Comments on: Struggling with Pioneer Ministry http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/ An Initiative of CityTeam Ministries Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:37:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Mike Helms http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-895 Mike Helms Mon, 11 May 2009 14:25:39 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-895 Jesus said, "Go into all the world..." It's inconceivable that anyone would question spreading the gospel online. Nobody questions printing books, or having radio programs, or leaving tracts that tell the gospel story! How is this any different? Jesus said, “Go into all the world…” It’s inconceivable that anyone would question spreading the gospel online. Nobody questions printing books, or having radio programs, or leaving tracts that tell the gospel story! How is this any different?

]]> By: Anglican Bible Study in Second Life http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-879 Anglican Bible Study in Second Life Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:54:36 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-879 [ as to the above, please note who posted it ] nb - I saw one guy who was posting very silly things regarding a mention of the great stuff you're doing, Paul, someone who apparently has issues with the thought that God is interested in redeeming His children - anyways, please be assured, my friend, that this guy tends to use the word "Anglicans" when he quite possibly means, "a tiny group of Episcopalians who tend to confuse Christology with Crystalogy." We Anglicans DO believe in salvation. Doh. That's one of the especially challenging things about this, btw. Not only do we deal with skepticism & patronizing remarks from those who don't understand - our field also attracts a lot more - persons of flamboyant opinion - than most - and we have to field their concerns as well. I loved the way you responded to the guy, you showed a lot of class, more than I usually do. [ as to the above, please note who posted it ]

nb – I saw one guy who was posting very silly things regarding a mention of the great stuff you’re doing, Paul, someone who apparently has issues with the thought that God is interested in redeeming His children – anyways, please be assured, my friend, that this guy tends to use the word “Anglicans” when he quite possibly means, “a tiny group of Episcopalians who tend to confuse Christology with Crystalogy.” We Anglicans DO believe in salvation. Doh.

That’s one of the especially challenging things about this, btw. Not only do we deal with skepticism & patronizing remarks from those who don’t understand – our field also attracts a lot more – persons of flamboyant opinion – than most – and we have to field their concerns as well.

I loved the way you responded to the guy, you showed a lot of class, more than I usually do.

]]> By: Paul http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-878 Paul Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:51:23 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-878 Yes. We are exactly that! And so are you, by the way. I love working with you in Second Life. Be blessed! -Paul. Yes. We are exactly that! And so are you, by the way. I love working with you in Second Life.

Be blessed!
-Paul.

]]> By: Anglican Bible Study in Second Life http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-877 Anglican Bible Study in Second Life Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:40:55 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-877 You're nuts. The lot of you. You’re nuts.

The lot of you.

]]> By: John King http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-876 John King Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:39:03 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-876 Paul, One of the guys I disciple in jail wept tears of discouragment this morning. He's feeling lonely because of some verbal abuse he's taking over starting a Bible study group and doing Prayer Call every night. He also found out he will be in 90 days longer than he had anticipated. I took him to Hebrews 12:1-3, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a gret cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not lose heart." There is a crazy line in there--"for the joy set before him endured the cross." Remember the joy God's calling has set before you. Focus on the dream of online faith communities reproducing online faith communities. Claim God's promise to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Eph. 3:20). Keep on keeping on! He is able! We will march through hell for the joy set before us. Let these disappointments in people re-focus your gaze on Jesus. He's at the finish line cheering you on! Your brother, John King Paul,

One of the guys I disciple in jail wept tears of discouragment this morning. He’s feeling lonely because of some verbal abuse he’s taking over starting a Bible study group and doing Prayer Call every night. He also found out he will be in 90 days longer than he had anticipated.

I took him to Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a gret cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not lose heart.”

There is a crazy line in there–”for the joy set before him endured the cross.” Remember the joy God’s calling has set before you. Focus on the dream of online faith communities reproducing online faith communities. Claim God’s promise to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). Keep on keeping on!

He is able! We will march through hell for the joy set before us. Let these disappointments in people re-focus your gaze on Jesus. He’s at the finish line cheering you on!

Your brother,
John King

]]> By: Brian Vasil http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-875 Brian Vasil Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:15:47 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-875 Paul... I LOVE this post...the transparency and the heart in it is so genuine... As someone on the front lines digitally with you, I share your passion and your frustration. There have been so many people before us who have tried a new way to reach people for Christ and have been told "we don't do it that way." Be strong and take courage... Online ministry is real ministry. Online community is real community. Salvations are happening...people are growing...the world is connecting...one login at a time. Don't be discouraged..there are many people with your same call who are praying for you...and with you. I am one of them. Blessings to you and your ministry. Brian Paul… I LOVE this post…the transparency and the heart in it is so genuine…

As someone on the front lines digitally with you, I share your passion and your frustration. There have been so many people before us who have tried a new way to reach people for Christ and have been told “we don’t do it that way.”

Be strong and take courage… Online ministry is real ministry. Online community is real community. Salvations are happening…people are growing…the world is connecting…one login at a time.

Don’t be discouraged..there are many people with your same call who are praying for you…and with you.

I am one of them. Blessings to you and your ministry.

Brian

]]> By: Nathan Edwards http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-874 Nathan Edwards Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:37:12 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-874 The church has many good tactics for getting rid of passion... usually accompanied by the phrase... "we love your passion but..." I haven't really read much of your stuff... but you have great vision, run with it... The internet needs more christians... It's hard to run against the grain with the way the internet is going (I've found that with http://j516.com) but it's a harvest waiting to be picked The church has many good tactics for getting rid of passion… usually accompanied by the phrase… “we love your passion but…”

I haven’t really read much of your stuff… but you have great vision, run with it… The internet needs more christians… It’s hard to run against the grain with the way the internet is going (I’ve found that with http://j516.com) but it’s a harvest waiting to be picked

]]> By: Paul http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-873 Paul Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:25:50 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-873 Thanks, Katy! You and the other online summer missionaries are always an encouragement to me! -Paul. Thanks, Katy! You and the other online summer missionaries are always an encouragement to me!
-Paul.

]]> By: Katy http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-872 Katy Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:04:48 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-872 Paul, thanks so much for posting this. I was very moved by it. I appreciate your openness in sharing the struggles and feelings you've had as you've begun this movement. I would love to go bop some people on the head for giving you a hard time about it, but that's another matter entirely. I pray for you, particularly now for encouragement and strength as you pursue this calling. I believe very strongly it is a calling, and like most ground-breaking, Spirit-led visions, it is (unfortunately) rarely understood or supported on a large scale right away. I was also inspired and moved by the verses and four points God gave you. You are clearly called to this, and I believe your obedience and desire to honor God will be rewarded. May He grant you courage and peace and joy as you pursue the great task He has given you, with enough results to keep you going and eyes of faith to see the unseen fruit. Bless you for your passion and vision, and for sharing that with those you bring alongside you. Paul, thanks so much for posting this. I was very moved by it. I appreciate your openness in sharing the struggles and feelings you’ve had as you’ve begun this movement. I would love to go bop some people on the head for giving you a hard time about it, but that’s another matter entirely. I pray for you, particularly now for encouragement and strength as you pursue this calling. I believe very strongly it is a calling, and like most ground-breaking, Spirit-led visions, it is (unfortunately) rarely understood or supported on a large scale right away. I was also inspired and moved by the verses and four points God gave you. You are clearly called to this, and I believe your obedience and desire to honor God will be rewarded. May He grant you courage and peace and joy as you pursue the great task He has given you, with enough results to keep you going and eyes of faith to see the unseen fruit. Bless you for your passion and vision, and for sharing that with those you bring alongside you.

]]> By: Paul http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/04/28/struggling-with-pioneer-ministry/#comment-871 Paul Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:24:26 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=447#comment-871 Thanks, Brandon. That means a lot! I appreciate it. -Paul. Thanks, Brandon. That means a lot! I appreciate it.
-Paul.

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