Mar. 12, 2001

Dear Ministry Partners,

What issues have hindered us from effectively communicating the gospel while not accommodating to the culture? Eddie Gibbs’ new book, ChurchNext: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry, shows how we can move from being market driven to being mission oriented; from following celebrities to encountering saints and from attracting a crowd to seeking the lost.

The church now exists in the margins of society. Like the first century, the church is no longer at the center. It is one of many voices in the world where there are a multitude of religions and points of view.

By the year 2050, there will be no single majority population in the United States. However, the institutional church is less inclusive than we have ever been. We are under-represented by all racial groups except Anglos. We are disconnected from the younger generations. According to Percept Group, the percentage of people with no faith involvement has increased from 33 percent in 1991 to nearly 50 percent in 2000 (www.perceptnet.com/pn4/door-iv.htm).

We have often applied marketing rather than mission strategies to reach the world. This has led to a distorted gospel, shallow discipleship, short-term commitments and compartmentalized living. Statistics prove these market-driven approaches are not working. According to George Barna, not one county in the US had a net increase in the number of Christians in the last 15 years. Both Barna and George Gallup have shown that only about 10 percent of Christians are living fully committed lives.

One thing that has hindered us is allowing the Great Commission to be marginalized from the life of the church. We must not isolate relevant verses on how to function as Jesus’ disciples from the rest of Matthew’s gospel. What is needed is greater theological training, not less. Like in Amos’ day, there is "a famine of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11-12).

The church must not live for itself, either through judgmental isolation or protective separation. It cannot rely on tactical gimmicks. We need to prune programs, decentralize decision-making and empower people in ministry. We must let small groups be the building blocks to penetrate the world’s niches. The church must move from inviting to infiltrating the diverse segments of our world with the gospel.

God has recently brought three men of vision into my life with a call to build God’s kingdom. Their ages – 20s, 40s and 60s – are different. Their assignments -- intercessory missionary, entrepreneur and speaker/writer – are diverse. In each case, they need much nurturing and encouragement. It will take many forms and shapes to build the church.

What is your assignment from God? Will you answer God’s question like Isaiah? "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" "Here am I. Send me!" (Is. 6:8).

Sincerely in Christ,

Mark Pomeroy

Two All-City Prayer Meetings

1. Fri., Mar. 16th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

People's City Mission, 110 Q, Lincoln

Focus: Homeless & At-Risk Children & Youth

Great Kids Helping Great Kids and Real Men
invite anyone to join us in praying for our area’s children and youth.

For More Information: Call Susan Dittman (483-2714) or Mark Pomeroy (474-7325)

 


2.  Fri, Mar. 30th, from 8 p.m. to midnight

Holy Savior Lutheran, 10th & Superior, Lincoln

Focus: Worship and Intercession

Format: Concert of Prayer from Ephesians

Topics: Christian Living, Unity, Families and World

For More Information: Call Holy Savior (434-3325) or Mark Pomeroy (474-7325)

 

Praise:

    1. Steve is doing well in an EMT course in Estes Park, CO, which runs through May.
    2. Aaron has been accepted to attend UNL this fall.
    3. Lighthouses of prayer are beginning in several churches.
    4. New financial supporters are participating in the ministry. We still need about $1000 a month additional to meet the budget.

Prayer:

    1. Wisdom to balance time demands of ministry with being a godly husband and father in the home.
    2. Pray that God draw couples in spiritual, emotional and physical oneness in our 9-week marital intimacy class, beginning Mar. 13th.
    3. Wisdom for our first meeting Mar. 19th to establish a community development foundation for Lincoln-based Christian ministries to partner together, including fund-raising.
    4. God would provide a team and finances in the development of the discipleship curriculum, "Journey to Make God's Story Ours."

 

 

Prayer Requests
For Mark Pomeroy, Real Men of Integrity

  1. Wisdom to balance time demands of ministry with being a godly husband and father in the home.
  2. Karen and I begin a weekly marital intimacy class Mar. 6th. Pray that God draw couples in spiritual, emotional and physical oneness and fill openings for two more couples in this class.
  3. God would lead His church, including leaders, toward greater prayer and unity efforts to prepare the spiritual climate for effective evangelism and discipling of the unreached in Lincoln.
  4. God provide co-writer and editor for Christian discipleship curriculum, "Journey to Make God's Story Ours," I am trying to finish.


Prayer Requests
For Mark Pomeroy, Real Men of Integrity

  1. Wisdom to balance time demands of ministry with being a godly husband and father in the home.
  2. Karen and I begin a weekly marital intimacy class Mar. 6th. Pray that God draw couples in spiritual, emotional and physical oneness and fill openings for two more couples in this class.
  3. God would lead His church, including leaders, toward greater prayer and unity efforts to prepare the spiritual climate for effective evangelism and discipling of the unreached in Lincoln.
  4. God provide co-writer and editor for Christian discipleship curriculum, "Journey to Make God's Story Ours," I am trying to finish.



Prayer Requests
For Mark Pomeroy, Real Men of Integrity

  1. Wisdom to balance time demands of ministry with being a godly husband and father in the home.
  2. Karen and I begin a weekly marital intimacy class Mar. 6th. Pray that God draw couples in spiritual, emotional and physical oneness and fill openings for two more couples in this class.
  3. God would lead His church, including leaders, toward greater prayer and unity efforts to prepare the spiritual climate for effective evangelism and discipling of the unreached in Lincoln.
  4. God provide co-writer and editor for Christian discipleship curriculum, "Journey to Make God's Story Ours," I am trying to finish.


Prayer Requests
For Mark Pomeroy, Real Men of Integrity

  1. Wisdom to balance time demands of ministry with being a godly husband and father in the home.
  2. Karen and I begin a weekly marital intimacy class Mar. 6th. Pray that God draw couples in spiritual, emotional and physical oneness and fill openings for two more couples in this class.
  3. God would lead His church, including leaders, toward greater prayer and unity efforts to prepare the spiritual climate for effective evangelism and discipling of the unreached in Lincoln.
  4. God provide co-writer and editor for Christian discipleship curriculum, "Journey to Make God's Story Ours," I am trying to finish.

All-City Prayer Meeting


Fri, Mar. 30th
8 p.m. to midnight

Holy Savior Lutheran, 10th & Superior

Focus: Worship and Intercession

Format: Concert of Prayer from Ephesians

Topics: Christian Living, Unity, Families and World

For More Information: Call Holy Savior (434-3325) or Mark Pomeroy (474-7325)