Ministry Staff Meeting : Revival Church : Saturday at 6pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s just 8 minutes until the next decade… a decade of REVIVAL!
And what a way to start 2010! We’re developing a REVIVAL COMMAND CENTER and YOU are invited to help drive it!
This message is for EVERYBODY who wants to be a part of the Revival Church Ministry Staff. (Yes, YOU can be on the staff!)
THIS SATURDAY, January 2nd at 6pm at our house we’ll have a great night of connecting, food, fellowship, games, vision casting and team development. Amy and I can’t wait! (Yes, it’s ‘kid friendly’… bring em! Also, bring an appetizer or dessert to share with everybody.)
It’s IMPERATIVE that everybody who decides to be a part of this team attend this meeting. **PLEASE RSVP (Don’t assume we know you are coming, please let us know. Email me at john@detroitrevivalchurch.com.)
We are developing as a revival command center for the region, and a mission of this type demands people be faithfully in position. It’ll be huge fun, and an exciting challenge for all of us.
Again, if you would like to agree to the commitment of the Revival Church Ministry Staff, YOU MUST ATTEND this meeting!
Here’s the commitment:
MINISTRY STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
- Participate in our primary Sunday service (including prayer at 5pm)
- Participate in a weekly two-hour corporate prayer meeting at Revival Church, the International House of Prayer East Detroit or another church or ministry
- Participate on a ministry team which includes a two-hour weekly team meeting
- Participate in the Monday 8pm radio show
- Participate in the monthly ministry staff small group
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can I be a member of another church and be on the Revival Church Ministry Staff?
- Yes! We embrace a Kingdom mindset and value the entire Church of the city. We also value faithful commitment, so please ensure you can fulfill your obligations in both ministries prior to joining the team.
- If I’m not a part of the Ministry Staff, what are my options at Revival Church?
- Ala carte! If Revival Church is your ‘home church’, we unapologetically challenge you to join the Ministry Staff. We’re calling everybody to stretch beyond where they have been for their sake and the sake of having people ready to minister in the ministry. However, if a full commitment is not possible due to your schedule or participation in another church, you are free to connect at any level and participate in most any function in the church that you’d like. A notable exception would be the monthly Ministry Staff meeting.
- Ok, I want to give it a whirl, what’s the address to Saturday’s meeting?
- Great! Shoot me an email at john@detroitrevivalchurch.com and I’ll send you our address!
- Hmmm… before I take that step I have some questions, who can I ask?
- Me! Contact me at john@detroitrevivalchurch and ask away!
A very special offer- John Burton Design
Hi,
As you may know, we are in the midst of a very exciting church plant in the Detroit area. The mission field here is both extremely ripe and quite challenging.
As we press ahead every day in this new ministry (which is going very well, by the way!) we are praying for some divine creativity in raising the funds for our family.
I don’t know how creative this particular idea is, but regardless, it could be a significant blessing to you!
Regular, recurring income is our goal, so here’s a special just for you!
My regular web/graphic design rate is $75/hour.
I will deeply discount that rate for a limited time for those who retain me on a monthly basis. (The offer is for a limited time, but when we ‘seal the deal’ it will be permanent for you!)
· 5 hours per month minimum- $50/hour
· 10 hours per month minimum- $40/hour
You’d simply choose your plan and I’ll begin working to help take your marketing to another level! Oh, also—feel free to forward this on to anybody you feel may need design help! You can see my portfolio at www.johnburtondesign.com.
Opportunities to extend your marketing include:
· Email marketing campaigns
· Web updates and maintenance
· Postcard design
· Magazine design
· Podcasts
· Video
· Press releases
· Blog posts (I am also an author, so I can write blog posts for you. Regular blog posts are a very powerful way to advance in search engine results.)
· Etc.
Note: You must choose your preferred plan by the first day of the month. Your rate will remain the same even if the work extends into the next plan. For example, if you choose the 5 hour plan at $50/hour, and you end up requiring 20 hours of work that month, the rate will remain $50/hour. However, you can change your plan once per month by the first day of the month. If you don’t fulfill the number of hours your plan allows for you will be billed the minimum amount (Example- if you only need two hours of work in any given month, and have chosen the 5 hour plan, you will be billed $250.) While you can cancel the agreement at any time, since I’m discounting the rate so much I’m requesting a minimum 6-month initial commitment.
If you have any questions, by all means, contact me! I look forward to working with you!
Broadcast Tonight : Revelation Driven Revival Centers
TONIGHT at 8pm EST (that’s in only 30 minutes!) we’ll be LIVE ON THE AIR discussing the call for Revelation Driven Revival Centers.
The idea? We must hear God clearly, continually if we are to respond appropriately. We have to know what’s on God’s heart, what his plans are and how we are to facilitate those plans.
We can’t be effective in ministry and in life without the voice of God permeating us every day. What would happen if we had a network of Revelation Driven churches, ministries and houses of prayer that heard God clearly and reported everything back to a Revival Command Center?
My heart is to see this come to pass.
Let’s talk about it TONIGHT!
To listen to the show, visit www.detroitrevivalchurch.com/radio.
To listen using your phone and/or to participate in the live show call (646) 478-4408.
Amy’s Newest Book- The Inscription
Having each faced personal loss, a group of strangers gathers at a cemetery for support. The bestowment of several miraculous gifts brings resolution, and a mysterious inscription holds the ultimate key to healing.
Amy’s newest book, The Inscription, is AVAILABLE TO ORDER!
Visit www.theinscription.com for more info.
This is Amy’s first work of fiction, and it’s sure to impact you powerfully.
From the book:
I smiled as the breathless beauty of my surroundings pierced my heart and, for just a second, pushed aside some of the heaviness. I sighed as the temporary reprieve ended and once again, my soul floundered against an onslaught of hopelessness.
After careful maneuvering, I finally reached my destination. I turned off the van’s engine and gingerly plucked a colorful package from the passenger’s seat. I sat silently, fingering the velvety ribbon that encircled the wrapped box. A tear slipped down my cheek, then another; before long, I was weeping.
"Amy writes a beautiful story of grief and, more importantly,
of the hope found through sharing the journey."
Kerry Mand, Former President of Pikes Peak Share
“The Inscription is a heartfelt and poignant story about the unbreakable bonds of friendship formed during times of sorrow.
A must read for any grieving soul!”
Angie Winton, Group Facilitator of Detroit Metro Share
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AMY BURTON and her husband, John, are accomplished authors and public speakers. Amy serves as an instructor at a pregnancy center in Detroit. She and John founded Revolution House of Prayer in 2001 and currently lead Revival Church. They live in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan with their three boys.
ORDER TODAY at www.theinscription.com.
Video from the Burtons & the Revival Church Christmas Eve Service
Merry Christmas!
Here’s a short Christmas greeting video for you from us in Detroit. http://www.tokbox.com/vm/qjz2ea86onh1
TokBox – Free Video Chat and Video Messaging
Remember the Revival Church Christmas Eve service is TONIGHT at 7pm.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Many blessings to you all!
Video from John : Stewarding our ministries : Finances & Multiple Streams of Income
“Financially, we can’t take a wait and see approach and hope that things just fall into place.”—John Burton
Check out a short video greeting from me that’s sure to encourage you! (If you can’t see the video, the direct link is: http://www.tokbox.com/vm/uonphy9jrsll)
There is often a feeling that people have: if we are obedient to the Lord by stepping into ministry then the finances will automatically follow. Many tend to believe that the arrival of financial provision is an indicator of God’s approval of our direction. That’s a dangerous position to have as it leaves us wavering and doubting when that ‘confirmation’ doesn’t arrive.
When we directed Intro to IHOP in KC we taught on this during the financial and fundraising track.
This concept has kept many people in ministry frustrated and discouraged. The reality is this- God has given us a mandate, a responsibility to ensure our missions are fulfilled, which means that we must also ensure the funds are there. It’s up to us, via biblical wisdom and the enabling of God, to develop a strong financial portfolio.
I’ve also said it this way: We have a responsibility to be blessed. We must ensure we have the blessing of God so we can fulfill the call to be a blessing! We are blessed to be a blessing!
Throughout the New Testament in particular we see the importance of taking up the responsibility to cause things to happen. We boldly speak, and souls are won. We “Go” into all the world and make disciples. Nowhere in the NT do we see anybody praying to God to heal somebody. They declare healing themselves! They initiate it via the finished work on the cross. Of course, the power to do any of this comes from God… that goes without saying. But, we can’t take a wait and see approach and hope that things just fall into place.
In the internship we taught on the importance of personally developing multiple streams of income so our ministries aren’t put at risk. These are streams that we initiate, develop and see through to success. For example, for Amy and me to be able to fulfill the order from God to plant a church, to travel and speak, to pray night and day, to write books, etc. it means that we have to discover methods to earn sufficient income to ensure the mission isn’t in jeopardy.
So, I really want to encourage you to work hard, to enjoy moving toward all of your fulfilled missions in life and to experience great blessing so others can be greatly blessed!
Important info : Tonight, Monday and Thursday
Scroll down for some important info about tonight’s Christmas party, Monday’s radio show and Thursday’s Christmas Eve service!
Here’s some important info for all of the friends of our ministry!
TONIGHT
First, for all of you in the Detroit area, TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! Don’t even think of staying home (and if you do think of staying home, say, “No brain, no! I’m going to Revival Church’s FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY!)
Tonight, Sunday, December 20th at 5pm at Revival Church in St. Clair Shores we’ll be having a wintery, fun-filled Christmas party!
Amy is getting geared up for her favorite event of the year- the WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE! Everybody, bring a gift (one for every member of your family) that’s wrapped and cost less than $10. It can be a gag gift or something nice like a Starbucks gift card (hint!).
ALSO, bring TWO VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS: An appetizer AND a dessert. We’ll eat and eat and eat while we open presents!
If you are a visitor (yes, everybody is very, very welcome!!) don’t worry about bringing any food… but, you’ll want to bring gifts for the gift exchange.
Then, after the fun is over, we’ll have MORE FUN in the sanctuary worshiping God and pressing toward revival!
MONDAY
Our regular (very popular and impacting!) blogtalkradio show won’t take place on Monday due to an important leadership conference call that I need to be a part of.
We’ll be back on the air next Monday at 8pm EST!
THURSDAY
We can’t wait to join the two other churches that we share our building with for a very special Christmas Eve service! It starts at 7pm, and it will end with a beautiful candle lighting service!
LIVE RIGHT NOW on video : John & Jet talking about the Holy Spirit
Hi!
We’re LIVE ON VIDEO RIGHT NOW…
Let’s discuss the recent blog post about the minimizing of the activity of the Holy Spirit in the church. Here’s the address: http://ow.ly/NN7I
Why is the Holy Spirit so commonly minimized in churches today?
Are we ready for an Acts 2 style outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our churches?
There’s an ongoing discussion on my Facebook wall about this issue. I felt it would be good to broaden the discussion and see what some of you might bring to the table.
I’ll paste some of the comments first, and then present my thoughts:
Original post- Have you noticed how focus on the Holy Spirit, speaking tongues, ,etc. has been minimized in the church today?
- Yep, noticed it! The enemy doesn’t want us uttering the mysteries of God!
- Yes sir. It’s easier to have a "seeker" driven service, than to Preach a Prophetic message under the Power of the Holy Spirit. That takes time in the prayer closet-the former can happen with a slick marketing team (sometimes hired as the "pastoral" staff).
- There definitely has been a move away from experiencing the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, the use of tongues in the 80 got so beyond what scripture says. It was pretty abused.
- That may be true, but we are entering a Decade where there will be a parting of the waters. Those who have been trained AND utilize the weapons of the Spirit will thrive; others will suffer much pain.
- I just heard a George Barna stat about this recently less than 2% of the churches will hear their pastor preach a message on the Holy Spirit this year. Its alarming.
- A couple of years ago I heard leaders from a main line denomination speak at a Rocky Mountain regional meeting for that denomination. The leaders saw that the denomination that they led was becoming Spirit Filled in name only. They felt the need to see 500,000 people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Yet the churches in this region still take the approach of the Holy Spirit isn’t for Sunday morning approach. Its scary.
- Interesting, the Holy Spirit in benched on Sundays…until we need a big play, then he get’s play time like Michael Vick…what a sad way to treat my Best Friend.
- The Holy Spirit misses His church. He’s going to get it back though.
- Many pastors have been reduced to a role as MC and the show must go on, on schedule, or peeps won’t come back.
- Absolutely.. If people knew the incredible power that is released in you when you pray in the Spirit, they would never stop lol. I encourage it in those I teach. God bless.
My thoughts:
There are some realities that we need to consider:
- From what I’ve discovered, a significant percentage of Christians, pastors and leaders included, don’t easily hear God, encounter him. This makes it difficult to even consider embracing a Holy Spirit driven environment. Prayerlessness is a key reason for this problem. The average pastor prays 6 minutes a day. Leonard Ravenhill said, "Pastors who don’t pray two hours a day aren’t worth a dime a dozen." It’s a difficult but important point that would be well worth considering.
- In an environment driven by the Holy Spirit, these people who don’t easily hear God can get quite frustrated. They will tend to find another place to go to church. So, the natural church preservation strategy is to minimize the invisible/supernatural and maximize the logical/tangible.
- There has been a huge misunderstanding of the primary purpose of the church. Many feel it’s to be a socially focused entry point for the lost. The church actually isn’t to be a house of evangelism or a house of relationships. It’s a house of prayer first and foremost. It’s a believer’s ministry. We have lost faith that God, in his wisdom, set it up this way. If we truly have a church of people who are releasing the ‘groans that can’t be uttered’, who intercede for the nations, who pray in the Spirit, then we will have the ‘expected outcomes’ of mass salvations, a huge harvest, life-giving small groups, etc.
- There can be a knee-jerk reaction to the problem of people who abuse freedom in such an atmosphere. Trust me, I understand the issue of people who just want to be seen and heard, who are manipulative, who are emotionally unstable or who operate in charismatic witchcraft. But, the answer is not to shut down a prophetic, Holy Spirit driven environment.
- The focus on teaching. I’m a teacher, I love to teach and I value greatly the ministry of teaching. However, I think a valid question is, "Why are most church services teaching-centric?" If the Holy Spirit breaks out, if there’s deliverance going on in the room, of a spirit of intercession erupts, would people be OK with forgoing the sermon? The Holy Spirit (the Teacher) can impart more biblical truth in two seconds than we ever could in two hours.
What do you think?
A really great blessing for you that will SIGNIFICANTLY support our ministry
As you know, our ministry is supported financially in a variety of ways, and our very favorite way is through our home business!
You can support our ministry very easily by connecting with our business team- either as a business builder OR as a shopper of phenomenal eco-friendly products (NO new money required- use the same money you already spend at the grocery store! This company is really brilliant!)
We have been home business owners since late April, and we’re having a blast watching it develop. Our last check was nearly $900 and we average around 5 hours a week of work (if you can call it work!)
We have an organization of over 100 people, and a large number of them are ministers and ministry-minded people.
We would strongly encourage you to join our team- there is no financial risk whatsoever! And, for the next three days, the enrollment is only $1! (Yep, one dollar!)
We pray that our reputation speaks for itself- we would never participate in anything that would jeopardize our ministry or lack integrity. Over 500,000 people are involved and the company is in the Better Business Bureau Hall of Fame.
**Can we request an hour of your time? We’d love to connect on the phone while we step through the info online. No risk, no pressure, no stress, lots of fun!
If nothing else it would be great to actually talk in person with the many friends of our ministry!
Visit www.hometeamcareers.com, fill out the form on the site, or email me directly at john@praytherevolution.com. You can call me at 313.799.3473 or Amy at 719.200.0049.
Blessings to you all!
