"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 (NIV)
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 (NIV)
We've learnt over the John Bevere weekend, that we determine the level of intimacy in our relationship with God. I'd like to see Young Adults draw closer to God, and to begin to see the level of faith and intimacy stepped up. There's always room for improvement.
Below is a little testimonial of Young Adults since I first joined. Sit back, relax, have a good read, and feel free to add some suggestions how Young Adults can improve. Remember you're part of it too - and I'm sure you'll understand that we're here in the now, but the future holds so much more.
I joined what was called "Campus Team" in 2001, under the leadership of Brad Jones. I believe that the main focus during his time as our pastor was discipleship. Because during those years I have seen many people being trained, and many new leaders rising up. It was awesome!!
When Clayton took over from Brad, the focus has shifted to unity. There were two major challenges at that time. Firstly, the name change from Campus Team, to a more generic Young Adults (YA) 18-25 (and 23-30+ ...but we'll concentrate on the 18-25, cos that's where I'm at). Campus Team was great, but it focused only on those going to university. The new name gave a more diverse focus. Hence it didn't matter if you attended university, or working - it's the age groups rather than where you're at in life. The other major challenge was the move from meeting as Life Groups (then called Cells) in church following a corporate meeting (similar to the current Networks meeting format) to meeting in homes (Cells-in-Homes). What happened naturally, was that whilst people in Life Groups became more firm in their relationships with each other, the identity of Young Adults as a whole was diminishing, as there was less integration, despite the once-a-month meetings now known as Encounter (was called STN - something totally new - in 2003; and STR - something totally real - in 2004). Recently we've established the Networks meeting - so we all corporately meet at least twice a month. Together with events like YAMO (badminton and netball), I can really see the identity of Young Adults come back. Claytz has done a lot to foster the identity and the unity of YA. Now, YA is bigger than ever, and I can see the family environment come back!! Mind you the discipleship is still happening! Praise God!
Now, as for suggestions on how we can do so much more:
Below is a little testimonial of Young Adults since I first joined. Sit back, relax, have a good read, and feel free to add some suggestions how Young Adults can improve. Remember you're part of it too - and I'm sure you'll understand that we're here in the now, but the future holds so much more.
I joined what was called "Campus Team" in 2001, under the leadership of Brad Jones. I believe that the main focus during his time as our pastor was discipleship. Because during those years I have seen many people being trained, and many new leaders rising up. It was awesome!!
When Clayton took over from Brad, the focus has shifted to unity. There were two major challenges at that time. Firstly, the name change from Campus Team, to a more generic Young Adults (YA) 18-25 (and 23-30+ ...but we'll concentrate on the 18-25, cos that's where I'm at). Campus Team was great, but it focused only on those going to university. The new name gave a more diverse focus. Hence it didn't matter if you attended university, or working - it's the age groups rather than where you're at in life. The other major challenge was the move from meeting as Life Groups (then called Cells) in church following a corporate meeting (similar to the current Networks meeting format) to meeting in homes (Cells-in-Homes). What happened naturally, was that whilst people in Life Groups became more firm in their relationships with each other, the identity of Young Adults as a whole was diminishing, as there was less integration, despite the once-a-month meetings now known as Encounter (was called STN - something totally new - in 2003; and STR - something totally real - in 2004). Recently we've established the Networks meeting - so we all corporately meet at least twice a month. Together with events like YAMO (badminton and netball), I can really see the identity of Young Adults come back. Claytz has done a lot to foster the identity and the unity of YA. Now, YA is bigger than ever, and I can see the family environment come back!! Mind you the discipleship is still happening! Praise God!
Now, as for suggestions on how we can do so much more:
- let's keep this up, and encourage intermingling between Networks during Encounter, and between Life Groups during Networks
- I reckon speaking from the pulpit is not easy, especially if it feels like talking to a wall. Let's get our "Amens", "Yeps" and "Mmhmms" up - ENGAGE and ENCOURAGE the speaker. Actually, encourage and thank those who help out - hospitality teams, etc....
- CONTRIBUTE!!! How easy it is to let others do the work. However it's way more rewarding if you are part of it too!!
- OUTREACH. Sometimes it's hard to actually talk about outreach from the pulpit. Why? Perhaps to the non-Christians that visit that night, it seems like we're all targeting them? In a way... but better than from a pulpit, we need to understand it for ourselves: we have a mission!!!! It's not necessarily about bringing people to church, it's about connecting people to God. Easier said than done: but why don't we challenge each other in this?
- PRAYER. I think prayer is important. Don't you? If we want God to do awesome things in Young Adults, we've gotta ask Him! He's eternally patient and He won't intrude if we don't allow Him! Just open your hearts, cry out to Him and invite Him in! Not just into Young Adults - but into your Life Groups, pretty much wherever you're are - in the car, at uni, at work.....
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Calendar
- Sept 3rd - Encounter
- Sept 13th - Life Groups
- Sept 19th - Oxygen Ball
- Sept 27th - Life Groups
- Oct 1st - Oxygen Live Baptism Spectacular
- Oct 8th - Life Groups
- Oct 15th - Oxygen Live with Dan Lian
- Oct 22nd - Life Groups
- Oct 29th - Oxygen Live with Jesmin Gill
Tribal Notes
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I believe strongly that unity is one of the key points for us to reach higher and draw closer to the Creator. The Holy Spirit is attracted to unity.
- Do what you can to preserve unity in the group. Note as John B did: there are more wolves amongst us in the pews than on the pulpit. Gossip, slander, etc - are all sin. Not categorise or put them in diff levels, as all sin separates us from God.
- Forgiveness: 490 times a day was the analogy. forgive once every 3 mins (approx) provided that you don't sleep. Point is be quick to forgive. "Don't let the sun go down while you are angry" - Forgive before the end of the day if possible! Forgiveness heals the offended. Repentance from the offender leads to reconciliation, which heals the relationship between the offender and the offended. Don't forget the forgiveness God has given you which you must reciprocate to people.
- The offended: check our expectations - are they realistic, proud, self-seeking or beneficial to others? A man who exercises much doesn't get hurt so easily. Do the same and exercise spiritually - even when you don't want to. Pray for your offender like you would for your loved ones. That's what Jesus did for you when He hung on the Cross because of us - "Father forgive them..."
Revision session =)
whoah....