Mars Hill Journey

Final Mars Hill Update.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:13:00 +0000

Friends.

We at Mars Hill have shared a wonderful relationship with Skyline, another young church in downtown Oklahoma City. We have been exploring the nature of this partnership over the last nine months. It has become evident to both communities that we can accomplish far more together than we ever could apart.

From the beginning, we have sought to become an extended spiritual family sharing life and mission together. Our family is growing and our Missional Community is being joined by other Missional Communities all across the metro area:

Northeast Edmond (Wednesday at 6:30)

Led by John & Tiffany Gwynn

South Edmond (Wednesdays at 6:30)

Led by Aaron & Vanesa Niles

North OKC (Wednesday at 7:00)

Led by Joshua & Amy Newberry

NW OKC #1 (Sundays at 6:00)

Led by Doug & Melissa Mason

NW OKC #2 (Wednesday at 6:30)

Led by Jeremy & Stephanie Hume

Brian & Kathy Lovelace

Paseo (Wednesday at 6:30)

Led by Rex & Lanie Barrett

Quail Creek (Wednesdays at 6:30)

Led by Matt & Megan McClintock

This network of Missional Communities will come together to celebrate the King and his Kingdom on Sunday mornings at 11am. The KAMPs Gathering will no longer take place on Sunday evenings.

Together, we will now be referred to as Skyline - A Network of Missional Communities Following The Way of Jesus and Integrating God's Mission for The World Into Our Daily Lives.

Skyline Gatherings are held at 123 Robert S. Kerr - OKC, OK 73102.

The Skyline mailing address is PO Box 1216 - OKC, OK 73101.

Please begin making tax-deductible financial contributions to "Skyline".

We are in the process of re-launching a new website at www.SkylineOKC.com.

I encourage you to subscribe to receive email updates at www.ProjectOKC.com to stay up to date on missional living opportunities taking place in urban OKC. Please mark your calendars and make plans to participate in the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City on Sunday, October 5th at 2pm.

Many of you have been attending Skyline over the last several months of transition and I look forward to many more of you merging your life into the life of this newly forming community. I will be teaching this Sunday at Skyline concluding a conversation on what we believe. Next Sunday, September 28th we will begin a new conversation through the book of James.

Please let me know if you have any questions and how I can be of service. My new email address is Ben@SkylineOKC.com.

Better Together.

Ben.

This Sunday - September 7th.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:35:00 +0000

Friends.

I hope that you've had a good week.

I look forward to gathering together this Sunday - September 7th, 5:30pm at KAMPs.
Please bring a finger food item to share with the group.
Let me know if you have any questions.

See you soon!

Take Care.
Ben.

KAMPs Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:23:00 +0000

Summer seems to be a natural season to step back, slow down and simplify. Christianity and the accompanying church life has become increasingly complicated. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Simple yet more powerful than we know. This summer we have committed to learning and living out the wonders of loving God and others simply and powerfully. Summer has been a time to rest from work and now the summer season is coming to a close and we enter into a new rhythm - a time to work from a place of rest.

We will be getting together at KAMP's to further explore what an extended spiritual family on mission together looks like on Sunday, September 7th & 14th at 5:30pm. This will be a focused dialogue on the future expression of the Mars Hill Kamps Gathering and our growing partnership with Skyline. I encourage all those who have invested, loved and shared in this journey to attend.

The Gods Aren't Angry by Rob Bell screening at KAMPs on Sunday, August 24th at 5:30pm. Where did the first caveman or cavewoman get the idea that somebody, somewhere existed who needed to be worshipped, appeased, and followed? And how did the idea evolve that if you didn't say, do, or offer the right things, this being would be upset, agitated, or even angry with you? Where did religion come from?

There will be a back to school event for all Refugees this Sunday, August 17th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Flower Garden Park. This event will include food, activities for kids and a back pack giveaway. We will be providing all Refugees in OKC and all the students living at Jamie's Landing apartment school supplies for the upcoming school year. Please make plans to be a part and consider now how you can give financially to this effort. We will be providing everything for burgers and dogs but we need you to bring an easy side or dessert in bulk (we may be feeding up to 150 people).

I will be concluding the teaching conversation through Galatians and transitioning the conversation to explore Missional Communities at Skyline ( www.SkylineOKC.com ) this Sunday, August 17th at 11am.

I look forward to connecting and celebrating with you on Sunday!

Working From Rest.
Ben.

Thought From Jim Wallis.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:51:00 +0000

Just heard a piercing thought from Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics and Great Awakening.

He said, "We have growing churches and dying neighborhoods."

Let that bounce around your head and heart.

Talk To Our Father.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:37:00 +0000

I wanted to pass along a matter of prayer from a member of the KAMPs Community. I assured them they we would join them in prayer and pain, even now. I prayed that the SHALOM of God would surround and invade. Would you talk to our good Father about this family?

"Hey if you don't mind could you guys pray for my family? Especially my brother matt and his wife stephanie...she was pregnant with triplets and was due in late October, but she went into labor and long story short they lost all 3 babies yesterday...they are up in Missouri right now and they are both just ridiculous amazing people and really torn up obviously right now...thanks"

KAMPs Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:50:00 +0000

Summer seems to be a natural season to step back, slow down and simplify. Christianity and the accompanying church life has become increasingly complicated. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Simple yet more powerful than we know. Living out the gospel means desiring for one's neighbor and neighbor's family that which one desires for one's self and family. Living out the gospel means bettering the quality of other people's lives spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally as one betters one's own. This summer we are committed to learning and living out the wonders of loving God and others simply and powerfully.

The Gods Aren't Angry by Rob Bell screening at KAMPs on Sunday, August 24th at 5:30pm. Where did the first caveman or cavewoman get the idea that somebody, somewhere existed who needed to be worshipped, appeased, and followed? And how did the idea evolve that if you didn't say, do, or offer the right things, this being would be upset, agitated, or even angry with you? Where did religion come from?

There will be a back to school event for all Refugees on Sunday, August 17th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Flower Garden Park. This event will include food, activities for kids and a back pack giveaway. We will be providing all Refugees in OKC and all the students living at Jamie's Landing apartment school supplies for the upcoming school year. Please make plans to be a part and consider now how you can give financially to this effort.

Rex and Lanie Barrett are leading a new church planting endeavor in the Paseo Arts District. They will begin building community on Wednesday nights beginning August 6th. We encourage each of you to consider participating and spreading the word. Email RexBarrett@mac.com for more info. Rex will be sharing at the KAMPs Gathering on Sunday, August 10th at 5:30pm.

There will be no KAMPs Gatherings on Sunday evening, August 3rd.

Our friends at Crosstown Church have invited members from the downtown Church (Big "C") to join them for a downtown prayer journey on Tuesday, July 29th at 7pm. The group will meet and the prayer journey will begin at the Myriad Gardens.

I will continue the teaching conversation through Galatians at Skyline (www.SkylineOKC.com) this Sunday, July 27th at 11am. The morning Gathering will be followed by a shared meal together. That evening we will be getting together at KAMP's to further explore what an extended spiritual family on mission together looks like.

I look forward to connecting and celebrating with you on Sunday!

Free To Live.

Ben.

KAMPs Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:13:00 +0000

Headed to New Life Church (www.NewLifeChurch.org) in Colorado Springs for the annual Desperation Conference (www.DesperationOnline.com). Really looking forward to hanging with friends there. So, I'm sending out the KAMPs Missional Community update early this week.

Fusion Church ( www.FusionOKC.com ) will be hosting Servants Training Weekend July 18-20. When Jesus left the most exclusive gated community in the universe and relocated among us, He sparked a revolution: an upside-down revolution of love and justice. Join us for an introduction to a radical new way of doing justice in the inner cities of the world.

We will join Fusion Church for a combined Gathering on Sunday, July 20th at 5pm. Craig Greenfield from Servants to Asia's Urban Poor (www.ServantsAsia.org) will be sharing on "Solitude, Community & Mission". Servants to Asia's Urban Poor is an international movement: a network of Christian communities living and working amongst the urban poor in Asia's mega cities, participating with the poor to bring hope and justice through Jesus Christ. Fusion is located in the Plaza District, 1755 NW 16th Street (between Classen and Penn).

I will continue the teaching conversation through Galatians at Skyline (www.SkylineOKC.com) on Sunday, July 27th at 11am. The morning Gathering will be followed by a shared meal together. That evening we will be getting together at KAMP's to further explore what an extended spiritual family on mission together looks like.

Remember and reconsider the words of Jesus in Matthew 5. This is what he said: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being care-full, you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

Be Blessed.

Ben.

The God's Aren't Angry.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Love starting a Monday morning with "good mail". In my mail slot at Bridgeway sat a little red cardboard box, that I just knew had to at least be interesting mail and it was. My DVD copy of Rob Bell's latest tour talk had arrived, The God's Aren't Angry.

"Where did the first caveman or cavewoman get the idea that somebody, somewhere existed who needed to be worshipped, appeased, and followed?

And how did the idea evolve that if you didn't say, do, or offer the right things, this being would be upset, agitated, or even angry with you?

Where did religion come from?"

You can watch a few previews at www.TheGodsArentAngry.com. Now don't go out a buy a copy. I spent the $20 for all of us. And we will schedule a viewing at KAMP's in the not to distant future.

KAMPs Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Our friends at Crosstown Church have invited members from the downtown Church (Big "C") to join them for a downtown prayer journey on Tuesday, July 29th at 7pm. The group will meet and the prayer journey will begin at the Myriad Gardens.

Fusion Church (www.FusionOKC.com) will be hosting Servants Training Weekend July 18-20. When Jesus left the most exclusive gated community in the universe and relocated among us, He sparked a revolution: an upside-down revolution of love and justice. Join us for an introduction to a radical new way of doing justice in the inner cities of the world.

We will join Fusion Church for a combined Gathering on Sunday, July 20th at 5pm. Craig Greenfield from Servants to Asia's Urban Poor (www.ServantsAsia.org) will be sharing on "Solitude, Community & Mission". Fusion is located in the Plaza District, 1755 NW 16th Street (between Classen and Penn).

Tommy Bailey will be leading us in worship and Richard Galloway from New York City Relief (www.NYCR.org) will be our special guest at KAMP's this Sunday, July 13th at 5:30pm. Please bring a dessert to be shared with the group. In 1989, Richard and his wife Dixie founded NYC Relief, a front-line urban missions program which not only provides food and clothing for the urban homeless, but connects them from the street with life-changing Christian programs. NYC Relief exists to connect the poor, oppressed, and addicted with a path toward help and hope. Through outreach partnerships, we seek to be a bridge between human need and resources to meet those needs. These things we do.that others may live.

I look forward to connecting and celebrating with you on Sunday!

Love & Justice.

Ben.

Baby Dumping.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:45:00 +0000

I wanted to pass along the latest update email from Floyd & Sally McClung. Floyd influenced my life greatly as a 16-year old through his efforts with YWAM.

When the storm drains are cleaned twice a year in our area, the city's waste management reports seeing small, dead, baby bodies. This is traumatic for the city workers, and its reported that a psychiatrist is on staff to debrief the workers. "Baby Dumping" is officially undocumented by officials, but it is not uncommon.

What is more alarming than mothers literally throwing their newborns away, is that no one is doing anything about it in our area. Until now. "Baby Safe" is a ministry to rescue unwanted babies. A team working under the auspices of All Nations has come together from various ministries and churches to make the project a reality - including caring for the mothers who are struggling with poverty, fear and abuse. We have prayed, done "due diligence" research, and now we ready to launch the ministry. Through Baby Safe we will be able to help mothers who choose life over death for their babies.

One baby's life was radically changed when he was found in Masiphumlele, one of the poorer communities where we work. He was tossed aside, still in his mother's placenta, abandoned in a black garbage bag. He was left for dead, but thankfully found by a group of children. This little boy is now a thriving 5 year old. He was adopted by a wonderful couple found through a local church. Through Baby Safe we aim to save other baby's lives like little Luke.

Baby Safe is committed to presenting an alternative to abortion, and we hope to prevent children from being abused and severly neglected by presenting mothers with an alternative.

Children rescued through Baby Safe will be placed in loving, Christian adoptive families. The precious hope of Jesus will also be presented to women in crisis as well as other social service resources meant for women and children in need.

When the little boy mentioned above was rescued and brought to his new home, this verse was read over him: "On that day you were born, your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean...no one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather you were thrown into an open field, for on the day you were born, you were despised. Then I passed by and saw you kicking in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood, I said to you, "Live!" (Ezekiel 16:4-6 NIV).

We believe that God will rescue the helpless through Baby Safe and make a life long covenant with the children who will be saved.

If you would like to learn more about Baby Safe, contact Bethany at bethanyallnations@gmail.com Bethany is a graduate of CPx, the All Nations training program. If you would like to receive information about CPx, write to allnationssa@gmail.com

KAMP's Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:41:00 +0000

Summer seems to be a natural season to step back, slow down and simplify. Christianity and the accompanying church life has become increasing complicated. The life that we have been given has become marked by condemnation rather than grace and chaos rather than peace. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Simple yet more powerful than we know. Living out the gospel means desiring for one's neighbor and neighbor's family that which one desires for one's self and family. Living out the gospel means bettering the quality of other people's lives spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally as one betters one's own. This summer we are committed to learning and living out the wonders of loving God and others simply and powerfully.

Catholic Charities has asked us to help them throw an Independence Day celebration cook-out onThursday, July 3rd from 5:30-8:30pm at Flower Garden Park - on NW 46th between McKinley and Classen. All the Refugees that have arrived in Oklahoma City over the last year have been invited to the celebration, totaling around 100 people. We will need to provide 100 burgers & buns, 50 all beef hotdogs & buns, charcoal and condiments. We will also help cover the cost for an inflatable to ensure the kids have a great time as well. Please let me know if you will be able to help contribute food or finances to the effort. I hope that some of you will be able to join in as we continue to engage, bless, serve and build relationships with our neighbors from afar.

Please join us at SKYLINE (www.SkylineOKC.com) this Sunday, July 6th at 11am. There will be no KAMP's Gathering due to the holiday weekend.

Richard Galloway from New York City Relief (www.NYCR.org) will be our special guest at KAMP's on Sunday, July 13th at 5:30pm. New York City Relief exists to connect the poor, oppressed, and addicted with a path toward help and hope. Through outreach partnerships, we seek to be a bridge between human need and resources to meet those needs. These things we do.that others may live.

Our friends at Fusion Church (www.FusionOKC.com) will be hosting Servants Training Weekend July 18-20. When Jesus left the most exclusive gated community in the universe and relocated among us, He sparked a revolution: an upside-down revolution of love and justice. Join us for an introduction to a radical new way of doing justice in the inner cities of the world.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Ben.

A Church That Is The Message.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:07:00 +0000

I feel like I am always throwing out random thoughts and quotes from people I'm reading and / or listening to. Not always the most original blogger, but here goes a new thought from a new book I started last night by German Wolfgang Simson: Houses That Change The World.

"I dreamed of a community that is a s simple as one-two-three, yet is dynamic; an explosive thing, able to turn the world and a neighborhood upside-down. The church as a supernatural invention, endowed with God's gift of immortality; a means to disciple each other, and to make the life of Jesus rub off on each other.

A church, which does not need huge amounts of money, or rhetoric, control and manipulation, which can do without powerful and charismatic heroes, which in non-religious at heart, which can thrill people to the core, leave them speachless with joy and astonishment, and simply teach us The Way to live. A church which not only has a message, but is the message. Something which spreads like an unstoppable virus, infects whatever it touches, and ultimately covers the earth with the glory and knowledge of God. A church whose power stems from its inventor.

The church I dreamed of is like a spiritual extended family - organic, not organized, relational, not formal.

A church that can multiply like five loaves and two fish in the hands of Jesus, where it's people are its resources.

God is changing the church, and that, in turn, will change the world. Church as we know it is preventing Church as God wants it."

KAMP's Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:31:00 +0000

Living out the gospel means desiring for one's neighbor and neighbor's family that which one desires for one's self and family. Living out the gospel means bettering the quality of other people's lives spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally as one betters one's own. Thanks to all of you who lived out the gospel on behalf of the Refugees and residents of the nearby apartment complex. It was truly a beautiful sight to see individuals and families gathered together from all over the world, from all different socio-economic standings and various religious beliefs. We will be sharing video and photos from our time together on Sunday at KAMP's.

The KAMP's Gathering will take place this Sunday, June 29th at 5:30pm. Cole will be leading and journeying with us in worship and Rex will be sharing the following message:

It is exciting to see what God is doing in His church in America and around the world. His kingdom is growing and nothing can stop this expansion from happening! Jesus spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18 saying: "You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out."

God is building his Church, He is empowering us to do more then just sit in pews being entertained by high power preachers and pop star singers. He is calling us to something great, to do something exciting. This is a story so compelling that people in countries where the Gospel is illegal are more than willing to stand brave and proud to confirm that Jesus is their life and Lord, even to the point of death.

Bob Roberts Jr. in his book "The Multiplying Church" says: Where faith has exploded, it has never been because of the multiplication of mega-churches, but of smaller churches from 50 to 200. This happened in the early church, Europe and throughout American history, and now it is happening in Asia.

The small movement that began in about 30 AD is the Church that continues on its unstoppable path today. Join us this Sunday as we discover how we, as a small gathering in Oklahoma City, have a huge part to play in the Church global. Find out how you as an individual are part of a much bigger picture and why it is so important to be connected.

I look forward to celebrating and connecting with you on Sunday.

Thanks.

Ben.

PS - We will be Gathering at SKYLINE (www.SkylineOKC.com) on Sunday, July 6th at 11am. There will be no KAMP's Gathering that evening. We will be Gathering at KAMP's on Sunday, July, 13th at 5:30pm. We will have two special guests with us that night, Tommy Bailey and Richard Galloway from NYC Relief (www.NYCR.org).

Something Every Christian Should Do.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:12:00 +0000

When I read the latest update from World Vision, I was immediately struch with the that "Child Sponsorship Is Something Every Christian Should Do." My family sponsors a little boy through Compassion International. While we are not always the best at sending notes and coloring pictures, I don't let that kind of silly guilt lead to inaction. So every month, $32 is automatic withdrawn from our account to ensure that Williamson Joseph will not die from hunger. Stop the craziness. Don't delay. Sponsor a beautiful little boy or girl. Now. Every Christian Should.

WORLD VISION -- EVERY 7 SECONDS A CHILD DIES FROM HUNGER

Dear Friend,

In addition to several recent Asian disasters and African conflicts affecting the lives of children, there is a deadly situation that is rocking the world as a whole. Called the "Silent Tsunami," it is the severe and growing international food shortage - one that is fast becoming a crisis.As a result, children are slowly - yet quietly - starving to death. In fact, at this point in time, a child dies from hunger every seven seconds. That's more than 14,000 children each day from among millions more who are suffering. The voices of these suffering and dying children must be heard.That's why I'm writing ... to tell you that together, we CAN do something about this developing crisis right now.

www.WorldVision.org

Give the ultimate gift of Child Sponsorship - the foundation on which World Vision is built. Where just over $1 per day provideslife-saving and life-sustaining essentials to children and theirfamilies, such as: * Nutritious food* Clean water* Medical care* Disease prevention aid* Educational supplies and opportunities* And much moreI know that you, too, have a heart for children and will consider doing what you can to help in this developing food shortage crisis. Thank you for your prayers and support for deserving and suffering children.

Sincerely,

Rich Stearns

President, World Vision U.S.

P.S. Remember, your gift of Child Sponsorship comes at a time when the global food crisis is combining with other recent disasters to create one of the most serious situations affectingthe lives of children. Please help us help starving children.

A Call and Commitment To The Urban Core.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:16:00 +0000

I wanted to share with you a right up done by Stacy May regaring the V360 effort here in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City: A Call and Commitment to the Urban Core

Forbes magazine recently named Oklahoma City the country’s most recession-proof city. Forbes cited a strong housing market, decreased unemployment and growth in agriculture, energy and manufacturing as contributing factors to its economic health. This is good news for residents of Oklahoma City. And it’s good news for a team of church planters who are passionate about bringing spiritual revitalization to a city that’s thriving economically.

From the inside out

City Catalyst Lance Humphreys attended the initial Vision360 meeting in Orlando in the fall of 2006. Lance wanted to participate in Vision 360 because he believes God wants to transform cities through the church in a way he hasn’t seen in his lifetime. He left the meeting asking himself, “What is God already doing in our city as it relates to church planting?”

Meanwhile, Executive Director Ben Nockels, and his wife Shannon, were living in Colorado Springs when God began to speak to their hearts about the importance of church planting. God led them back to Oklahoma City where they launched Mars Hill Church. “It was never about planting a church,” Ben says. “It was always about planting multiple churches. We knew this was not about our church plant, but about serving the entire city.”

From the beginning Lance and Ben had a sense that the urban center of Oklahoma City was to be the focal point of their efforts. They had observed the physical rebuilding that took place in the center of the city following the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995. “The inner city became the focal and rallying point for renewed faith in our city,” Lance says. They longed for and believed that spiritual revitalization could take place just as economic revitalization had. And they felt the spiritual revitalization was going to take place from the inside out. “If we could impact the urban center then we could impact the entire metropolitan area,” Lance says.

Ben agrees: “Starting with the most forgotten, under-resourced and broken kids is going to be the avenue to really transform our cities.”

With a heart for the poor and broken, they started moving forward with a vision for their city that transcended what any one church could do alone.

Step by step

The following steps were key to launching Vision360 in Oklahoma City:

Narrow focus - The decision was made that for the first five years the team was not going to do anything that didn’t impact the city center. They felt that area was where the Lord had asked them to begin and they strived to keep their vision focused specifically on that area. This led to success in bringing both board support and financial support.

Networking - They built a relationship network with two groups of people that were already involved in church planting: young church planters and established churches who had a history of reproducing or had the capacity and heart to reproduce. “I began by building relationships with church planters in the urban center,” Lance says. “A core of five young church planters and myself began to dream about what it would look like to replant the church in Urban Oklahoma City.”

Invitations - In the past six months Lance and Ben started inviting business and city leaders into the process. “We have aggressively pursued church leaders and business leaders who already demonstrated a buy-in to the vision,” Lance says. “We’ve gone after the people we want to work with. We’ve met individually with pastors we wanted to be involved with.”

An Education Strategy

Like many urban settings, Oklahoma City is a mix of racial and ethnic groups, wealth and poverty, youth and families.

The Oklahoma City vision includes identifying the 15 most vulnerable, at-risk schools and launching churches within those schools. The at-risk status is based on free and reduced lunches, academic scores, volunteer base, etc. Each school is the gathering place and the built-in missional focus. “Kids are a gateway to parents, parents are a gateway to families, families are gateways to neighborhoods,” Ben says. “And what are cities made up of but a system and network of neighborhoods?”

They are currently in the process of identifying the vulnerable communities, working with school board members, and determining how they will begin to recruit and train church planters to go into those communities.

Business Leaders

A team was pulled together from a cross-section of the city including young entrepreneurs and more established leaders. The first fundraising event took place in late February of this year and was hosted by the former mayor of Oklahoma City in his own home. The response was fantastic and there are 20 members currently on the board. The first official board meeting took place on June 5.

“When I moved back to Oklahoma City we began meeting people,” Ben says. “Many of those people have been strategic in getting Vision360 off the ground. We met as friends and those friendships turned into partnerships. There is a real clear sense that God was at work long before any of this came about.”

From Across The Big Pond.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Listening to a sermon this morning from across the big pond and Steve Chalke made some most intriguing comments:

"Jesus never asked us to worship him. He asked us to follow him. Worshipping Jesus is easier than following him. And in following him we worship him."

"As Christians we have been taught to say our prayers. But you don't really say prayers. You ache prayers. You long prayers."

"Churches wait for Jesus to reveal himself before they get involved. But Matthew 28:19 says that when we go and get involved with the affairs of the world that Jesus will be with us always. So we go and there he is revealed."

Kamp's Missional Community.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Summer seems to be a natural season to step back, slow down and simplify. Christianity and the accompanying church life has become increasing complicated. The life that we have been given has become marked by condemnation rather than grace and chaos rather than peace. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Simple yet more powerful than we know. This summer we are committed to learning and living out the wonders of loving God and others simply and powerfully.

Consider the words of Robert Lupton:

"It is more blessed to give than to receive," said Jesus.

Receiving is a humbling matter. It implies neediness. It categorizes one as being worse off than the giver. Perhaps this is why we tend to reserve for ourselves the more blessed position. I came to the city to serve those in need. I have resources and abilities to clothe the ill-clad, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless. These are good works that our Lord requires of us. And there is blessedness in this kind of giving. But there is also power that allows me to retain control. My position as a helper protects me from the humiliation of appearing to need help. Even more sobering, I condemn those I help to the permanent role of recipient.

When my goal is to change people, I subtly communicate: Something is wrong with you; I am okay. You are ignorant; I am enlightened. You are wrong; I am right. If our relationship is defined as healer to patient, I must remain strong and you must remain sick for our interaction to continue. The process of "curing," then, cannot serve long as the basis for a relationship that is life producing for both parties. Small wonder that we who have come to the city to "save" the poor find it difficult to enter into true community with those we think needy.

"It takes everyone of us to make His body complete, for we each have a different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others" (Romans 12:4,5).

I need the poor? For what? The question exposes my blindness. I see them as weak ones to be rescued, not as bearers of the treasures of the kingdom. The dominance of my giving overshadows and stifles the rich endowments the Creator has invested in those I consider destitute. I overlook what our Lord saw clearly when he proclaimed the poor to be especially blessed, for theirs is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20). I selectively ignore the truth that monied, empowered, and learned ones enter his kingdom with enormous difficulty. The community into which Christ invites us is one of interdependence. We are called to mutual sharing and the discovery of gifts Christ has concealed in the unlikeliest among us.

Please join us at SKYLINE this Sunday, June 15th at 11:00am. My friend Stuart Cranford will be sharing a Father's Day message about the impact of the life and sudden death of his own father. Please visit www.SkylineOKC.com for more info and driving directions. There will be no KAMP's Gathering that night.

Mark your calendars and make plans to participate in a care and celebration day with Refugees on Saturday, June 21st or Sunday, June 22nd (be flexible as the date is a bit in limbo as of this morning). We will be coming together to love more of our neighbors simply and powerfully. Please be thinking of ways that you can bless and engage these beautiful people.

Please let us know how we can serve you and serve with you this week.

Giving & Receiving.
Ben.

Now, Here's What Bothers Me.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:39:00 +0000

Excerpt From "Theirs Is The Kingdom".

Now here's what bothers me. Why would Christ say, "Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20)? Could it be that our achievement values differ from the values of the kingdom? And his comments about the first being last and the last being first in that kingdom - what does that say to us well-ordered leader types? You see why it disturbs me, don't you?

KAMP's Neighborhood BBQ Photos.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:04:00 +0000

Just wanted to pass along some photos Rex Barrett took from the KAMP's Neighborhood BBQ a couple of weeks back.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rexbarrett/

Theirs Is The Kingdom.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:38:00 +0000

I wanted to share with you a new book (to me) that a couple of friends recommended by Robert Lupton entitled, "Theirs Is The Kingdom - Celebrating The Gospel In Urban America". I first heard of Robert Lupton in conjunction with Community Christian Development Association (www.ccda.org).

I plan to share some excerpts from the book over the next several weeks.

Consider this:

"My wife and I saw the city as a mission field and ourselves as missionaries carrying the light of the gospel into the darkness of the ghetto. How surprised we were when we discovered that the One who had called us already preceded us. Those to whom we came to share our faith frequently had more faith than we did.

So it was that God's children who suffer most from crushing poverty became the very ones God used to speak to us of our own spiritual poverty. From those who had very few material possessions, we learned about our bondage to things. And from those who had much to fear and little to hope, we learned courage and faith."

Mars Hill Update.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:22:00 +0000

Summer seems to be a natural season to step back, slow down and SIMPLIFY. Christianity and the accompanying church life has become increasing complicated. The life that we have been given has become marked by condemnation rather than grace and chaos rather than peace. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Simple yet more powerful than we know. This summer we are committed to learning and living out the wonders of loving God and others simply and powerfully.

Consider these words from Randy Frazee's book, Making Room For Life:

I envision a life that is not as hectic. We always seem to be on our way to the next place, never really arriving at a destination.

I envision a life with either more money or less expenses. I strongly suspect it's less expenses.

I envision a life with less time in the car and more time for walks. Can this ever become a reality?

I envision life where there is a time for work and a time for play. I love to work, but I just want it to keep from getting offside. I want to play more, but I think after all these year I've forgotten how.

I envision a life with less fast food in the car and more spreads of home cooking with family and friends. Shoving burritos in our mouths while driving can't be what God had in mind for us. We have lost the beautiful art of sharing a meal together. I want to regain that art.

I envision a life of less accumulation and more conversation. I already have way too many manuals on how to care for the stuff I bought. Plus, people have to be more interesting than things. I don't think most of us really know for sure.

My list goes on and on, and I'm sure yours does too. We are an advanced people with vast resources. We've invented speed and time-saving technology that couldn't be fathomed a hundred years ago. We have more discretionary money than any people in history, though we usually spend it all before it even comes in. We have the freedom to choose like no other people in any other time. With all this going for us, why does it feel as though we've gone backward instead of forward in our quest for a quality of life?

The KAMP's Gathering takes place this Sunday, June 8th at 5:30pm - Robert and Rebecca Prince will share with us their personal story, journey and quest to Make Room For Life. Ryan Gikas will lead and journey with us in worship.

Please join us at SKYLINE next Sunday, June 15th at 11:00am - My friend Stuart Cranford will be sharing a Father's Day message about the impact of the life and sudden death of his own father. Please visit www.SkylineOKC.com for more info and driving directions. There will be no KAMP's Gathering that night.

Mark your calendars and make plans to participate in a care and celebration day with Refugees on Saturday, June 21st. We will be coming together to love more of our neighbors simply and powerfully. Be thinking of ways that you can bless and engage these beautiful people.

I look forward to celebrating life together in God with you on Sunday, 5:30pm at KAMP's.

Making Room For Life.
Ben.

KAMP's Neighborhood BBQ.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:27:00 +0000

Just wanted to say that we had an amazing time yesterday evening at the KAMP's neighborhood BBQ. Thanks to everyone who made it a very special day in the life of our community. And by community, I don't mean "church community". I mean the larger community. We became an integral thread to the fabric of the neighborhood. We experienced first hand what it looks and feels like to love our neighbors simply and powerfully.

I will post some photos as they become available.

Mars Hill Update.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Summer seems to be a natural season to step back, slow down and SIMPLIFY. Christianity and the accompanying church life has become increasing complicated. The life that we have been given has become marked by condemnation rather than grace and chaos rather than peace. Jesus said that the essence of Christianity could be summed up in two inseparable commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Simple yet more powerful than we know. This summer we are committed to learning and living out the wonders of loving God and others simply and powerfully.

Join us at SKYLINE ( www.SkylineOKC.com ) this Sunday morning, June 1st at 11:00am. I will continue the teaching conversation through the book of Galatians and lead our extended community in communion.

The KAMP's neighborhood BBQ will take place this Sunday, June 1st at 5:30pm. We will be gathering on the lawn off 26th street just to the north of Wesley Church. We need a group to come around 3:30pm to help with setup and flyer distribution. We need everybody to bring lawn chairs, dessert, drinks, or disposable plates, cups and plasticware to share. Please make plans to attend, bring friends and let us know how you plan to help.

The KAMP's Gathering will happen as usual next Sunday, June 8th at 5:30pm. Robert and Rebecca Prince will be sharing their experience of "Making Room for Life" and Ryan Gikas will be leading and journeying with us in worship.

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, June 21st. We will be serving and celebrating with refugees from Myanmar (formerly burma).

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

May God Bless You.
Ben.

She.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:10:00 +0000

I was working through some info I had compiled related to church planting for the V360 effort and came across the farewell letter I sent to the staff at New Life nearly two years ago. I concluded the letter with an excerpt from Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis:

One of the central metaphors for God and his people throughout the Bible is that of a groom and his bride. God is the groom; his people are the bride. I like this because it makes the church a "she". We need to reclaim this image. The church is a she.

She's a mystery, isn't she? Still going after all this time. After the Crusades and the Inquisition and Christian cable television. Still going. And there continue to be people like me who believe she is one of the best ideas ever. In spite of all the ways she has veered off track. In spite of all the people who have actually turned away from God because of what they experienced in church. I am starting to realize why: The church is a double-edged sword. When it's good, when it's on, when it's right, it's like nothing on earth. A group of people committed to selflessly serving and loving the world around them? Great. But when it's bad, all that potential gets turned the other way. From the highest of the highs to the lowest of the lows. Sometimes in the same week. Sometimes in the same day.

But she will live on. She's indestructible. When she dies in one part of the world, she explodes in another. She's global. She's universal. She's everywhere. And while she's fragile, she's going to endure. In every generation there will be those who see her beauty and give their lives to see her shine. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against her. That's strong language. And it's true. She will continue to roll across the ages, serving and giving and connecting people with God and each other. And people will abuse her and manipulate her and try to control her, but they'll pass on. And she will keep going.

Who Gets To Narrate The World?

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Nockels) — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:05:00 +0000

I dove into a new book last night by Robert Webber...

Who Gets To Narrate The World? - Contending For The Christian Story In An Age of Rivals.

An excerpt from the back cover:

The late Robert Webber believed this question to be the most pressing issue of our time. Christianity in America, he preached, will not survive if Christians are not rooted in and informed by the uniquely Christian story that is the gospelof Jesus Christ.

This is the burden of Webber's final book, Who Gets to Narrate the World? Contending for the Christian Story in an Age of Rivals. Convinced that American evangelicals are facing the demise of their entire way of life and faith, Webber challenges his readers to rise up and engage both the external and internal challenges confronting them today. This means that Christians must repent of their cultural accommodation and reclaim the unique story the Christian story that God has given them both to proclaim and to live.