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How does one sum up being with friends of Jesus for a couple of days, centering on Him, His calling on each of us and our city/region? The great thing is each one of us has a different story to tell about the Merge Summit. We do hope to hear your stories as we move forward. Someone asks, “What was the highlight?” I (Bill) would respond that is was simply being together. Eating meals together was a highlight, the energy the laughter, the talking was incredible. Of course our worshipping together, praying together and for one another filled hearts with joy and encouragement. Our gatherings will always be centered on worship, prayer and fellowship and this gathering was all of that…and more.
A bit of humor was uncovered as we were talking about building God’s wall in our city and then were singing about tearing down walls. As Ron explained the difference one question stuck out to me. As we began looking not only at our portion of the way we are building we also had to look at the walls that divide us. Someone asked, “What are we going to do now that we have defined the walls that separate us?” No way we could really dive into such a deep subject and yet as we left that question should still be ringing in our ears. “What are we going to do?” Are we going to simply go home and resume with business as normal? Ignore walls that divide? Our hope is that we all will respond with a loud, “No!” Where to start then? Relationship…you had to have met someone you did not know before or maybe there is someone nearby to your church. Start talking. Start sharing. Begin moving towards that wall and go over it until it disappears. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, Eph.2:14 We are not going to preach to the choir, so to speak, yet we are going to remind one another we are on the same team.
The remarks that George Williams made and then followed by Ron King got some of our wheels moving. Conversations began and questions were being asked. On that first evening as we worshipped we were moved to pray for some of our friends that have businesses downtown and had recently been attacked by the local newspaper and then other organizations. Threats had been made and we responded by standing with our friends and praying for them. Powerful time of prayer and encouragement.
On Friday we had a panel discussion. Jonathon Perry, Josh and Joy Hester and Calvin Sweeney shared their stories of how they see the wall they are working on. Amazing! I cannot pick a favorite here. Jonathon’s sharing and being so transparent of moving out of a closed off church system and embracing the larger body of Christ was absolutely moving. I think everything was caught one video or audio and we should all go back and listen to the discussion. Jonathon made himself vulnerable…so courageous. Josh and Joy did what they do…filled the room with laughter and much hope. Their need for others to participate with them in ministry came through so clear and yet the need is not because they are not great leaders. They lead so well, it is the location and the size of the call on them in the South End that creates this call from them to come alongside and partner in what God is doing there. Calvin was, well Calvin was Dr. Sweeney. As they have done ministry in the neighborhood they are in, he knew the question to answer was not the ‘What” of ministry but really the question to respond to first is the “Why.” Why do we do what we do? The how and the what will come…but we need to know the why.
So much more…but I (Bill) always leave these gatherings in awe of the quality of leaders our city/region has. Someone once said that as we gathered they realized they were in the company of giants. So true…to those who were able to attend, thank you so much for coming and making this time together so rich. It really would not be the same if you were not there. To those who could not make it…we missed you. Deeply. What God is doing is going to take all of us moving in the same direction…towards Him. One leader commented later, “My heart is full.”
So we still must ask, “What are we going to do now that we see what divides us?”
Next year our Summit will be on Feb. 21st & 22nd, 2019. Write it down now on your calendar and we hope you will make it a priority to be part.
A bit of humor was uncovered as we were talking about building God’s wall in our city and then were singing about tearing down walls. As Ron explained the difference one question stuck out to me. As we began looking not only at our portion of the way we are building we also had to look at the walls that divide us. Someone asked, “What are we going to do now that we have defined the walls that separate us?” No way we could really dive into such a deep subject and yet as we left that question should still be ringing in our ears. “What are we going to do?” Are we going to simply go home and resume with business as normal? Ignore walls that divide? Our hope is that we all will respond with a loud, “No!” Where to start then? Relationship…you had to have met someone you did not know before or maybe there is someone nearby to your church. Start talking. Start sharing. Begin moving towards that wall and go over it until it disappears. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, Eph.2:14 We are not going to preach to the choir, so to speak, yet we are going to remind one another we are on the same team.
The remarks that George Williams made and then followed by Ron King got some of our wheels moving. Conversations began and questions were being asked. On that first evening as we worshipped we were moved to pray for some of our friends that have businesses downtown and had recently been attacked by the local newspaper and then other organizations. Threats had been made and we responded by standing with our friends and praying for them. Powerful time of prayer and encouragement.
On Friday we had a panel discussion. Jonathon Perry, Josh and Joy Hester and Calvin Sweeney shared their stories of how they see the wall they are working on. Amazing! I cannot pick a favorite here. Jonathon’s sharing and being so transparent of moving out of a closed off church system and embracing the larger body of Christ was absolutely moving. I think everything was caught one video or audio and we should all go back and listen to the discussion. Jonathon made himself vulnerable…so courageous. Josh and Joy did what they do…filled the room with laughter and much hope. Their need for others to participate with them in ministry came through so clear and yet the need is not because they are not great leaders. They lead so well, it is the location and the size of the call on them in the South End that creates this call from them to come alongside and partner in what God is doing there. Calvin was, well Calvin was Dr. Sweeney. As they have done ministry in the neighborhood they are in, he knew the question to answer was not the ‘What” of ministry but really the question to respond to first is the “Why.” Why do we do what we do? The how and the what will come…but we need to know the why.
So much more…but I (Bill) always leave these gatherings in awe of the quality of leaders our city/region has. Someone once said that as we gathered they realized they were in the company of giants. So true…to those who were able to attend, thank you so much for coming and making this time together so rich. It really would not be the same if you were not there. To those who could not make it…we missed you. Deeply. What God is doing is going to take all of us moving in the same direction…towards Him. One leader commented later, “My heart is full.”
So we still must ask, “What are we going to do now that we see what divides us?”
Next year our Summit will be on Feb. 21st & 22nd, 2019. Write it down now on your calendar and we hope you will make it a priority to be part.
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Hotel Reservations: 1-419-836-1466 Make Reservations under Vineyard Church Toledo MERGE Church Retreat for discounted rates available through January 14, 2019. $89.99 per room plus taxes. Bring a tax exempt form if applicable. |
Rooms just $89.99
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Maumee Bay State Park Lodge
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Registration starts Thursday, Aug 1, 2018 through Feb 1, 2019
Registration rates before Feb 1, 2019: $95/single, $180/married couple (no refunds)
Registration rates before Feb 1, 2019: $95/single, $180/married couple (no refunds)
