OIKOS Australia is desperately in need of someone to manage our web site. This is an Equal Opportunity organisation and everyone gets paid the same - nothing!! The web site is basically set up but needs some attention from time to time. I manage the Blog myself. If you are able to help, please click ‘no comment’ below to write a comment, or go to the web site and click on ‘contact us’.
Home church people gathered over the weekend to share and learn more about being church as micro rather than macro. Stuart Gramenz and the church that meets with him, arranged the gathering in beautiful surroundings at Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. We listened as long time practitioners shared stories of their journey. There was an atmosphere charged with enthusiasm as conversations mirrored the ‘one anothers’ of the New Testament Church. Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve just posted the final (detailed!) version of the SURRENDER:08 program so follow the link below to check it out.
Apologies if you have had difficulties registering online - we’ve ironed out the glitches and its all systems go for online registrations again!
There are still places to join our hard core SURRENDERites who are participating in TEAR’s Slum Survivor simulation this year. Join some of the UNOH team as they seek God’s heart for the least by experiencing a taste of life in a slum.
We’re also really pleased to have Brother Patrick Henigan running our Art and Spirituality workshops. Patrick is a Franscican and renowed Australian artist who has work in the collections of the Australian National Gallery, National Gallery of Victoria and various Universities throughout Australia.
For further details, please click on the hyperlink below:
http://unoh.org/?a1G1S&eAW&C7k&44O
From www.coloradohousechurch.com
From 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). Read the rest of this entry »
Andrew Strom from New Zealand - founder of RevivalSchool.com and the international REVIVAL List, and author of several books including “True & False Revival”.
Thursday 3rd July: 7.30pm, Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem St, Strathpine, Brisbane.
Friday 4th July: 7.30pm, Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem St, Strathpine, Brisbane.
Saturday 5th July: 7.30pm, Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem St, Strathpine, Brisbane.
Sunday 6th July: 9.30am, Samford Community Hall, School Road, Samford, Brisbane.
Date Claimer for upcoming one day conference
One day Forge/Churches of Christ conference.
When we hear speech like:
“Church Planting” & “Planting a Missional Community”, for many the follow on unspoken thoughts are “lots of money, sacrifice, specialists, high-powered leadership, buildings…etc”
A great book for those who are not coping with traditional ways of church -http://jakecolsen.com/contents.html OIKOS has several copies $15. Contact us!
An excellent article on Body Life http://www.lifestream.org/LSBL.May01.html
There’s a Sheep in my Bathtub: Birth of a Mongolian Church Planting Movement
By Brian Hogan
“There’s a Sheep in my Bathtub” is the gripping story of the Hogan family’s life on the mission field in Mongolia. It is a book that will not fail to stir the emotions. Throughout the account, Brian’s passion to see the Kingdom of God come to one of the least reached areas of the world shines through. But more than just an enthralling read about the beginnings of a church planting movement, the book teaches valuable lessons and principles that can be applied to any church planting situation—especially cell and simple churches. I could not put it down. I recommend it without hesitation.
Felicity Dale, author of Getting Started & An Army of Ordinary People
h2hconfflyer.pdf Click here for the details - August 2008.
From Simple Church Journal
When we baptize new believers we have taken Neil Cole’s advice which is, “baptize people as soon as possible and as publicly as possible.” In short, we throw a party. Not for the already-churched, but for the families and friends of the person being baptized. In fact, when we have baptized people recently we have many more guests present than people that we already know. Read the rest of this entry »