of Christ will reach the end of the world.

Maranata Jesus!

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39, NRSV

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“This I Believe (The Creed)” by Hillsong Worship

“One Thing Remains” by Jesus Culture

 

<A picture from our Saturday worship service on June 28, 2014 at Parkview Church Social Hall>

God is not only seeking a prepared person but also prepares a person who is ready to serve Him. 

One thing I learned from ministry is that a leader keeps his/her time, words, and missions with God and others. 

Stewardship is all about managing everything (gifts, time, provisions, missions, etc) according to His will and surrendering oneself to God all the time for His glory so that God can use him/her as His instrument over and over again.

Without separating oneself with the world, it is very hard to serve the Lord, Jesus.

I pray that God will use the Fellowship of Mosaics to reach out the Millennials effectively as Satan is stealing their hearts in these days. May God bring more faithful servants to the Fellowship of Mosaics so that our ministry spheres will be expanded and more people will be saved for the glory of God. Let our worship music and preaching to be pleasing aroma to God!