NetworkVine - Mickey and Suzy Mooney

a personal testimony to the power of God / prayer

2009-12-22T13:21:00.001-06:00

Greetings everyone! It has been quite some time since our last post. I am trying to write only when I feel particularly led to do so. This morning was such the occasion.

I want to call your attention to a young lady who will spend Christmas in Vanderbilt Hospital. She has endured complications with a pregnancy that put her in the hospital 24 weeks into her carry - well short of her April due date. She is expected to stay there for a minimum of 10 weeks provided all goes well. This past Saturday she had a scare where she was rushed to delivery and preparation was made to take the baby. The odds of survival for the baby (Isabella) were grim. In a matter of minutes prayer began to spread thru family, friends, friends of friends, workplaces, etc. There was overwhelming evidence of infection that threatened both the baby and mother. In the delivery room there was a sudden change of events. They decided not to take the baby, ....but to wait.... and observe.... Over the course of the ensuing hours the evidence of infection dissipated leaving the staff dumbfounded. The following morning she was returned to her room Following is a email I received from this young lady in her own words:

..... I had a conversation with my nurses about my "scare" last night and my thoughts and feelings about it. I told them I was a Christian and that I truly believed God is the one pulling me thru all of this....especially the other night when the Dr. had specifically said..."I cannot document anything. There is no explanation to be given" (in reference to the problem going away). In Paul (her husband) and my eyes I believe it was the hands of God showing us that he can make things happen!! A miracle if that makes sense! On the way over to labor and delivery that night thinking that I was going to have a baby....I laid on my bed, closed my eyes, crying and began to pray! I asked God for his will to be done whatever that be...Izzy come, Izzy not come, Izzy survive or not!! I truly left it in His hands! It was such a comfort to do that!! When I got to the room minutes later and they told me we were just going to be monitored and no delivery....I prayed again. I told Him that if this change was all because of Him...I would not question why we had to be scared to such an extent but instead Thanked Him for being ever so present and faithful!!

I have truly found a relationship with God that I have never had before!! I thought you might enjoy my sharing....you have been such an influence for me and my walk with God and I thank you and Him for that! I love you dad!!

O.K. - the cat is out of the bag... the young lady is my dear daughter! I thought you might be encouraged by this personal story during the Christmas season. Please continue to pray for Danyel and "Izzy".

looking forward,

Mickey & Suzy Mooney
www.networkvine.org

men's retreat 2009!

2009-10-06T11:42:00.002-05:00

Men’s Retreat – Oct. 23-25 - Tennessee

It is that time of year again. Men from around the region (and farther) will gather at the cabin for the 3rd annual weekend of intense fellowship and exchange.

This year my friend Paul Byerly from Oregon will join us. Paul, along with his wife Lori, manages the House2House website. If you have attended the national house church conference over the last few years you would have seen them working tirelessly at the bookstore! Also, you may have observed Paul as part of the Diversity Team. Now just to be clear – Paul is not coming as a featured speaker or such. He simply received the newsletter and believed strongly the Lord wanted him to come. You see this retreat is not about enticing you to a pre-prepared indoctrination session. Each attendee will have a unique relationship with God and a unique perspective on what the Father is doing and saying. You have a treasure inside you. That treasure is the light your Creator shines into your heart and the Life He brings to you. I humbly ask that you like Paul Byerly, prayerfully ask the Father if you should attend. You may be the earthen vessel that contains the very treasure someone needs on that weekend. We especially long for those who have never attended (and don’t really know many there) to be a risk-taker and come! It is the risk-taker that God often chooses to bring His agenda to the world! This will be an interactive gathering where each will share. It is this cross-pollination of voices that makes this gathering special.

2 Cor. 4: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

In addition to the spiritual content – we promise you a simply enjoyable weekend! It will be great camping weather. The colors will be changing which will make for vivid scenery on the walking trails. We have put up a zip-line for those who are not faint at heart! If you want to tent camp (or bring a camper) there will be plenty of available sites. There will also be space available in the cabin and dining hall. Don’t be concerned about “not knowing anyone”. Several have come as strangers and left with a new collection of dear friends!

The only cost is for food. We ask, if possible, that each attendee kick in $20 to help cover food (and we always eat VERY well – amen).

What: Men’s Retreat
Where: 1645 Swor Rd.; Springville, Tn 38256
When: Fri evening Oct 23rd thru Sunday lunch Oct 25th, 2009
How: by plane, train, and automobile!
Why: because we sense the Lord wants us to!

on hospitality......

2009-07-20T13:54:00.001-05:00

Often times there are obscure spiritual principles that, if violated or ignored, impact our quality of life. One such principle has to do with hospitality.

Our culture is increasingly individualistic and impersonal. We hide in the cocoon of our home, sit in anonymity at large church services, use the ATM, and shop and pay bills from our computer. Terms such as personal pan pizza, personal watercraft, personal trainer, etc are earmarks of our culture.

Have you ever considered the demise of the art of hospitality? Back when we lead a institutional church I was amazed at the number of people that never invited us into their homes. I later learned that some never allowed anyone to come thru their doors. This seemed odd to us since we regularly had 50-60 of our closest friends over for cookouts, hayrides, etc.

I find it interesting that Peter lists hospitality as paramount in view of “the end of all things being near”.

1 Peter 4:7-9 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Paul writes to both Timothy and Titus and instructs them on how to identify leaders. He lists “one who shows hospitality” on both accounts.

I encourage you to stand against the stream of culture and invest yourself in hospitality. So what if a few potato chips get ground in your carpet. You will discover a rich connection with the heart of God!

mickey mooney
www.networkvine.org

on wounds....

2009-07-13T15:42:00.002-05:00

I’m really not interested in going down in the basement and digging holes…..(which seems a good illustration for focus on past wounds). However, I firmly believe in the traveling influence of past emotional daggers. Our lives seem to leave a debris trail of emotional scars that make navigation of life difficult. We tend, unconsciously, to navigate around obstacles that have a familiar feeling of “having been there before”. Many years ago I experienced a broken marriage that produced much pain and regret. A decade was spent avoiding relationships with women due to the association of pain with the feminine. This is only a example of the type of wound that can influence relationships for extended periods of time.

I understand the concept of risk / reward, yet that truth can be overwhelmed by risk / punishment thinking. Humanity finds it much easier to hide from or avoid pain and settle for losing any potential reward that risk might bring. It is often easier to avoid relationships (and their joys) than take the risk of being hurt.

Since relationships carry risk, relationships are usually the most common culprit of pain. The more relationships one maintains, the larger the pool of potential wounding (and, yes, the more potential reward - however that is not the point of this writing). Since church is “relationships” there can be no greater landscape for wounding than ecclesia.

I was recently urged by the Lord to examine my internal wounds. With some exceptions, wounds that drive my life were overwhelmingly experienced in church. The ghosts of past broken relationships haunt my sub-conscience and alter relationships in present time. I am quick to admit that many of those broken relationships fall squarely on my shoulders. The compulsion to accomplish certain objectives often overrides wisdom and compassion. It is easy to look back and see where different decisions, kinder words, or greater understanding could have softened situations and altered outcomes.

The fear of future conflict immobilizes needed interaction and impedes my ability to operate in my design. At the heart level I am a non-conformist and reactionary. For whatever reasons, that design is at the core of who God made me to be. If I am to “get along” in Christian society then I must cool my jets, sit quietly, and be a good little boy. That course, however, takes the color out of life and leaves me empty. The picture that comes to mind is the Lion sitting caged in a zoo, far from his divine intent.

For the past 6 months I have not written articles, posted blogs, or pursued relationships. This was due, at least in part, to various adverse communications. I have withdrawn into a cave of obscurity and hid from Christiandom. As I attempt to emerge (and shield my eyes from the bright lights of reality) I accept that nothing has changed and the battle still rages. Do I have the heart to be enjoined in the battle? I see no other choice.....

mickey

eternal purpose...

2009-04-22T13:33:00.002-05:00

....but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. Numbers 14:21 (do you believe this will be a reality?)

It is easy to lose sight of our Fathers eternal purpose. He is up to something and will carry out His purpose (s). We can easily get consumed by present distress and lose heart and sight of the steady March toward the consumation of God's Desire. What is His desire? Paul wrote the following to the church at Ephesus.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him Eph 3:8-12

Yes, we have been given an assignment as His extension on earth (His body - He is the Head). His wisdom is to become visable thru us to a lost world. And, believe it our not, the world anxiously awaits that reality ( For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. - Rom. 8:19) It will be His grace that carries this out. I simply want to remind us that, in the end, when the author steps on stage and the play is complete - that Truth will be found ruling and reigning and we will be by His side (I encourage you to read Psalms 2). No matter how bleak things may look, no matter how impossible His objective may seem from your perspective; His Glory will fill the earth; His Wisdom will be displayed; He will Reign and His Kingdom will endure forever!

Thanks for listening!
mickey mooney www.networkvine.org

passover seder...

2009-03-12T17:18:00.001-05:00

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. 5:7-8

Greetings from Paris, Tn! As I write this it is snowing here. It was 80 deg. 2 days ago....(keeps us guessing). Yet, the buttercups are in bloom and there are signs of spring in the air. Spring always brings such promise. Gardeners begin to think about getting seed in the ground; the early adopters crank mowers and attack grass that really doesn't need mowing; people emerge from their winter cocoons and initiate those exterior projects that have laid dormant all winter; ahhh spring.....

I used to think Easter. In my continued paradigm shift I now favor Passover. It was in the Passover setting that Jesus began to unfold the significance of who He was to his followers. He used the elements of the ceremonial meal to paint a picture of His purpose. As He would lift each element He explained how it pointed to Him, the Lamb that was to be slain as a offering for the world He loved. (I have tears well in my eyes at simply typing that last sentence).

This year Passover begins at sundown on April 9th. Many Jews around the world will celebrate the Exodus from Egypt while many Christians simultaneously celebrate their exodus from their spiritual captivity in the worlds system. One is shadow, the other substance. If you are out of our region consider researching the Passover Seder and experiencing this with your family and friends.

If you are in our region:

Suzy & I (and all of our friends and family that help prepare) would like to extend you a invitation to celebrate Passover with us on Sat., April 11th. I know this is not the "correct" date (we don't do this out of some religious obligation... we are not Jews and are not compelled to live like Jews!) However we cherish the beauty and significance of a Passover Seder. If you have never experienced a Seder, your first may well be your best! It is full of symbolism that has often been lost to the gentile church.

Where: The cabin, 1645 Swor Rd. Springville, Tn 38256 (10 miles south of Paris via Hwy 641)

When: Sat. April 11th. 7:00pm - come anytime prior and hang out for the day. If you want to stay at the cabin (or camp out) that would be great! The cabin will be open Friday - Sunday for any that want to use it. There is plenty of space for tents, etc.

What: We will share a big feast! In the midst of the feast we will introduce the "Passover Seder" plate and live out the traditional ceremony. Afterwards, there will be plenty of time for conversation and "catching up".

We will need RSVPs in order to know how many to prepare for. Please email me ASAP so we can begin a head count. Also, let me know if you plan on staying either Fri. or Sat. night and if you plan to camp or use the cabin (there are motels within 10 -12 miles if preferred)

mickey & suzy mooney
www.networkvine.org

collective listening....

2009-02-10T16:59:00.002-06:00

www.networkvine.org

collective listening….

Growing up in the south I was enamored with quaint catch phrases. Most actually have roots in simple human wisdom. I am particularly fond of observations like “two heads are better than one, even if one is a pumpkin head” (of course I was always the “punkin’ head”). Scripture supports this “two heads” observation with statements like “truth is found in the abundance of counselors” or “The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter” (Acts 15). It is this exercise of collaboration that sparks this article.

Suzy & I have enjoyed numerous travels over the past few years. We have met (and continue to communicate with) many new friends within the simple church genre. We have noticed certain consistent themes and messages that seem to emerge from the various conversations. It is no surprise that the Holy Spirit speaks consistently, more so that we are actually able to hear well enough to affirm one another. To this end, I would like to report a number of issues that seem to invade conversations regularly during our travels. I will simply list the issues with a brief explanation. Each may be explored in more detail in future articles. I would enjoy your feedback on any of these topics IF the Lord has been speaking to you on them.

Simplification of life
Believers are being led to get out of debt, evaluate non-essentials, and learn contentment.
Quest for community
Believers are no longer content with a weekly meeting. There is a deep desire for relationships that extend beyond casual contact and into the realm of shared life.
Leading from the shadows
Leaders are giving up self promotion and embracing John the Baptists realization that “I must decrease, He must increase”. True leaders are resisting building their own kingdom and are focused on building His Kingdom no matter who gets credit. They also promote the following:
Priesthood of all believers
The doors have swung open for all believers to be full participants in ministry. Gatherings are no longer dominated by one voice but by a symphony of voices, each expressing their valuable interaction with their God. Men and women (emphasis on women) are being released into the full stream of their created bents.
Design
How are we made? What makes us tick? For too long your God breathed design has been suppressed in favor of churchian clones. Ministry was narrowly defined and most found themselves excluded unless they gave up who/what God designed them to be. Without giving way to “fallen desire” you might consider “Desire points to Design; Design points to Destiny” (Ex. 31:1-11)
Voice of the Lord
For years many segments of the church have believed the lie that God no longer speaks (except thru written scripture). This is a season of recapture of the Gift of His Voice. There is increased effort at intentional listening and discernment. The Holy Spirits’ role as communicator is once again bringing directive to the believer.
Initiative
Jesus repeatedly said He did nothing from His own initiative (John 5:30, 8:28, 8:42, 12:49, 14:10,). We are emerging from a era where well intentioned leaders initiating program after program and project after project without having been instructed to do so by the Holy Spirit. There is a increasing desire to only expend energy and resource if there is a strong sense of Gods specific directive.

If you made it this far, I thank you for your patience. Again, this list is just a sampling of repetitive issues we encounter. If He has been speaking to you on these or other related issues feel free to drop me a line.

Looking forward!

mickey mooney

desire fulfilled...

2009-01-26T15:00:00.001-06:00

...hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life... Prov. 13:12

It is easy to focus on the disapointments of life (most of us have ample supply to choose from). I will only stir a reminder of what we all know...that as we are renewed into Christs image, we become increasingly positive. Sometime the positive that presents itself can go virtually unnoticed if we allow the fog of disappointment to overshadow.

Today I would like to focus on a desire fulfilled. Most who know me know my passion to see the organic networking of Gods people. No institution. No mother ship orginization. No corporate 501c3 identity. Just believers relating to and working with other believers under the banner of Jesus. Nothing to join....no push to build a secondary entity...just believers drawn together by their mutual relationships with their Creator. It is toward this end that Suzy and I have labored over the last couple of years (particularly within the simple church expression). We (I) have often been frustrated and frankly ready to give up. Then there would be the stratigic email or phone call that put new wind in the sail. Today God unveiled the fog of disappointmet and showed me a glimpse of desire fulfilled. On Feb. 6-8 our friends from www.theway247.com are hosting a family retreat. As of this writting they have confirmed attendance from numerous expressions through out Tennessee and Kentucky. It will be a weekend of relationship building that (I trust) will result in future opportunitys to work together, pool resources, listen collectively, etc. Thanks to the Duncans and their Christ community for making this a reality. It brings me "tree of life" joy to see progress happening before our very eyes......Father, I pray that this Spirit of cooperation and the understanding of the need for extra-local relationships will extend through out your Kingdom. May your Kingdom continue to come....

For a link to the retreat flyer go to http://theway247.com/Retreat.html

mickey

being human.....

2009-01-12T13:51:00.001-06:00

Being a Tennessee Titans football fan I was taken back by my despondency at their loss this past Saturday. I know football is just a game and has no significance in the eternal scheme of things. I became quite perplexed (at myself) for the dark frame of mind that captivated me. As I attempted to understand my own ridiculous mental state I was thrust on a interesting journey of self perspective. I had planned on the Titans going to the Superbowl and had arranged my schedule so I could watch all games leading up to the big kuhuna. I came to grips with the reality that I spent much of my time looking forward to certain events or activities. If I have a golf date planned on Thursday I will begin to count down to it about Tuesday with the anticipation one has for finally reaching the cherry filling on a tart. It seems that I simply endure or pass time in pursuit of something pleasurable. I find that dread works much the same way. I am not a fan of doctor appointments, funerals, or weddings (anything formal for that matter). The dread I feel when approaching such occasions will occupy my consciousness until the dreaded event can be marked off my list as accomplished. I have been kicking myself for such attitudes until the Holy Spirit rescued me by way of bringing a scripture to mind.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

While the things that motivate me are often trivial (enjoying a tennis match or getting past a dental appointment) it is liberating to know that looking to, or even past, future events is simply human and God understands our humanness. What am I trying to say? I guess that I often have too unrealistic of expectation about my own spirituality. I often find myself at a place I feel I should have grown past. The truth is I am human and experience life as a human. I must correctly discern falleness and not give it permission. However, I must grant myself and others the luxury of being what we are. Human

mickey mooney

love hopes all things....

2008-12-16T12:58:00.001-06:00

Love hopes all things…

It is easy to be negative right now with economic tensions, moral decay, and seasonal distresses. Some people are just naturally more cheerful than others. We tend to want to hang with those who are upbeat more than the dark and down! Are we captives of our disposition or is there hope for change? As we move closer to Christ being formed in us I am convinced our disposition should improve. I want to briefly explore a few principles that point to this promise.

1 Cor. 13:4-7  Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

We find the suggestion here that walking in Love makes one hopeful. The hopeful person believes things will be better Even if circumstances don’t improve this person trusts they will come thru ok. Love produces a positive mode of endurance whatever life throws at us!

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things

Here we have practical instruction on how to avoid those dark places of mental captivity. I will avoid a lengthy unpacking as the passage is pretty much self explanatory!

mickey mooney
www.networkvine.org

empty locust shells....

2008-12-08T16:12:00.002-06:00

I now know they are called cicadas but as a kid we referred to them as locusts. They would emerge from their subterranean caverns and deafen the landscape with their screeching. The little brown carcases were abundant on trees and porch posts. I remember that we (as children) were somewhat timid about those threatening "bugs" firmly attached to the big hickory in the back yard. They looked so real. They had legs, bodies, heads...all of the tell-tell form of a vicious creepy-crawly. We would eventually learn that the "locusts" were long gone and had merely left behind their shell. The shell was just a empty form and the life that it once contained had moved on.

I find that, in Christianity, it is possible to remain drawn to "empty locust shells". We tend to gravitate to practices that once held life but now remain only a testament to where God once was. Recently, while contemplating the content of a meeting that I might facilitate, I found that each visit of the various potential approaches would bring a sick "dread". To be frank, there was no desire to move forward with the meeting. That absence of desire began to really trouble me. Had God "benched" me because of all of my past failures? Had I "benched" myself out of laziness, burn out, or simple disinterest? Crying out to God day and night seemed to bring me no closer to the answer. Then, when I least expected it, the answer came. One evening, laying quietly, I began to contemplate my relationship with God. I know He speaks to me.....He has ever since I was a child. I know He has always sought me out and drawn me to Himself in spite of my failings. Those two unmistakable realities are strong foundations for confidence. He began to assure me the We were OK! As I lay there I began to see the image of a "locust shell".He was showing me that the particular situation that was causing me such distress was just a "locust shell". He began to show me that He was going to protect me from Locust Shells. Jesus once warned that a time was coming when men would "hold to a form (locust shell) of Godliness but deny the power there of". My personal journey, it seems, will continue to be away from form. I must discover where Life is and follow.

mickey

the great sadness......

2008-11-18T09:50:00.001-06:00

the great sadness....(to steal a term from Paul Young's "The Shack") seems to be permeating the hearts and minds of many people (I meet) right now. It reminds me of when Isreal, in captivity, hung their harps in willow trees and could not sing the songs of Zion in a foreign land. In discussion, the reasons for this sadness seem varied. Moral decay, political unrest, ecconomic stress, relational breakdown, church pressures all seem to be ingredients in a toxic soup of discouragement. The evil one seems more than willing to sow seeds of death on this fertile soil of dispond. I simply want to remind us all of the power of running to our Father in our weakness. The following story best illustrates how the father responds to our humble and weak cries for rescue.

In "The Necessity of Prayer", E.M. Bounds relates the following story as told by A.C. Dixon:

"A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: 'Rising early one morning,' he said, 'I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.' So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God."

mickey

in view of the present distress...

2008-10-13T11:44:00.001-05:00

Suzy & I are back from a much needed vacation and ready to get back to life as normal. Is there a life as normal? I spent our vacation sneaking peeks at news channels as they did play by play of the downward spiraling stock market, collapsing real estate market, shaky global economy, and political uncertainty. Where is God in all of this???

Several stories immediately come to mind. Do you remember how God positioned Joseph in Egypt so he could be a instrument of salvation when famine came to his brothers? Do you remember how Jesus sat down with His disciples and warned them of the coming destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. He advised them to flee into the mountains and other specific instructions that would offer some safely thru the crisis. We serve a God of strategy who is able to direct our lives thru difficult times. I often harp on how the Church needs to recapture the gift of "hearing". Now, more than ever, we need to be able to discern His directives for our lives and the lives of those we influence.

He IS speaking on daily issues of life. He IS offering the believer directives on how to position their lives for events that lie ahead. We MUST listen to Him. I am not a "alarmist" who lives in fear of the "boogey man". But I know, from experience, that God has been preparing me for the last 4 years for certain lifestyle changes. He gave me certain specific "assignments" in preparation for coming change.. Those assignments are real to me and me alone. What has He told you to do?

Our upcoming Simple Church Men's Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 24-26 here in West Tennessee. I have a sense that God may well have us compare notes on this issue when we come together. If you plan on attending the retreat, be prepared to share with the group any instructions you are receiving from God in light of the current distress. BTW, anyone is welcome to attend the retreat. Response has been light, so a small crowd is expected. If you want more information, simply reply to this post with your email and I will give you the details.

for now..

mickey mooney

How to Start a House Church

2008-09-25T09:40:00.001-05:00

(RECIPE)

1) YOU NEED A HOUSE
(this ingredient is optional...a coffee shop, park, creek bank, etc may be substituted based on availiability)

2) YOU NEED A CHURCH
(2-3 persons will suffice - however more may be added daily as necessary)

3) YOU NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT
(HE is the most important ingredient and should be in the #1 position - without Him the recipe will fail)

4) STIR TOGETHER
(each ingredient has it's own unique flavor paramount to the mix)

5) THIS RECIPE WILL EXPAND QUICKLY
(take care to not let your container be too small - this recipe will produce enough "starters" to grow multiple new house churches if prepared properly)

for serious dialogue on this subject feel free to contact me thru www.networkvine.org

letter from a friend...

2008-09-24T14:45:00.002-05:00

I meant to share this earlier, but better late than never! Please read the following letter from a friend (identity protected). It illustrates the simple yet profound working of Jesus in our lives and families.

(from my friend)
Prayer works! I know we've heard this a million times but hear it again PRAYER WORKS!!!!!!!!! It really works when we cry out to our mighty God THEN let Him do the work in His time, in His way, to His will.

For the past several months I've been going through a season of refining (still going) but this week end Jesus gave me tangible evidence, a gift of showing me how He is trust worthy and faithful to do what needs to be done without my figuring it out and manipulation in the circumstances. For once I was able through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving to say from my heart, sincerely my heart, "change me Lord, guide me in my responses, my reactions. What would You have me do, not do, say, or not say?"

My husband who has a habit of saying "I don't hear God," heard God this week. He was shown areas that need to be worked on in his life. He was listening and he heard! PTL! He called me on his way home Friday and my husband who is a bonified stuffer said we were not through talking yet and we were going to pray this week end. Music to my ears :-)

Our whole week end was great especially at ******* Saturday night. But the best part was yet to come. I was given my heart's desire, what I've been missing for so many months - at bed time my husband knelt by the bed, put his hand on my head, leaned over by body and prayed for me. How sweet the sound!

It was really God leaning over and kissing me on the cheek.

Thank you for allowing me to ramble but my thankfulness to Jesus is so overwhelming and over flowing I can't contain it, it must be shared - so tag you're it.

connecting the dots....

2008-09-24T11:23:00.000-05:00

I often hear the comment that mega churches can do things that house churches can't. (ie: large scale relief projects, building hospitals, building water systems in developing countries, etc) This may well be true in present tense but I believe it to be far from true in the design and intent of our Creator.

The problem, as I see it, is that many simple church expressions continue to be "lone rangers". These expressions often sparsely dot the landscape making geography a hurtle to overcome. In our situation, here in rural Tennessee, we have to make a committed effort to have working relationships with organic communities 3-6 hours distant. I am convinced that those efforts are not in vain. I can see (partly in the natural, partly in the Spirit) God beginning to fill in the spaces (ie: all the small towns, communities that lie between those functional networks). Just today I was blessed by a email from Jeff that indicates they have discovered a new house church 10 minutes from where they live! God is continuing to "ekballo" those of His choosing into this stream of simple function.

Back to the problem. Simple churches must learn to value connection. We are infinitely stronger if we work together and support one another. Large tasks can be accomplished by multiple expressions of simple churches working together, pooling resources, sharing information, etc. on a "as needed" basis. It is to this end that I express this passion for regional gatherings where leaders can build relationships and learn to trust one another. Many of us have exited a corporate system that operated from the top down (and mostly remained contained within the confines of singular organization/institution). The challenge becomes how to think "bottom up". Multiple autonomous expressions of Jesus coming together to accomplish larger tasks.

It is my prayer (literally) that God will raise up men/women in regions who will fight the battle to bring leaders together. As real functional relationships begin to form we will discover the ability to accomplish those tasks relegated to "mega churches". Imagine the power of organic multi-expression co-operation and how that would be viewed by the world around us.

culture, the god of the west

2008-09-16T11:10:00.002-05:00

At the outset I understand that many who are wiser and better versed than me will disagree with what I am about to say. <(that is my disclaimer!). Yet I have been carrying the weight of this communication for awhile and must get it "off my chest". I understand that like shoes, one size does not fit all, so if this doesn't apply to you, then simply don't apply it!

Our western culture has become a god (yes, even in the lives of believers). Let me back up and lay a little framework for this discussion. Recently I have been involved in numerous conversations about the difference between meetings and living out community. Repetitively, I hear the defense that many people, due to the complications and demands of life, only have time for a weekly meeting and little more. They accept this as the "cards they have been dealt" and are willing to live with the consequences. Generally speaking, we live in a prosperous culture. In our area of the country it is not uncommon for a young couple to own a house, 2 cars, widescreen TV, etc. You get the picture. This lifestyle creates the necessity of "the grind" to pay for everything. When children come along, it is a given that they must play sports, take music lessons, be in the school play, take the college prep classes, and generally outshine all of their competitors so they can "get ahead" in life. The routine becomes the immovable absolute around which "Jesus" and "community" must struggle to form. The scripture that immediately comes to mind is "do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...."

A friend recently told me a story about a visitor from Japan. The friend took the Japanese man on a tour of the area. The visitor pointed to a "typical home" as they passed and posed the question, "How many families live there?" He was absolutely shocked to find out it was occupied by one small family. He was accustomed to multiple families sharing much smaller quarters. Yet we consider our "space" as a nonnegotiable right. Families (believers) all over our nation are sacrificing the joy of experiencing real community by serving at the throne of "keep up with the Jones'" I have had the opportunity during a couple of seasons in my life to live out something very close to "community". Those times had their challenges but also offered great reward. I remember them as "good times". Relationships (with God and man) were more important than the "bottom line". I admit my belief that true communal living is on the horizon for the church. I can't defend that a time of shaking is coming that will result in radical changes of lifestyle. I am surly not suggesting that anyone launch out into such arrangements without clear leadership from their Father. I AM suggesting that the believer can be ahead of the curve by opting out of some of the demands of our culture. A friend recently stated, "the rat has nothing I want, why would I want to be in his race..." No matter your position in life, there are things you can do to simplify. Simplification leaves more time for what really counts.

I will finish my rant with this novel idea. What if Jesus, His Kingdom, and His directives become the steadfast immovable absolute in our lives leaving culture to mold itself around that center?
just ranting,
mickey mooney
www.networkvine.org

simple letter of example

2008-09-11T09:14:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay in writing. Once again, I have been sick and unmotovated....yuch. Suzy & I made the trek to Dallas for the H2H conference, rushing back to beat the hurricane evac traffic from La. Thoughts on the conference may come later. Today, I want to pass on a simple, functional letter from one of the local gatherings:

At our gathering Sunday at the home of Pam and Mark Beall we had a lady, Barbara Lane who shared something that hurt her heart. It was something her husband of 51 years said to her concerning money she has used over this period of time to help those in need. She has always been a giver reaching out to others as Jesus directed.

Their needs have always been met. This month has been especially tight for them partly because of filling up their gas tank making ready for the winter to come.

We prayed for Barbara, her feelings of hurt and for her husband and his understanding. Today her husband brought in the mail among which was an envelope for Barbara with no return address on it and she did not recognize the hand writing. She opened it to a piece of computer paper neatly folded with the words "Jesus loves you" on it. Then a $100 bill fell out in her hand.

Needless to say her husband was surprised as well as Barbara and she had the opportunity to gently look at him and say "you can't out give God."

I just wanted to share this with Barbara's permission to let you know He is our provider and He is faithful. If you have a need be it financial, emotional, spiritual, He is faithful and desires to rescue you.

If anyone of you in our group was the obedient giver, Barbara says "thank you".

Please feel free to pass this on especially to others in the Paris area and if you have news of what's going on in your meetings we would delight in hearing how Jesus is working in the every day life of believers

Carlen

motive...

2008-08-25T11:01:00.003-05:00

Mat. 23:5-7 "But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. "They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

Luke 20:46-47 "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

Jesus rightfully blasted the Pharisees for their fallen behavior. The trouble is, I see Pharisee in myself (and other Christian leaders I have encountered). It all started when I was young. I wanted to be valued and accepted by my peers. I would adjust my behavior to promote acceptability in those adolescent relationships. No one in our school yard wanted to be the last picked at kickball. You were mortified at the thought of being the brunt of the class bullies joke. There was always the resident fear of your clothes being out of sync, bad hair days, or the wayward pimple. Anything that kept you from fitting in was the enemy and anything that brought you into the inner circle was a treasured discovery.

Flash forward 50 years to find a man in a kids frame of mind. I find myself still seeking approval. I want to be accepted and valued by my peers. Admittedly, these tendencies are deep and well hidden, but they are there none the less. They surface unexpectedly like dross from a smelters fire. They can affect how you speak, how you write, and how you relate to those God brings into your life. I know the truth. I understand the need to die to self and be clothed with Christ. Knowing becomes the torment. Knowing becomes the admission that a journey remains.

The point? I must regularly critique my motives. For me, I find (at least) 3 motives that drive my exercise:

1) Has God given me an assignment that I initiate with/for Him?
2) Am I doing good because it is the correct thing to do in the moment?
3) Am I attempting to draw attention to myself by "doing"?

You must know that the admission that motive 3 still drives some of my "work" is both embarrassing and frustrating. I write this with the notion that others share my secret. God desires to raise up a army of humble, selfless believers who are willing to forgo the spotlight and choose to serve in the shadows. May God change our hearts and become our Motive in all things.

mickey mooney

daydream....

2008-08-18T15:28:00.003-05:00

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Rom 1:20

I captured Chris (my oldest son) in this picture taking in the grandeur of the Smoky Mountains. I just want to thank our Creator for the beauty He surrounds us with that we often taken for granted!

mickey

poor, dumb, and ugly

2008-08-13T11:17:00.003-05:00

A friend once observed that I knew less of what I was “for” and more of what I was “against” (a criticism). Granted, I have often felt like Don Quixote with a vengeance for spiritual windmills yet I continue to labor over the need to ventilate.

My “stick-in-the-craw” today focuses on whom God chooses. I recently did an article on “The common man/woman”. It apparently hit a nerve in the Christian community as it was reproduced on various blogs around the world. This tells me there is a thirst for truth to be manifest in real life. The commoner wants to be valued and productive yet continues to be restrained by _____________ (you can fill in the blank).

Paul wrote the following to Corinth:

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

In the worlds system you generally have to be educated, rich, or good looking to gain advantage. (Woe to those of us who are poor, dumb, and ugly!) The unfortunate reality is the church has embraced much of the world’s philosophy. While simple church circles have made great strides away from this mentality, there remains a tainted residue of tilted credential expectation. The educated and eloquent still seem to rise to the surface. There remains a “stage” for those who fit our definitions of success. I have no answers or suggestions. I simply cry out on behalf of all of the “servants in the shadows”. Will their voice be heard at our conferences and retreats, in our books, and on virtual venues? My heart aches to see “the least of these” shine!

poor, dumb, and ugly,

mickey

yuchs....entropy.....being tepid....

2008-08-12T13:41:00.002-05:00

No blogging or newsletters have escaped the mooney household over the last couple of weeks. Fact is, I have had this unrelenting flu/cold bug. You know the stuff....cough, chills, fever, aches, etc... Each time I think I am over the hump, it comes roaring back.

Now here is the point. It is amazing how little it takes to disrupt our "will" to be productive. You can shift into netural so easily. I think it has something to do with the law of entropy (2nd law of thermodynamics). To over simplify, everything winds down without a outside infusion of energy! (cold water becomes tepid, hot water becomes tepid, etc). Everything moves toward a preset norm. There must be some energy source to move the object beyound its stagnat norm and keep it there. (all students of science please forgive my butchering of the above...)

Even knuckleheads like me understand the need for this outside energy source. It is God who empowers us and takes us above our fallen norm. Cares of the world, decietfulness of riches, or the desire for other things will disconnect us (at our end only) from listening to and responding to the Holy Spirit who empowers us. We then, absent of this infusion of power, slowly become "tepid water" in things of the Spirit. I guess when we need Him the most we tend to seek Him less.....duh....

just thinking,
mickey

the principle of devalue

2008-08-04T11:07:00.001-05:00

Human nature (fallen nature) has its quirks. One such quirk I refer to as the principle of "devalue". When we are faced with decisions (that require change) we invoke this principle. If I can convince myself that my current circumstance has less value than the proposed circumstance then transition makes sense and is easer to pursue. I see this often with pilgrims setting out on the simple church journey. There seems to be a need to "devalue" what one is leaving (often the IC) in order to embrace what one is called to. I suggest this does not have to be. It is enough to have confidence in Gods leading/speaking. I am thankful that God hasn't given me the assignment of final determination of all things related to His Kingdom. I readily accept those who are led/called to expose the failure of our systems. There have always been prophets who pointed out departure from the heart of God. But, generaly speaking, we should leave the trash talk to pick up basketball games and focus on the journey the Lord has called us to. I must learn this myself.
mickey

meeting mentality continued

2008-07-30T14:58:00.001-05:00

www.networkvine.org

We continue down the road of exploring the “meeting mentality” This mentality has moved the church from intended organic community to an accepted detached anonymity. Why are we willing to settle for less? A fellow Lk10.com member (Ron King -Simple Church Network in greater Philadelphia) states his reasoning well.

Quoting Ron:
I do meetings because I've lost the natural relational rhythm of life. The crossing of paths and spreading of pheromones designed to be part of normal faith community get thwarted by my own choices to have and to participate in a busy disconnected world. I "remember" the longing and joy of spontaneous fellowship (without a need for meetings) that has been divinely placed in my heart whenever I have the luxury of living in proximity of the faithful without external agendas that drive my daily focus and schedule. So in my dysfunctional dance of independence with hit and miss driveby relationships, I choose meetings as a rocky pathway to a deeper destiny. Meetings give me an excuse and hope for entering the I-thou relationships I was designed to enjoy. Until I grow into natural community life, I will keep on going to meetings.

We continue to encourage you to explore all Jesus has to offer beyond meetings! His Voice; His Presence; fellowship / daily community with others who follow Him; all are available to those who seek His Kingdom!

mickey mooney

outside the "meeting"

2008-07-22T13:15:00.001-05:00

www.networkvine.org

As most of you know I have been "harping" on the meeting mentality that ham-strings our Christian culture. I want to introduce you to my friends at "The Way" in Gallatin, Tn. I ask you to read this, not to duplicate their work, but to seek how the Lord would have YOU operate "outside the box". I asked my friend Jason to send me the following description of their CIA efforts. Your community may be following the Lords Voice in unique ways as well. If so, please feel free to drop me a line and explain!

In Jesus,
Mickey Mooney

(from Jason Duncan on behalf of The Way www.theway247.com)

A couple of years ago we came up with the idea of a forming a ministry called "CIA," which stands for Christians In Action, that would offer free help for widows, handicapped, elderly and other needy folks in our community. We started running a business-card sized ad in the local newspaper that simply tells people to call the CIA if they need help with anything. Since the ad began, we have had dozens of responses from people who are truly in need.
We have mowed lawns, cleared debris, done tornado clean-up, painted houses, planted bushes, and hauled off trash. What is sad is that many of the people we have helped describe themselves as members of a local church. Nevertheless, we have been able to show the practical love of Jesus to them in a way that their home church was unable to do for whatever reason. One such widow had called us to help her several times. I finally decided to call her preacher and explain her needs. He was unaware of her needs and was happy to tell me that they would be taking care of her from now on. It was a beautiful picture of unity between two groups of followers of Jesus.
Many times we do our service projects on Sunday mornings. This raises many questions from the people we help. "Are you guys Christians?" "Where do you go to church?" "Why are you here on a Sunday morning when you should be at church?" We love answering these questions. We get to explain that what we are doing for them is how we worship and how we serve our Father.
There are several widows that we have helped who are "repeat customers" as it were. They often call us to come help with odd jobs around the house. One such lady calls me every month or so to ask about my kids and ask if I can bring them by for milk and cookies. She is so sweet.
Doing this type of work isn't always cheap. Of course, since we do not have ongoing bills like most churches do, we have lots of money to spend on helping the poor. But as you might imagine, we often times run low on funds due to the large jobs we sometimes take on. This has been yet another powerful testimony of how Father is in control. We have had at least one widow whom we have helped donate quite a bit of money to us to help others like we have helped her. She didn't have the money herself to have her home repair work done, but the estate that she manages for a deceased friend provides financial assistance to organizations that help the elderly. In this way she was able to get the help she desperately needed and couldn't afford, and we were able to help others who otherwise would not have received help.
Has the community around us noticed? Well, people aren't coming to Jesus in droves because we are painting houses, but we are confident that some people are seeing Jesus for who he really is because of this ministry. When one of the painters we hired to do a job for us that we couldn't do asked why we do this, he was visibly impressed that we weren't wasting money on church buildings and salaries, but rather helping poor widows like the one in the house he was painting. That is what this is all about. Showing the love of Jesus in a practical way. If father wills it, we will continue to do this until he sends Jesus back to get us.

Simply,Jason Duncanjedsled@gmail.com

Brokenness

2008-07-16T16:14:00.000-05:00

Two believers “ministries” may appear similar to the undiscerning observer. What motivates the two believers however may flow from diametrically different stimulus. The first believer may be seeking recognition of his peers, trying to earn Gods approval, or trying to convince himself/herself of their own self worth. The second believer may simply want to obey the leadership of their Master and is content to work in the shadows apart of any recognition.

Matthew (chap. 6) relates Jesus’ dialogue about those who “have their reward in full”. If recognition is what we seek it (recognition) becomes the sum total of what we get. The unseen/unimagined treasure of His Reward is lost/traded for the quick pleasure of present gratification. Those of us (and the inclusive pronoun was purposely chosen) who struggle with the need for visibility must die a slow death. To all of you mature believers who labor selflessly in the shadows: thank you for your example of Brokenness.

meeting mentality

2008-07-09T10:03:00.000-05:00

Humor me for a simple thought for the day. This came from a friend (Peg) in New Mexico.

A gathering is a tool where relationships happen.

The Christian church of our culture continues to labor under 1700 years of gravity that is hard to escape. The church has a "meeting mentality" that exaults itself as a end rather than a means. A friend recently said "if your goal is house church, that is all you will produce". Paul instructed Timothy that our goal was Love (relationships)(1 Tim. 1:5). I know for a fact that the human heart cries out for real relationships centered on Jesus. I'm all for gatherings that serve the function of fostering relationships with both God and fellow believers.

have a blessed day...

mickey

dog days

2008-06-26T10:01:00.000-05:00

Like you, I find it easy to let things get complicated. I keep reminding myself that Jesus told Mary & Martha, "Only a few things are necessary, really only one...." It seems that with complication comes frustration and anxiety. I believe it was Neil Cole that said "Complex things break down, Simple things reproduce". Anyway, a friend (that I correspond with) recently sent me this short blurb about Jesus interacting with him. I am so thankful that we serve a God that communicates with us and understands our "simpleness".

Ken wrote,

I was in my camper that I lived in for 6 months. I had just got my little puppy Lilly and I was trying to train her to come to me. I kept calling her and she would not come so I sat down on the floor and said to her "thats ok, I will wait. I have all the time in the world as long as you know to always come to me when I call". I just sat there quiet and I heard God say to me "thats how I feel about you" and the tears just started coming hard. I could not talk for a half hour. His voice is so gentle. Our God is a amazing God. Jesus is so good.

mickey again,
On a realated issue. I have a dog (Mooch) who we adopted when he was about a year old. He had been neglected. At first, he wouldn't come to me readily. He would stand at a distance and pace, as if he wanted to respond but was unsure. He is doing much better now as he begins to understand I love him and have his interests at heart. Yet, it is a process. We, as humans, are often shaped by our wounds. They rob us of treasures like the ability to trust. Coming to the Father, crawling up in His lap, and having intimate conversation with our Creator is hard when we are driven by mistrust. Ken's dog was simply young and self absorbed (and probably not hungry at that moment!) My dog was wounded and mistrusting. What they have in common is the open arms of a loving master who only wants to care for, interact with, and teach them.

thats all folks....

mickey
www.networkvine.org

....change....

2008-05-29T08:44:00.000-05:00

O.K., I haven't posted lately. My day job as a real estate appraiser has reared its ugly head. My appraisal software was changed and would no longer run on our dated computers. We have 7 computers at the office, some of which ran on Win98 which is no longer supported in our appraisal software. So, new computers, new software, days of downloading, and working out bugs....yuch... Which brings me to my point. Often, I don't like change.

Change can bring anxiety, unknowns, risk.... Yet, when we work thru change, we often find things better than before. God is continually taking us on journeys of change. We are constantly being poured from vessel to vessel. I have been reflecting back to the traumas of our transition out of institutional Christianity into the freedom of simplicity. Gone are the budget. Gone are the problems of maintaining a building. Gone are the politics of leadership. Gone are the days of having to prod people to keep programs going. Gone are the days of fellow believers sitting in rows watching and not participating. It is all just a faint memory. As Suzy & I prayed together last night, we reflected back, thanking God for the change (and freedom) He has brought to our lives!

I am thankful for the changes that I often resist. I am thankful God doesn't leave us in a stagnant place. Like Moab in Jer. 48:11 we are often undisturbed on our “lees”. Thank you Lord for disturbing our ways of life and pouring us from vessel to vessel!

Mickey Mooney

...initiative...

2008-05-08T10:01:00.002-05:00

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner John 5:19

Why do we do what we do? What is the motive for the ministry decisions we make? I am on many mailing lists of both IC and simple church practitioners. Thru them I see such a huge spectrum of activities aimed at advancing the Kingdom of God (I assume..). How much of it all (my own endeavors included) actually has its genesis in the Heart of God? Here is a brief look at some of Jesus’ initiatives as recorded by John.

John 5: 30“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
John 8: 28So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
John 8: 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.
John 12: 49“For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.
John 14: 10“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

John discloses one thing that Jesus modeled doing from His own initiative. He made the choice to lay His life down.

John 10: 18“No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

We can choose to lay down our goals, our agendas, our programs, our desire for success, our ministry aspirations, our lives… Then maybe we will be freed up and available to follow thru on assignments of His choosing!

mickey mooney

productivity

2008-05-05T16:22:00.001-05:00

www.networkvine.org

Today is a frustrating day. I am wrestling with a old adversary. ....productivity....

I feel sandwiched between two kingdom principles. On one hand there is the principle of Grace. We are not under law. We can not earn the Fathers love or favor. The relationship is freely extended to us (thank you Jesus!).We can rest in Him. By virtue of the relationship, He will ask us to do certain tasks (provided we learn to HEAR Him). We should gladly respond to that Voice and trust that a continued sequence of objectives will fill our lives per Divine intent.

On the other hand there is fruitfulness. Things are designed to be fruitful. The first recorded command from God to man was "be fruitful...." Granted this referred to reproduction (which most humans have little problem with) but the principle is extendable. Jesus threatened the tree that bore no fruit. He stated that everything reproduces after its kind. I have this nagging residence deep in my soul that pushes me to be productive. I want my life to count. I want to be like David who "after accomplishing the purpose of God in his generation, slept with the fathers".

Today I am "antsy". I am feeling like I have very little going on that is a contribution to the Kingdom of God. I could go out and do "some good thing" but it wouldn't be in response to Pappas' command . I don't minimize doing good, doing what we know to do, etc - I do those things. But they simply don't reward the same way as Hearing from God and following thru. I don't "wait" well.

...Father, help us all in our frustration. Help us in our human attempts to hear and follow you. You know our weakness. You know our simpleness. We so look forward to shedding the remaining effect of fallen-ness that fogs our vision and hearing.... thanks for understanding...

mickey mooney

the common man/woman

2008-04-28T21:06:00.002-05:00

God is calling the common man/woman off the bench to plant simple church expressions. They are emerging from all walks of live. I am a real estate appraiser and Suzy is a home maker (a waitress when I first met her). As I am typing this post in my office, Suzy is gathering with a group in the "upper room" of a local coffee shop. We have no formal training. We have never been to seminary or a bible college. Yet, the Voice of God is unmistakable in His pursuit of us for this journey.

I want to make 2 observations about the current climate of leadership change.

1) Many professionally trained leaders are being required (by God) to learn how to be "common" again (I want to be clear that I HONOR those coming from this perspective). Many are exiting paid positions, reintegrating into workplace routines, and working thru paradigm shifts.

2) Many common believers are being required to step into arenas they were formally not welcome in (or comfortable with).

Each is being called out of their comfort zone and into an environment where God MUST be in charge for the work to move forward. Since I am not a trained professional I will defer discussion about the complexities of that journey to those working thru it. I can (and will) speak from the common man/woman perspective.

When Suzy & I first made this transition, God clearly gave us a “word”. As I cried out to Him concerning our newly developing role, He gave us a two word phrase - “grant permission”. Most believers have been trained to sit and observe. They know the stirrings of destiny in their hearts and are aware of their “bents” but are reluctant to “step out of their place”. The restraining power of 700 years of church culture is a strong gravity to escape. It is in this context that Suzy & I find the opportunity to “grant permission” to common, every day believers whom God is “ekballowing” into this stream of simple church planting. As these untrained leaders hear stories about others of similar background they are often brought to tears. It is as if a mountain of weight is lifted from them as they realize they are not alone and God is using other like them to build His Kingdom.

In global context there are stories like Debra Xu, a simple untrained woman who has planted thousands of churches through out China. Upon meeting Debra we were blown away (humbled) by her simple childlike faith and expression. She reminds me of a statement Jesus made at the home of Mary & Martha, “only a few things are necessary, really only One”. Felicity Dales book, “An Army of Ordinary People” is both prophetic and a present reality. Ordinary people and simple practices are building blocks the Lord is using to build His church! Come on! Get off the couch and follow that leading that God birthed in you! You have permission....

mickey mooney

Seder

2008-04-21T12:48:00.004-05:00

This past weekend we celebrated a somewhat "regional" Passover Seder. We enjoyed visiting with friends from various locations and hopefully some new relationships were born. I always enjoy the symbolism of passover. We all have our own "Egypts" we have been delivered from. Jesus chose the Passover setting to reveal His reality of being the Lamb of God slain for our redemption. He used the elements of Passover to explain his mission.

Some of the participants spent the night at our cabin where we enjoyed a campfire that lasted until 1:00am. Sitting around a campfire is a great venue to learn details of other believers journey. I love to hear stories of how God is turning lives upside down as we all attempt to follow His lead!

Later a few of us took a bike ride, crossing 2 ferrys and navigating miles of crooked roads. Some curves were so severe that I think I may have seen my own tail lights a time or two!

network (noun) vs. networking (verb)

2008-04-11T11:11:00.001-05:00

We started here, at the local level, with the vision of a "Network" of simple churches. This seemed to communicate the concept of incorporating simple church expressions into "something larger” than the entities that comprise it. We have adjusted our thinking on this issue. We now endeavor to encourage relationships at the local, regional, national, & international levels. “Networking” (as a verb) becomes simply the act of relating to others of like DNA while protecting the autonomy of each individual expression.

We see the benefit of networking daily at the regional level. A fellow church planter, Bob, recently emailed a urgent prayer request. It happened that one of our house church leaders was at my office at the time. Four of us joined hands and immediately prayed for the need Bob had communicated by email. Bob lives about 200 miles from us, yet thru communication, we are “networking” as necessary. I received a email from a friend, Jason. He is bringing a group over to a joint Passover Seder April 19th . Their community, The Way, is located about 130 miles from us. Other expressions will be represented as well. We have no “official” network (noun) yet the concept of networking is alive and well. This week Suzy & I had dinner with a couple we recently met from a neighboring county who are Luke 10 answers and are on the road to planting a work in their home (I’m sure). The relationship is forming before our eyes.

The point? We can all work to encourage what God is doing in the simple church arena while being careful to protect the autonomy of the individual expressions He is raising up. We are not here to incorporate anyone into our “thing” but to encourage, support, and link together the diversity of what God is building.

How? An email, phone calls, visits, dinners, human interaction…. All of these build relationships that will be of value when need arises. Please consider the value of thinking outside of your immediate surroundings and increase your sphere of relationships.

mickey
www.networkvine.org

resignation

2008-04-09T11:30:00.002-05:00

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the one and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath.
A.W. Tozer - (1897 - 1963)

Letter of Resignation

Today, I was officially labeled a "heretic". I have known for sometime I did not fit well into cultural Christianity. I have always been a square peg in a round hole (so to speak). Yet, I have endeavored to be at peace with my more traditional brethren. I have taken the approach ...."each to his own". The golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" has slowly become "you leave me alone and I will leave you alone..." (stolen from a dear friend...)

Today I witnessed (what another friend referred to as) spiritual abuse. A dear loving couple, seeking to follow the leadership of God in their lives, are enduring assault by a leadership team at odds with their decision to exit a congregation. The tentacles holding them to the "system" are strong. The system will not relinquish its hold without a fight. I am angry at the system. I am angry at the system that held me in check for sooooo many years. I am angry at the system that oppresses the unsuspecting. I am angry at the system that imposes its Godless framework cloaked as Christianity. I am angry that many men & women of God, in response to a call on their lives, are forced to toil in a system they did not create (like making bricks in Egypt).

Please consider this as my resignation from the Christian politically correct club.

mickey

out of step....

2008-03-24T14:13:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Easter. I chose not to celebrate the goddess of fertility or participate in annual bunny worship! I'm not really interested in arguing theology in this blog at this time. I simply want to express my frustration (whether founded or not). From my perspective the Messianic Jews of the first century welcomed the gentiles into the faith with open arms. Within one century the church began to reject its Hebrew roots (and the associated rich culture). The church began to substitute (or invent) its own holidays and celebrations. Something of value was lost in the process. We have replaced the rich symbolism of Passover with bunnys, eggs, playing dress up, and some snippets about resurrection. I am not a Jew. I am not compelled to live as a Jew. However, come April 19th, I plan to celebrate Passover with family & friends. I will weep as I see the Lambs sacrifice in the elements of the Seder. I will weep as I read from Isaiah about the suffering servant. I will rejoice as I read about the Holy One not being allowed to undergo decay (resurrection). It was in this setting that Jesus helped his friends, the early disciples, understand who He was thru the unleavened bread and the 4 cups.

Yet, at the close of day yesterday, there was a yearning in me. I do not want to be detached from my bretheren. On Easter Sunday believers (and unbelievers) gather in record numbers. They represent many levels of understanding, commitment, faith, and sincerity. Many are real in their desire to honor the One whose sacrifice and resurection is the topic of the day. I want to be in concert with those genuine hearts. My wife & I joined hands at bedtime and asked the Lord to join our prayers and hearts with the millions of others who see The Messiah as the hope of life.

kingdom credentials

2008-03-05T20:10:00.002-06:00

I'm pondering the concept of Credential. The reader might well misunderstand how I use the word. In secular culture (and in church culture as well) Credential relates to ones education and experience. When you apply for a job the interviewer will critique your credentials. Do you have the right education? Do you have adequate experience in the associated field? If these elements are not in line you probably won't get thru the door. One must take great pains to prepare his/her credentials for their pursuit.

The Kingdom of God seems to be different. Jesus chose fishermen, tax-gathers, and other common men to launch His Kingdom. The Pharisees would later marvel at these men because they understood Jesus' followers had no secular credentials. God designed it that way. Paul informs us God intentionally selects the simple & base thru whom to reveal His glory. There can be no human boast because we, like those early followers, know our own weakness. New leaders are emerging that don't fit the secular/religious paridgm. You are one.

We all have credential. By that I mean we all have a sphere of influence. Each of us are stewards of both a unique story and a unique collection of relationships with whom we communicate. We must all learn to be faithful to share the hope that is within us in our given sphere. Jesus taught us that if we were faithful in little things He would entrust us with much. If we are faithful in our current sphere it will grow.

At this moment in history God is choosing simple men and women to advance His kingdom in simple ways. Don't be intimidated by anyone else’s credentials. Your story is your credential. Be faithful with it and God will use you in a powerful way!

Mickey

The Voice of the Lord

2008-02-25T09:42:00.002-06:00

This post is a product of my morning musings. It seems like I often wake up with a thought and then can't escape it for the day! The thought? How far we (the church - collectively) have moved away from the anticipation and expectation of Gods Voice in our collective (and individual) lives.

For 1500-1700 years we have been lulled into a Christian existence of rote, rituals, and programs. We have convinced ourselves that God doesn't speak and frankly we don't need Him to. We, supposedly, have it all figured out anyway......

Well, excuse me, but I want to break from the pack. I NEED His Voice. I am simple. I am just created matter. He made me and I need His instruction. Without Him I am nothing. Don't be mistaken, I value & appreciate scripture. BUT I need to know specific things. Should I take this job or that one? Should I buy a home or rent? Should I carry health insurance or not? Should I have conversation with someone or avoid it?

Scripture indicates that all through history mankind has heard His Voice. I have heard His Voice (though not as often & clearly as I wish), therefore anyone who says He doesn't speak is ignorantly misinformed. I am convinced we live in a time much like Eli & Samuel - the Word of the Lord was rare in those days... I am equally convinced the problem is not in His speaking but in our hearing. We have excluded Him from our spiritual diet. My heart aches for a return to an atmosphere of His vocal influence in our (my) lives. maranatha

Knowing Him

2008-02-14T11:13:00.002-06:00

www.networkvine.org

We live in the information age. Our brains are on the border of exploding with all of the data we attempt to process daily. We seem to believe we can have better lives if we just know more. Yet the more we know the more complex life seems to be. Our knowing often has unforeseen consequences. Technology has created machines that do our work for us, entertain us, and often think for us. The unforeseen result is a overweight, under exercised, physically unhealthy couch potato culture. We know how to obtain information but seem to lack the wisdom (or disciplines) to use knowledge effectively. I believe that is solely due to the disconnect with the one who is Wisdom.
The church continues to plow down the road of knowledge. More classes, more sermons, more Sunday school lessons. If we can just know more about God our lives will be balanced and secure. The sad reality is the great void in our church culture between knowing about God and actually knowing God.
I am a student (disciple). I love to learn. This I have learned. Knowledge can never be a substitute for a intimate relationship with our Creator. The quest must be to KNOW HIM first. Then information. I believe God has assigned me the task of teaching yet I am acutely aware some things can not be humanly taught. The writer of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah:
They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34
No one can teach you to "know the Lord" anymore than they can teach you to know Billy Graham. If you want to know Billy Graham it will require spending time with him, having conversations, listening to his heart, etc. I sincerely wish I could teach someone to know God, but I can't. It is a exercise in futility. I can only inform them that He is accessible.
Those that know God can quickly connect to others who also know Him. They seem to never lack for conversation. The exchange of stories of Gods goodness (and activity) in their lives can go on for hours. Conversely, the frustration in interacting with those who only know "about" Him is quickly evident as well. This is not a criticism, but a sorrowful, heart rending desire for something different in their lives. Unfortunately, many of our "gatherings" (whether simple church or institutional) are made up of a mix of these realities. It doesn't show itself as clearly in the IC since most attendees are observers and there is limited interaction. In simple church, however, the problem is quite evident. Those that know God long to connect at a heart/spirit level while those that only know about Him are forced to remain at the "mind" level. Many gatherings tend to come "down" to the lowest common denominator so all can be involved. The more "nominal" the attendees are, the less likely the gathering will be able to be Spirit directed. These gatherings falter and will often retreat back to what they know. I have observed gatherings made up of believers who know Him. Those participants tend to be on "cloud nine". They enjoy and are strengthened by their time together. The presence of God is likely to be apparent in their gatherings. They tend to be servants to their communities. Individually, these believers discover personal giftings and exercise them under the mysterious leading of the Voice of God. They tend to be "self feeders". They have no desire to go "back". They know they are exactly where God has placed them and are excited (and content) to be there.
My prediction (and you are welcome to stone me if I miss it) is that nominal Christians will not survive simple church. This organic movement will ultimately be made up of those who truly know God (or will come to know Him) and are passionate for Him. Barna refers to them as the "Revolutionaries". The others will return to a safe place where anonymity is the rule. (and I in NO WAY want to minimize those Godly men & women who obediently remain in the IC's). Groups that struggle now will find themselves being "filtered" (over time) until those that remain can truly be Spiritual family. Then, hopefully, the family will grow with a God breathed DNA of Life.
Mickey

Networking

2008-02-07T10:04:00.000-06:00

One objection to simple church that occasionally surfaces is the loss of ability to accomplish certain tasks because of smallness. I was recently greatly encouraged by observing functional networking in the simple church community. John White sent out a email concerning recent developments in Kenya. We have mutual friends that had traveled to Kenya and helped train indiginous leaders in the simple church concept (Luke 10). Many churches were planted and have continued to stay in contact. Kenyas recent cival wars and violence has produced great distress for the churches there. Johns' letter highlighted some of the realities on the ground and requested that groups ask God about what they should do to help bring relief.

This letter quickly circulated from network to network, house church to house church, leader to leader, and believer to believer. I personally received it several times. This tells me that a communication link exists that is based on relationships (not institutions) that has great potential. It remains to be seen what the result of the Kenya outcry will have within these networks. If no response comes it would indicate to me that we are still trapped in the mindset of our hearing being disconnected from our doing. Still, the consolation remains that Jesus is building His church. The puzzle continues to be put together in ways many of us could not have predicted a few years ago.

Mickey

sign, sign, everywhere a sign!

2008-01-24T14:28:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone. Suzy & I just got back from the Smoky Mountains. We did a long weekend "get away". It was refreshing. Along the way we met with or conversed with friends from 3 different simple church expressions. It is fun to watch Jesus build. You can read more about these "encounters" on the previous blog.

As we travel (which we have done a lot of over the last 3 years) we encounter a lot of interesting signs. The warnings have included moose, tractors, bear, bridges, ice, snow, flood, etc. However, the following warning sign was new to me but made me chuckle. I had to turn around in the middle of a mountain road just to take this pic!

mickey

Great Day / Networks

2008-01-20T07:17:00.000-06:00

Sat. morning and I am sitting in the Smoky Mountians writting this blog. I am always reminded of how God's power, nature, and attributes are visable thru observing creation. He has placed a "fingerprint" of Himself in all He has made.

Yesterday was a good day for me (us). We met Tim & Tiffany Catchim (Ikon Community) at Starbucks (Clarksville, Tn). It was great to hear their stories and affirm how God continues to speak with such a consistant voice. We discovered several issues that he had been bringing up to each of us. We left there and continued east towards the mountains. At the spur of the moment we decided to crash a gathering of The Catalyst (a home church in Monterey, Tn). Not knowing were they were located, I called Jason Duncan (The Way - Gallatin) hoping he could get on the net and find the address for me. He did. Thanks, Jason. We had met Bob Carlton (The Catalyst) in San Antiono previously. It was interesting to just crash in, meet his wife and friends as they were begining to settle in for the evening. The "DNA" was so familier.

The point of this ramble? I am beginning to see a network develop within the simple church arena. When we travel, we now have friends that share our journey located all over. It will be fun to continue to watch the growth.

Mickey

God's personal directive

2008-01-18T20:58:00.001-06:00

Sometimes this is how I feel when trying to follow thru on assignments I think God has given me!
......mickey

I had lunch today with a dear friend. He has been in various forms of professional ministry for many years. Each time we get together he wants to know all of the latest from within the simple church journey. He fullly believes this is the direction God is moving the church and dreams of the day he and his family can fully make the transition. As of now, however, his life is tied to a valid extralocal ministry that keeps him primarily within the institutional church setting. I have another good friend that lives on the east coast. He has a significant ministry along the eastern seaboard and in England. I was first introduced to books such as Megashift and Houses that Change the World in conversations with him. Yet he, like the first friend mentioned, continues to labor within the field of the institutional church. Both share the realization (belief) that God has placed them where they are and has yet to release them from their responsibilities even though they desire this journey.

It is easy to digress to "selling" simple church as if it were a product. In our passion to faithfully support the growth of this movement it is easy to forget that each believer MUST hear instruction from the Lord in order to move in faith. I would never want to talk someone into a journey that God has not birthed in their heart. I only want to be there to encourage,support, and affirm those to whom God has already revealed His instruction. I find it best to continue to allow Him to be in charge!

looking forward....
mickey

It's O.K. to be "church" with friends!

2008-01-16T19:59:00.000-06:00

A friend defined church as the pursuit of God in the company of friends. Whether the reader approves or disapproves doesn't change the reality of is a significant exodus from institutional church setting in a quest for intimate relationships with both God and fellow pilgrims. Many of those on this quest seek a more organic, program free environment where each believer is a full participant in the process. I have had the opportunity over recent years to be involved in numerous conversations with many making this exodus. They are seldom angry or arrogant about the church situations they are leaving. They seem to all share the same story. That story centers around God leading them out of the busyness of the Christian machine and into a simple journey with committed friends. Most report they have seen increased personal growth and found a true freedom after taking the risk.

It is amazing to me that these believers endure this journey even with the disapproval of family and former relationships. The voice from the Lord appears to be so significant that all other voices fail to deter them. That fact reaffirms to me the hand of God is in this paradigm shift. If you read this blog and relate to what I am writing about PLEASE email me. I would love to hear your story.

I plan to begin a 3 part blog on the "temple mentality". Stay tuned!

Mickey

New Years cabin gathering

2008-01-03T12:20:00.000-06:00

My new years resolution is to try to be more disciplined in blogging! We'll see just how long it lasts. My goal is at least once a week.....

We had a great time New Years eve / New years day at our cabin. Several friends from the local simple churches along with family gathered New Years eve. We brought in 2008 amidst football games (TV), card games, good conversation, and wayyyy tooooo much food! New Years day brought in extended family along with friends for much of the same. We were surprised by a brief snow shower that offered a modest ground cover. It was enough for me to hit Suzy with the first snowball of the season! You can see her excitement in the picture! Also, I have to post Danyel (my daughter) holding Noah. I'm now a proud gray haired grand dad!

Happy New Year! Thanks to God for His encouragement and leadership in the past year. I know He will be equally faithful in 08!

2007-06-19T16:50:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Tennessee!

We want to remind you to register for the National House Church Conference in Dallas, Tn this August. Early registration deadline in July 15th. Find more info at www.house2house.net.

Why in the world would a simple church network be sending out a picture of a building project? Let me explain!

Suzy & I have a log cabin in the woods. It is very peaceful and serene place. During our institutional years this place was used for cookouts, retreats, get-to-gathers, etc. As people continue to simplify their lives (not only their church) many are drawn to find places away from the rat race for a little R&R. Jesus even modeled this. He would go into the cities and villages and expend Himself in ministry and then withdraw into a lonely place (wilderness). Sometimes He went alone, sometimes He took his disciples, sometimes the multitude followed Him!

Luke 5:16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
John 6:15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
My conclusion? Jesus modeled both urban ministry and wilderness serenity. We have been opening our cabin up for small groups to use for retreats. We offer it, on a case by case basis, at no charge. Also, we are making it available to couples who need to get their spiritual batteries renewed, again, on a case by case basis, at no charge. Many house churches or families can't afford a cabin/retreat rental in resort areas. We feel God has blessed us with this facility and we need to be good stewards of what God has given us.
Luke 12:42-43 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes
Luke 12:48b From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
So what does all of this have to do with the construction picture? Much. We are constructing a dining hall with additional kitchen and bath facilities. This will make the improvements more compatable with mens retreats (my thing), womens retreats (suzy's thing), couples retreats (our thing), other retreats (your thing). This is not a church building project, but a labor of love. Several from our Network are rolling up their sleeves and helping make this a reality.
Now, we need you to use this place! If this sparks your interest drop me a email and I will send you more information.
Mickey & Suzy

Survived!

2007-06-12T11:35:00.000-05:00

We made it back from the bike trip to N. Carolina. My son Chris & I did about 1300 miles over 4 days. We camped at Crosby (in the Smokies) Thurs. night. The ground was hard, the weather hot, and the mosquitoes hungry..... Friday we rode on to Denver, NC where we visited relatives and attended a Sat. morning graduation. Sat. afternoon we climbed on again and rode back to Edgar Evans State Park at Center Hill Lake. We had a great time camping there. I had bought a air matress which made the night much more comfortable! We camped next to 2 brothers, on Harleys, who were traveling from Illinois to the Smokies to ride the DragonsTail. Sun morning we fixed coffee for them and got to share with them that we were headed to Gallatin to visit a home church at the Duncans. I hoped that would spark a conversation, but it didn't really go very far. We loaded up and rode to Jason & Kristi Duncans home and enjoyed a great time of fellowship with them and their friends (free breakfast!) Later Jason joined us for a ride that wound up downtown. We fought the traffic to the CMA and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. We awarded Jason a skull scarf and made him a member of the "Mild Hogs"!

Later, Mickey

mountain bound!

2007-06-06T14:53:00.000-05:00

Mickey here. Chris (my son) and I are heading out for a motorcycle trip to the mountains of North Carolina! My grey hair is accompanied by old tired bones that have decreasing tolerence for long trips! The temps are mid 90's and the thought of camping out in this heat brings a certain apprehension. But we press on. On the flip side, I count my blessings. The last bike trip to the mountains brought 50 degree temps and 4 days of rain! We will have the Harleys loaded to the hilt (much like Beverly Hillbillies with the rocking chair on top)! I hope to post some pics after our return.

rose the dog!

2007-05-22T13:14:00.000-05:00

Just thought you might enjoy a cool pic of Rose the Dog! She likes hanging out in the air conditioning and harressing the cat! Gotta love them shades!

our relationship with God is not "static"

2007-05-21T10:38:00.000-05:00

Suzy & I made a trip to Clarksville, Tn yesterday to visit with friends. We met the Duncans from Gallatin and Tim from Clarksville for a ihop pig out. Afterwards we went to the Fairgrounds park and just hung out.

It was very encouraging to hear our friends stories of the unique journeys God is taking them on. Our relationship with God is not "static". Each day brings new adventure, new direction, new understanding. Praise God for change. If we were politicians, we would have trouble with our constiquents accusing us of flip-flopping on issues. In the Kingdom of God, new light is constantly being shed on our journey. We must rethink, reevaluate, and redirect often to stay on track. It is this constant of change that keeps us focused on "hearing from God". While God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" He also is the One who says "I will do a new thing" The first flows from His uncreated nature, the latter from His being the Creator.

Blessings!
mickey

sore bottom!!!

2007-05-19T22:31:00.000-05:00

Suzy & I rode the Harley to Jackson, Tn and back today. My old tired bones don't fare as well as they once did. I am trying to get ready for a 4 day bike trip to North Carolinia and back in a couple of weeks. It will be a trip with my oldest son Chris. We will ride and camp together so that will make it a valuable and memorable trip.

We went to a cookout tonight. Several famlies/friends were there and the food and conversation were good. There was spontaneous expression with Christ at the center (testamonies, songs, etc.). I see this group moving closer to the organic sharing of life that we all need so much.

Tomorrow we will get to visit with friends from Clarksville and Gallatin who have also left traditional ministry positions to follow God's leadership. They, like so many others we have met, are a great encouragement to Suzy & I.

Farther up and Further in! Mickey

looking at house church....

2007-05-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

Please be patient with me while I "build" my response to some issues often raised with simple church. Please remember that we have only recently transitioned from our institutional church to autonomous simple churches. Over the last year, we have only started to realize how "addicted" we were/are to our western church culture. We have developed a whole "system" of church that in no way resembles the church of scripture/history. We have generally replaced the voice of the Holy Spirit with programs, we have viewed Jesus as a welcomed guest rather than the true "master of ceremonies", we have replaced spiritual mothers and fathers with paid professionals, we have embraced performance of a few over participation by all, we have poured our resources into buildings while neglecting people. Please notice my use of "WE" which chiefly includes me. Yet we have marched on, (much like the story "The Emperors New Clothes") while no one challenges why we do what we do.

We have also developed a "meeting" mentality that does not reflect the Hebrew concept of eklesia (gathering). When growing up, my parents had a lot of friends that visited regularly. Sometimes they would cookout, play cards, sit on the porch and talk, etc. We, as children, were just "there". Yet, somehow, we picked up the values, characteristics, and mannerisms of our parents. Those gatherings were "life" rather than "meetings". Jesus, when explaining spiritual concepts, would pick up a child and sit it on His lap as a illustration of the truth He was communicating. The children were simply "there". They were not interrupting the meeting because there was not a meeting (in terms of our western thinking). They were all together sharing life and the things most important to them in a natural organic way.

We have grown up with the concept of "children's church", committees, boards, organizations, etc. The gravity to escape what WE have created is strong. BUT God is previently leading a return to basic, simple eklesia. The journey will be difficult at best because we will constantly judge "where we are" by the only frame of reference we have (which is what we have known). The true compass for the journey is the Holy Spirit's leadership. Fortunately, God is very patient with us "simple" humans and extends great grace to us during seasons of change. Not everyone steps out at the same time. If we all simply follow His voice and get on board when He calls, it will all work out perfectly! I have heard it said "One step ahead - a leader, two steps ahead - a pioneer, three steps ahead - a martar"!Keep in mind, I am very thankful for the institutional churchs' role in my life and would never want to minimize what God continues to do both in /thru the traditional model. He is responsible for building "HIS" church and He doesn't need my intellectual input! I can only speak to the journey He has called me to. Godspeed on YOUR journey!

clarification

2007-05-15T11:43:00.000-05:00

suzy here

This journey we have taken for the past 15 months, has at times seemed slow as a snail, yet, at other times been a whirlwind of activity.There have been faces and names, that sometimes are hard to connect. Places and dates, that often get confused.
Throughout it all, The clear voice of the Holy Spirit, has been moving us, propelling us, to continue on the path that He has placed us.
Try explaining to your family and friends, this "crazy" journey, you've packed your bags for! Some are quite amiable, others ask hard questions. There are those who believe we have lost our way, and those who would like to be going with us, yet, can not do so at this time. Last, but not least, are those who believe it's alright to be a part of "simple church", if there is no other alternative. That may be exactly where we found ourselves, before we got on this "bus".
This much I know is true, that God has clearly spoken to us, and he is mindful of each and every step we will take. Who are we to question God's wisdom in choosing us?

Cabin in the Woods

2007-05-14T15:39:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed a visit this past weekend by friends (the Callahans - DAWN associates) from Indiana. They spent 4 days at our log cabin in the woods. They are the 3rd set of visitors at the cabin in the last month. We have an increasing sense that many Christian (especially leaders) are stressed and need to get away to a peaceful and quite setting. It is our conviction that we are to make our cabin available cost free on a case by case basis to those God brings us into relationship with. I know this opens us up for abuse, but I believe the benefit outweighs the risk. We are stewards of the things God entrusts to us. So far, all of our visitors have brought us a tremendous blessing and I feel we have come out on the "large end of the stick"! Keep us in your prayers as we navigate this difficult issue.

Denver DAWN gathering - April 26-29

2007-05-14T15:18:00.000-05:00

Simple Church restoration marches on. Suzy & I made a run to Denver, Co in late April for a gathering of DAWN Associates. It was refreshing to hear stories of how God was speaking to so many people with a consistent voice on issues relating to the simplification of church (and life). Here are a few personal takes on what we gleaned from that gathering;

*The shared value of not wanting to become a institution. The willingness to partner to accomplish God assigned tasks with the up front understanding that we are a starfish type "leader light" group of relationships with shared goals and values (and the willingness to get out of the way where and when necessary). I personally want to work myself out of a job by seeing healthy networked leaders saturate the landscape - planting churches)!

*The value of cross-pollination. Virtually everyone attending were connected to multiple networks (example - Kevin Sutter from N. California leads a house church network, works within YWAM as a church planting trainer, is a DAWN Associate (we are on a twice monthly conference call). The result being DAWN relationships are a compliment to and should not compete with existing associations / relationships. DAWN is viewed as tool to help relationally "link up" the diversity of what God is doing.

* The power of these gatherings to those who have been "ekbollowed". Mark & Khristi McCutcheon (who I have copied on this email) were blow away by hearing their own story repeated by others (just change the names...same story - Luke 10:2b). Regional gatherings will help facilitate a strengthening of network leaders who may feel alone, crazy, or isolated!

Colorado Springs and other tidbits

2007-03-18T20:18:00.000-05:00

O.K. it has been awhile! In January Suzy & I went to Colorado Springs for a DAWN Associates meeting. We met many new friends mostly from the Colorado area. We learned the locals refer to their region by which side of the "slope" they are from (Rockies). We enjoyed a drive up to the Pikes Peak entrance and a tour of the Garden of the Gods.

The meeting itself was a encouragement. We were impressed with the diversity of ministries that God is putting together. While all share a simple church vision, the mechanics of how that is expressed remains unique from situation to situation.

We are supposed to go back to Denver in April for a larger gathering. The same weekend our friend Clay McLean is calling a solumn assembly in North Carolina. It will consist of Christian leaders coming together to pray, focus on repentance, and seek direction for the church. Suzy and I want to be BOTH places! We are praying nightly for insight on which way to go.

We came home to a total home renovation. We have been living out of boxes and sleeping on a futon! We are replacing all of our carpet and vinyl with tile and wood. We have renovated the kitchen and bath as well. We raised our children in this home and never really did any updates for 18 years. Now that the kids are gone we can risk renovations without fear of destruction!

We had a guys breakfast at the cabin this weekend. There were about a dozen men and way too much food. After breakfast we enjoyed a unplanned time of sharing and discussion that I believe was Spirit led. It was good to see old friends!

Colorado Bound

2007-01-25T20:02:00.000-06:00

Suzy & I are heading out this weekend to Colorado Springs, Co. to meet with other DAWN Associates (Disciple A Whole Nation). This promises to be a time of prayer and direction as we seek clarity on this misson of simple (house) church expansion. God continues to put people in our paths to confirm His voice. About 1 year ago we made a transition from the institutional church format (The Vine Community Church) to a network of home churches (NetworkVine). We sold the campus and released the remaining congregation into several autonomus house churches. We felt somewhat alone and isolated at the beginning. We happened on the House2House website and connected with others to whom God was giving a similar vision. John White (DAWN, Denver House Church Project, etc) contacted us and assured us of our sanity! Since that time we have made many new friends and contacts that are on the same "bus". DAWN is basically a network of church planters who have hearts to see vibrant familys of believers within reach of everyone in the U.S. This seems best served thru the format of Simple (House) Church. The focus is less on location and more on content. A few common threads that seem to be forefront;

*restoring attentiveness to Holy Spirit leadership
*everyone contribtes in the gatherings (leaders facilitate)
*24/7 shared lives that extend well beyound "meetings"
*meals shared as "communion" of believers

Suzy and I are still finding our place in this work. I believe we are called to support and encourage those who are stepping out into this journey. I hope the trip to Colorado will result in increased clarity.