Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, April 28, 2008
NON-CON: TESTIMONIALS
I've got a few testimonials from the first Non-Con last March and I'll slowly post some of them here over the next few days.
Here's one from "Steve"
Non-Con Testimony
Last week, my wife and I attended the first ever Non-Con in Costa Mesa. It bills itself as a one-day event for people who don’t like conferences. Folks just like me!
We arrived early at the SoulSurvivor Church, a partially renovated North Face store in one of Costa Mesa’s shopping malls. The morning session kicked off at 10, after check-in and a delicious breakfast of bagels and coffee.
Worship leader/songwriter/church planter David Ruis spoke first. As well as being an excellent musician, David is a dynamic storyteller. He related an incident that occurred on a trip to India. As he was meeting with a group of Indian pastors, he sensed God telling them to ‘remember the poor’. Needless to say, he felt very uncomfortable speaking this out, since they WERE the poor! Finally, he plucked up the courage, and was amazed as many of these humble leaders began weeping. At first, David thought he had offended them, but realized that they each knew folks who were worse off than them. These poor pastors were repenting.
David’s session - focused on the centrality of the poor in the church’s identity - left my head reeling. Good thing we had a long lunch. I needed a couple of hours to begin processing it all. As you might imagine, there were some intense conversations over the meal.
After lunch, we all took off for a variety of workshops, scattered throughout the store… um, church. My wife joined the discussion on the place of artists in church, while I squeezed into a crowded session grandly titled 'The Myth of the Emerging Church'. This was an informal conversation between a guy called Paul Martin, the former pastor of SoulSurvivor, and Spencer Burke, who runs an emerging church website called theooze.com (I was familiar with Spencer through my dad, so I wanted to hear his take on this whole alternative church movement).
Unfortunately, the workshops were only an hour, which barely left time for the ‘conversationalists’ to introduce themselves with a bit of personal history and scrape the surface of their respective points of view.
Keith Giles, the Non-Con organizer, drew us all back to the main space as he shared his experience of starting up an ‘organic’ home church. After being pastor of a traditional church, Keith left to try something new, outside of his comfort zone. Together with his family and small group of home church members, Keith regularly schedules interactive events with underprivileged folks living in local motels.
By 5:00pm I was ready to hit the feeding trough again, and once more, the Non-Conners did us proud! (I still can’t figure out how they managed to keep the cost of the event to just $40.00 – I imagine that hardly covered the cost of food).
Jackie Pullinger was our speaker for the evening session. As a young woman, Jackie went alone to work with the poorest of the poor in Hong Kong’s ‘Walled City’; a calling she is still living out. Her stories of God meeting people in the most miserable physical conditions were both heart-breaking and inspirational. Jackie speaks her mind, and her blunt and honest answers to the questions we asked often felt like body blows: “Don’t come and practice on OUR poor. Seek out the poor right in your own neighborhood.” – Ouch!
My heart and head were buzzing on the drive home. They still are. I am currently struggling with one overwhelming question: what now?
Here's one from "Steve"
Non-Con Testimony
Last week, my wife and I attended the first ever Non-Con in Costa Mesa. It bills itself as a one-day event for people who don’t like conferences. Folks just like me!
We arrived early at the SoulSurvivor Church, a partially renovated North Face store in one of Costa Mesa’s shopping malls. The morning session kicked off at 10, after check-in and a delicious breakfast of bagels and coffee.
Worship leader/songwriter/church planter David Ruis spoke first. As well as being an excellent musician, David is a dynamic storyteller. He related an incident that occurred on a trip to India. As he was meeting with a group of Indian pastors, he sensed God telling them to ‘remember the poor’. Needless to say, he felt very uncomfortable speaking this out, since they WERE the poor! Finally, he plucked up the courage, and was amazed as many of these humble leaders began weeping. At first, David thought he had offended them, but realized that they each knew folks who were worse off than them. These poor pastors were repenting.
David’s session - focused on the centrality of the poor in the church’s identity - left my head reeling. Good thing we had a long lunch. I needed a couple of hours to begin processing it all. As you might imagine, there were some intense conversations over the meal.
After lunch, we all took off for a variety of workshops, scattered throughout the store… um, church. My wife joined the discussion on the place of artists in church, while I squeezed into a crowded session grandly titled 'The Myth of the Emerging Church'. This was an informal conversation between a guy called Paul Martin, the former pastor of SoulSurvivor, and Spencer Burke, who runs an emerging church website called theooze.com (I was familiar with Spencer through my dad, so I wanted to hear his take on this whole alternative church movement).
Unfortunately, the workshops were only an hour, which barely left time for the ‘conversationalists’ to introduce themselves with a bit of personal history and scrape the surface of their respective points of view.
Keith Giles, the Non-Con organizer, drew us all back to the main space as he shared his experience of starting up an ‘organic’ home church. After being pastor of a traditional church, Keith left to try something new, outside of his comfort zone. Together with his family and small group of home church members, Keith regularly schedules interactive events with underprivileged folks living in local motels.
By 5:00pm I was ready to hit the feeding trough again, and once more, the Non-Conners did us proud! (I still can’t figure out how they managed to keep the cost of the event to just $40.00 – I imagine that hardly covered the cost of food).
Jackie Pullinger was our speaker for the evening session. As a young woman, Jackie went alone to work with the poorest of the poor in Hong Kong’s ‘Walled City’; a calling she is still living out. Her stories of God meeting people in the most miserable physical conditions were both heart-breaking and inspirational. Jackie speaks her mind, and her blunt and honest answers to the questions we asked often felt like body blows: “Don’t come and practice on OUR poor. Seek out the poor right in your own neighborhood.” – Ouch!
My heart and head were buzzing on the drive home. They still are. I am currently struggling with one overwhelming question: what now?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
NON-CON: PODCASTS & MP3'S ONLINE NOW
NON-CON: PODCASTS & MP3'S ONLINE NOW
All 3 main sessions from our first ever NON-CON are now online for free download.
You can either go online to ITunes and find our [Subversive Underground] Podcast page to download the free MP3's to your computer or IPod, OR you can go to
THIS
website and download the same 3 sessions as MP3 files.
For those who choose the ITunes podcast option keep in mind that we will be uploading new podcasts to that page throughout the year.
Details about the new [Subversive Underground] Podcast coming soon...
kg
All 3 main sessions from our first ever NON-CON are now online for free download.
You can either go online to ITunes and find our [Subversive Underground] Podcast page to download the free MP3's to your computer or IPod, OR you can go to
THIS
website and download the same 3 sessions as MP3 files.
For those who choose the ITunes podcast option keep in mind that we will be uploading new podcasts to that page throughout the year.
Details about the new [Subversive Underground] Podcast coming soon...
kg
Monday, March 24, 2008
Support For Jackie Pullinger and St. Stephen's Society
Many people have been asking me how they can financially support the work that Jackie Pullinger and others are doing for the poor in Hong Kong.
Jackie herself has asked that no one send money to her if they are not first helping their own poor. This means she would prefer that you discover who your poor are, those who live in poverty in your own city and your own community, and help them and love them and serve them first of all.
If, in addition to serving the poor in your community ("Your Poor"), you would like to send financial assistance to Jackie and those who are helping her to serve the poor in Hong Kong, here are the instructions for doing so:
"For those sending checks from the United States, you can send them through the Desert Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1011 E Avenue I, Lancaster CA 93535, USA. These checks will need to be made out to the Desert Vineyard with a note that they are designated for us (St. Stephen's Society).
"These donations are tax deductible through the Desert Vineyard. Be sure to address all correspondence to the attention of CAROLYNE GUY."
Jackie herself has asked that no one send money to her if they are not first helping their own poor. This means she would prefer that you discover who your poor are, those who live in poverty in your own city and your own community, and help them and love them and serve them first of all.
If, in addition to serving the poor in your community ("Your Poor"), you would like to send financial assistance to Jackie and those who are helping her to serve the poor in Hong Kong, here are the instructions for doing so:
"For those sending checks from the United States, you can send them through the Desert Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1011 E Avenue I, Lancaster CA 93535, USA. These checks will need to be made out to the Desert Vineyard with a note that they are designated for us (St. Stephen's Society).
"These donations are tax deductible through the Desert Vineyard. Be sure to address all correspondence to the attention of CAROLYNE GUY."
Friday, March 21, 2008
Non-Con: "God Calling" (Testimonial)
I invited people to stand up and receive prayer if they felt God was calling them to take steps towards caring for the poor in their community.
As one couple stood, his cell phone rang. It was an accidental call from a friend who explained she was looking for someone to help a single Mom with kids who needed help paying rent, etc.
Of course, the man had just stood up to say "Yes" already so he agreed to offer assistance to this woman in need whom he had never met.
As he hung up he realized he'd been set up. But he was set up by God, which made it even more amazing.
-kg
As one couple stood, his cell phone rang. It was an accidental call from a friend who explained she was looking for someone to help a single Mom with kids who needed help paying rent, etc.
Of course, the man had just stood up to say "Yes" already so he agreed to offer assistance to this woman in need whom he had never met.
As he hung up he realized he'd been set up. But he was set up by God, which made it even more amazing.
-kg
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE NON-CON
Living Epistles known and read of all men
by Bob and Sharon Moffat
Everytime we attend a meeting where there is a childlike expectation for the Spirit of Jesus to come and walk among us as He did among the golden church lampstands (Rev.1), He is always faithful to bring the Kingdom near – always.
God’s presence more than anything is “the” defining element when we gather, and because of that, the subject matter we share and discuss is animated with His power and creative purpose beyond the capabilities we carry in and of ourselves. And since we gathered in His name, and since God visited us, ministry with the poor in the context of the Kingdom became paramount.
The Lord’s directive to us was by the Spirit, not because all the right words were said by honorable people, but because we labored together with Him. It was truly a joy to see everyone look to the speakers and to each other to hear the Lord’s voice.
I must say that the format of the meeting kept the normal distractions and hype from getting in the way, which let a beautiful kind of flow of friendship and kindred spirit make it’s way about during the workshop and fellowship times.
It was beautiful to watch.
Seeing and meeting Jackie and Margaret, also had a big impact on Sharon and I. Perhaps this was a once in a lifetime chance to see those chosen saints. I know Jackie absolutely does not like being the center of attention, but I kept hearing in my spirit the apostle Paul’s statement “…we have become a spectacle to the world, both to men and angels” (1 Cor.4:9).
Like many, I have read the Bible, and all the good deeper life books, and listened/watched endless hours of media on various topics of being a fruitful Christian. But the generation before me did not know the ways of God, and consequently, they passed down nothing of the kingdom to me the way Jesus demonstrated it to the apostles, and the way they devoted themselves to passing it along to those after them. So, much of my journey has been spent trying to figure out what the true scriptural kingdom of God looks like in real life in my generation and culture.
I have read and watched/listened to media about Jackie’s story and journey, and how by grace and great favor, she lived out the sermon on the mount and became the incarnate Word to those around her. And now to meet her face to face after all these years, I see that she is a chosen spectacle to the world of how God demonstrates His unchangeableness, and how He wants all of us to live and move and have our being in Him – with abandonment. She is a living epistle, known and read by all men, “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God” (2 Cor.3:2-3).
We walked away from the Non-Con seeing how God wants us to be living epistles to each other, because it goes way beyond our mental ability and resolve to find and apply all the bible facts and principles to do what He only can do as He daily writes upon our hearts “… not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God”.
Bob and Sharon Moffat
by Bob and Sharon Moffat
Everytime we attend a meeting where there is a childlike expectation for the Spirit of Jesus to come and walk among us as He did among the golden church lampstands (Rev.1), He is always faithful to bring the Kingdom near – always.
God’s presence more than anything is “the” defining element when we gather, and because of that, the subject matter we share and discuss is animated with His power and creative purpose beyond the capabilities we carry in and of ourselves. And since we gathered in His name, and since God visited us, ministry with the poor in the context of the Kingdom became paramount.
The Lord’s directive to us was by the Spirit, not because all the right words were said by honorable people, but because we labored together with Him. It was truly a joy to see everyone look to the speakers and to each other to hear the Lord’s voice.
I must say that the format of the meeting kept the normal distractions and hype from getting in the way, which let a beautiful kind of flow of friendship and kindred spirit make it’s way about during the workshop and fellowship times.
It was beautiful to watch.
Seeing and meeting Jackie and Margaret, also had a big impact on Sharon and I. Perhaps this was a once in a lifetime chance to see those chosen saints. I know Jackie absolutely does not like being the center of attention, but I kept hearing in my spirit the apostle Paul’s statement “…we have become a spectacle to the world, both to men and angels” (1 Cor.4:9).
Like many, I have read the Bible, and all the good deeper life books, and listened/watched endless hours of media on various topics of being a fruitful Christian. But the generation before me did not know the ways of God, and consequently, they passed down nothing of the kingdom to me the way Jesus demonstrated it to the apostles, and the way they devoted themselves to passing it along to those after them. So, much of my journey has been spent trying to figure out what the true scriptural kingdom of God looks like in real life in my generation and culture.
I have read and watched/listened to media about Jackie’s story and journey, and how by grace and great favor, she lived out the sermon on the mount and became the incarnate Word to those around her. And now to meet her face to face after all these years, I see that she is a chosen spectacle to the world of how God demonstrates His unchangeableness, and how He wants all of us to live and move and have our being in Him – with abandonment. She is a living epistle, known and read by all men, “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God” (2 Cor.3:2-3).
We walked away from the Non-Con seeing how God wants us to be living epistles to each other, because it goes way beyond our mental ability and resolve to find and apply all the bible facts and principles to do what He only can do as He daily writes upon our hearts “… not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God”.
Bob and Sharon Moffat
Monday, March 17, 2008
NON-CON: DEBRIEFING
NON-CON: DE-BRIEF
It's impossible for me to summarize all the amazing stuff that God did on Saturday at our first-ever Non-Con here in Costa Mesa, but let me simply say that it was off the charts, over the top, 100% amazing and more than I could have ever hoped for or dreamed of or imagined.
How's that?
I'd like to ask everyone who attended to send me an email about what God did in your life this weekend, and any photos you took during the day or thoughts you could share with everyone else will be posted over at www.Non-Con.com over the next few weeks.
I want to thank David Ruis, Jackie Pullinger, John Thomas, Cindy Rethmeier, Crissy Brooks, Marti Clark, Spencer Burke, Paul Martin, Scott Laumann, Heather Wright and Bill Burgess for their investment in this day and their part in facilitating what God wanted to do in the lives of everyone who was there.
Many people came up throughout the day and at the end of the day to thank me for putting this together and many asked about how they could do something just like it back home.
Watch for a "Start Your Own Non-Con" resource coming soon, either here and/or over at TheOoze.com going forward.
I can honestly say that all of the most amazing stuff that happened was absolutely nothing to do with me or what I had planned to happen. God showed up in powerful ways and totally blew us all away with His amazing presence, love, heart, and power.
People were challenged, inspired, tweaked, humbled, broken, encouraged and set free.
I can't even begin to entertain the possibility of doing another one next year, or to talk about the possible "Art-Con" later this Fall. Right now I'm simply astounded by what God did on Saturday and excited beyond words about what He will continue to do in the lives of each of us as we return to our mission field, our lives, our churches, and start to practice what God has shown us and taught us.
Please email photos and testimonials to me at
"elysiansky" at (hotmail) dot com.
Blessings,
kg
It's impossible for me to summarize all the amazing stuff that God did on Saturday at our first-ever Non-Con here in Costa Mesa, but let me simply say that it was off the charts, over the top, 100% amazing and more than I could have ever hoped for or dreamed of or imagined.
How's that?
I'd like to ask everyone who attended to send me an email about what God did in your life this weekend, and any photos you took during the day or thoughts you could share with everyone else will be posted over at www.Non-Con.com over the next few weeks.
I want to thank David Ruis, Jackie Pullinger, John Thomas, Cindy Rethmeier, Crissy Brooks, Marti Clark, Spencer Burke, Paul Martin, Scott Laumann, Heather Wright and Bill Burgess for their investment in this day and their part in facilitating what God wanted to do in the lives of everyone who was there.
Many people came up throughout the day and at the end of the day to thank me for putting this together and many asked about how they could do something just like it back home.
Watch for a "Start Your Own Non-Con" resource coming soon, either here and/or over at TheOoze.com going forward.
I can honestly say that all of the most amazing stuff that happened was absolutely nothing to do with me or what I had planned to happen. God showed up in powerful ways and totally blew us all away with His amazing presence, love, heart, and power.
People were challenged, inspired, tweaked, humbled, broken, encouraged and set free.
I can't even begin to entertain the possibility of doing another one next year, or to talk about the possible "Art-Con" later this Fall. Right now I'm simply astounded by what God did on Saturday and excited beyond words about what He will continue to do in the lives of each of us as we return to our mission field, our lives, our churches, and start to practice what God has shown us and taught us.
Please email photos and testimonials to me at
"elysiansky" at (hotmail) dot com.
Blessings,
kg
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