Again and again Biblical writers describe God as our shepherd, and a leader's relationship to his or her people as a shepherd and a flock? But what does that mean to a culture so far removed from pastures and caves? On his blog, David Murray, the speaker at our next PlantR MicroConference, shares 11 Ways to be a shepherd.
1. The shepherd is patient with his sheep.
2. The shepherd knows his sheep.
3. The shepherd values his sheep.
4. The shepherd loves his sheep.
5. The shepherd observes his sheep.
6. The shepherd feeds his sheep.
7. The shepherd leads his sheep.
8. The shepherd speaks well of his sheep.
9. The shepherd pursues his sheep.
10. The shepherd rests his sheep.
11. The shepherd perseveres with his sheep.
You can read the full article here. Individual tickets and team passes for the PlantR MicroConference are available today.
Read More >>
Rework Project is an outgrowth of the work of Soma Austin.
ReWork Project is a city-wide community response that is about work itself and rethinking work for those experiencing homelessness. It is a relationally driven response. We can’t always give money and jobs to everyone, but we can offer healthy relationship with dignity and respect. It is informed by the belief that everyone has some talent, but not everyone has opportunity. We want to be distributors of opportunity.
There are several components of the ReWork Project:
Workshop: We have 2200 sq ft warehouse in South Austin that we are building out with a woodship and sewing/crafts space for men and women to be able to build, repurpose and construct products to sell in our retail space and at area community events.
Retail: This is where we will sell products that men and women make. Proceeds from these products go directly back to the person who made it.
Job Search and Training: We have computers available for job searching, help with resumes and general job search training.
New Businesses and Job Creation: We will work to create new businesses that provide “living wage jobs” for men and women who are experiencing homelessness.
Our goal is complete renewal of a person and ReWork creates space for creativity, allowing men and women to use the knowledge they already have in woodworking, sewing, and other pursuits, or teaching them these skills, to provide opportunities to earn a living wage. ReWork has the space, the tools, the materials, and the trained volunteers to make this possible. ReWork Gallery will be a storefront that puts these products produced by the homeless up for sale and each person retains 100% of income from these sales. ReWork believes that teaching these trades enables individuals to continue to support themselves no matter where they are, as well as giving purpose and meaning where perhaps there wasn’t before.
We’d like to invite you to ReWork’s first ever Volunteer Orientation.The orientation is open to all and anyone who is already working with the program or would like to begin volunteering is invited. Even if you are uncertain you want to get involved but would like to find out more, please join us.
The cost is free and open to all and is required for everyone wanting to regularly participate with ReWork. Read down to find out about some common volunteer activities.
When: April 15th at 3pm
Where: ReWork Project (4201 S Congress Ave. Suite 301)
Sign up: http://www.reworkproject.org/2012/03/30/rework-project-volunteer-orientation-april-15th/
If you have any questions, email Sarah Boyd at reworkvolunteers@gmail.com
Read More >>
Austin-area church stewardship leaders are invited to come together for a day of networking and learning with other stewardship leaders on April 21. Learn biblical truths from dynamic, life-giving churches in Austin with stewardship leaders from:
- Shoreline Church
- Hill Country Bible Church
- First Evangelical Free Church
- Hope in the City
- Hyde Park Baptist Church
Andy Stanley once said, "Before I ask people what I need from them, I share what I want for them." When families are well equipped to give, save and spend their resources with purpose, they will advance not only towards their own dreams, but also those of your church.
Join us on Saturday, April 21 from 8:30AM to 12:00 noon at Shoreline Church in Austin. This event is free to attend.
For more information and to register go to:
http://maximizingstewardshipaustin.eventbrite.com
(Contributed by Todd Plunk, who, among other things, in a contributor to the Man Up Texas BBQ blog.)
Read More >>
The following comes from Jesse Martin, a leader on the leaders at Venture Community Church. Venture refers to itself as a "Community of Missionaries." They are currently in the process of forming missional communities, "a group is to create a safe environment for individuals to come study Scripture, learn more about faith and ultimately encounter God at Venture Community Church. roup is to create a safe environment for individuals to come study Scripture, learn more about faith and ultimately encounter God at Venture Community Church." You can learn more about Venture here.
I have enjoyed PlantR so much!
When I came I had no clue about contextualization or really learning the community as a missionary. When Jonathan Dodson spoke about a gospel centric, context sensitive movement I was inspired to network for city reaching!Plantr opened me up to a better understanding of the true gospel. That was healing!
It also helped me in best practices for city planting. I so appreciate the raw delivery I have experienced where speakers have been open about their sin and idolatry.
I remember every life giving meeting. Professor Joshua Long helped me understand why Austin was "weird." We discovered what the roots of it's subversive subculture, and how we could we leverage with it. I learned what was happening in the city geographically when the city demographer came. I learned so much about critical mass and what not to do as it relates to starting services when Zac Allen came. I loved it when Stew came and shared Keller's gospel and idolatry teaching! I enjoyed Brandon Hatmaker who came and helped us with leadership structure and flow. I appreciated John Burke's candidness of failed launch team stories and how God raised up a church out of the culture. I needed the "Downline ministry" presenter who came and reminded us of the importance of discipleship. The market place presentation where we asked "How does the church mentor or disciple it's people for the real world?" was real helpful. The prayer at the end and personal connections during lunches has been a great resource and encouragement!
Plantr helps me continually with direction tweaks for the health of our plant.
Read More >>
Austin's very own Verge Conference is just around the corner. Before the conference begins, Verge Labs will provide a special opportunity to delve deeper into the topic of Missional Communities. Below is a list some of the world class practitioners you'll be able to learn from. Register for Verge Labs here.
Dr. John Perkins, Matt Carter, Bob Lupton: Main Session
Rudy Carrasco: Overcoming Racial & Cultural Barriers
John Sowers: Gaining the Courage & Tools for Mentoring
Josh Wilson: Staying Connected to the Local Church
Justin Lopez: Moving from Charity to Development – Balancing Mercy & Justice
Dr. Joseph Parker: Holy Change – How One Church Approaches Community Transformation
Tara Russell: The Human Trafficking Crisis and What We Can Do About It
Kevin Peck: Discipleship – God’s Plan for Mission
Read More >>
