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Integral Discipleship
When I first left school I trained as a nurse and midwife in South Africa. Perhaps I am biased, but reflecting on the 3 to 4 years of the “on the job training” we received, I think it was an excellent framework to bring theory and practice together. Actually, not too dissimilar from the training programme Jesus gave his followers during the 3 and half years he was with them:
• He taught them theologically with very clear examples, which were current and relevant
• He showed them through his lifestyle
• He demonstrated what the teaching was in practice
• He sent them out together to do put this into practice
• He debriefed them and addressed questions that had arisen
• He responded to problems encountered in practice and theology
• He walked with them and continues to do so
Micah Network has prioritised what we call integral discipleship in which the whole church (each and everyone one of us) is equipped and supported as an agent of integral mission, engaged in all areas of life.
What does this look like in practical everyday life?
Perhaps it would be worth stating what it is not first:
It does not mean we delegate our responsibility to mission to a few people “hired” for the job, or for those who “feel” called.
It does not mean that those who study the Bible and theology are an elect academic group
It does not mean that those who teach should not also live out what they teach.
It does not mean that there is a hierarchy of tasks, gifts and callings.
Rather, we need to recognise that we are all called to mission, to witness to Jesus Christ through how we live, speak and care for those around us. If we are all called, then we all need to be equipped and hence we all need to learn and live it out each day, no matter what role, job, location, career, vocation, task, family, context, activity we are involved in. The local church becomes the hub where each person is there to be equipped for service. Together each church develops what we call a community of gifts
that when used together in their community will bring about transformation. Bible colleges become centres to support this, providing intensive training opportunities. Missions and aid organisations become conduits for service and the further outworking of gifts. Together they create an integrated response to service and a united demonstration of the Gospel in action.
Though we may promote this in Micah Network, we also need to ask the challenging question of ourselves – are we doing this? Are we providing within our local church, our organisations and colleges, an environment that equips one another for service. A service that is not only doing good works but that is also ensuring that theological understanding enables us to give answers to a world hungry for truth.
Challenge:
1) For aid and mission organisations: in what way do you provide integral discipleship for your staff and partners?
2) For local church leaders: in what way do you ensure each person is being equipped for mission?
3) For colleges: are your training courses intentionally missional and practical so that students will be able to theologically and practically engage in their communities?
Over the coming months Micah Network will begin sharing information about what training opportunities are available and what supportive training material can be used to help members meet these challenges head on. Please do share with us what material you have, how you support your staff and church members and together let’s make a concerted effort to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Grace and peace
Sheryl Haw
International Director
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Up and Coming Events
Why not let our network know of training and events being held by you or others which you think we could all benefit from? Send links, flyers, and information about this to events@micahnetwork.org and we share this news each month.
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Heideveld, Cape Town, South Africa: Workshop
Theme: Churches Doing Transformational Development
Dates: 15th to 18th July 2013
Location: Fair Haven Pentecostal Church, cnr Duinefontein & Ascension Rd, Heideveld, Capet Town
Facilitators: The Warehouse
More information: Flyer can be downloaded here
To find our more please contact: Contact by mail: Pat or Colleen on +27 (0)21-7611168
Registration: Application form can be accessed here.
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Siguatepeque, Comayagua , Honduras: Workshop / Camp
Theme: Transforming Young Hondurans (Curso Campamento Transforma Joven Honduras 2013)
Dates: 24th to 28th July 2013
Location: Centro de Retiro Cerro de Luz de la Unión Bíblica, ubicado en Siguatepeque, Comayagua-Honduras
Facilitators: Paz y Espernaza in Cooperation with: Trarfund, Micah Network, Union Biblica Honduras
For more information: see here for flyer
To find our more information contact: e-mail Perú Tel. (511) 4633300 anexo 24; Honduras tel. 504-2773-7080/1073
Registration: see here
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Accra, Ghana: Integral Mission Conversation
Theme: Holistic Response
Dates: 24th to 25th July 2013
Location: Salvation Army Extension Training Centre, Accra
Facilitators: Micah Network
More information: Flyer and programme: down load here. For further queries please write to: events@micahnetwork.org
Registration: sign up here
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Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire: Francophone Consultation
Theme: Integral Mission and the Community: partnering for transformation
Dates: 29th July to 2nd August 2013
Location: FATEAC (Faculté de Théolgie Evangélique de I’Alliance Chrétienne), Abidjan
Facilitators : Micah Network in cooperation with : IFOM, FAMCI, FATEAC, GBH, REAMCI, SIM and Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible
More information: Flyer and programme: down load here (English
/ French) For further information please write to: reseaumichee.coci@gmail.com
Registration: down load registration form here (English /
French) or sign up here.
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Yangon, Myanmar: Conversation
Theme: Holistic Response: an integral mission conversation
Dates: 8th to 9th August 2013
Location: MCC (Myanmar Council of Churches), Kamayut Township, Yangon
Facilitators: Micah Network
For more information: see flyer for details and contact events@micahnetwork.org for more information.
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Hungry: Balaton-Net Conference
Theme: Mine, yours, ours, His.
Dates: 21st to 25th August 2013
Location: Balatonszemes, Hungry
Facilitators: Balaton-net partners
For more information: see web site
About Balaton-net: this is an annual conference linked to the Keswick ministries. Johannes Reimer will be speaking daily throughout the week.
Register here.
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Manila, The Philippines: Asia Consultation
Theme: Solidarity in Disaster Management: a whole community response to risk, crisis and disaster management
Dates: 16th to 20th September 2013
Location: The Legend Villas-Mandaluyong Hotel, Manila
Facilitators: PCEC / Philrads (Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches) in cooperation with: Micah Network, Wheaton HDI, WEA
More information: Flyer and programme: download here
For further information please write to: Elsie Villanueva
Registration: down load registration form here or sign up here.
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Accra, Ghana: Ghana 2013 Consultation
Theme: Global Mission Consultation
Dates: 25th to 28th September 2013
Location: Pentecost Convention Centre, Accra
Facilitators: Ghana Evangelical Missions
More information: see Ghana2013 web site for flyer and information
Registration: through Ghana2013 web site
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Rome, Italy: Workshop
Theme: Partnering with Faith Organisations in Development, Health and Humanitarian Work
Dates: 22nd to 24th October 2013
Location: Rome, Italy
Facilitators: UN System Staff College, UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNHCR
More information: Download flyer and see here for further information. For more information Contact: UNSSC Course Coordinator, Angelo Miramonti
Registration: deadline to register is 15th September 2013 – see here to register.
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Dhaka, Bangladesh: Conversation
Theme: Integral Mission and the Church, Conversation
Dates: 16th to 19th October 2013
Location: BBCF Convention centre, Dhaka
Facilitators: Micah Network Bangladesh
More information: contact Michael Dey, Secretary to MN Bangladesh micahnetworkbd@gmail.com
Further information will be available on the Micah Network web site
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Conversation
Theme: Integral Mission and Domestic Violence
Dates: 24th to 25th October 2013 (note date change)
Facilitators: Micah Network Cambodia
More information: contact Chandara Ket, Micah Network National Coordinator in Cambodia. Further information will be available on the Micah Network web site.
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Grand Rapids, USA: Conversation and Workshop / Forum
A combined initiative with Micah Network and ACCORD Network
Themes:
1) 28th October: Justice and Mercy: an integrated response: A Micah Network Integral Mission Conversation with guest speakers Ruth Padilla Deborst and Nicholas Wolterstorff, We encourage members of both Micah network and ACCORD to join us for the challenging discussion
2) 29th to 31st October: Developing Excellent Forum: ACCORD takes us further into best practice approaches.
Dates: 28th to 31st October 2013
Location: Prince Centre, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
For more information: flyer and registration will be available in the Micah Network web site and through ACCORD web site shortly.
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Mumbai, India: Conference
Theme: Call2Compasion and Justice Conference
Note: a special Micah Network Integral Mission Conversation is embedded into this Conference on the 6th November 2013. This is an amazing opportunity for all our members in India to benefit form the not only this inspiring conference but also with the opportunity to meet together as a network around the theme of Integral mission and quality.
Dates: 4th to 8th November 2013
Location: Mumbai, india
Facilitators: Call2All, Tearfund UK and Micah Network
For more information: see web site
For registration: online registration here. For enquiries please contact: Hannah Swithinbank.
Limited bursaries / sponsorship is available through Tearfund for partners. Contact Hannah for information. Costs have been kept low thanks to the generosity of sponsors. Apply as soon as possible to ensure a place.
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Livingston, Zambia: Consultation
Theme: Responding to Child Trafficking
Dates: 25th to 29th November 2013
Location: Livingston, Zambia
Facilitators: EFZ in cooperation with Micah Network
For more information: the flyer and registration will be available shortly: please hold these dates in your diary and make every effort to join us.
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Stuttgart, Germany: Conference
Theme: Community Transformation: hopes and challenges
Dates: 19th to 23rd May 2014
Location: Christian Conference Centre Schönblick, near Stuttgart
Facilitators: CCD Network, AEM in cooperation with Micah Network
For more information: CCDC Web site
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Studying Opportunities
Micah Network encourages members to explore and participate in the great training opportunities that members around the world run. If you have short course, degree courses, workshops and schools that prompt and train an various aspects of integral mission please share with us so we can inform the network .
Transdev School: Philippines
Course: 'Transformational Development, Integrating Faith and Culture in the Empowering of the Poor’
Dates: 28th July to 11th August 2013
Location: UP Hotel in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City and at the CCT Conference and Training Center in Tagaytay City.
Module One: Integral Mission and Development: Theological and Socio-Cultural Perspectives
Module Two: Microfinance, Economic and Social Change Strategies
Facilitators: ISACC and CCT
For more information: Phone +63 - 2 - 470 1044 or email ISACC
For flyer and further information see here.
Short Courses: All Nations Christian College
Dates: July 2013
Location: Ware, United Kingdom
All Nations is offering four 4-day advanced courses in July, in integral mission, development management, leadership, and mission strategy. These are designed for professionals involved in areas such as education, health care, humanitarian aid, development or leadership, and who want a mixture of input and experience based discussion. They are also suitable for practitioners who are moving into these areas from other aspects of mission and NGO involvement.
For more information see here
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Resources and News
Here are some links to inspiring presentations and material that members have been involved in:
God of Justice – CB Samuel: Presentation
God of Compassion – Johannes Reimer: Presentation
God of Love – Rhiannon Lloyd: Presentation
Interdependence – Vinoth Ramachandra: Presentation
Human Right - WP Ebenzer Joseph: Presentation
Please do share podcasts, resources links, stories of change and other resources so we can all benefit from one another. Send link or resources to: info@micahnetwork.org
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Membership Contributions
As we draw to the end of June may we remind our members that annual membership contributions are a vital means through which Micah Network is enable to carry out the networking activities we all so appreciate. If you have not sent in your 2013 contribution then please do this week.
You can send by bank transfer, PayPal, Western Union, Cheque (UK/USA) or arrange to give cash at an up and coming event.
Details can be found on the web site here.
Thank you in advance for the solidarity of our shared vision to promote integral mission and see a more integrated response to mission in our communities.
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Prayer Focus and Devotion
Each month we send out a devotion / reflection that can be used in your staff meetings, home groups, where two or three are gathered or simply in your own reflections. If you have not received these before and would like to see previous months, click here to access them.
If you are not on the mailing list for the prayer focus and would like to be, please send your request to be added to: prayer@micahnetwork.org
This is a part of our integral discipleship commitment. We invite members who would like to write a devotion / reflection for this monthly mailing to contact Sheryl to arrange which month and topic you would like to do.
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