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Desert Highway Newsletter |
January 2007 |
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THE NATIONAL
Pastors… if you ride |
In this months newsletter: ------------------------------------------ National Men’
Conference ------------------------------------------ Phoenix Pastor’s School ------------------------------------------ Nebraska Men’s
Retreat ------------------------------------------ Book Review:
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IS YOUR CHURCH A “BIKER FRIENDLY
CHURCH”? |
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Book Review:Off Road Disciplines by Earl Creps The full title of the book is "OFF ROAD DISCIPLINES - SPIRITUAL Adventures of Missional LEADERS. Since I am someone who likes to keep the rubber on the pavement and the shiny side up, I found the title of this book quite intriguing. "Off Road Disciplines" is written much in the same style as Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" or Peter Greig and Dave Roberts' "Red Moon Rising." His message is something that many of us in the same age bracket as the author can relate to, but way to many are afraid to step out and follow. The book is broken down into two self declared sections, one about personal disciplines and the other about organizational disciplines. Both written from the perspective of the author based on his own self discovery of the need for these disciplines. I would lean toward application of all of these principles to both personal and organizational disciplines. The principles of death, truth, perspective, learning, witness, and humility should be equally applied to our organizations as well as to each of us personally. The principles of assessment, harmony, reflection, opportunity, sacrifice, and legacy should also be practiced on an individual level if they are to ever be real on the organizational level In going "off road", the author has much bigger goals than just returning the church to being missional, but also being unified in mission across cultural and generational barriers. I particularly, found his emphasis on assessment in chapter seven to be a critical portion of this text. His question of "If we worked for a missions agency, would we still have jobs?" is one that many ministry leaders need to be asking. "Missional" is the key to Earl's writing like "purpose" is to the PDL folks. In seizing opportunity he sees the need to not only love, but to like others to be effective in the mission when he says, "Like catalyzes love, and love grows the capacity for mission in every form." He speaks again of the importance of focusing on the mission when he speaks of sacrificing personal preferences for the sake of the mission. "Grace is free, mission is not." I would recommend this book to any and all. Both young and old should read this book, especially since it offers good solutions to reconciling the differences between the two. I would however note that some of the more traditional practitioners among us may need an interpreter for some of the sections of this book. The legacy of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ must be passed on, along with the traditions of the Word of God, but it may not include all of the traditions of men. It never has before and it will most likely not happen this time. As Earl, himself, responded about passing the baton to the next generation, "...no one else is coming." So I am not asking any to abandon their spiritual disciplines for a new set, but rather to add these off road disciplines to those that they already practice. Review by R. Duane Gryder |
About the author: Earl Creps is the director of the
Doctor of Ministry program and associate professor at the Assemblies of God
Theological Seminary (AGTS) in Springfield, Missouri. He has been a
pastor, ministries consultant, and university professor. |
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Sometimes misunderstood… Biker Friendly ChurchesWe added a national directory for “Biker Friendly” churches. In our drive to get bikers that get saved into a committed relationship with local churches the worse thing we can do is send them to a church that does not welcome them into their fellowship and into a discipleship relationship. Should all churches accept everyone? Sure, but the fact is many do not. I have even heard pastors say that they are not really looking to reach anyone but the middle class and up in their church. A church with this mindset would do better to support us and let us reach these people and send them to churches that can minister to them. Maybe you should register your church. You can do this by going to our website at www.deserthighway.org then click on the “Biker Friendly” churches link or just send an email to: duane@deserthighway.org with your churches information. Include the churches name, street address, city, state, zip, pastor’s name, email address, website address, and a slogan or additional information. --------------------------------------------------- We have our blog
up and running. |
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Newlywed
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Back In Prison AgainBlog Posted in December by Duane Gryder There are not a lot of churches that have biker preachers do services this time of year so I have been going back to prison the last three weeks now. I had not been back in this unit for a year and I realized how much I really do love these guys. The neat thing is that although my memory is horrible for names I have been able to call many of them by name. When I do call them by name or mention something I remember about them personally they light up and say “I cant believe you remembered.” I don’t tell them that I cant believe it either. I figure that is just a way the Lord blesses them. I had been invited to a Christmas party tonight, but like I told my wife, I cant give them presents but I can be there for them. We gave them free hallmark cards again this year to send their families and on the 23rd we took a tree into the unit and each of the guys got to hang an ornament on in. It remained in the gym for services until after Christmas. One of the guys that went in with us for the first time was heard saying, “These guys are just like you and me.” Folks, this is the truth. Sure there are the bad seeds, but for the most part just guys like you and I that made bad choices and got caught. Even some of the bad seeds have been transformed by the Word of God. One of the prison people was telling me about one of the guys I visited with the other day. He was constantly in trouble until 2000. The chaplain reached out to him and got him to come to our ministry. Since then he has only gotten in trouble twice. Both of which were minor. The first four words of Romans 12:9 in the NIV are so true: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” SINCERE! It has to be real. Real love is not something you can just have. It is not something you can work up. It is God given! The love that we can have for a prisoner, or a homeless person, or some tattooed up old biker is not something we can take credit for ourselves. It comes from God Himself. Isn’t it odd how all the things that He commands us to do and be, He provides for us in the first place? He is not trying to make us “do” something. He is just trying to get us to “be” what He made us and use what He gave us. There
is a cure! His name is Jesus. |
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Want to support YOUR motorcycle missionaries?
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HonorBound Motorcycle Ministry It is READY TO GO! CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: |
FREE Global University Courses |
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If you know others who
would support this ministry, |
GREAT NEWS! Janet and I have
been chosen to serve as chaplains during |
PRAYER REQUEST Pray
for those who are
Pray that we will reach full budget soon We
need to replace our small fifth wheel camper with a larger camper that has a
separate garage in the back for the bikes. |
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Sign up to support us now. We need
to make a lot of headway on our fundraising. |
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Copyright © R. Duane Gryder 2007 |
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THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE
SIGNED UP WITH FAITH PROMISE |
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If you have not done a Faith Promise and would like to do
it now. |
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-- PLEASE NOTE -- |
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