FROM OLOMOUC WITH LOVE
Issue 7 | Vol 2 | Dec 07-Feb 08
By Mitch Anderson
VISION
After a lot of praying, researching, brainstorming, and talking, the intense planning we’ve been involved in is finally on the downhill slope. We’ve learned a lot during our first year of immersion in Czech culture, and in light of those insights we’ve made adjustments. During these discussions, we’ve tried to work from the top down, in other words determining what is most important and letting everything else fall into place under that. Thus, above everything else, we want to (1) GLORIFY GOD, (2) REVEAL THE KINGDOM and (3) BE ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION—connecting people with God, their own true identity, each other, and creation. These may seem like obvious goals, but we want to have them in their proper place in order to frame everything else we do.
It’s exciting to think about things this way, because it’s not merely a work plan but rather a framework for a way of life in the Kingdom. It’s a rule of life, if you will, which in spiritual formation circles means committing oneself (or one’s community) to specific practices and attitudes in order to recognize Christ in all that we do and to be changed into his likeness—in our worship, work, study, relationships, recreation. It’s a spiritual straightedge, helping keep one’s life balanced and intentionally directed toward loving God and loving others.
You want to hear a little more, you say? Sure thing. One of the major things we want to be involved in is SERVICE, which includes volunteering at local organizations to help the needy and marginalized, being responsible toward the environment, and just in general being active in the life of the Olomouc community (especially among the youth). The next major area is EVANGELISM / CHURCH-PLANTING, which involves sowing the seed (one-on-one, seeker groups, interest groups, etc.), creating faith communities, and equipping those communities (for the Christian life, for leadership, and to grow and multiply). Another thing we want to be sure to focus on is life in the COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS, the fellowship we have as a team and also with other believers throughout the Czech Republic and Central Europe—a network of worship to God and mutual encouragement, help, and prayer. Finally, we can’t forget about our individual selves, our PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO GROWTH, which for us means being active in the spiritual disciplines, setting aside a weekly Sabbath, openness to accountability from others, plus attention to our physical and emotional health.
Now, that’s a lot of stuff (and it’s just a general overview!). Can we do all of this all at the same time? No. But we believe that if we are involved in these kinds of things, all for the sake of glorifying God, revealing his Kingdom, and reconciling people with him, their true selves, others, and creation—and all of it guided and made possible by the Spirit—that we won’t be able to stop communities of people from coming together, excited about Jesus and life in his Kingdom. Thus, it’s our prayer that, in the end, this will all lead toward SPARK ING A CHURCH-PLANTING MOVEMENT.
Another cool thing is that in all of this we want the different spheres to interact. We want to invite those we serve into community—they deserve the opportunity to know Christ and be a part of his Kingdom community. We want to invite the friends and Christians who are a part of our faith communities to be involved in service—it’s a part of Kingdom living. We want to solicit the help of Czech (and Central European) believers who know much more about this culture and language then we do. It’s all interconnected.
UP NEXT
It’s been exciting to dream about the future. Out of all of the things mentioned above, we’ve decided that two of our main focuses in the upcoming months are going to be (1) laying the groundwork for ongoing outreach to teens and (2) getting some seeker groups started. In addition, we’ll each individually be plugging into local service opportunities. For me that will include a Roma Children’s Center and probably teaching English at a local school.
While all of that’s going on, we’re going to be more intentional in inviting our current friends who have shown interest to come together into a small group/house church—the first of what we hope will become a network of churches.
Time will tell, however, what actually takes place and how and when it will happen, for: “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that (James 4:15).” May God guide this. May his Kingdom come and his will be done in this place as it is in heaven.
Finally, our most recent foundation-laying step has been figuring out how best to communicate who we are and what we’re doing. We’ve been running some of our ideas by our Czech friends—both Christian and non-Christian and both in Olomouc and outside of Olomouc—to get their opinions on what Czech words, ideas, and phrases are best. It’s been one small opportunity (out of many more to come in the future) for involving others in this endeavor, casting a vision for a community focused on loving and serving people in the name of Jesus. After learning a little more, the next steps will be designing a logo, business cards, and a website. Fun, fun, fun!
Please continue to pray for us in these important decisions and endeavors. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance to follow through. Pray for God to bring us together with Czechs who’d join in this effort to glorify God, reveal his Kingdom, and promote reconciliation in Olomouc.
Thank you! Thank you for reading and for your prayers and encouragement. Be sure to be praying about the texts in blue and don’t forget to check out the team website for more pictures and to catch up on our latest blog entries regarding our spiritual projects (both prayer and praiseworthy speech).
THE LAST THREE MONTHS IN A NUTSHELL
December / Prosinec
December 11
visit to Roma Children’s Center to learn
more about their program
Christmastime
my whole family and Christie’s as well came to
town for an Olomouc Christmas!
December 28
a new team member, Evan Keen, is born!
New Year’s Eve
party at the Bealls’ with Czech friends Jarmila,
Richard, Gabi, and Jirka
January / Leden
January 6-10
Mandy, Kyle, and Tyler (Razorbacks for Christ
friends) visit O-town
The Prayer Project
a month-long focus on different approaches
to prayer
Language School
our year of language school at the university
comes to a close
Church Interviews
interviews with various Central European
churches about their congregations and efforts
January 27
the two couples from the team worship with
the church in Prague, while Graham,
Christie, and I join the Brno congregation
for their worship gathering
February / Únor
February 1-3
team retreat for rest and renewal
February 4
our first skiing experience at a Czech resort
February 7
first day with my new Czech tutor; we meet
every Tuesday and Thursday morning
February 8
beginning of Praiseworthy Speech Project,
a three-month spiritual focus on our use of
words and communication
February 9-10
spent the weekend with one of my Czech
friends touring several villages south of
Olomouc
February 13-15
your run of the mill daytrip to Zurich,
Switzerland (to renew short-term visas)
February 16
Tomá, Martina, Svta, Alissa and Bruno
from the Prague church came to town for
a visit
February 26-27
trip to Vienna, Austria, to apply for
long-term visas and for fellowship with the
Vienna mission team
Thank you for all your prayers!
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