~ Amanda Anderson ~

Amanda Anderson is from Christian Life Assembly in Cmap Hill, PA. She is the Connections Pastor. A Connections Pastor means so many different things to different churches. In some churches, it references church security, in others it is the lead pastor over small groups. It has many other definitions depending on the church. It is Amanda's job, as Connections Pastor at Christian Life Assembly to welcome new guest, follow up with new guest, following regular attendees abcenes, work with ministries such as I.T., children's ministry, etc. to find the best possible place for people to connect and minister. She is very passionate about her job. At one point, Amanda worked for Doug Sayers. Amanda knew her work with Doug Sayers was only for a season. When it came time for her to leave, Doug had to hire three people to replace the job she was doing as one person.

Amanda loves watching people get to where they want to be. In college, she first majored in Pastoral Counseling. Later, she ended up working as an administrative assisstant with Doug Sayers youth ministry at the district office. Amanda met her husband outside of college. He is a fifth grade teacher. He is not at all what she had visioned herself marrying but they are very happy together. Even though, Amanda holds the position as the Connections Pastor, her husband is still recognized as the leader of their household.

Dave & Darlene Barrett

October 18, 2010

Dave and Darlene have a heart for small groups. They do not pastor a church but are only over a number of small groups. Dave grew up with missionary parents and went to a Christian school. He grew up on a Christian campus where there was always opportunities to minister. The disadvantages of growing up on the campus was the ability to make new friends; it was not a social network. His dad was always busy! He pastored three churches, was the school principal, and other things. He resented his dad and along with other speakers who went through similar experiences, also decided he did not want to become a pastor. He realized one day that he was struggling within himself because he loved people and everything he did was because of his love and passion to serve people. He then switched educational gears from psychology/counseling to pastoral ministry. One of the most important things Dave has learned during his years of ministry is to WAIT and be SURE we hear from the LORD, especially about the calling of a church. Dave has a great sense of humor and I think his way of reaching people is a wonderful, unique way of reaching people in a way others might not! I think it's wonderful that his "sheep" see him more through his small group ministry than they would if he was a pastor of one large church!  

Journey Church

October 11, 2010

This week our special guest speakers were Steve and Don. Steve was raised as a preacher's kid. He was baptized when he was 18. He attended a south western church in OK. The biggest change before he left was the agreement that men no longer had to wear ties. They were always fighting over tithes, music, clothing, etc. Steve left the church and decided he was not going to follow in his father's steps and become a pastor. He held a lot of resentment toward his father because he felt his father gave more time to the church than he did him and his family. He had a lot struggles and one day his dad called and said there was a Mennonite church in OK that could use him as pastor. About 10 people stayed during the split. Steve believes very strongly the reason the church has grown to approximately 250 people in attendance is because they are doing exactly what Luke 9 says: lifting up Jesus and preaching to the brokenhearted. He explains the difficulty in reaching "churched" people and that they "exist for those not here."
Don serves along side Steve. However, Don came from and entirely different background. Don came from a road of destruction. He was an alcoholic, drunkard, substance abuse, and addicted to pornography, and unlike Steve's parents, Don's parents were divorced. He would always appear to have it together but in reality he was a train wreck behind the scenes. He had major anger problems and was kicked out of all the bars in town--everyone in town knew him because of his bar fight reputation. Don had reached a desperate point in his life and one day while driving down the highway He called out to God and challenged God to show Himself real and God made His presence known right then to Don! One of the sources Don used and while he found it beneficial it wasn't the best of all that God used to help him out of the pit He was trying to recover from. One of the greatest things Don realized about his church, Journey Church, is that Journey Church saved his life and Jesus saved his soul! I found this, personally, to be a powerful realization and statement. During his time in the world he had left his wife and been unfaithful, however when he found Christ, he contacted his wife and discovered she had never sent in their divorce papers. He immediately left the woman he was with and went back to his wife who later also came to the Lord. They now have a five year old daughter. Journey church has lots (close to 20) small groups. They have no set requirements for starting a small group other than loving Jesus. They're desire is for everyone to get plugged into a small group and for each of those groups to grow and multiply and to continue branching off into more small groups. Steve made a great point that churches should be giving NOT always taking donations. He said God's Will is God's Bill!

Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley was the speaker in the video we watched today. Andy spoke on Making Visions Stick. Although I had a bit of difficulty totally understanding what he meant at some times, overall it was very interesting. I have to admit this is not a topic I have ever really given much deep thought to; it was certainly an eye opener! Andy bagan by explaining three things we must do in order to make visions stick. These are: Cast the vision strategically, Celebrate it systematically, and Live it out continuously. Casting provides definition to the vision, celebrating shines on the vision and makes it real, living out the vision lets others know a leader is worth following when s/he lives out the vision to the best of his ability. He emphasized the importance for the vision to be repeated over and over. When casting a vision we need to ask three things: 1)What problem does my ministry need to solve--every ministry can solve a problem of some sort, 2)What solutions can we offer to the problem--the vision is the solution to the problem, and 3)Why is it important to do it now? Living out the vision has direct impact on the congregation. Andy said it is LIFE that is the primary thing that keeps us from living out the vision. He shared two ways to keep vision from falling: 1) keeping an eye on programming, but think 'steps' not programming--none of us need more programming 2) LISTEN a)to prayer requests, b)to stories people tell, and c)to what people complain about--this is usually what is really going on with them. And finally, we reverse the vision roles and we Live it, Celebrate, it, and Cast it...over and over and over...and it will stick!!

Portrait of a Disciple ~ Simon the Zealot

Hello! My name is Simon, also known to many as Simon the Zealot. Yes, I realize most zealots did not like to be identified as a zealot, however I felt very strongly about my cause and wore the name proudly. I would love to share with you some of the important things I learned as a disciple of Jesus. I will admit, I was a bit shocked that Jesus chose me to be one of His disciples. My first thought was, “what great thing does Jesus see in me, a zealot?” So, being the outspoken individual I am, I asked Him. Jesus said he saw my great eagerness and zeal for the law of God. I knew this was true, and I was so glad He knew my heart but I knew there was also anger and hatred I held in my heart as well. Jesus, knowing my thoughts, leaned over and whispered in my ear ever so sweetly and said, “Simon, I know your love for God can be stirred from a new direction, so come, and let me help you grow as I show you the kingdom of God is far beyond an earthly empire. This was hard to fathom but in the end I knew that somehow Jesus was speaking truth so I chose to follow him and listen to all that He had to teach us.

You see, as a zealot, I was a fervent, fanatic, ardent, and passionate Israeli nationalists. I believed that anything I could do to bring about Israel's independence from Rome was proper. I hated their Roman masters and despised all Jews who had any dealings with them. We zealots had two guiding principles: we refused to pay taxes to Rome. We believed that Palestine was a “holy land” and none of what it produced should go to a foreign occupying power. We also refused to acknowledge the rule of the Roman Emperor. We firmly believed Israel was a theocracy – Jehovah alone was our King. We would never worship or even acknowledge the Roman Emperor. We were terrorists, who were willing to sacrifice everything for our political ends. We stood firm in our beliefs and we would, without any thought or question, murder anyone who mentioned surrender, even our own people. Even in the face of sure defeat, we were known to kill.

I admit, I didn't make it easy for Jesus to work with me. Like several of the others Jesus chose, I had very strong opinions about the kingdom of God. All of us disciples often wondered what kind of power we might have in Jesus’ kingdom. I would dream of being Jesus’ head general in the kingdom battle against the Roman Empire! Jesus did not rebuke any of my dreams of greatness. Instead, Jesus was more than patient with me, as he was with the rest of his disciples. Jesus continually stayed focused on teaching us and redirecting my true understanding of the kingdom of God. Oh! What patience Jesus truly had with me! And Jesus certainly had His way with me. Over the course of my journey with Jesus, my love for God surely began to take on a new direction as my spiritual eyes were opened and my understanding of God's kingdom was truly becoming more and more clear. The hatred I continued to carry in my heart, because of my strong convictions and beliefs, was suddenly not so strong and neither was the importance to hold on firmly to that anger and hatred. I soon realized that my hatred had been turned to love by the power of Jesus Christ. And I knew this change was only possible through the power of Jesus Christ. God's Kingdom is a Kingdom of love! One of the amazing things I think about as I share these things with you is that I did not choose Jesus, but Jesus chose ME! I was a part of a very despicable terrorist group, yet Jesus still chose to see only the very best of things in my heart. No one would have ever thought about putting me, a zealot, with Matthew the tax collector for the Romans, but Jesus did. And I soon came to the full understanding of what a new relationship with Jesus can do with my current relationships. My association with Matthew eventually changed because of my new relationship with Jesus. It was Jesus who removed all the hate and animosity I once held. A new relationship with Jesus assures a new relationship with others! My background made no difference to Jesus and neither does yours; Jesus can and will STILL USE you to do work for His kingdom! Jesus said he chose me because I was truly a man of zeal, vigor, enthusiasm, and intensity and He needed a “zealot” in His group, someone totally sold out to a cause. Jesus needs His people to be just as committed to Him today!

I stayed committed to Jesus until the very end of his horrific crucifixion. I knew deep within my heart that my dream of God’s earthly kingdom was not really going to come true. However, I still chose to stay until after Jesus' resurrection and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. I may have been a zealot, but my passion was ultimately for my Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus did not choose me because He needed my political connections, but because He wanted to show me that God has a plan that far exceeds political movement. Jesus lifted my sights above Judea and its political needs. Jesus knew that in less than 40 years the country of Israel would cease to exist for almost 2000 years. My life could have been wasted as a Zealot, but because Jesus chose me I can thank Him that I was able to find the eternal meaning in being “zealous for Jesus my Savior!” Choosing to follow Jesus was the best decision I ever made, as I learned to invest in God’s Kingdom which is the only investment that brings everlasting dividends!

S-T-R-E-N-G-T-H-S

Speaker (Podcast video) → Marcus Buckingham, September 21, 2010

As someone who is definitely challenged each week to be able to sit still and stay focused for the entire two hours and forty-five minutes of this night class, Marcus Buckingham definitely won my challenge! I was glued to this man's every intriguing word. I was ready and eager to continue in my seat, to listen to this intelligent man speak. Not only does Mr. Buckingham have a gift at speaking but the subject he spoke on was new and made especially interesting in all the ways he spent explaining it. Mr. Buckingham spoke about our strengths. You might be saying to yourself, “strengths is a new topic?” Yes, it is!

Marcus Buckingham is a business expert and best-selling author. He has helped millions of people reach new levels of success and happiness at work with his radical "strengths training" approach. He encourages people to continue growing where they are already strong. His key to success is actually quite simple: Stop spending so much time trying to fix your weaknesses. Instead, focus on what makes you special and unique. A strength is an activity that makes you feel strong. If you want to know what your strength is, you've got to pay attention to how you feel. It feels like focus. It feels like concentration. You feel invigorated. Energized. He said 84 percent of the nation's workforce is unhappy at work—sheesh!

Another important way to think of strengths Mr. Buckingham said, was to think of strengths training is to look at it as a report card. When a child comes home with a report card, Marcus says most parents would focus more on an F than an A. Really, they should give more attention to the A. You grow the most in the area where you already show some natural advantage, some natural area of talent or strength or passion. That's where you start! Mr. Buckingham also said being dissatisfied with work can filter into other areas of your life. Your family and people that are the most important to you in your life are the ones that hurt. He says, if you're going to win at life—if any of you or any of us are going to win at life—we've got to flip that switch.

Marcus Buckingham is the author of the book,

Now Discover Your Strengths. (pictured left)

What is a Disciple

Class Speaker → Dr. Daniel McNaughton, September 7, 2010

The man of the hour in our class today was Dr. Daniel McNaughton. Dr. McNaughton is the pastor of Spring Valley Community Church in Royersford, PA. He is also the key planter in the church's' establishment. Dr. McNaughton has felt God's calling as a church planter for many years. One day he realized God was calling him to plant a church directly within the area in which he resided. The primary establishment of SVCC was to reach out to individuals who do not normally go to church. SVCC opened its doors in 2005 and has been growing strong ever since.

Listening to Dr. McNaughton share his testimony with the trial and triumphs he went through definitely tugged at my heart. This man of God's journey and the wisdom he has to share with others is so incredibly sincere and genuine that his soft spoken tone literally puts the listener right there with him wherever he is in his story. He has the ability to bring his listeners into his story to the point in they can visibly see the pain he was experiencing and physically feel his heartache along with him. It was, no doubt, an incredibly moving time for each and every person who was there. I can honestly say I never really understood exactly what was meant by “being a disciple” until tonight when Dr. McNaughton shared with us his revelation of what exactly it means to be a disciple.

During the time he was pursuing his PhD, Dr. McNaughton had an embarrassing revelation that he really did not know what it meant to be a disciple. Through much study and prayer, seeking God for His clear wisdom into understanding the true meaning of a disciple, he came to the full understanding that “a Disciple is one who learns to do what Jesus does.” Dr. McNaughton explains how Discipleship is ongoing, it never stops, we are to keep making disciples that make disciples, and so on, as this is what Jesus has asked us to do! Having this clear cut, straightforward understanding of exactly what it is that we are to do as we disciple people, makes the whole idea of Discipleship so much more easily understood and desired. Like Pastor Tom Rees, Dr. McNaughton also discussed the importance of having “connections” with people. He shared how it seemed to him that discipleship occurred in community and it would only seem wise to first create close community connection between before trying to disciple them. Imagine how much growing would take place when the people connected in a particular community already have a close knit bond of trust and deep care and concern for one another.

Dr. McNaughton is the author of the book,
Learning To Follow Jesus. (pictured left)

About the Professor

Class Speaker → Tom Rees,  August 31, 2010

I wasn't totally sure why I chose this class, Making and Equipping Disciples, since I really am not entirely sure where I want to go in my life long career. However, after listening to my professor, Pastor Tom Rees, I am excited about all he has to bring to my growing relationship with Christ through all the knowledge he has to offer as well as all the individuals he has invited to come speak in our class. Tom spoke a lot of his family and it was obvious they mean a lot to him. Tom is a very busy person as the pastor of a church and involvement in other ministries, however he is dedicated to being the father and husband God has called him to be. This means a lot to me personally, being the daughter of a father whose work has always seemed far more important to him than our family. Tom specifically mentioned how the lack of relationship he had with his father affected him. Although he has a lot of demands, Tom is still committed to doing things differently with his family so that they do not feel a lack of relationship with him. I admire his commitment and dedication greatly!

In his discussion about discipleship, Tom talked about the importance of making “connections.” He described these connections as being the most important key to helping others build their relationship with Christ. Tom said the best way to disciple people is to have several connection points for them. Small groups are one of the biggest ways in which Tom believes people can really be discipled in their walk with Christ.

I really feel this class is going to be as interesting as it will be beneficial and fun!