Tuesday Night Classes at the Vineyard

Many of you know that I am following up on Dave Workman's "Hearing God's Call" series at the Vineyard Community Church. Dave and his team wrote a bonkers book to guide the series and I think they are doing a good job of teaching about finding our place of service and sharing.

Since Dave, ET AL are doing so well on the basics I decided to take a different tack. I am focusing on helping people think about the ways we grow up in Christ. It is always somewhat amazing to me to discuss these issues with mature Christians only to find that many of us have little or no idea about the "Normal" stages of spiritual development.

A few months ago it occurred to me that the Lord was moving me to focus on mentoring pastors, elders, deacons and mature believers. For over 30 years I have taught and trained lay people of all sorts but ended up with Beginners and those trying to get things together. Now, however, I and the Christians around me are at a different stage of spirituality and maturity.

At this point in time we have some 75 to 80 million Baby Boomers, many of whom are ready to serve the Lord in new and exciting ways. Those who came to faith in the Seventies and Eighties have had thirty years or so of soaking up God's word and doing His works. They have served as Sunday school teachers, committee members, evangelism workers, members of the music and worship teams, etc. They have grown strong in the Spirit and understanding of the church.

As they face the latter parts of their work life, many new opportunities have arisen. Now they are ready for a more mature place to release their gifts and call. Sunday school will still appeal to many of them but for some, the call of foreign missions will sound good. Others will buy a big camper and travel to serve the poor, Christian non-profits or help out in disasters like Katrina.

Let's face it, it is "Boomer Time" and we need to help them think about how to "Re fire not Retire". Boomers have:

1. Disposable time,
2. Disposable funds,
3. Disposable wisdom,
4. Disposable love,
5. Disposable energy,
6. Disposable gifts and
7. Disposable experience.

This generation will live longer, better and richer lives than any generation in history. Many will thrive in their eighties and nineties. Get ready, get together, get going.

The Tuesday evening meetings are focusing on finding our true Identity and Inheritance in God's Royal Family and moving out to live like a "Royal Priesthood" to share our gifts, Spiritual fruits and wisdom. It is a very exciting time.