This is a less than ten minute segment from the workshop at Mission Connexion 2011 called "Local Collaboration as Gospel Expression"

Executive Director, Milan Homola, talks about the ways in which we communicate truth and how it impacts the reception of that truth. He then combines the gospel communication with the mode of communication being local church collaboration. Also some thoughts on Abraham Lincoln and how his passion for unity can speak to the 21st century church.

It is a foundational principle of Compassion Connect and more importantly what we see God doing around the world.

Many people when asked about Christianity find reasons to shun it at the mention of one person or another.  Their definition of Christianity is often tainted by their view of one charismatic leader who ended up in jail, who molested children, or embezzled money.  Too often the face of Christianity is not a united body of believers in a community but individual leaders who had the ambition to be the "face" of Christianity and then fell under their own pride.

Abraham Lincoln made an observation about the power of one individual with real genius and charismatic ability; and in contrast the role of a united community in keeping the selfish ambition of the one in check.  I was amazed at how true these words ring for our culture today....

Have you ever considered the concepts and words that Lincoln used in the Gettysburg Address (full text below)?  Take the consideration of those words and then bounce them off the historical context in which they were delivered.

The Civil war was a war that had multiple causes, but one major division was over slave states and non-slave states.  The issue of slavery, it is fair to say, was a "hot button" social topic.  It was at the top of political rhetoric, debates, and public life(just look at the content of the Lincoln v. Douglas debates)

If this is such a huge social issue you would think a great political leader would utilize that force to make his speeches all the more relevant and meaningful...

I asked in a recent workshop I was teaching "how many of you love history?" Only a few raised their hands and most of them were over 50 :)

I love learning more and more about people of history, especially those leaders who lived in divided times and had to navigate through the mine fields as they waved the banner of unity and collaboration.

My love for history drove me to a book about Lincoln's words in his Gettysburg Address. Other than the fact that the Gettysburg Address was delivered on my birthday 118 years prior to my birth, I've been drawn to its punctuated potency.

The book, Lincoln at Gettysburg, has helped me discover a couple pieces of gold that lend wisdom to our current work of bringing local churches together to act as The Church.  I hope to share those with you in a short 3 blog series, the first of which I will share below.

Happy New Year from Stonereek! I hope you all had a great holiday season celebrating with family and friends.
I’m excited about how 2010 wrapped up here at Stonecreek and how God is beginning to mold 2011. On December 18th we had a great time at our first potluck held here since I moved in last May. We had about 20-25 residents and six church volunteers there. Our partner church provided the main course and dessert and we asked the neighbors to bring side dishes as well as participate in a cookie exchange. One of our church volunteers brought his guitar which really helped set the tone. The neighbors loved listening to him play. One of my neighbors lost his best friend in a police involved shooting just a few days before the potluck. He and several family members came that night and I was so moved at the loving response the church gave to him. Towards the end of the evening he pulled me aside and asked me if after the first of the year I would be willing to read the Bible with him for an hour a week. We met for the first time this past week which was great just to learn a bit more about his life and journey with “church”.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities
ACI Benefit Concert Friday,
January 28th @ 7:00 p.m.
The Chapel, Troutdale, OR
You will hear from other teams, support ACI and hear some great bands.

Craft Night Friday, Feb. 4th @ 7:00 p.m.
in the Rec. Room
We are continuing our monthly craft night. It’s the first Friday of every month.  We are hoping to have a movie night here in the Rec. Room in mid-February. More details to come.

• I’m looking for a male volunteer to join me weekly to read the Bible with my neighbor. It’s an opportunity to develop a relationship with a man who I believe is truly seeking God in his life. We will be starting in the book of John. If you or anyone you know might be interested to meet one afternoon a week for about an hour please let me know!

Four years ago, along with good friends and the support of my church community, I began acting on a conviction to live out the values of our Christian faith more fully. Not on a two-week overseas mission trip, not once a month at a soup kitchen for the homeless, but daily in our immediate community.

Up until that point, I was king of my life, where safety and comfort were the edict of my kingdom. But as I pursued the Christian faith, it humbled me from this throne that was not mine to claim. My faith invited me to submit my life to be a part of something greater then myself, which consequently meant abandoning my own aspirations for safety and comfort.

This is what led us, and many Christians, to identify intentionally with the poor. It is not required for acceptance in the faith, but I don't think one should be surprised when Christians do choose to reach out to the downtrodden of their community, even at great personal risk to themselves....