Comments on: Can Mission Ruin You? http://www.mattglover.com/wordpress/wordpress/2005/10/28/can-mission-ruin-you/ Thoughts from Australian cartoonist and pastor, Matt Glover Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:39:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: MattGlover.com » Blog Archive » When is a Church Really a Business? http://www.mattglover.com/wordpress/wordpress/2005/10/28/can-mission-ruin-you/#comment-111 MattGlover.com » Blog Archive » When is a Church Really a Business? Wed, 21 Dec 2005 03:53:52 +0000 http://www.mattglover.com/wordpress/wordpress/?p=32#comment-111 [...] This approach requires innovative thought and a determination not to fall into the consumerism mindset of most of the business world. The people my interns met at GreenCollect I think are great examples of this. A group of people with an innovative idea to prmote sustainable living to corporate business while at he same time offering emplyment for the long term unemployed in Melbourne’s CBD. This is the work of Jesus in a place most of us have written off! [...] […] This approach requires innovative thought and a determination not to fall into the consumerism mindset of most of the business world. The people my interns met at GreenCollect I think are great examples of this. A group of people with an innovative idea to prmote sustainable living to corporate business while at he same time offering emplyment for the long term unemployed in Melbourne’s CBD. This is the work of Jesus in a place most of us have written off! […]

]]> By: Lucas Garth http://www.mattglover.com/wordpress/wordpress/2005/10/28/can-mission-ruin-you/#comment-59 Lucas Garth Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:47:16 +0000 http://www.mattglover.com/wordpress/wordpress/?p=32#comment-59 Mate lots of wisdom in what you're writing there. I know that we need to think about the fact that what Jesus calls us to is really tough. In other words give up your life, take up your cross and follow me - it's a death sentence. Thankfully God didn't leave us in the lurch though. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide and encourage us. I love the fact that "she" is called the Comforter. Now here's the point. It's terribly important to have the right 'spirit' in what you do, what you hint at when you suggest Jesus is put central. So often in my time serving God through Brigade ministry I've had to confront things I'd rather not have. I've been pulled from pillar to post, but I have peace and am serving out of a right spirit. Pastor Paul Scanlon talks and writes on this when he discusses the concept of 'Soul Prosperity'. In it the main thrust is that the heart was wanting to go, but the soul was not ready for it. We want to save the world, but our souls are too shallow to have the humility required to have that sort of an influence. A good bit of soul work, along with the getting of the hands dirty, and a constant stream of encouragement is what believers need - of all ages and experience. A lot is made of the upfront gifts of the Spirit but an under-rated one is the gift of encouragement and exhortation - this is one I've found lacking in heaps of churches and it means people are doing it tougher than they need. I encourage you Matt in your nurturing and agree it's a soul issue, not an issue related to church structures but the human heart. (That said, praise God for the mighty work of the inner city ministries, they deserve much more encouragement and prayer support than I currently give them.) Mate lots of wisdom in what you’re writing there.
I know that we need to think about the fact that what Jesus calls us to is really tough. In other words give up your life, take up your cross and follow me - it’s a death sentence.
Thankfully God didn’t leave us in the lurch though. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide and encourage us. I love the fact that “she” is called the Comforter.
Now here’s the point. It’s terribly important to have the right ’spirit’ in what you do, what you hint at when you suggest Jesus is put central. So often in my time serving God through Brigade ministry I’ve had to confront things I’d rather not have. I’ve been pulled from pillar to post, but I have peace and am serving out of a right spirit.
Pastor Paul Scanlon talks and writes on this when he discusses the concept of ‘Soul Prosperity’. In it the main thrust is that the heart was wanting to go, but the soul was not ready for it. We want to save the world, but our souls are too shallow to have the humility required to have that sort of an influence.

A good bit of soul work, along with the getting of the hands dirty, and a constant stream of encouragement is what believers need - of all ages and experience. A lot is made of the upfront gifts of the Spirit but an under-rated one is the gift of encouragement and exhortation - this is one I’ve found lacking in heaps of churches and it means people are doing it tougher than they need.

I encourage you Matt in your nurturing and agree it’s a soul issue, not an issue related to church structures but the human heart.

(That said, praise God for the mighty work of the inner city ministries, they deserve much more encouragement and prayer support than I currently give them.)

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