Paul Vieira – Jesus Has Left The Building

Paul Vieira is the author of  the book “Jesus Has Left The Building”.  He shares his journey from being a “promising” young pastor in a very large church to relative “obscurity” in the organic church.  He was recently a speaker at the National House Church Conference in Denver.

I was recently told about his podcast where he reads selected sections from the chapters of his book.  He has been posting these podcasts since November and is now up to chapter 9.  You can download these if you have iTunes or you can go to directly to the website http://paulvieira.podbean.com/ and either download the podcasts or listen to them on the website.  Then if after listening to a few of them, like me, you decide to buy the book, go to http://www.paulvieira.info/ and buy it directly from the website for only $15.99.

I just listened to his chapter 2 podcast and one of his ideas really sticks in my head.  When he left the “organized” church, he felt that he had to go through a period of “detox” so that God could work through him the way He wanted to.  Its about not putting new wine in old wineskins.  You have to have a new wineskin for new wine.  Many of us may still be in a period of “detox” because we haven’t really understood what it means to go out of the building, whether it be a large “church” building, or a small house.  We may be operating under the old paradigm.  Maybe I’m still going through this “detox” period.  Maybe you are.  But look around and you will see others that have gone past this and really understand what it means for Jesus to leave the building.

I challenge the house churches of Phoenix and Arizona to bring Paul Vieira here for a weekend conference in the spring.  He lives in British Columbia so I imagine he would not mind visiting Arizona.  Please contact me via email ( ljoh3106@cox.net ) or phone 602-524-9400 if you would like to help organize our next city-wide church gathering.

Robert Fitts – Gathering in Scottsdale

Just a reminder about the gathering in Scottsdale, AZ this coming Saturday, January 5 at 7 PM for those who are either already involved in house church or those who want to know more about house church. The meeting will take place in the home of my sister, Betty Walton, and her husband, Delby, at 8517 East De La O street in Scottsdale AZ 85225. Go to www.mapquest.com for directions to their house.

    This gathering is what I would call a “Mini House Church Conference” and is for the purpose of information and encouragement for those seeking to experience church in the simplicity that we read about in the New Testament. I am sending an attachment that deals with forty trends back to simplicity.

    Please help me get this information out to your friends inviting them to this gathering. For more information, call my cell phone, 808-345-5760. Delby and Betty Walton’s phone is 480-502-4851 for more on how to get to their house.

    If you would rather, send me phone numbers or email addresses and I will send the invitations or make the calls. I realize this is rather sudden, but there are those who will come to a meeting like this at a moment’s notice!

 

Robert Fitts
Outreach Fellowship International
76-6309 Haku Pl.
Kona, HI 96740
Website: www.robertfitts.com

A Declaration of Unity
I belong to everything that belongs to Jesus and everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to me. It’s not, “Us and them.” It’s just, “Us!” There’s only one Body of Christ! And the problems of the church, the whole church, are our problems, for we are the church and we can do more united than we can do divided.

Divine Appointment Prayer
Father, give me a divine appointment today with someone who is hungry for God, or sick, or in need. Give me sensitive to know when that divine appointment happens, and give me grace to minister the love of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 10:2 Prayer
“Father, send more laborers into your harvest in which you have called me to serve” Note: Set your cell phone to alarm each day at 10:02 AM as a reminder to pray Luke 10:2 daily.

Winning the War on Terrorism with a Simple, Sincere, Daily Prayer
“Father, give every terrorist an Encounter with Jesus like Saul of Tarsus had on the road to Damascus.”

 

Happy New Year 2008

We completed our trip across the country and was blessed with good weather and safety on the way.  Sue and I want to wish everyone in the house church community a happy and blessed 2008.

What do you think 2008 holds for the Phoenix area house churches?   I don’t know but I know that God has plans for us.  How those plans unfold remains to be seen.

I do know that I need to focus on seeing the Holy Spirit leading in my life.  I need to see God working in every detail of my life, the life of my family, and the life of my fellowship.  I need to always be ready to share God’s greatest gift with people I come across in my daily activities.  I need to set Godly priorities and goals in my life this year.   These are not resolutions but just acknowledgement of areas that I need to improve this new year.

If you have areas of improvement for the new year that you would like to share, please feel free to post a comment.  Those of us in the house church are not immune to the problems and issues faced by other Christians.

Please continue to pray for our troops.  Pray for the election process during this year.  Make your vote count.  Pray for each other.  Join us this Saturday morning and pray for our city, county, and state.  Please let us know about your experience.   God bless everyone.