Consumed Network

Authenticity

Another living room discussion - this time with two differences. One: our topic today is authenticity. Two: Dr. & Mrs Jim and Carol King joined us all the way from Pennsylvania to join in on the discussion. Please join the conversation!

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 9:05 PM Comments: 2

Living Missionally

Another podcast up and ready. Today's talk centered around the idea of
living missionally. Doug Pagitt, Pastor of Solomon's Porch, joined Eric and I for the
conversation. Solomon's Porch is a Holistic, Missional, Christian
Community. On their website, Solomon's Porch has this written for a
description of "Missional:"

Our belief is that God intends Christianity be a way of life which sends us
into the world to serve God and our neighbors, so that God's will may be
done on earth as it is in heaven. The church is never to be the withdrawn or
isolated end user of the gospel of Jesus; rather, we receive it so that we
may be equipped and sent into the world to love our neighbors and serve "the
least of these." In this sense, Solomon's Porch doesn't have a mission; it
is mission.

Eric and I asked him to elaborate on this and the conversation took us many
places. Listen and feel free to comment.

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 1:12 PM Comments: 1

Created creativity

Another 'meeting of the minds' at the dining room table in Eric's house. Today's conversation is centered around creativity and it's role in our lives and in our communities. As always - please join in the conversation at will.

This picture and the youtube link will make more sense once you listen to the podcast. The discussion is in regards to Being Creative -- because we are made in the image of a creative God.

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 12:53 PM Comments: 4

Community

This is the fourth conversation between us (Jamie Miller, Eric Beavers, Daniel Shearer). Today we enjoyed what we refer to as 'table time' in the dining room of Eric's house. Between sips of coffee and nibbles on left over christmas m&m cookies around the table we shared our thoughts about a key core value in the life of our community. Please feel free to join in, discuss, comment, etc. We are part of a global community, and we love your participation!

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 10:03 AM Comments: 1

A meeting in Norwich, NY

Another podcast is coming soon on core value #2 for The Garden Communites.
I apologize for the delay but I will give my excuses none-the-less. Dan and
I were traveling over the Holidays and currently I have no voice. I will
not put you through the agony of having to listen to my frogger sound.

Until the next podcast, we decided to put this CONVERSATION up. The setting
for this discussion took place in November of 2006 at Calvary Baptist Church
in Norwich, NY. Eric and I were there for a weekend of speaking
engagements. The leadership of the church wanted to get together with us on
a Friday evening to converse about “church,” etc. As you will hear, many of
the familiar themes we have discussed on our podcasts are being talked about
in other places. I thought you would find it interesting. Blessings!

Labels: church, conversation, dreams, future, God, new york, structure, vision

posted by Eric @ 1:27 PM Comments: 0

Dreams & Core Values

This will make more sense when you listen to the podcast on core values #1 (found below this post). But these are the dreams & core values of our new church - The Garden Communities. The dreams come from our core group of people. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list(I'm sure there are other good dreams we have not covered), but these flowed out of a week of prayer and gathering together to discuss. The core values then are an extension of these dreams.

So here they are:

The dreams of The Garden Communities: (in no order of importance)

• Loving God & loving people take precedence over everything.
• We listen and are obedient to God despite circumstances or consequences.
• We value people more than structure & tradition.
• We are a community of prayer.
• We value and embrace the stories of the saints who have gone before us and strive to build upon their legacy.
• We value true community where the “one-another” principles of the New Testament are expressed and lived out.
• Our communities are a place where people’s gifts, talents, and abilities are embraced, nurtured, and used for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
• We are actively involved in the global church.
• The Word of God & the Spirit of God lead & guide everything we do.
• Right thinking & right actions are deemed equals.
• Our communities are active in the community.
• Cultivate an atmosphere where people can think for themselves.
• To assist people in knowing how to walk with God intimately.
• The community is a welcoming one for people no matter where they are in their spiritual journey.
• A community where all people are valued no matter what their age is.
• A place where woman can share their lives with each other.
* A place where men can share their lives with each other.
• Creativity in corporate worship is practiced.
• Musical expression in worship is valued.
• Partnerships with foreign churches are cultivated.
• A community where people truly invest in each other’s lives.
• Times where people can share and be real with one another exist beyond the formal gatherings of the church.
• A sense of freedom where love of God & people can be expressed openly.


These are the values that shape who we are and how we function:

• Walking with God – Because knowing God & His son Jesus Christ intimately – both personally & corporately – is the source of eternal, abundant, overflowing life.
• Valuing People – Because loving & serving people unconditionally is the example Jesus lived for us.
• Living in Community – Because our faith is meant to be experienced with the family of God.
• Being Creative – Because we are made in the image of a creative God.
• Living Missionally – Because living as “sent” people allows others to see Jesus, and experience him for themselves.
• Being Authentic – Because what is the point of being together if we can’t be our true selves.
• Holistic – Because all areas of life are connected, our faith should impact everything.

posted by Jamie @ 3:22 PM Comments: 7

Core Values (part 1)

Another living room conversation! Please join us on our journey and converse with us - feel free to comment and question and suggest.

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 11:51 AM Comments: 5

The Church Disconnect

Our second 'installment' of conversation. Again, took place in the Eric's living room - all gathered around a roaring fire looking out the bay window unto the 15 degree world going on outside us. Jamie, Eric and Dan welcomed a fellow journeyer and friend, Pastor Gary, to join in on the discussion. (we apologize for the poor quality of this one - please suffer through and we promise that they will be much better from now on) Please feel more than free to share your thoughts, ideas, and responses on our blog - www.consumednetwork.blogspot.com. Thanks for conversing with us!

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 12:55 PM Comments: 11

Quote

I received this quote from Ecclesia Houston

"The church as expressed in a local congregation exists not as an end in itself but for the world in which it exists."

Thoughts? I found it to be very powerful.

On another note...Dan, Eric, and I are going to be recording another podcast tomorrow morning. Check in tomorrow afternoon and the "Apple Genie" Eric Beavers should have it up.

posted by Jamie @ 10:28 AM Comments: 0

A Beginning

Today Jamie Miller, Eric Beavers, and Dan Shearer began a discussion in Eric's living room that hopefully will be continued and shared among many who would like to join in. Please feel free to comment, to suggest, to give input, to wrestle, to assist, and to share your journey with us. (please don't argue, it hurts Jamie's feelings)

posted by Consumed Ministries @ 11:17 AM Comments: 13