John Chandler continues our Lent series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus with a sermon on Fasting. Resources/Quotes: “A fast is the self-denial of normal necessities in order to intentionally attend to God in prayer. Bringing attachments and cravings to the surface opens a place for prayer. This physical awareness of emptiness is the reminder to … Read More
This Sunday in the sermon, Chris described that practice of gratitude. Gratitude is a fairly simple, yet valuable, way of forming a meaningful pattern of living like Jesus. To help you get started this week, here are four suggestions for how to practice gratitude: Gratitude Journal Take a moment each day to recall three things for which you are grateful. … Read More
Chris Morton begins our Lent series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus. To share in the learning of these habits with each other, we have created this reflection guide. This offers all of us space to reflect on each of these habits, as well as guide our Community Group discussions during the season of Lent. Printed … Read More
We’ve spent six weeks — in liturgy, community groups, and family meetings — talking through our Mission and Methods. Our Mission describes our primary activity and what it will lead to: To form communities of Jesus to experience and expand God’s work of renewal together. Our Methods, listed below, describe how we pursue that primary activity. (Listen Back to “Our … Read More
“We walk through a vale of tears on this earth and the only way through it is through it. It is a lesson we learn and live. I believe it’s OK to be sad; in other words, there ought to be space in our lives to learn the texture of sadness.” John Blase, Know When to Hold ‘Em Lent is … Read More
Lent is a time of slowing from our usual pace. We revisit our mortality, our brokenness, and the ways we have chosen anything other than the Life God has for us. This time of slowing isn’t just about mental reflection, but it is also taken on through our actions. For centuries, Christians have given up certain foods or luxuries in … Read More
John Chandler finishes our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our fifth method: We raise leaders who have the capacity to form communities of Jesus. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: In my experience at AMS, I have felt empowered to embrace my unique calling and experience and offer it within the church body. Historically there have been times … Read More
Grief is a normal and natural response to a loss of any kind. As we enter into the season of Lent, we embrace that grief is an unavoidable and valuable part of our mortal lives. Ash Wednesday Lament Night is an opportunity to pause and acknowledge that we all carry grief from pain, loss and sin and that we long … Read More
It’s time to celebrate our story and dream about the future! To close our discussion of Mission and Methods, we’ll gather for a family meeting celebration. At this Family Meeting you will: Share your stories of how Austin Mustard Seed has helped shape you and your family Hear from Leadership Team Members about why the Mission and Methods matter Plan … Read More
John Chandler continues our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our fourth method: We seek opportunities to expand beyond a fellowship of sameness to reflect the breadth of God’s kingdom. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: Whenever the church speaks of love or holiness, the psychology of disgust is present and operative, often affecting the experience of the church … Read More