G12

I've just attended a 9-day straight G12 conference, walang uwian (na-home-sick ako hu hu). I believe it's a good discipling system because of the following:

The Encounter Retreat. This is a 2-day or 3-day event to heal wounds and settle deep heart issues of a person. It is also a time to magnify the cross of Christ and introduce the baptism/filling of the Holy Spirit.

Walang katulad ito among the born-again churches. Hinala ko, ang similarity nito sa cursillo ng Katoliko. At any rate, I have one word for this event - powerful. I've learned that in the Philippines there are two kinds of this retreat - Encounter God Retreat (EGR), as popularized by Frank Santos which was adapted from Jim Egli. It has a lot of similarity with that of Cesar Castellanos (paki-google na lang ang names he he). This is mainly for old-time believers.

Then there is the Encounter Retreat, from Bethany World Prayer Center, which is basically for seekers and new believers. Bottomline for me, I have conducted EGR several times but I prefer the idea of Bethany. This is a great way to get the seekers on a powerful encounter with the Lord and make them more "hooked" with God and the church. Sa amin, mas mataas ang commitment pag nag-EGR among our old-timers. If that is the case, why not move this step earlier? Umpisahan na nga sa seekers!

Encounter Retreat is also a way to provide a seeker/new believer an opportunity for a miracle that he/she can talk about for the rest of his life. Generally, the Encounter acts like a jet booster to make a person more receptive and willing for further discipling. Yung experience namin sa EGR, kahit gaano kahabang teaching, ok lang daanan ng isang EGR graduate. Kaya nga, I think after the Encounter, madali lang daanan yung 7 Post-Encounter lessons sa sobrang uhaw ng convert.

The challenge lang sa Encounter, maraming resources ang kailangan, like food prep, place, sleeping arrangements, several lessons to be taught, etc. But I believe this is all worth the product.

Medyo mahaba na ito. I'll post more later. If you want more info on the organizing team, here's their site... http://www.g12philippines.com/

Riiiiiiinnnnnggggg!

Well, I wonder what has happened to this blog? Anyone out there? Just asking...

By the way, have you heard about parabolic preaching? Can anyone please comment? Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.