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Brigada Today
05 Oct 2007
In this issue...
- WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION/MISSION USE FOR A PLANNING TOOL?
- NEED A HELPING HAND? WANT TO ACCOMPLISH MORE?
- IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CATCH A VISION FOR ASIA
- GET QUOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ABOUT MISSIONS
- CHRISTIANITY TODAY POLLS CHRISTIANS ON 'DANGER ZONE MISSIONS'
- HELP A NEW MISSIONARY UNDERSTAND CONTEXTUALIZATION
- ONE MORE MICROCREDIT ORG
- THE HINDU-CHRISTIAN INTERFACE
- THERE IS A MUCH EASIER AND QUICKER WAY TO RAISE SUPPORT
- SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES & USE THE DIFFERENCE FOR MISSIONS?
- THANKFUL BEYOND MEASURE FOR PARTNERS THAT UNDERGIRD BRIGADA
- WE'RE PUBLISHING A HALF MILLION BRIGADA TODAYS THIS YEAR
- THE BACKPAGE: OUR "30 DAYS" CAMPAIGN WENT WELL; HOW 'BOUT YOURS?
- CLOSING STUFF
- WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION/MISSION USE FOR A PLANNING TOOL? -- I
faced that question this past week, when our team started working on our
primary objectives, goals, & tasks for the future -- our Field Ministry
Plan for 2008 and beyond. After examining a bunch (but certainly not
all) of the options, I recommended Central Desktop to our team. See them
at:
http://www.centraldesktop.com
(Note that we're not getting any kickbacks or "affiliate" bonuses by
recommending them... Just one beggar telling another where to find
bread.)
Surprisingly, our team embraced it within about one hour.
There are certainly plenty of tools that teams can use. Everything from
sending a Microsoft Word doc (or Excel spreadsheet) to one team member
at a time ... to Google's new online apps ... to GoogleGroups... to
other online collaborative software -- ad infinitum. But CentralDesktop,
though it cost us something (at the level we chose), seemed to offer a
great match of tools. The level we chose was the threshold level where
we got SSL (secure) web interactivity with one another. That gave us, in
one handy package with one handy secure web address, online discussions
(with great notification options), document sharing (with version
tracking), task lists and milestone building (yes it's kind of basic,
but it's at least *there*), basic calendaring, lightweight databases,
and light reporting... all in one package. Plus we can invite in non-
members (i.e., organization volunteers) to our heart's content -- one
workspace at a time. On top of all that, the developers seem very
accessible through the online forum (they've answered every feature
request and help request within 2 hours so far), and they're bringing
out a *monthly* upgrade that's adding real value, every 30 days.
So ... yes... it's still early in our use, but it looks extremely
promising so far. Check it out for your team.
Would you mind telling us what your group uses for planning purposes?
Just visit:
http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=39
and click on "Add a comment" at the bottom of the item. Thanks!
- NEED A HELPING HAND? WANT TO ACCOMPLISH MORE? -- Consider spending
some time with the folks at Creative Results Management. They have a
Core Coaching Skills Certificate Program -- see it at
http://www.creativeresultsmanagement.com
That could make the difference between your success... or "unsuccess".
:-) Give 'em a try today... (and please thank them for their support of
Brigada this past week!)
- IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CATCH A VISION FOR ASIA -- OMF International has
been reaching East Asia with the gospel since Hudson Taylor founded the
organization as China Inland Mission in 1865. If you would like to learn
more about OMF or how you can be involved in the work that includes more
than 1,500 workers from 20 countries with a focus on more than 400
unreached people groups throughout East Asia, visit their website
http://www.omf.org/us
or attend their "Reach Asia" information evening, October 27, 2007 in
Littleton CO, USA (For more information, contact Alicia
Abennett(at)omf(dot)org or call 303.730.4160.) [As a means of preventing
spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please
replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] (Sorry about the quick notice.
When submitting Brigada items, better give at least 60 days advance
notice prior to events that might require flights.)
- GET QUOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ABOUT MISSIONS -- Do you need some great
missions quotes or Illustrations? The "Blog World Missions 101" has
hundreds of quotes illustrations for use in missions presentations,
messages, or seminars. Andy has posted his missions illustration file
and it is growing rapidly in volume. Why hoard the wealth? All quotes
and illustrations are from current missions books, and sources are
footnoted. Share the wealth and enjoy. Find it at
http://www.worldmissions101.blogspot.com
I was there about 15 seconds before I found a quote that I put in my
permanent quotations database. Thanks to Andy and the group!
- CHRISTIANITY TODAY POLLS CHRISTIANS ON 'DANGER ZONE MISSIONS' -- Did
you see the Aug 15-16 survey that Christianity Today conducted with USA
Christians about mission works in dangerous regions? Catch it at
Christianity Today. Bottom line? USA Christians still seem very supportive of
outreaches in dangerous places, even though there are risks involved.
Over half of the respondents said work should continue there, even if
forbidden by law. Interestingly, they only thought it would be
irresponsible if the missionaries are unprepared. Score one for the
training types. :-) (Thanks for tipping us on this story, Jeff!)
- HELP A NEW MISSIONARY UNDERSTAND CONTEXTUALIZATION -- Brigada reader
John is compiling resources on contextualization. This will be similar
to his previous work on the must read books for all missionaries. This
time he wants to compile material on contextualization.
He has three questions to which he would love to know your answer.
1. What is the best definition of contextualization?
2. What resources would you recommend to a newly enlisted missionary to
help them contextualize their ministry?
3. Where do you point in Scripture that commands the missionary to
contextualize in his ministry?
He'll greatly appreciate your responses. Just click to:
http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=41
and "Add a comment" immediately below the post. Thanks!
- ONE MORE MICROCREDIT ORG -- Brigada participant, Norm, had one more
organization to add to our list given in the Aug. 31st issue of Brigada
Today (#4, "HEARD ABOUT MICROCREDIT?"). He highly recommended...
http://www.lifewind.org
He felt they had "the best program of sustainable microbusiness
enterprise of any Christian organization and perhaps of many non-
christian organizations." He added, "I am not part of their organization
but highly recommend their methods and training that they hand off."
Thanks Norm!
- THE HINDU-CHRISTIAN INTERFACE -- This five week training in Hindu
ministry will be offered in Pasadena, CA in the spring of 2008. The
class will meet one night a week for three hours. Students can expect a
combination of lectures, short reading assignments, multimedia
presentations, Biblical reflection, discussion groups and devotional
music. For a brochure and more information on dates, venues and fees
contact the Pasadena Coordinator at
andy(dot)pearce(at)gmail(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our
contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at)
with @ and (dot) with .]
- THERE IS A MUCH EASIER AND QUICKER WAY TO RAISE SUPPORT -- If you
depend on church meetings and letters to raise your full support, it may
take a long, long time. If you get training in effective relational and
presentation skills, you can do it in less than half the average time,
and the cost is relatively small. Now you can get full training right
in your own home through live, interactive videoconferencing. You will
join with up to six others in three other locations for an hour and a
half a day, four days a week for three weeks. All you need is high speed
internet. Jerry, for more than twenty years, has equipped missionaries
to share their vision in such a way that people discover their passion
and get involved through prayer and giving. Give Jerry a call at (503)
314-7211 or email
jerry(at)kingdomcometraining(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for
our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace
(at) with @ and (dot) with .] or browse to:
http://www.kingdomcometraining.com
- SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES & USE THE DIFFERENCE FOR MISSIONS? -- That's
what one Brigada reader advocates. He maintains that USA Christians can
1. Reduce expenditures monthly to have more to give to missions?
2. Help bring unchurched people into contact with caring Christians?
3. Help the working poor in their own neighborhoods help themselves?
All by utilizing the services of and encouraging your local church to be
a host site for... Angel Food Ministries. See his summary of the program
here...
http://www.squidoo.com/angelfoodministries
Want to comment on this ministry? Just click to:
http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=42
- THANKFUL BEYOND MEASURE FOR PARTNERS THAT UNDERGIRD BRIGADA -- We're
grateful this week for Orphan Voice, College Heights Christian Church
and a worker from Team Expansion -- because they all bought their trip
interruption insurance from ISA at:
http://www.missionaryhealth.net/brigada.htm
And ISA, in turn, gave a portion of those funds -- $89.05 in face -- to
help get Brigada onto your screens! Thanks ISA!
Thanks, too, to Dial Abroad for the $60.95 they sent as a thank you to
Dial Abroad "Brigada-based" customers using their services. Thanks for
those who keep talking!!! :-) Thanks, too, to the anonymous reader who
sent $180 saying "Keep up the great work", another who sent ***$500***,
and another who sent $100 from the Pacific Rim. We were also
appreciative of the Core Coaching Skills Certificate Program
http://www.creativeresultsmanagement.com
for sending $75 as a way of saying thanks "all the good information that
flows through Brigada." [blush] (God be praised, Keith!) Please go check
out his site today.
- WE'RE PUBLISHING A HALF MILLION BRIGADA TODAYS THIS YEAR -- With
over 11,000 subscribers... 52 weeks... that works out to over 500,000
editions in just one year. Our financial needs seem small enough... just
$17,150 for all of 2007. Where else can you get that much bang for your
buck!? :-) Want to help pump Brigada's missions mobilization message out to the
masses on every continent? You can. Here's how: Just click on the "Donate"
page. You can pull the money from your PayPal account or from any major credit
card. Or if you prefer, send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team
Expansion (Brigada secretary), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville,
KY 40291. (Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so for USA
citizens, your checks made out to Team Expansion are tax-deductible.) As
always, be sure to let us know if you'd like us to promote any
particular service or ministry, or if you'd prefer your gift be
anonymous. And thank you in advance for helping.
- THE BACKPAGE: OUR "30 DAYS" CAMPAIGN WENT WELL; HOW 'BOUT YOURS? --
Did your "30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World" campaign go well?
Write about it online at:
As mentioned earlier (in "THE BACKPAGE: JOIN 30 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE
MUSLIM WORLD", Sept. 14th, 2007 Brigada Today), some 400 people got
involved with either the kids version or the adult version. It's leading
in nicely toward our 30 days of emphasis on a country in the Middle
East. We'll pass out *those* booklets this Sunday and next, then begin
the emphasis the week following. We'll enclose an insert with specific
prayers about two of our church members that will be journeying to the
country to survey it for our congregation and the mission with which we
hope to partner (Team Expansion) for this outreach. It's an exciting
time for the church... and there are lots of folks ready to get
involved. So ... bravo to the "30 Days" bunch for helping us launch the
whole thing. The work is worth it!
Would you mind sharing how your campaign went? Just click to:
http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=40
and click on "add a comment" below the item. Thanks!
- CLOSING STUFF --
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COPYRIGHT -- This issue of _Brigada Today_ is Copyrighted 2007.
However, permission is granted to freely redistribute these materials,
including those available on the Brigada website, provided that
such redistribution is to those who will help the Good News of Jesus
Christ to reach the unreached.* To copy or reproduce _Brigada Today_
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