Notes from General Conference of the Missionary Church USA
July 2019
Conference Business:
Spiritual teaching and encouragement - highlights:
1. Prayer - The way to become a man or woman after God’s own heart is to echo David’s prayer in Psalm 27:4. The one thing I long for above all else is to dwell in the Presence of God day by day, to fix my gaze upon Him, and to have a passionate desire to seek Him.
1a. Pray big prayers, focus more on seeking God for things of eternal significance, less on the temporary struggles of this life. (Acts 4, Hebrews 4:16)
1b. Since the people of God are the temple of the Holy Spirit, each of us is to be a House of Prayer for All Nations.
2. Reaching the Lost - a new mindset. We need to “Own the Lostness of our City.” If we were making plans to move to EJ as missionaries, how would we engage this community? What needs would we seek to meet?
2a. City Movement - in several major cities churches have joined together with local leaders in government, education, business, and non-profit organizations, working together to meet needs in the Name of Jesus.
2b. Table Network - an estimated 70-80% of the population is uninterested in church. This movement seeks to build connections with people with whom we already interact on a regular basis through work, hobbies, etc. Spending time together around the table from time to time, investing long-term in these relationships in order to show them Jesus.
3. Church ministry - Jesus gave some to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers in order to strengthen the body (Ephesians 4:11). The church will function most effectively when these gifts are recognized, developed, and used by members of the body.
3a. Encouragement for those facing discouragement, when reality falls far short of our hopes.
3b. “The problem in America is the church” (Choco de Jesus). The church has not been doing what we are called to do. We do not have an intense thirst or passion for His Presence. Therefore we do not have His heart for the lost. “We’re not a cruise ship, we’re a battleship.” We need to engage the culture and shine the light to those in darkness through God’s love.
Respectfully Submitted, Lynn Adams, delegate
July 2019
Conference Business:
- Recognition of milestones in years of ministry
- Reports from various regions. Missionary church has a presence in 130 countries. Ministry work planned in an additional 20 countries where our help has been requested.
- Discussion on minor amendments to the constitution (primarily change of wording, not change of content). There was congenial discussion about differing viewpoints, but all proposed changes were adopted. Changes will be posted on the church bulletin board.
Spiritual teaching and encouragement - highlights:
1. Prayer - The way to become a man or woman after God’s own heart is to echo David’s prayer in Psalm 27:4. The one thing I long for above all else is to dwell in the Presence of God day by day, to fix my gaze upon Him, and to have a passionate desire to seek Him.
1a. Pray big prayers, focus more on seeking God for things of eternal significance, less on the temporary struggles of this life. (Acts 4, Hebrews 4:16)
1b. Since the people of God are the temple of the Holy Spirit, each of us is to be a House of Prayer for All Nations.
2. Reaching the Lost - a new mindset. We need to “Own the Lostness of our City.” If we were making plans to move to EJ as missionaries, how would we engage this community? What needs would we seek to meet?
2a. City Movement - in several major cities churches have joined together with local leaders in government, education, business, and non-profit organizations, working together to meet needs in the Name of Jesus.
2b. Table Network - an estimated 70-80% of the population is uninterested in church. This movement seeks to build connections with people with whom we already interact on a regular basis through work, hobbies, etc. Spending time together around the table from time to time, investing long-term in these relationships in order to show them Jesus.
3. Church ministry - Jesus gave some to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers in order to strengthen the body (Ephesians 4:11). The church will function most effectively when these gifts are recognized, developed, and used by members of the body.
3a. Encouragement for those facing discouragement, when reality falls far short of our hopes.
3b. “The problem in America is the church” (Choco de Jesus). The church has not been doing what we are called to do. We do not have an intense thirst or passion for His Presence. Therefore we do not have His heart for the lost. “We’re not a cruise ship, we’re a battleship.” We need to engage the culture and shine the light to those in darkness through God’s love.
Respectfully Submitted, Lynn Adams, delegate