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.

A Christmas Greeting

Hello, fellas! I just want to greet everyone (and I don't know how many we are in this blog) a Merry Christmas! I know we all know that Jesus is the real reason behind the season. But I hope this Christmas our hearts will be filled with deep appreciation of what He has done for us and continues to do for us by His grace. Praise Him and thank Him each day. He deserves our very best. God bless to all and may the Lord grant you His peace always (Luke 2:14).

Great picture

Sandy, kamukha mo na rin si Andy. Naks! Palitan mo lang yung idiot board ng medyo mas maganda para astig talaga ang dating. Love to hear your preaching. Maybe I can invite you to speak to our church. Pwede ka ba?

In case you're interested

Hey, bros. I have a website nga pala, just in case you might be interested. The address is http://www.rlccphil.co.cc

Thanks for visiting.

Andy Stanley's tips on preaching

I've been reading his book Communicating for Life Change (borrowed from ISOT, di pa rin available sa bookstore). Ang dami kong natutunan sa pagkuha ng attention ng audience during preaching. Let me share some of his tips...

1. Check your speed. As a rule of thumb, faster is better. Meaning, faster than your usual conversations. Pag raw mabagal, parang di masyadong alam yung message.

2. Slow down on the curves. During transitions, say from intro to entering the Bible text or going into the conclusion, slow down. Para daw yung audience, kahit nawala na sila at some point in your message, maka-pick-up ulit sila. Medyo sakit ko ito - may times di ako tumatapak sa preno.

3. Add something unexpected. One time, during a message about life's interruptions, nagpa-brownout siya in the middle of the message. Buti na lang di siya nagpakidlat :o).

4. Err on being direct with your point. Wag na magpaligoy-ligoy pa. State your point, and state it again. Pag-uwi ng audience, dapat naka-take-out yung point mo.

5. Be a tourist guide thru the Bible text. One verse at a time lang. Don't leave a verse without giving a comment (frustration, skepticism, happiness, etc.), explanation, or highlight. Oo nga naman, di nga pala sila graduates ng seminary. Give signals that you're about to read the main point ("Eto na ha, pakinggan nyo maigi ito ha...") of the text. Explain odd words or phrases. Deliberately misread some text. Have the audience read certain words out loud. All in all, make it an enjoyable journey thru the text.

By the way, like Andy, may bar stool rin ako (see pic above). Sa totoo lang, it relaxes me and helps me to be more conversational in my sermon. When I want to highlight something, I stand up for more emphasis (dramatics!). I'm hooked to his preaching principles (one-point sermon, etc.), sana ISOT will consider his methods as an alternative lesson sa Preaching class.

No Dry Season: Too Good To Be True?

One time during our pastor's accountability/mentoring session, I mentioned casually to the group that by the grace of God, I haven't had a dry period in my Chrisian life (at least nothing that I can remember for at least the last 5 years). Ptr. Sandy was later intrigued by that statement and asked if I can share on what I said and what I mean by what I said. So with much humility, I offer these thoughts.

First, let me clarfy what I mean by ''dry''. I'm using that term in the context not neccesarily of backsliding but of a Christian who enters into a season wherein his personal devotions, prayer life, and sometimes even motivation, passion, and energy for ministry is low.

I cannot recall a turning point or a ''burning bush'' moment as to how I managed to mantain a fervency both for the Lord and ministry. Needless to say, the grace and mercy of God is the number one factor/reason for that, for I affirm John 15: 5 which says, ''Apart from me you can do nothing.''

But this article wouldn't be of much practical help if we stick to jargons or cliches in trying to stimulate one another, especially us pastors who are in the frontlines of ministry. As I reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness in my life, let me share some guidelines I follow on how I have maintained a vibrant walk with God. They comprise a series of comparisons, something like a good v.s. best practices.

1. Truth v.s Real. I teach Theology to students at Messiah College, as such, I have a high regard for truth. I'm convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE, but the issue when it comes to spirituality is this-are Christians REAL? There is a word Jesus Himself uses in describing people who know the truth but don't live out the truth-hypocrites!

I try to live my life wth integrity, and I'll be the first to admit I fall wayfully and shamefully short of my goal. But somehow, in the midst of ugly sins and personal scandals, God has honored my ATTEMPT (not achievement) at integrity.

2. Being Moral v.s Being Spiritual. The issue here is not just of avoiding sin or trying to keep up a good front, but rather an honest pursuit not just of righteousness but of God Himself. We Christians are usually good at avoiding the ''big'' sins-adultery, murder, stealing and pet cultural ''sins'' like drinking, smoking, or playing cards. But how good are we at stuff like helping the poor, fighting against injustice, or even at ''simple'' things like being thankful for all of God's blessings?

There is more to Christianity than just rules keeping. I'm not trying to make light of sin, but God seems to be more honored when like David, we pursue God with all our might-sins, warts, feet of clay and all.

3. Duty v.s. Delight. I try to treat the spiritual disciplines, like bible reading, prayer, and even fasting as a source of delight and not just as a responsiblity. Even when I don't feel anything, I try to be conscious of the fact that God is working in and through me, and that He is using these disciplines to mold me into the image and likeness of Christ.

4. Loving God v.s Being IN LOVE With God. The best way I can expound this is to ask you to try to imagine your parents as compared to your wife or girlfriend (or even crushes, for any very young pastor out there). You love them both , but honestly, how many of us feel ''kilig'' thinking of our parents? You get my point. I try to mantain a child-like wonder, and expectant faith when it comes to my quiet time or even service to God like preaching or leading a bible study or prayer meeting. I always ask God to surprise me, and if in a public context, surprise us. Honestly, oftentimes, nothing out of the ordinary happens, but that hasn't stop me from asking God over and over again, ''Lord, show up. If you want to do somthing new or fresh or supernatural, please do so.'' My biggest reward so far is not a compilation of testimonies on signs and wonders or of the miraculous,but a heart that is soft and tender before God.

5. Existing v.s. Truly Living. One of the modern pastors/authors who really speak to my heart is Erwin McManus. His life theme is ''Live Wide Awake.'' This guy is so adventurous and so courageous that everytime I read his books or listen to his sermons (http://www.mosaic.org/), my spirit inadvertanly get refreshed and renewed. Like him, I try to live a life without regrets. Like our Master, I would love to say when I reach the end, ''Lord, it is finished. Everything you asked me to do, I've done.'' I desperately want to live courageously and be totally unafraid of failure or criticism.

And finally, it's a combination of

6. Faith AND Hope. I used to get discouraged easily, especally when my faith fails-meaning dreams or visions that I thought are from the Lord, only to have me fall flat on my face (which is not always bad). Sometime ago, during one of those ''blue'' moments in my life, I felt the Lord gave me a personal revelaton of the power of hope. When faith fails, there is still hope! I'm now learning to live by both-faith that God will move NOW, but if it doesn't happen, to maintain hope for the future. This potent combination has served to keep my heart from becoming dry and withered. I noticed a lot of pastors dry up because of disappointments and failures. Don't! Live in hope, for the best is yet to come!

Again, to God alone be the glory!