|
 2009 Convocation
Complete Service
Greg Ogden Teaching Only
We gathered at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church near Chattanooga, TN for our Sixth Annual Convocation. Our theme "Gathered to be with Him, Sent to be like Him" was based on Mark 3-6. We were pleased to welcome Greg Ogden as our featured speaker. Greg is the Executive Pastor of Discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook, IL. He is the author of Transforming Discipleship. Greg spoke several times during our time together.
2008 CONVOCATION
New Wineskins Convocation V - 7:00 PM Part 1
Opening Worship, Recasting the New Wineskins Vision, Rev. Dr. Dean Weaver, New Wineskins Leadership Team
New Wineskins Convocation V - 8:30 AM Part 2
Images of a Missional Church, Rev. Marcelo Robles, Buenos Aries, Argentina
New Wineskins Convocation V - 10:30 AM Part 3
Westminister Refresher: Exploring the Confessional Standard, Dr. Douglas Kelly, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
New Wineskins Convocation V - 2:00 PM Part 4
Making a Difference, Reports from the Mission Field and Mission Mobilization
New Wineskins Convocation V - 4:00 PM Part 5
To Samaria: Mission in the Land Within Our Land, Rev. Eli Morris, Hope Presbyterian Church, Cordova, TN
New Wineskins Convocation V - 7:00 PM Part 6
To the Ends of the Earth: Where People Long to See the Face of God, Caroline Kurtz, Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship
New Wineskins Convocation V - 8:15 AM Part 7
Images of a Missional Church Part II, Rev. Marcelo Robles
One Eyewitness account of the New Wineskins Convocation V
November 9-11, 2008 at Bay Presbyterian Church, Bay Village Ohio.
By Kay George
“Come to Him, the Living Stone” – 1 Peter 2:4-12
My original airline ticket was from Philly to Baton Rouge, but hurricane Ike rerouted the New Wineskins Convocation and its participants to Bay Village, Ohio. For me, the Convocation was characterized by Joyful Worship, Inspired Teaching, Missional Equipping, Genuine Fellowship, a few “nuts and bolts” of organizational necessity. The people of Bay Presbyterian Church literally opened their doors to host the Convocation on a few weeks notice. It was quickly apparent that the Lord has poured out upon them the gift of hospitality!
JOYFUL WORSHIP
Picture a sanctuary filled with people whose hearts and minds are given over to Christ, united in the worship of the Living God, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even my stoic, German-ancestry, Presbyterian hands were raised (at least part of the way up) in expression of heartfelt praise to God as Bay Presbyterian Church musicians led the congregation in worship. Worship was accompanied at various times by a chamber orchestra, a harp, a classical a capella ensemble, a hip-hop a capella quartet of young adults, a children’s praise-dance group, soaring pipe-organ hymns, what looked like a hundred-voice choir, and a praise band of keyboard/drums and guitar. And that was just the music portion of the worship! Most everything at Bay is lay-led and the worship services were crafted by a music and arts ministry team that is clear on its theology but free in its forms of expression. It was such a joy to worship freely with Christians who share the same Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, and ably express and affirm those Essentials in and through their worship.
INSPIRED PREACHING/TEACHING
Sunday evening Rev. Dr. Dean Weaver refreshed our memory of the history of the New Wineskins Association of Churches (NWAC) by reviewing the watershed events which brought us to this time and place. He stressed that NWAC is not primarily “those who leave the PCUSA” but rather those who share a common vision of a church in the 21st century that serves the local congregation in its ministry of reaching the spiritually lost, equipping and maturing Christian believers, and sending disciples in mission throughout out communities and into the world. As we remembered together the times of fervent prayer from previous convocations, Dr. Weaver hoped that the members of the NWAC would be recognized as “those who pray on their knees.” Regardless of our denominational affiliation, Dean challenged us to live the vision of the NWAC: forming ministry networks of pastors and churches supporting and encouraging one another and working together in a variety of ways to become evangelical and missional churches, right now – with the goal of reaching the world for Jesus Christ.
Each session of the Convocation opened with worship. Monday morning, Rev. Marcelo Robles, Pastor of La Mision in Buenos Aires, Argentina, described how the missional church is a suffering church, a discipling church, a church with strong fellowship. Marcello shared examples of how the Lord is actively shaping his ministry among the poor.
Monday afternoon Rev. Dr. Eli Morris, Associate Pastor of Urban Ministries at Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova, TN, talked about being missional in our own communities. Eli described the church as a “launch pad” sending people out to serve, rather than a “landing strip” where people come and sit to feed themselves without any thought of serving others.
Monday evening Caroline Kurtz, Associate Director of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, inspired us with her message “To the Ends of the Earth: Where People Long to See the Face of God.” She told of the hunger for God in the third world, and warned of shrinking numbers of Presbyterians in the USA. The goal of Frontier Fellowship is for every language and people group in the world to worship the Lord.
The closing sermon Tuesday evening was delivered by the Senior Pastor-elect of Bay Presbyterian, Rev. Garnett Slatton, current Senior Pastor of River Community Church in Prairieville, LA. Teaching from the text of 1 Peter 2:4-12, Garnett challenged us to follow the example of Jesus, our High Priest – to become one with those we serve, so that they know us and we know them. We, too, must die to self and live for others.
REPORTS FROM THE MISSION FIELD & EQUIPPING FOR MISSIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Monday afternoon several pastors from around the country shared stories of God at work in their churches as they put into practice the missional vision.
Rev. Dr. Eli Morris described taking groups of 25 adults into the city for 3 nights/ 4 days of immersion into the needs of the urban poor and determining how best to meet those needs using a missional model. He challenged leaders to “make your church the first place the mayor calls when the community needs help.”
Rev. Bill Stephens told of the experiences of his congregation as they walked away from their downtown Fort Myers, FL, property in order to follow God’s call on them to transfer to the EPC. One thousand people left together and experienced God’s blessing and provision as they developed a new church. Bill challenged his congregation (and us as well) to (1) be part of one aspect of the church where you can grow spiritually; (2) find a place where you can be in ministry in this community. One hour per week of service is much more important than church committee meetings (!); (3) tithe or move toward tithing; (4) worship every week you are in town.
Julie Jones, Director of Outreach at Bay Presbyterian, shared how their congregation is involved in the community.
Rev. Ken Mulder, Minister of Outreach at Sunset Presbyterian in Portland, OR, challenged the audience via a clip from www.adventconspiracy.com to get out monthly and serve your community. His congregation is working to end homelessness in Portland.
Beyond these reports, there were also many excellent workshops designed to equip participants for missional effectiveness. NWAC convocations provide for connection between churches going through similar circumstances, as well as equipping leaders for the work they are doing in their churches and communities. Workshops are designed to meet the needs of congregations seeking to live into the New Wineskins vision in the PC(USA), those who are embroiled in battles with presbyteries in their desire to be dismissed to another Reformed body, and those who are seeking to live the vision of New Wineskins within the NW/EPC transitional presbytery.
There was a workshop to help pastors and elders review the Westminster Confession of Faith in preparation for being examined by the EPC as required in order to transfer membership. A group of lawyers gave a presentation on current rulings on Church Property and how to prepare for legal battles. Two pastors actively engaged in developing missional leadership in their churches lead simulation exercises and discussion on how to train leaders in your church using the new missional model.
Tuesday morning while the New Wineskins – Evangelical Presbyterian Church support network (ie. transitional presbytery) convened their meeting, the rest of the group met for discussion with Rev. Carmen Fowler on the topic: “How to Live the New Wineskins vision in an Old Wineskins World.” For two to three hours ministers, elders, members shared how their congregations were learning to be missional, how their churches were networking with others, how their sessions were holding new missional-focused meetings (emphasis on prayer, hearing how God is working in their midst, leadership training, very short time for “business.”.) Participants encouraged one another in the reality of life within the PC(USA).
GENUINE FELLOWSHIP
Lunch times provided opportunities to meet other pastors and elders from your state, or to talk with other women in leadership, or with those working on new church development, or to ask legal questions of the many attorneys present. Dinner each evening provided opportunities to gather informally with friends old and new as together we enjoyed the genuine fellowship afforded those who share the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.
“NUTS AND BOLTS” - DELELGATED MEETING OF NWAC
And of course, what would a Presbyterian gathering be without taking care of business? The Delegated Meeting of the NWAC learned about the exciting progress being made by various task forces and teams:
- Joint Commission working on the details of the merger with the EPC.
- Women in Church Leadership – the team prepared a NWAC position paper on this issue.
- Report on what is happening in the Global Mission Networks
- Report on the progress made by the leadership development and equipping team
- Election of new members for the NWAC leadership team
- Voting on constitutional amendments.
I look forward with great anticipation to the next New Wineskins convocation. My hope is that I too will have a testimony to share as He invites me more fully into the work of advancing His Kingdom in the midst of the community where I live.
CONVOCATION 2007
I am the Vine and you are the branches
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, Fair Oaks, California
October 28th - 30th, 2007
The New Wineskins convocation
provided us a unique opportunity to not only consider
what it means to be missional but to "worshipfully
work" toward the reformation of our Lord's Church!
Starting on Reformation Sunday,
October 28, participants gathered to worship,
pray, read and study Scripture, and discern together
next steps for their own ministry networks including
local and global mission efforts, and ... is it
possible, to consider church planting!
Ministry networks are covenant
fellowships of congregations and their leaders
of ~3 to 8 congregations. Affirming written essential
tenets and ethical imperatives, ministry networks
are ecumenical and exist for the purpose of supporting
the ministry and mission of the Church. These
ministry networks seek to be a part of what God
is doing in the world. The Holy Spirit is alive
and well in the global church! Let's join in!
Watch Convocation Video
Opening
Worship & Vespers with Dr. Chris Alford &
Rev. Eric Amundson
Reflections on John 14 - Rev. Carmen Fowler
The
View from the Winepress - Dr. Dean Weaver
"I
am the Vine" from John 15 - Rev. Randy Jenkins
Ministry
Networks: The Basics - Elder Renee Guth
"The
Vine - Part II" from John 15:5-8 - Dr. Chris
Alford, Don Bowes, and Rev. Gerrit Dawson
What's
Going On in New Wineskins Congregations? - Rev.
Russell Wilkins
Co-laborers
in the Harvest - EPC - Dr. Dean Weaver
Co-laborers
in the Harvest - Mission Partners - Elder Renee
Guth
"The
Vine Part III" from John 15:9-11 - Rev. Bill
Stephens
Ministry
Networks Reporting - Rev. David Henderson
The
Inaugural Meeting of the New Wineskins EPC Presbytery
Communion
Service - Sending Forth the Laborers Into the
Vineyard
|
