The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farm house had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire had caused him to miss an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pick-up truck refused to start.

As I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. When we arrived he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked to the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles; he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed by the tree and my curiosity got the better of me.

I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

“Oh, that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, they don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So, I just hang them on the tree when I come home in the evening and then I just pick them up again in the morning.”

“Funny thing, though,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there ain’t nearly as many as I remembered hanging there the night before.”

How do you deal with the stress of a difficult day?
Do you have a “Trouble Tree”?

To read the magazine on line just click the image above, download a copy of the pdf file from our resource files or go to Scribd.

The Starfish Files?
Starfish line the shores of the world’s beaches. Chop off an arm, and a new one grows to take its place. Tear a starfish in half, and you’ll soon have two starfish on your hands. A torn-off limb can even become a brand new starfish. And what’s more, they populate by releasing hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of eggs in just a few hours. Just like the house church movement through the ages. An estimated 300,000 new house churches have started between 1998 and 2006. And this doesn’t include what’s happening in China, which has about 80 to 100 million believers involved, or Latin America, which had about 1 million Basic Christian Communities in 2007. It’s also taking root in Canada. Enter The Starfish Files. The magazine’s goal is to inspire, inform, and interconnect the house church networks across Canada and beyond.

After telling me a whole lot about his class he decided it was time to share his question. He asked “When you see a drawing of a box on a piece of paper what do you see?” I started to picture a colourful box filled with an assortment of ideas and concepts. I could picture the possibilities that the box represented. So, I proudly shared my insights with my son. He looked at me with a little bit of a glint in his eyes. “No” he said “it is just ink on paper”.

This took me by surprise until I thought more about it. Often we put things down on a page that represent a whole lot of stuff but it is only ink on paper. Whether it is in a magazine, a book, a newspaper or to take the analogy a little further pixels on a computer screen. That is until we bring our own life experiences and imagination to the things we see and hear.

When you see a drawing of a box on a piece of paper what do you see?

Rob Ross is a coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.

Felicity Dale: http://twitter.com/felicitydale Felicity Dale bio on twitter reads “Passionate about the Kingdom. Wife/mother, author: An Army of Ordinary People, and The Rabbit and the Elephant.” She has been involved in simple (organic, house) churches for many years.

Don Davis: http://twitter.com/don_r_davis Don Davis’ bio on twitter reads “Husband, Father, Grandfather, Child of the King, Simple church, Missions to the Unreached”. Don is actively serving in overseas missions training.

Chad Irving: http://twitter.com/organicchurchr Organic Church Resources goal is to assist in any way we can those who are interested in pursuing organic church life. They think of organic church life as seeking to acknowledge the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ, thus allowing him to function in our midst as God has intended.

Mike Jentes: http://twitter.com/mikejentes Mike is actively involved with Church Multiplication Associates (CMA) & CMAResources which exist to support and encourage church multiplication movements by developing new resources focused on reproducing healthy disciples, leaders, churches and movements.

Desi Starr: http://twitter.com/desi_starr/ Husband, father, friend, neighbor, simple church planter and coach, hopeful aqua farmer trying to listen to God, do what He says and teach others to do the same.

Mark Willis: http://twitter.com/godgrown Mark and Katrina Willis live in Chicago, teaming up with others to develop vibrant families of faith in the city. They dream of an organic relationship between Christ and culture, between humankind and earth, between soul and soil. We are God’s garden, the organic church, free of preservatives, God-grown.

CMAResources: http://twitter.com/CMAResources Church Multiplication Associates & CMA Resources-facilitating church multiplication movements by reproducing healthy disciples, leaders, churches and movements

This is part of a continuing series of posts on twitter connections to organic church. Any suggestions to additional resources are welcome.

Series 1 – Series 2

Rob Ross is a coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.

This first post deals specifically with one type of old baggage that I see is being brought back into the house churches. It seems to me there is a growing trend of offering training or equipping that only allows full time ministers to attend. This concern is nothing new within the context of traditional churches. For decades many training events would be held at such a time or in such a place that only those who were full time ministers or those whose work schedule would permit would be able to attend. However, this issue is being transfered into many of the training or equipping opportunities that are meant to be available to as many as possible of those involved in grassroots house church.

I believe this stems from a growing influx of individuals who see house (organic) church as just another means of planting churches. Organic churches are based on relationships not programs. As people our tendancy is to slide back to what we know. Some of the old baggage we carried in the traditional church is being unpacked a bit at a time. This, I believe, is one of the issues that blocks many of our house churches from being dynamic and reproducible.

There are a number of solutions to this issue that ought to be considered. The Internet is becoming a vehicle to connecting people together for equipping and networking. There are ways of scheduling in-person meetings that would allow more people to be involved (specifically those working secular jobs). Equipping events can be adapted to smaller venues to allow for more participation. There is an opportunity to learn from our past mistakes and move forward to the benefit of all God’s people.

Rob Ross is a coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.

One of my past assignments was to go to the Mall. I soon discovered it did not necessarily have to be the mall. It could be the park, a local library or bookstore, an amusement park or most any other place. However, I found myself cringing a bit as it looked like I was going to add something more to my plate (as if most of us don’t have enough already). Then I began to realize it wasn’t adding anything at all but rather forcing me to get things done.

Take the Time

As I thought about the idea of pushing myself away from my computer and going to the mall it became apparent I was going to have to step outside and take in the sights. Not something I really like doing (at least going to the mall part). But I decided, begrudgingly, to follow the suggestion in the lesson and go to the mall to see what would happen.

As I entered the mall I began making my observations and it suddenly became interesting. I saw the people, the businesses, the advertisements and the structures differently. I started asking myself some questions. Who are these people? Why are they here? What attracts them to such a crowded space? I started to see people rushing by but I could sense they each had a purpose and a direction. Each store was intentionally designed to reach a certain people group. They used colours, displays and other attractions to grab these people’s attention. It was interesting how the mall itself was laid out to make it easier for people to find their particular niche.

I accumulated a large amount of data in a very short amount of time. So, I sat down in one of the chairs and began to record what I had observed. I even took time to ask myself some more questions and reflect on the answers. It was amazing what I discovered. I saw a part of life that I normally take for granted. I took time to hear the sounds of babies laughing. I could see the people (many very frazzled) make their way to their next purchase. I could smell the fresh wax on the floor and noticed the workers cleaning. It was amazing to even discover, as I felt the chair’s fabric under my hands, how worn the furniture was becoming. These chairs were being well used.

Be Prepared

I came away from this time with some ideas for making this an even better experience. Next time I will start preparing myself with the right attitude. I have decided that this is one way I will be able to have an opportunity of connecting with people (I may even have a chance to share my faith with others). I will also be equipping myself with some tools to help keep me on track. I will be bringing a number of electronic tools with me. I will probably bring an ipod or iphone, a notebook and pen, and possibly other tools that may help me better record my observations and thoughts.

Review the Process

Go – somewhere and intentionally make it interesting for yourself. In order to refuel and get some addition insight I found I need to get out and go to the mall, the library, the park, the sports arena, the amusement park or some other place of interest.

Observe – the things that are happening all around us. Many bloggers are already keenly observant. But this skill needs to be continually worked on or it becomes dull.

Question – like a child. Asking questions can be difficult but it is the way Jesus got His disciples to discover things for themselves.

Who? – Who are these people?
What? – What can I do to help them?
Why? – Why are people coming to this place?
When? – When is a good time to be at this place?
Where? – Where is the best place to meet people?
How? – How do I share my faith?

Record – your observations so that you can take time later to go over what you have heard, seen, felt, smelt and touched.

Reflect – on what is going on around you as often as possible. I have found that I need to intentionally make the time for quiet reflection in order to bring together and make sense of all the experiences I have in a day.

Share – what you learned with others. Help others discover something today. Try answering your own questions. Maybe someone else is asking those same questions.

Through this process I have discovered a number of things. I discovered I need to be more aware of my surroundings and my family, friends, neighbours, co-workers and community. I discovered that God is already at work in places I seldom venture. I discovered Jesus loves people where they are at not where I want them to be.

Rob Ross is the coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.

This post is adapted from a post I did for 31DBBB Day 13: Take a Trip to the Mall and Improve Your Blog.

House2House: H2H is a website designed to help any within the simple/organic church world in a variety of ways (downloads, blogs, discussion boards, articles, books & DVD as well as a regular ezine).

Church Multiplication Associates: CMA & CMAResources exist to support and encourage church multiplication movements by developing new resources focused on reproducing disciples, leaders, churches and movements from the place where you’re planted and finishing at the ends of the earth.

New Testament Restoration Foundation: NTRF desire is to provide resources and training in how the early church met together in community. They seek to aid others in recapturing the intimacy, simplicity, accountability and dynamic of first century church life.

House2Harvest Network: H2H Network exists to come along side of simple and house church networks so that they can effectively – mobilize towards completing the Great Commission, deploy their resources and servants to the nations and engage by making disciples of the unreached, the poor and marginalized both in other regions of the world as well as in their own neighborhoods and cities.

LK10.com: LK10 is a community of practice for church planters. It is a grass-roots, voluntary forum that is by and for simple church practioners with a specific, laser-beam focus on seven practices of church planters.

House Church Central: HCC is dedicated to the growing house church movement and endeavors to provide house churches with a channel for the interchange of ideas, a source for solid, Christian theology and a catalog of resources for the house church.

House Church Resource: HCR web site is a service to the explosive house church/organic church movement throughout the world providing links, articles and other resources.

Organic Church Resource: OCR goal is to assist in any way they can those who are interested in pursuing organic church life. They think of organic church life as seeking to acknowledge the centrality and supremecy of Jesus Christ, thus allowing him to function in our midst as God has intended.

Gottalife Online Community: Gottalife purpose is to build a platform where eagles can learn how to fly in the heights of his presence whilst making a difference in the world. Equipping, Training and Releasing those desiring to serve the Lord in there daily lives.

The Parousia Network Cyber Cafe: Parousia Network is an on-Line Community of House Churches, Simple Churches & Assorted Sojourners

This is part of a continuing series on simple, organic, house church resources. If you have any comments, suggestions or links to add please let me know.

Rob Ross is a coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.

Taking the time to do a spiritual check up helps me to refocus and keep on track. These are some of the questions I ask myself.

Character Check

• What one area outside of ministry is God asking me to grow?
• Is my public and private life consistent?
• Are there areas of personal purity that I have begun to let slide?
• What would my spouse or other family members say about my state of mind, spirit and energy level?
• Am I living my life in such a way that my family and friends are drawn to Christ?

Attitude Check

• Do I have a selfish or selfless attitude?
• Do I have a thankful or ungrateful attitude?
• Would those I work with say I am a positive or negative person?
• Am I able to keep a Christ-like attitude when things are difficult?
• What specific attitude will I work on this week?

Scripture Check

• Am I spending time in God’s Word every day?
• Am I obeying one truth that Christ has spoken to me through His Word?
• Do I meditate on God’s truth that I read?
• Have I shared Christ’s truth with someone this past week?
• When is the last time I committed a passage of Scripture to memory?

Relationship Check

• Would my wife say she feels loved or lonely?
• Am I spending enough quality time with my children?
• Are there unresolved conflicts with family members, friends or work associates?
• What does God want me to do to make them right?
• What one practical thing will I do this week to honour my family?
• Do I have some healthy friendships outside of ministry?

What additonal questions would be worth asking as part of a spirtitual check up?

Where is your ranking in terms of influence?

When you think of influential what image comes to mind? Do you imagine people like businessmen, politicians, judges, actors, or athletes? You most likely did not conjure up the image of someone who is considered an average person. After all, how could an average person have any influence?

One real advantage of the Internet, social media in particular, is that it has become the great equalizer. People from all walks of life can become major influencers of others. So, it is now possible for a ditch digger to have as much influence as some well known politicians.

Influence rather than numbers is a major determination of ranking amongst many websites. Over the years many believers have used numbers to determine success within ministry. The Internet has made it evident that there are other ways of defining a successful ministry. So, what is influence, why is influence important and what are some of the ways we can improve our influence on the Internet?

What is influence? Influence can be considered the power to persuade others to some end. Within the context of Internet Evangelism it is having a good enough reputation that you will be given the opportunity to persuade others in a positive direction.

Why is it important, as a Christian, to be an influential person on the Internet?

• To earn the privilege of sharing Jesus.
• To effectively serve others (showing Christ’s love no strings attached)
• To encourage positive interaction
• To be available to minister to others.
• To demonstrate the remarkable opportunities God provides us to participate in His work.

How can believers improve their influence on the Internet? There are a number of factors that make a better reputation and improve influence. Some of these include:

Character: There are many character traits that are important for a Christian. These same character traits are important in building an online reputation and influence. Some of the traits include being authentic, transparent, persistent, honest, forgiving, well behaved, temperate and self controlled. The need to demonstrate Christian character online is as important as it is offline.

Courage: It is the courage to step outside ones’ comfort zone. Ministry online can be unpredictable. When possible and safe make the effort to meet people offline. It takes courage to adapt to this changing world.

Concern: Being concerned about others is a way of building healthy friendships. Take the time to discover what is important to someone else. Learn about the interests of your online friends. In other words do not just broadcast your message. It is vital to build relationships and to interact with those in your circle of influence.

Consistency: Earning a reputation that you can be relied upon is another way of building influence. Practical things can help here such as regular involvement online, following through on commitments and showing common netiquette

Creativity: There is a real need for creativity in every aspect of our lives. The Internet provides each of us opportunities to utilize our spiritual gifts and talents in very original and imaginative ways. It gives us the opportunity to express ourselves in a style that is unique and honoring to God.

If we want to impact the world for Christ we need to be willing to put ourselves into the forefront of this new technology and be willing to adapt without comprising our faith. Seth Godin shared in a recent email “Every interaction might be the whole thing.” Are we making the most of every opportunity?

So, who do you want to influence and how are you going to do it?

Rob Ross is the coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.
Originally posted as Internet Evangelism Idea #13: Making a Better Reputation.

Frank Viola: http://twitter.com/FrankViola Frank is a very active voice within the organic church movement in North America. He has contributed a great deal of relevant material to the discussion on organic church. He is also an active participant in organic churches.

Neil Cole: http://twitter.com/Neil_Cole Neil’s biography reads follower of Jesus, father of three, husband of one, church planter, author and coach. Yikes, this reads like a tombstone! Says a lot about the person.

Milt Rodriguez: http://twitter.com/MiltRodriguez Milt is an author, speaker and organic church planter. He has been active in encouraging churches throughout North America.

Roger Thoman: http://twitter.com/rogerthoman Roger is on a journey home desiring to take as many people as possible with him. He is active both in North America and overseas with Appleseed Ministry.

This is the first part of a link series of Connections Worth Making on Twitter. Comments and Suggestion are Welcome.

Series 1 – Series 2

Rob Ross is the coordinator for Oikos Ministries (a network of organic churches). He is a disciple of Jesus (Making Disciples) who lives in Calgary, AB with his family. Connect with Rob on Facebook or Twitter.