Allen Kleine Deters
I am the church planter for the Niagara Falls, ON church plant yet to be named. I am married to an amazing woman full of compassion for the marginalized hence she is a special ed teacher of severe needs children. We have three boys (men) and one daughter-in-law. I am committed to Kingdom Theology and deeply believe in a biblical community that develops disciples for Christ. I am a small group geek and believe they are the best avenue in this endeavor. When managed with vision and mission small groups can cover most areas needed in developing as disciples of Jesus Christ and guiding people to live in missional communities.
Oh yeah, I'm also "The Reverend" formerly of the blues band, Reverend and the Blues Pushers, but now playing solo in my new parish community.
"Agape love alive and breathing, the Word and the power of Holy Spirit = reached people and changed lives"
Posted in: Flying Closer to the Flame
Karl,
Yes it is a good question and I will be exploring this a bit more in the next few weeks, perhaps some of it in article form. I can say this, leaders really need to be trained in listening to the Holy Spirit and how they can lead especially during group application and prayer to slowly and intentionally encourage people to open up. Certainly inviting the Holy Spirit to be present during the meeting. But I'm also thinking about teaching people to really intercede during prayer leaving time for silence asking the Holy Spirit to specifically lay things on our hearts, not to rush and fill the emptiness. You know, teaching groups to practice this together. Leaders really need to stay on top of it to make sure people don't rush it. Things along those lines.
The nice thing about small groups is that you can try new things and openly talk about them.
More to come.....
Posted in: Guest Blog: Worship Flow
Personally I don't have a problem with the team going up during my application prayer. They know to go up quietly. They can listen to the prayer as they go up but I don't think that by going up at that time they're missing something. It's their ministry to lead in worship, so they need to be up there so when people open their eyes, we're good to go.
Posted in: Listening to a Fellow Christian with Schizophrenia
I think that the friend would be accepted well by a small group. But just as with anyone else in the group, the leader would have to be aware of anything that may come up in the group as a result of his disability. It may be absolutely fine, but just like with anyone else in the group, if behaviors arise that are too difficult for the group to handle, the leader will need to address those privately with that person and perhaps individual group members.
Posted in: Listening to a Fellow Christian with Schizophrenia
I certainly would agree that the article could say the same thing but classify behaviors rather than people. Having said that, his pragmatic approaches to those behaviors is still valuable.
Posted in: Music-Dominated Worship
How crazy would that be? Good challenge John.
I know that our church has been returning to some of the biblical readings and public prayer since I've come here. I've done some experimenting in the services with limited music. Our Maundy Thursday service will maybe only have two songs. But it is a very new concept to many folks.
I think we've created an environment where personal reflection and meditation on the word has so fallen by the wayside that it makes it hard for people to engage with a reading. It is evident that even long time attenders don't come to engage and participate in the service. They've been trained to stand, sing and listen. I do appreciate the move in modern worship to return to earlier worship practices and become more contemplative. It makes it hard for people to just "attend" and not participate. Personal reflection is part of being spiritually formed.
On another note I have found that while doing the contemporary worship well takes time, effort and necessary gadgets, the focus of much of it is to be real and honest with self in light of the grace of God. It seems the newer stuff, whether hymns (cf. Townhend and Getty, et al) or more alternative (cf Tomlin, Crowder, Hillsong, et al.) is riddled with intense passion to get serious with your relationship with God and participate.
With music having become such a powerful medium in our culture it certainly is hard to consider a service without it and without it being done well.
It is a conundrum.
Posted in: What's In A Name? [VIDEO]
I love it y'all.
Posted in: A Number of "Firsts" Characterize Synod 2011
George,
Great to have you on board. I know that you will bring some great insight and tons of knowledge to this section of the Network. You are the consummate Synod guy. ;-)
Blessings,
Allen
Posted in: Good Small Group Books to Consider
Good to hear Reg.
Posted in: Classical Exams
John, Just curious as to why a minister of the Word would be reexamined by another classis if they have already been ordained? Or are you talking about an Art. 23 situation or licensure to exhort?
Posted in: Classical Exams
I see the value in the classical examination but at the same time have picked up the attitude from some of these classes that the examination step is because they don't fully trust Calvin Seminary or Synod. That's usually when the examinations are very tough with an almost, "we're going to challenge this candidate to see if CTS really DID do their job" attitude. That is wrong too.
I prefer the approach that our classis takes with candidate examinations that trusts they know the heavy stuff of church polity, doctrine and Bible. So the questions are focused more on what key understanding the candidate has from these areas directly relating to ministry as well as their personal life and spiritual practices. The whole purpose of the examination isn't to try and stump the candidate but rather let them shine to show themselves approved.
Posted in: Why I Like Sermon-based Small Groups
Mike,
It's great that you've gotten some small groups happening at your church. I can see how it could be a little difficult when you have a number of people doing the preaching. Having a set format for developing your study guide helps tremendously with that. My suggestion, if you haven't alread, is to make sure the preaching team and staff are on the same page as to what you're trying to accomplish with the groups in terms of end result as to how people respond to the study. We are very focused on discipleship so we make sure that the application questions really take people beyond loosely applying the biblical text to their lives. I've been told that my questions really challenge people to share their spiritual and personal struggles and then to receive accountability from the group.
It may be helpful too for everyone to have a copy of the small group leaders best friend, The Seredipity Small Groups bible. There are questions for every pericope in the bible broken into three sections; starters, dig and application. I always have it open when I'm putting studies together. It can be helpful when you're not sure where to go with it or need a few helpful questions to include.
I'm happy to send you some sample copies of what I use here. Just let me know.
Keep up the good work.
Allen
Posted in: Two Books--Reviews: Both Bouquets and Near Brickbats
I did read Love Wins and was saddened and left with many more questions about his pop theology and use of scripture. I also found it lacking greatly in the work of the Holy Spirit in the whole discussion as well as reading scripture within the framework of the whole bible. I'm very much on the same page as Scott Hoezee and Mary Vanden Berg also a professor at Calvin Sem.