Rethinking the church : a challenge to creative redesign in an age transition / James Emery White.

white, James Emery, 1961- Rethinking the church : a challenge to creative redesign in an age transition / James Emery White. 0-8010-9039-3 (pbk.) Rethinking Structure 93 To make matters worse, a church's structure is often wedded to some of the most deeply rooted customs within the life of a church . 94 As a result, a churches structure can either serve the church it to a standstill. It can energize a community of faith lead it toward ever deepening levels of discouragement. It can enable men and women to use their gifts and abilities for the kingdom of God or tie the hands and frustrate the most ted efforts of God's people. Why? Because the structure of any organization directly affects morale, effectiveness and unity.

Mountain rain / Eileen Crossrnan.

35 I am feeling more and more that it is, after all, just prayers of God's people that call down blessing upon the work, whether they are directly engaged in it or not. Paul may plant and Apollos water, but it is God who gives the increase; and this increase can be brought down from heaven by believing prayer, whether offered in China or in England. We are, as it were, God's agents - used by Him to do His work, ours. We do our part, and then can only look to Him. with orders, Eor His blessing. If this is so, then Christians at home can do as much for foreign missions as those actually on the field. I believe it Will only be known on the last Day how much has been accomplished in missionary work by the prayers earnest believers at home. And athis, surely, is the heart of the problem. Such work does not consist in curio exhibitions, showing slides, interesting reports and so on. Good as they may be. these are only the fringe. not root of the matter. Solid, lasting missionary work is done on our knees. What I covet more than anything else is Earnest believing prayer, and I write to ask you to Continue to put up much prayer for me and the work here in Tengyueh. I should like you continually to pray, not only for the salvation of outsiders but for blessing on those who have definitely accepted Christ . . . I vwnt to be downright in earnest myself, and to be filled with the Spirit.

Misc

• Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers
• When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
• God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
• God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
• God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
• If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
• Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
• The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
• The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
• We don't change the message, the message changes us.