Old is the New New

We are currently discussing Kingdom Transformation at our Sunday Worship Service. The fact that we are called by God to find our Identity in Him. To express who are we in the city through the local church. To do this effectively the Holy Spirit must transform us completely begining with our hearts at conversion and moving on to our minds (values) as He sanctifies us.
The result of a radically transformed life, living a transformed lifestyle determined by new Kingdom values is priceless. Acts gives us a picture of the first followers of Christ. And you know what it was that was so attractive about the church that people respected andd joined it daily- authetnic transformation- people lived what they beleived. Jesus is King and has authority over all our lives. Jesus is sufficient and meets all our needs. Jesus is our example and we strive to live as he did.
If we view all of life as the product of our identity, worshipers of God, we would not need marketing or outreach plans. If we lived in the city, commited to glory of God and the betterment of the people, regardless of whether they are Christians or not, the world as we know it would be transformed.
Church Marketing Sucks just took a poll asking for the coolest promotional idea churches are using. Their were many humorous responses, the most effective idea remains transformed people living authentic Christian lives among the people.
There is indeed nothing new under the sun. The gospel is just as relevant and meaningful today . Jesus is still sufficient in all things.

Tips for Reading Scripture

Great Post on the ESV Bible Blog containing some good tips for how to best read scripture. We live in a pretty bible ignorant time. Anything to making our reading of Scripture more lasting, meaingful and insightful is a good thing. Check it out.

“I read Scripture as a grand story, the story of Redemption. When all of Scripture is read in this way, we will not see the individual stories as moral lessons or as mere examples of what to do and what not to do in life.”

“The purpose of Scripture is not that we become holy. The purpose of Scripture is to know this Triune God Who has revealed Himself in Scripture. Becoming holy is a byproduct of knowing God through Christ.”

Consumerism Pt 2

Part 2 of Dr. David Well's video talk on the concumerism of American churchs today.

Click Here for the short video.

Missional Mouse?

"You guys get down there at least twice a month. For God's sake, don't eat off the lot. Stay there... lunch with the guests... talk to them."
-Walt Disney

Wow...Wise Missional words from Walt Disney.

NEW BLOG

Just recently began posting on a new blog. Its called Pastor Steev. On it I hope to be more introspective and thoughtful, more personal and pastoral, keep this one more informative.

Troubling

"Although large majorities of the public claim to be “deeply spiritual” and say that their religious faith is “very important” in their life, only 15% of those who regularly attend a Christian church ranked their relationship with God as the top priority in their life."

Read more from the Barna research's article "The 12 most significant religious findings of 2006"

YES TONIGHT

Despite the weather we WILL be having bible study tonight. So brave the weather and we will study toghether. See ya there, lets show this ice whose boss.

Church Consumerism Pt 1

Part 1 of a two part discussion of the consermerism mentality of churches and church goers. The Video is taken from the Desiring God Conference prmotional videos done for the 2006 conference.

Click Here to watch the video. Its short.

SUNDAY EVENTS CANCELED

ALL SUNDAY EVENTS FOR TOMORROW JAN. 13th are
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER.
THIS INCLUDES SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP & SUNDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY.
MAKE A FIRE, POUR A CUP OF COFFEE, LOOK OUT THE WINDOW & MARVEL AT GOD'S BEAUTIFUL CREATION... ENJOY.
(If you regularly attend Bible Study on Sunday maybe this is a good week to try out Wed.)

Friends

"We do not make friends with God, God makes friends with us..."
J.I. Packer Knowing God
Galatians 4:9

New Study Begins Tonight

The Kids are Alright

We have had a few emails now that it's the beginning of the year asking how things are going personally with the Inge family here on mission in Joplin. I thought I'd give a quick update on things for those who like to keep up.

Christmas was good. Ashley and Abby got to fight the "christmas crud" but are feeling better. We had a 2 yr old in the house for Christmas again and that was great. Nothing like the magical experience of Christmas morning with children! I expect the first morning in Heaven will be similar for myself :)

New Years was uneventful, but it sounded like the kids next door were having a hoot!

Ethan and Abby got straight "A"s on their report cards today. Very proud of them!

Lilly turned 2 this week (Jan 2nd) and is everybit the terrible two. Very stubborn and independant. Not sure where that came from...She is talking like crazy and putting sentences together. Very fun.

Ethan, Abby and I just finished our weekly reading/study of Genesis. Good times.

Ashley is doing well and continues to be the backbone of this family. God definately blessed me with the most awesome wife on the planet! She is a proverbs wife and a crown on my head.

Winter comes and goes from Joplin. Planting a church is still pretty hard and yet satisfying. The family is learning about the provision of God and experiencing things in new ways. Our faith is constantly pushed and God's grace is evident daily!

Thank you for your love, support, concern and prayers for the continuing work of planting this church called Mystery. You are a blessing.

Back in the Saddle

All regularly scheduled events for Mystery are back in full swing after the holidays.

Sunday Morning Worship at the Inge's Home 10:30am
Sunday Evening Bible Study 5:30pm at the Inge's Home
Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:00pm at the Neely's Home

Maps to both homes are available on the web site under "location".

Modern Faith

"Lifestyles and values of people in the church (in North America) mirror so closely the lifestyles and values of the people in the larger culture...Faith, in the modern world is about intellectual assent, not belief in the biblical sense." In many ways. "we now have a church that is more secular than the culture." - Reggie McNeal The Present Future

NEW RESOLVE

Ex 12:2- “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.”
- God to Israel at Passover

Here are some thoughts and challenges for the church in 2007

• Let this be for us our first month of our first year- a year of worship, living, expecting
• A New Year, New challenges, New places- let us attack it full force, let us charge into the unknown- forgetting what was behind and straining toward what is ahead.
• Let us remember our sin and be shamed and then all the more dwell on his Grace and rejoice in our salvation!
• May we see our worlds transformed as we take the whole gospel with our whole strength to the whole city.
• Let us plead with the Lord for his grace and mercy to also be poured out on Joplin.
• Let us Expect God to be glorified in all things through us
• Let us remember and celelbrate God's saving grace & hope in his sanctifying work in you
• Let us find our humility, confidence & enjoyment in Christ alone
• Expect that he is doing big things in you, through you and for you

Amen

Happy New Year from a church called Mystery

Gal 2:20 Phil 1:6

Wisdom

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

"The Fruit of wisdom is Christlikeness-peace, humility and love-and the root of it is faith in Christ as manifested wisdom of God." - J.I. Packer Knowing God

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

To you the King is born. The Savior of the world. For it is not that we ever loved or could love God, but that he, in his immense love and mercy loved us, the sinner, first.
That God himself would be born a man and die the death of sin is indeed humbling. Who among you would do so? Who among us could lay down his life for anyone lastly his own enemy.
God does have great love for his creation. God is faithful to fulfill all he has promised. It is we who have failed him in unbelief and rebelion. But it is Christ who came into the world, who lowered himself and spoke like a child to his children and sacrificed himself for his own.
May we all this Christmas realize the depth of our own need, brokeness and sin. May this Christmas leed us all to our knees, rejoicing in what Jesus has done and the grace that has been given!

Praise be to God, the Holy One, our righeousness and salvation. He alone saves. It is for us that Jesus came and died-it is for us that he is risen and reigns and will return-REJOICE!

Christmas is Mission

We handed out these little red cards our our recent Christmas service in an effort to get people thinking about more than themselves this Christmas. They give several "practical ways to live out Christmas" in the city. Little things like buying groceries for someone or giving blood, serving at a shelter and so on. You can see the full list at MYSTERYCHURCH.COM. Just click on the TAKE ACTION button in the upper right corner.


"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matt 5:13-14

Young Adults Leaving

"More young adults are falling away from church and many are finding church irrelevant to their lives because their needs are not being met...The lack of opportunity for connection within the church proves to be a frustration point for young adults. One study participant said, “After graduation they give you a pat on the back and say, ‘When you start a family, we’ll be here for you."
Read the Full Article

Christmas Reading

Suggested Christmas Reading
(Notes from our Christmas Service)

Luke Chapter 2
The Book of John
Gen. Chapter 1-3
Isaiah 59:2
Romans Chapter 1
Rom Chapter 5 & 6
Col 1:13, 2:9
Ephesians 1:9-10
Mark 1:15

Christmas Party

We are having a Mystery Christmas Party this week. Our Wed Night Bible Study will be at the Inge's House this week instead of the Neely's. 6-8pm. It will be a time to meet, great and hang out with our two bible studies. Come, bring a friend and celebrate! There will be games, food and new friends. Spread the word with everyone you know and normally see at Bible Study.

Again:
Christmas Party
All Mystery bible study people (Sun. & Wed.)
6pm at the Inge's House (get directions at mysterychurch.com under "location")

See you then & Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Service

Well, we had our first ever public service this past Sunday and it was awesome! We held a Christmas service/preview service at a The Foundry music venue.

We wanted it to be laid back and simple, but we did have a few goals for the night:
1. Worship Jesus
2. Get our two Bible Study groups together in one place
3. Share the experience with friends and interested people
Mission accomplished we think.

All in all it was a success. It was really cool to gather, sing and celebrate Christmas as one large church body. It just felt good. As I walked into the room after spending some time alone it really brought a smile to my face.

Special thanks to our entire church for sacrificing their time and talents for the weekend and for the last six months. We have so much talent it's scary! Thanks also to Journey church for the childcare help.

Please join us in praying that God will provide a place to gather regularly next year. We are hoping to make this an every week event as soon as God is willing.

Jesus is awesome and He, not us, are building his church.

Shepherds vs. Sheep

On average, churchgoers feel 8% more informed than their pastors when it comes to cultural issues. Read more Here: Congregations Know More Than Their Pastors

ADVENT

Advent is the season Christians use to pause, ponder, and prepare for Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is more than just a story, it is the fulfillment of a promise that holds life transforming potential and world wide redemption.
"Advent, then, is a time for us to repent and believe. Knowing that Jesus was born to forgive our sins, we repent (admit our failures to God) and believe that we are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf. Also, knowing that Jesus is coming back, we repent and believe that when He returns, He will give us eternal life."
Here is a way to introduce Advent into your life and family this Christmas season. It's a great time to share with friends, small groups children and family.Check out www.adventdevotions.net for more resources, info and ideas. This downloadable booklet is a good daily Advent resource http://www.adventdevotions.net/downloads/English.

Reminder

Our First Christmas Service is this weekend. There will be singing, a christmas message & cookies. Sunday Night 6-7:30PM at the The Foundry (located at The Bridge) in Joplin.

Get a printable flyer at Mysterychurch.com & also click the "Tack Action" link to find out ways you can live out Christmas Missionally in the City.

Bring a Friend and see you there!

Dreadful

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- Hebrews 10:31

New Life

"New life is spread not only by mental acts like belief, but by bodily acts."- C.S. Lewis

Book Review

Here is a good little book by Steve Sjogren full called 101 Ways to Reach You Community of ideas for connecting with your city/community through servant evangelism. Its basically a big idea book for churches, small groups and individuals. Very practical. Buy, read, do. Pretty simple.
Click HERE to buy it now from Amazon.

Incarnation

God.

When He set out to bring His rebelious creation back to Himself knew it would be messy. The whole mystery of the Incarnation of Christ is God getting dirty. He CHOSE to enter a broken world and be subject to all it had to offer. He humbled Himself, lowered Himself down to our level. Its better that way you know.

When I talk to my kids, especially when its important, it means something to them when I lower myself to their level. When I get down and look them in the eye. When I get on my knees and play, laugh, cry, cuddle... the meaning increases, the moment is real.

Jesus did that. He came down. He got dirty. He played, He laughed, He cried, He suffered like all of us.

Incarnation is about moving forward. It is about pressing into something to better understand it, to better Help.

Christians are called to the same. The Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Spirit and the Spirit sends the church. Just as Jesus is the visible image on an invisible God, the church is to be the image of Christ in the world.

How's your reflection this week? Have you looked in the mirror lately? Have you taken a good long look back over the last 72, 48, 24 hours of your life? What's it look like? Who does it reveal?

Excuses

Well the Holidays are in full swing. As you see from the lack of postings everyone is busy. I am learning that this time of year is hard on church planting. People are just so busy. We are all traveling, spending, partying...you name it. Its just nuts. Not sure what will happen when our college students head home...wait and see I guess. This is all a learning curve for sure.

We are looking forward to pushing into 2007. We are hoping in late January to meet all together and begin building a regualr worship service for Mystery. Please be praying for us to find a place to gather corporately. Ideally a Free place is best, but God will provide the means for his provisions.

The whole thing is making me reflect on my own involvement in churches over the years. Its lead to repentance in thinking about others as well.

I would say that we should all step back and ponder how we understand and live out the gospel day to day.

How are we helping advance the kingdom?
In what way do we hinder the kingdom?
What opportunities is God placing before us and how am I pursueing his glory in them?
How could I be more involved with Jesus' mission in my city?
What sin keeps me enslaved to a self centered gospels which are not gospel at all?

Mission and the City

Here are some good challenging reads on Living Missional in our city. The challenge to find and frequent 3rd PLACES and the need for churces to Engage in Urban Renewal.

Thoughts? Post a commment.

Christmas Service

Mark your calendars. We are having a Christmas Service. This will be our first "public" gathering as a church and Everyone is Welcome! Bring a friend and share the season and excitement. Plan now to join us.
*there will be childcare but all older kids are welcome to join us for the service.

Seek the City

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."- Jeremiah 29:4-7

God has called us to fall in love with the city (see post "never" bellow) Not to avoid it. Part of the reason so many ministries fail is the ministers commitment to that place and people. The main reason for mission failing often is God's people failing to love, serve and seek the best for the city. People know if we are just doing the motions of religion. That's why it is so shocking to the world to see Christians actually being Christ. It is a beautiful thing, a attractive notion.

What could you do to live more for the city? What preferences, selfishness and sins keep you from mission? What would happen if you made your ways his ways, settled down, had kids, made a life, invested in, prayed for and blessed the people and city to whom you are sent.

We are not stuck here, we where placed here.

Repent, Rebuild, Restore & Reclaim

The Gospel As a Means

The Gospel isn't just the means of salvation, but it is the very way we grow in maturity as Christians.

One Punk

It's got me interested...
Click to view Commerical

The Sum of the Gospel

All problems, personal or social come from a failure to see the gospel in a radical way, to get "in line with the truth of the gospel" (Gal.2:14). All pathologies in the church and all its ineffectiveness comes from a failure to use the gospel in a radical way. We believe that if the gospel is expounded and applied in its fullness in any church, that church will look very unique. People will find both moral conviction yet compassion and flexibility.

Dr. Tim Keller

Hello Pastor

Oh man....way to close to home. MP3 recording of a message left on a Pastor's phone.
Give it a listen.

Never

"We can never reach a community that we do not love. We will never reach a people whom we are unwilling to love." - Breaking the Missional Code

Meaning

"Not only do we know God through Jesus Christ, but we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ we cannot know the meaning of our life or death, or God or of ourselves."- Blaise Pascal

The Gospel vs. Religion

As Jesus lived his life & Paul modeled Jesus' life. So too are we to model Christ. Such is our Example. This is being a Christian. -1 John 2:6

The Whole Gospel to the Whole City with our Whole Strength.

Boring

"It is a sin to bore people with God."- John Piper

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!

We all know what today is....October 31st is “Reformation Day”commemorating the day in 1517 when Christian reformer Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses challenging the doctrine of penance, the authority of the pope, and the usefulness of indulgences. Dressing up the kids like Reformers and handing out doctrinal challenges, however, might not be the wisest form of cultural engagement. The period outfits are cool, though.

Missiology Pt 3

Here is a Link to an Excellent Talk by Dr. Tim Keller on the cost involved with living Missionally. It only 20 minutes. Give it a listen and post your comments.
Click to Listen

Missiology Pt 2

Bigger Things

"To rejoice in our forgiveness, teach right doctrine, and yearn for heaven are wonderful things, but God has much bigger things in mind for us." - Dallas Willard

Some Suggested Reading

Here is some suggested Reading for you. All of these revolve around Evangelism and Mission.
Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll, Celtic Way of Evangelism George Hunter, Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer and Open Secret by Leslie Newbigin

Missiology Pt 1

Definition of the Missional Church
The mission of the church is to be found in the mission of God. God calls the church to enthusiastically participate in God's mission in the world a world that has radically changed in North American in the last 50 years.
To engage today's world with the good news requires the formation of a disciple community - the church of Jesus Christ - to be a visible representation, witness and instrument of the sovereign rule of God in every aspect of our lives. A missional church responds to the changes in culture, the leadings of the Spirit, and the needs of the world as it attempts to follow Christ's mission.
- Scott Thomas
Acts 29 Network

The Cook Out

Last week we hosted a Cook Out at Landreth Park in Joplin. Despite the cold, gray weather we had over 50 people come out. Nate and Josh cook a mean burger and everyone pitched in for a great time. We say many new faces and hopefully made some new friends in the process. Looking forward to doing it again in the Spring with some sun shinning!

Colbert Report: Richard Dawkins

Who seems to have more "intelligence" here?

"If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be—a Christian.” - Mark Twain

LOST?

Our New Mid Week Bible Study continues this Wed Night at 6pm. Check the site under location for more info. We will be in Corinth This week as we look at the 18th Chapter of Acts. And we think church today has problems.
Join us on Wed for friends and study and then join one of the 10000 LOST watching parties that happen afterwords.

VISION NIGHT #2

Interested In Knowing More about our New Church. Well Here is your opportunity. We are hosting our second vision night this coming Tuesday Night Oct. 17th at 6pm. It is being held at The Foundry in south Joplin. Its located near The Hammons Convention Center at THE BRIDGE. Free drinks at the soda bar and childcare is provided. Email us for more information.

Disappointment

"One of Mahatma Gandhi's more famous quotes was supposedly spoken to a group of British journalists as they rode on a train through English-held India. He was asked, "Why is it that you speak so highly of Jesus yet you are not a Christian?" He quickly responded, "I would become a Christian... if I could just find one..." Since reading those words a couple of decades ago, I have been haunted by the cutting truth behind the observant eye of this Hindu world changer. There are many billions through the ages who have dared to glibly call themselves Christians - as there are many today who take on that descriptor. That term means literally "little Christ." If you stop to think about it, it's a pretty audacious thing to call oneself a "Christian" in light of the literal meaning of the term. As I write this I wonder if I have ever met a bona fide Christian in all of my thirty-plus years of seeking to follow Jesus. To say that this is disappointing doesn't begin to capture my feelings about this generation of the Church."

Steve Sjogren- Launching Pastor Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, OH and Author of Conspiracy of Kindness

The Word

"It is not the Word of God because the church says so...The Church does not make the Word, but it is made by the Word."
-Luther

Updates

• MysteryChurch.com has been updated. Check the Location section where you will find new times, lococations and maps for our Home Gathering-Bible Studies. Sunday & Wednesday evenings.

• Check out the Flyer below. We are having our Very first MYSTERY COOKOUT. Sunday Oct. 15th at Landreth Park in Joplin. Everyone is Welcome and Everything is FREE! Make some new friends, eat some food and get to know the men & women of Mystery.

Purposeless

"The Concept of Sin makes no sense if human life, taken as a whole, is purposeless." - Cornelious Plantinga Jr.

Substitutes

“Aspiration, resolution, morality
and religiosity are not substitutes
for faith.”- J.I. Packer

Dont Forget

Mystery Multiplies starting This SUNDAY. Our normal, Bible Study continues Sunday evening Oct 1st at 5:30 AND our new 2nd night will start this Wed Oct. 4th. So if you can come to Steev's on Sunday do. If Mid Week is better come to the Neely's on Wed night at 6pm.
Same Teaching, different night. More convenience. More people. More comfort.

See you Sun. or Wed.

MULTIPLYING

Stat

Americans ages 13 to 24 now spend more time online than they do in front of the TV.

God and Dollar$

Does God want you to be rich?


The Time article had a pole taken with the following results:

• 17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of a (prosperity) movement.
• 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous.
• 31% agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money.

A new Time magazine Cover Story asks this same question. So much of "christian hypocrisy" conversations I have tends to center around churches being about money. Jesus did talk about money a lot. He understood its weight, influence and temptation on the lives of man. It's important to remember Jesus himself was homeless. He had rich friends and He had poor friends annd consistantly while talking about money He made His life and work about People. He was concerned with the state of the soul and not the size of their wallet. If as Christians we are to live the example of Jesus, maybe we should try giving, serving and loving first. Maybe instead of asking how much do I have or can I make, we should ask what Jesus would do with the same amount.

Cultural Immersion

Lots of People ask what will make Mystery "different". One thing I long to see is Christians in commmunity loving Jesus, worshiping him as King and understanding his mission for us to the world. Here is a promo video for John Piper's Desiring God Conference by one of my favorite Pastors Mark Driscoll. It's a good commentary viewpoint on the subject of Christians needing to be on mission and living in and among culture for the purpose of accomplishing His Mission.

Watch Video Here

Faith on the Shelf

A new study by The Barna Group shows that despite strong levels of spiritual activity during the teen years, most twentysomethings disengage from active participation in the Christian faith during their young adult years.
Twentysomethings continue to be the most spiritually independent and resistant age group in America. Most of them pull away from participation and engagement in Christian churches, particularly during the “college years.” The research shows that, compared to older adults, twentysomethings have significantly lower levels of church attendance, time spent alone studying and reading the Bible, volunteering to help churches, donations to churches, Sunday school and small group involvement...

*Read the whole Barna Research article here.

FREE BOOK!

John Piper is one of my favorite Pastor, teacher, authors. A really good easy reading book I enjoyed was Don’t Waste Your Life. Simple, straighforward and honest.
It is being offered for free this month by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ! Thats right FREE.

Description: God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. In his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life,” John Piper challenges you to make the glory of God your singular passion. Request your free copy online now!

Safe

"The church is not a safe place because Jesus is not a safe leader."
Mike Farra (A good leader and a great friend)

JOY

Joy. Mystery has thre defining missional words: Live, Love and Enjoy. SImply put I believe as Christians today we have lost our Joy. Not hapiness per say but our Joy. We have lost what is is to be a Christ Follower full and Joy and Finding Enjoyment in our creator and king. Also I beleive that in this generation we have lost our understanding of what this joy looks like in the lives of those who truelly sell out for Jesus. I read this devotional thought last month and it stirred my heart. Hope it will do the same for you.

August 31, 2006

"My Joy . . . Your Joy"

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full —John 15:11

What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— ". . . who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross . . ." ( Hebrews 12:2 ). "I delight to do Your will, O my God . . ." ( Psalm 40:8 ). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, ". . . the cares of this world, . . . choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful" ( Mark 4:19 ). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.

Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" ( John 7:38 ). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His "living water." Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live "your life . . . hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3 ). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.

Oswald Chambers from "My Utmost for His Highest"

Donate Group

Donate a Church Building

Are you a church looking to donate a church building? Donate Church Group will work with local Church Planting Networks to assess and assist your local church to determine if it can be replanted. If all partners determine it is best to shut the church doors, your team will work with the Church Planting Network to allocate resources and fund new churches. Contact Donate Church Group to learn more.

Twenty Somethings Struggle

Twenty-somethings Struggle to Find Their Place in Christian Churches. Only 3 out of 10 (31%) attend church in a typical week.

Full Article Here at Barna.org

Perseverance

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." -Spurgeon

Mystery 2.0

NEW WEB SITE IS LIVE: MYSTERYCHURCH.COM CHECK IT!

Book Revue

Breaking the Missional Code

By Ed Stetzer

If you are a church planter this is a must read. If you want a good book on Missional Living, this might be ok. I really like Ed Stetzer and this book really asks some good questions and brings up some good thoughts about how to think more Missionally and also how to ask better questions about the culture in which you are placed. The idea of code breaking is very relevant at the moment as I find myself thinking through the barriers and stories of Joplin to better connect and share the gospel with the people of my city.

Living among people is one thing. Knowing the people is another. There is some good insight for those who want to move their current church toward thinking more missionally and those thinking through contextualizing the gospel to the people and places God has placed you.

Steev

Sharpening

"Christianity is true, its truth saws against the grain of much in contemporary culture and therefore needs constant sharpening"- Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

From the book Not the Way it's Supposed to Be. Speaking in regard to the need for the church to retreive the awareness and doctrine of sin.

News & Reminders

> We are still meeting for Bible Study on Sunday Nights. 5:30 PM - Map & Directions on the web site.

> Pics from Last Sundays Bible Study Gathering. We had 32-33 people this past week. "And the lord added to their numbers..." Jesus is good. At this rate we will be a multi-site multi-service living room church..haha




> New Web Site [Mystery Church] Is up and running it is very Nice. Thanks Bart!

> We will be hosting a second vision Night sometime late Sept. Stay tuned and get your questions ready.

> Please keep praying for a place to meet and the funds to continue pressing on.

Success

Vision night was a good night. Thanks to everyone who came out last night. We had about 40 adults and a bunch of kids. The Vision was shared and already people are responding. Be praying for the meetings that will happen and people God wants added to this movement.
If you are one of those curious folks who came feel free to email any questions or set up a timew to meet. We would love to continue sharing what Jesus is doing through MYSTERY.

VISION NIGHT!!

We have a Vision Night Coming up this Wednesday Night.

Basically it is a chance for interested and inquisitive Christians to find out if Mystery might be a good church to become a part of. Church Planting is not easy, but it is necessary. If you or someone you know might think that joining a new missional church which exists to reach new people and parts of Joplin with an old old story come check it out this Wed. the 23rd. 6:30pm.
For more info check the Web site or click here for a FLYER and MAP.

p.s. dont forget we still have our Sunday night Bible Study in full effect!

Why Another Church Pt 2

Church Planting is biblical: God is a sending God. He sent Jesus. Jesus sent the church. (John 20:21) To Fulfill the Great Commission we are sent out as missionaries into the cultures God has placed us to express him fully to all nations, languages and tribes.

Church planting is a cultural necessity: New churches are designed to reach specific groups of people. These groups have distinct lives and languages making up their cultures. We must not simply view “missions” as something we support overseas in a forest and forget that our cities and neighborhoods are our first mission fields. New churches can more easily adapt to new cultures and reveal age-old truth in new and relevant ways.

Church Planting is effective: New healthy churches continue to be the no. 1 most effective means of reaching unchurched people in America. Statistically 60-80 % of people in new churches were not previously involved in any local church. People are more willing to step into new places with new people, void of traditions and history. They are welcomed to help create new customs; relationships and cultural expressions, Through lives changed by the gospel new churches become beautiful, God glorifying missions to America.

Why Another Church Part 1

Why Start Another Church?

“If the Great Commission is to be realized, all people need to hear the gospel and experience church in a language they can understand. One size does not fit all… churches must find their biblical expression in every culture.” – Dr. Ed Stetzer, Breaking the Missional Code

Some poles would suggest that as little as 26% of Americans are attending Church. In the United States 80% of all churches in America are plateaud or declining.

“Our research has shown that most of the influence on what people think and do comes from just seven sources: movies, television, music, family, books, law, and the Internet. That same body of research shows that the local church has virtually no discernible influence on people’s lives.” Barna, Revolution

According to a recent News Week article about faith in America 34% of the participants claimed to be spiritual, but not religious. Of these “spiritual” people, only 27% say they attended church at least once a week. George Barna reports that between 1991 and 2004 there was a 92% increase in the number of unchurched Americans.

In the Joplin metro area 42% of the population (roughly 70K people) claimed no religious affiliation.

NEWS LETTER

It's August now and our First Newsletter/Update shipped today. Look for yours in the mail. It's churck full of church and family news, pictures, thoughts and needs. Check it out. Theres an addressed envelope in it too if you feel lead to support this planting effort. It gets the design approval of the kids too.

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MYSTERY INFO