Reformation Report

It’s his Church, It’s his Kingdom.

Principle One: It's his Church.

For many years, man has tried to build the church using his own traditional

patterns and methods, but it is Jesus not man who is to build the church -

both the local church and the universal church. If Jesus is to do that, it

is crucial that we lay aside our own preconceived ideas and traditions about

church governance and allow him to reveal his plan to us through his word.

He said, "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome

it "(Matthew 16; 18b NIV)

 

Principle Two: It's his Kingdom.

 

God is building not just local churches but a government called the kingdom

of God.  If we are going to see His government on earth it will require some

degree of unity and a working relationship between churches. We are also

going to need to build awareness among believers that ministry is not in

the pulpit of a church but takes place in our businesses, in our schools,

neighbourhoods, and wherever we find ourselves.

 

As citizens of God's Kingdom, our influence is felt but it is not necessarily structured.  In other words we are like the locust as proverbs says we all go forth in the same direction, but without a leader. Each of us is given responsibility for our domain or sphere of influence in the earth and should represent God and His Kingdom right where we are planted.

 

I teach people that once they begin to grow in their individual lives they should begin to see an overflow into their relationships whether that is a marriage or a family or just  our friendships. When someone is firmly planted and established in a local church, and begins to be trained in how to live the Kingdom life

(righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit) then they can become

effective in establishing God's Kingdom in the lives of others that come

into their domains or spheres of influence.

 

 "The Kingdom of God does not come by observation,"(Luke 17:20), but comes in the hearts of men. Lets all become proactive and see the power of reformation begin to take place, one person at a time, from the inside out.

The Woman with the Lamp

 

 

Florence Nightingale, a devout Christian, is known as the woman who reformed much of what today is modern nursing. She was inspired by what she referred to as her “divine calling”. Her decision to enter nursing in 1845 generated intense anger and distress amongst her family, particularly her mother. In this, she challenged the status quo of that society which expected women to stay at home and be housewives. Nightingale worked hard to educate herself in the art and science of nursing, in spite of opposition from her family and the restrictive societal code for affluent young English women.

 

Florence Nightingale cared for people in poverty, and became the leading advocate for improved medical care in the infirmaries and immediately engaged the Poor Law Board. This led to her active role in the ‘reform’ of the Poor Laws, extending far beyond the provision of medical care. She was later instrumental in mentoring other nurses to do similar work.

 

The Nightingale School for Nurses was the first official training program for nurses that trained women to serve as nurses, equipping them to work in hospitals, to work with the poor, and to teach. She also advocated for students to care for people in their homes, an idea then ahead of its time and still practiced today.

 

Florence Nightingale's lasting contribution has been her role in founding the modern nursing profession. She set an example of compassion, commitment to patient care, and diligent and thoughtful hospital administration. This work still continues as the Nightingale School of Nursing, and each year the International Nurses Day is celebrated on Florence Nightingale’s birthday!

 

I have always admired Florence Nightingale as a reformer who overcame professional, gender, and family issues to do what she felt called to do. What she accomplished in 1845 should inspire us to set our eyes higher in our sphere of influence. She took responsibility in her domain rather than complaining or blaming. She knew her purpose, had a vision for her life and took the necessary steps that enabled her to change the destiny of the health profession forever. 

 

This week let us begin to think about and ask ourselves what the purpose of our life is? What is it that we can be doing right now to leave this world better than when we arrived, to leave a legacy for our children’s children? What will we be remembered for?

 

References –

1.Consolidated Encyclopedia,

2.wikipedia.com, 2009

 

Saint Valentine

The name "Valentine", derived from Valens (worthy), was popular in late antiquity. The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in the Nuremberg Chronicle, in 1493; the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. St. Valentine was know for giving roses to the elderly, and doing acts of love and kindness wherever he went often only leaving a red heart as his calling card. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner - until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor - whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't finish him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate in Rome.

 

Our church is called Celebration Church. True to our name we take every opportunity to celebrate just about everything, each another accomplishments, birthdays, babies, victories, etc. A few years ago Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday, so I asked all of the married couples of our church to stand up and look romantically into each other’s eyes and tell each other how much they loved and appreciated each other. This was my way of helping to model love not only to those who many for the first time in many months or in some cases years had not looked their spouses in the eyes and spoken words of love and appreciation, but also to the single people in our church, many of whom have no role model to follow in the building of a romantic and loving marriage. This also afforded a chance to talk about one the values in our church and of the Kingdom, ‘We have a language of love’

 

St Valentine’s Day has been commercialized to such an extent these days that any meaning that might have been originally intended has be lost. I’ve even noticed that some couples seem to value and appreciate the gifts, cards and roses, more than they do the person who is presenting such items.  Today the color theme of the day is red, gift items are displayed as  “Valentine’s Specials”, and there are of course the now famous Valentines Cards.

 

This is one holiday I would really like to see reformed, and the cliché’ that says,  “It’s not about the gift; it’s the thought that counts”, couldn’t be a better way to start. Whatever we give your loved one this Valentine’s Day should only be a symbol of what is already in our heart.

 

The red rose that Saint Valentines gave to people was his way of saying, “I love you and I appreciate you. I value the relationship I have with you.” St. Valentine was really a reformer, and was willing to die showing those he came in contact with that not only did he love them but Jesus Christ did too.

We don’t have to get roses, gifts or cards for our wife (girlfriend) or something red for our husband (boyfriend); we can simply do something to show them that we love them (although I must admit these kindnesses are nice). We however shouldn’t only show this love one day in a year to show our loved ones our love; we should make it our life style. Let’s all start being reformers in this area today and show an act of love or kindness to someone every day.

The Challenge: What about your world?

What change do you long to see in your country? What part of your community does God need to touch? I don’t believe we can use poverty, difficult political situations, or racism as an excuse not to act because God is overcoming all of these in Zimbabwe, and he is using His church, which consists of people just like you and me to do it. I got another interesting comment from another member of the blog, Patience, who has suddenly finally taken up the call to stand up and take control of her domain and I thought that it would motivate you.

 

From Patience

My sphere of influence is the film industry… I was so challenged… I realized if someone is going to reform the film industry in Zimbabwe to bring it back to what it once was and let it become what God has said it can be then I have to roll up my sleeves, get dirty and work for it. It's not good enough to just sit and complain about R-rated Hollywood movies that don't promote kingdom principles; I have to start making the type of films I want to see. Media and Entertainment is such an important domain because people are greatly influenced through it… I admire what you are doing on GOD TV and the other networks, there is no doubt that Celebration has made an impact in the music arena but what about Celebration films…What about the first kingdom film festival in Zimbabwe? You have the platform and we who are in your congregation are willing to do the work, I have the fire, the passion and the mandate to get this done. Hope you'll think about it sir. Thank You.

 

What dreams and visions do you have? Perhaps like Patience you have dared to dream big dreams for God.

 

“If your dreams don’t scare you, your dreams are too small.” Anonymous.