Director's Cut

Simply Christian Lectures (N.T. Wright)

ncymdirectorscut — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:11:29 +0000

Below is the first of seven lectures related to N.T. Wright’s book, Simply Christian. I would recommend that those who have time to do so should both listen to the lectures and read the book. (In the book) Wright sets out on a course to describe what Christianity is all about for both the initiated and those who stand outside the faith by use of a three-fold structure: echoes of a voice (facets of human existence that point outside or beyond themselves, presumably toward the Creator), identifying the central Christian belief about God, and an examination of the practice of following Jesus (what the church is there for). He presents these in both an accessible and stimulating manner that I am sure will be most welcome by a wide audience of readers/hearers.

Rainbow Connection (Willie Nelson)

ncymdirectorscut — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:00:38 +0000

Conceding in advance that Kermit the Frog fans will protest my inclusion of the Willie Nelson cover here, consider how some might interpret the gospel as a kind of rainbow connection (per our conversation during mission training). In what ways is the good news reflected in this song/video? Where is it most notably absent?

One Day Video (Matisyahu)

ncymdirectorscut — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:52:14 +0000

One of the songs referenced in our conversation about the gospel is Matisyahu’s song “One Day”. The video to his video is linked below. As you watch this video, consider how this song reflects the message of good news. At the same time, what pieces is it missing?

We Shall Remain (PBS Videos)

ncymdirectorscut — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:44:08 +0000

PBS has put together an excellent five-part series on American history from the native people’s perspective. We will be utilizing this series throughout our time of training and preparation, inviting families to consider viewing these along with their child serving on the mission team.

Below are links to the five-episodes which can be viewed online (click on the episode title to link to the video). You will receive a set of reflection questions to answer at least two-weeks before each due date (at the training session before the due date). Please note that the due date for watching each episode is included next to each episode’s title.

Episode 1: After the Mayflower (March 27)

Episode 2: Tecumseh’s Vision (April 10)

Episode 3: Trail of Tears (May 7)

Episode 4: Geronimo (May 22)

Episode 5: Wounded Knee (June 5)

Aaron Huey: America’s Native Prisoners of War

ncymdirectorscut — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:30:58 +0000

Below is a link to the TED video that was shown at the start of our first DME training session. In this video, Aaron Huey talks about the Lakota people on the Pineridge Reservation (Prisoner of War Camp #334). As you watch this video with your family and friends, discuss the following questions with one another:

1. How much of what the presenter shared in this video were you already familiar with? What areas surprised you or seemed unreal?

2. The presenter shares about the Lakota word “Washitsu”. What are the meanings he gives for this word? What does he suggest this word communicates about our ancestors (and possibly we ourselves)?

3. How do you think someone (possibly you) should respond in light of what has been shared here? What do you think stops people from responding in this way?

Ministry Day 5: Summary and Looking Ahead

ncymdirectorscut — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:47:32 +0000

UME Day 5: Friday was our last day of organized ministry projects for the week… and the team did in fact finish strong. Based on the figures collected from each of the Bible Club teams (we broke our group into five different teams during the week), more than 200 children participated in the clubs during the week, with 20 children making commitments to Christ.

One story that has left a real impression on me this week (among many that our team could tell) is the story of a boy named “D” (I’ve shortened his name here). D came each day to Bible Club, memorizing each day’s Scripture passage, and really was a good kid. However, there were some indications that D’s situation there on the block was not a good experience… and that the team working there were providing something for him that he wasn’t getting at home. On Friday, as the team drove down the block (they concluded their work each day driving down the block saying goodbye to all the kids), D rode his bike alongside the van saying, “Don’t leave me, don’t leave me…”. There were some sad hearts in that team’s van that day.

Last night (Saturday) we debriefed with the team around the topic of their expectations before heading on the trip and their actual experience. During the conversation, the team had a break through… which we’ll have to tell you about after we return. We spent the day vising Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and a host of other attractions… including Pat’s King of Cheesesteaks (tourist kinds of things). Today we will be worshiping at First Presbyterian and making final preparation for our return home.

Thank you for all your prayers throughout the week… and your continued prayers and support. It has been a great week of ministry here and we are praising God for allowing us the opportunity to participate in Christ’s ministry. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially as we begin to make our way home.

Ministry Day 4: Summary and Looking Ahead

ncymdirectorscut — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:23:34 +0000

UME Day 4: Before looking back at day four, let me note here that tomorrow (friday) is our last full day of ministry work here in Philadelphia (we’ll be doing some sightseeing in the community before our return home early next week). Please be in prayer for the team that we “finish strong” in regards to the week… and that the young people we have been working with will “finish strong” in the faith.

The team continued its work leading Bible Clubs… with at least one club (on 24th Street) seeing two young men in high school joining with a couple of other teens for an impromptu youth ministry edition of Bible Club. After an hour of conversation and questions about the Scriptures and the Christian faith, Jimmy had the opportunity to pray for each of the students participating (including one of the guys’ brother who is currently in prison).

The team also participated in a prayer tour of the city… stopping at various places and praying for the people of the city (including stops across from City Hall at Love park and the Kensington area… where we got out to see/hear about some of the ministry going on in that area). As you continue to pray for our team… please join with us as well to pray for the people of this city.

As I am typing this blog, I am reminded that the city here is quite different than our experience back home. It’s 11pm and I am hearing the sounds of sirens outside along with various bouts of shouting that occurs here in the neighborhood… people threatening one another and the like. With that said, we each know that God has a plan to ultimately redeem this city… something that we have gotten to participate in (even in a very small way) this week. Praise be to God for that good work he does now, has done, and will continue to do in Philadelphia… and in the entire world.

The following song is one that reminds of this possibility, both for Philly… and for our community back home (this is a song that our host shared with us during this week in Philadelphia).

Philly Mission Pics-2

ncymdirectorscut — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:12:14 +0000

Our team is having a very positive experience in Philadelphia… with our time here challenging many of the ways that we have operated in life (both good and bad). Below you’ll find a link to our second video… enjoy!

To view the second Philly Mission pics video, click here: Philly Mission Pics-2.

Ministry Day 3: Recap and Looking Ahead

ncymdirectorscut — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:05:06 +0000

UME Day 3: The team is celebrating another great day of ministry in Philadelphia. Our team worked with several other groups repackaging food goods to be sent to area food banks… volunteering at an organization called Philabundance. We also continued our work leading Bible Clubs throughout the community (this particular ministry will continue through Friday evening).

I heard a report from one of our teams that a boy at one of their clubs prayed to commit his life to Christ yesterday… and the team is now working on getting him a Bible and to plug him into a children’s program for ongoing discipleship. We also have a large number of kids participating in the clubs… with more coming each day (a couple of sites have seen 20+ kids gathered on the sidewalk… we meet outside on their block… to hear the stories about Jesus).

I’ll have more pics and stuff to report in the days ahead. In the meantime… the team is doing well… both health wise and in their spirits. This is an extremely challenging environment to work in… so please pray for our continued protection, enthusiasm… and most specifically, that Christ will continued to be preached and modeled by our team… and that families would come to know Jesus Christ in a very real way!

Philly Mission Pics-1

ncymdirectorscut — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:32:31 +0000

It took a little longer than expected to get these up… but now they are ready for viewing (more to come in the next couple of days). We had a great day of ministry today… which I will be updating our readers on tomorrow morning. In the meantime… enjoy a glimpse of the Philly Mission Experience!

To see the latest pics from the Philly Mission, click here: Philly Mission Pics-1.