November 30, 2011

IgneousQuill is Coming to a Close

By Adam Gonnerman

In January 2006, IgneousQuill was born. It came in the aftermath of the worst year of my life thus far, the year I lost my father, quit full-time ministry and moved my family across country from New Mexico to New Jersey. In those difficult days, the original blog provided a means to sort out my thoughts and find my heart again. Over the years that blog shifted from personal to theological to technological in focus, and then broke into four blogs, each with a distinct subject area. For about a year or so I’ve been mulling over the future of the “brand,” if I dare call it that, and have finally decided to retire it.

The blogs bearing the IgneousQuill name will remain live online, at least for the foreseeable future, but will no longer be updated. I’m now blogging at “Missional Journeyman,” and invite you to join me there.

If you are a blogger and have me in your blogroll, please update the link.

Thanks for your continued readership.

It’s been a good run.

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November 20, 2011

The Value of the Diaconate

By Adam Gonnerman

About that time, while the number of disciples continued to increase, a complaint arose. Greek-speaking disciples accused the Aramaic-speaking disciples because their widows were being overlooked in the daily food service. The Twelve called a meeting of all the disciples and said, “It isn’t right for us to set aside proclamation of God’s word in order to serve tables. Brothers and sisters, carefully choose seven well-respected men from among you. They must be well-respected and endowed by the Spirit with exceptional wisdom. We will put them in charge of this concern. As for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and the service of proclaiming the word.” This proposal pleased the entire community. They selected Stephen, a man endowed by the Holy Spirit with exceptional faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. The community presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:1-6 CEB)

As I write this I’m in Jamaica on a volunteer trip with HOPE worldwide. Something that’s been on my mind for a while but is becoming clearer is the importance of churches seeking to have a healthy diaconate that does more than pass communion and possibly run the benevolence ministry. Deacons and deaconesses can be and do so much more.

Many Christian Churches and Churches of Christ value having “biblical” leadership — elders in particular — but treat the role of deacon as secondary and somehow a step before the eldership. I disagree.

Deacons and deaconesses are servants who minister to the needs of the church first, and then the wider community. To prepare them and discern the best leaders for this role, what could be better than look to volunteers working with a ministry like HOPE worldwide?

More on this later.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , | posted in HOPE worldwide

November 14, 2011

International Day of Giving 2011

By Adam Gonnerman

November 20, 2011 has been designated as this year’s “International Day of Giving.” This is a time for churches and individuals to contribute to the ongoing work of HOPE worldwide. Although much is done through chapters and with other funding sources, administrative and logistic expenses need to be covered as well to keep operations going around the world. Watch the video below and click here for more about HOPE worldwide and the International Day of Giving.

By the way, in just a few short days I’ll be flying to Jamaica on a trip with the HOPE worldwide Central Jersey Chapter. For those of you who pray, please pray for me, the team I’m going with and the children we’ll be serving in an orphanage there.

Thanks.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in HOPE worldwide, Jamaica

November 4, 2011

Vida Maria

By Adam Gonnerman

The animated video below is grim, depicting the endless cycle of poverty that follows a lack of formal education. It doesn’t need to be this way.

Although the small amount of dialogue is in Portuguese, the overall message should be intelligible to anyone who watches, regardless of language.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Brazil, Poverty

November 1, 2011

Take a Journey

By Adam Gonnerman

 

In my second year or so of college I made a trip to Brazil through CMF International’s REACH program (for college-age youth). It was a life-changing experience. This month (Thanksgiving week) I’ll be taking another trip, this time to Jamaica as part of HOPE worldwide Central Jersey Chapter‘s outreach. I recommend this type of volunteer service for anyone, but especially for young people. HOPE Youth Corps in particular is a great opportunity for high school and college students to serve the poor locally and around the world.

Check out the video below and click here for more information about HOPE Youth Corps. A description of this work from the website is included as well.

HOPE Youth Corps (HYC) is a faith-based program designed for high school and college students to serve the needy both domestically and abroad. In service groups of approximately 10-30 people, students receive leadership and spiritual training while participating in special projects to help the underprivileged. Among the many personal benefits students obtain while on HYC are lifelong friendships and memories, a heightened sense of purpose, and by traveling at home or overseas students are able to become more independent and gain a greater perspective of the world’s current conditions.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Service

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