Perspectives - God Changing Your Church…God Changing the World
Posted in: Strategize
The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Course will be kicking off another class year across the USA in January 08. Read on to learn how Perspectives has impacted the church in Austin, TX and the world…
Over the past two years, more than 650 people from more than 81 Austin area churches, representing 10 different evangelical denominations have taken the Perspectives Austin course. Lives are being changed, directions altered, Churches energized, and most importantly our God glorified.
Young adults are giving up their lives in America and going to serve peoples across Austin and in very different lands. Business owners are changing their plans and looking at new kinds of investing and Kingdom companies. Mothers are starting new efforts to love Arab women right here in Austin. Policy makers are finding answers to bring about community transformation. Pastors are dreaming bigger dreams than ever before for their churches.
According to the national office of Perspectives at the U.S. Center for World Mission, “Perspectives is not so much a course, as it is a ‘’movement” involving tens of thousands of God’s people throughout the world finding their niche in God’s overall purpose to bless the nations.” Since its beginning in 1974, more than 100,000 people have taken the course across the world. It has been translated into a number of languages, with more translations in process.
Here’s what some alumni have had to say about the course, err “movement.”
“It challenges your thinking, moves you to obedience, aligns your heart closer to God’s heart and introduces you to his Big Picture Plan.”
“It changes lives and hearts by allowing us to see the greater picture of God’s heart.”
“This class will give you tools to do God’s will.”
“What God has done for my heart through this class is uncontainable…it will take my whole life to fully live out what God has taught me!”
Nationally and internationally the course is endorsed by a wide array of evangelical denominations, mission organizations and leaders. Dr. Avery Willis, former Senior VP of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention said that Perspectives provides “believers with the finest overview of God’s world wide work available. I wholeheartedly recommend it for any committed disciple of Jesus.”
“The Perspectives course succeeds in communicating that God has always had a plan for the world, that He is carrying out that plan, that His plan is unstoppable, and that He invites us to have a part in what He is doing. Many people looking to see where they fit into God’s plan find the Perspectives course to be an eye-opener, whether they are involved in their local church or helping to build God’s Kingdom among the least reached.” stated John Bush with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Pastor and author, Rev. John Piper wrote, “"Perspectives has been essential in mobilizing hundreds of lay people in our church to be World Christians.”
Locally, Sr. Pastor Michael Lewis of Great Hills Baptist Church has challenged his church leadership to take Perspectives. Pastor Lewis stated, “The class reminds us that there is a time that God calls ordinary individuals to do the extraordinary for the sake of the Gospel. I recommend Perspectives to anyone desiring to gain a Christ-centered worldview.” Meanwhile, The Austin Stone Community Church is making it essential leadership training as well as a prerequisite for anyone engaging in mission. Hill Country Bible-UT is urging all community groups to attend together.
Tanya and Patrick Shinn were living in Austin as newlyweds. Patrick was working in a thriving business and Tanya was a local actress. Right in the middle of taking Perspectives, they discovered that God was calling them to go to the Fulani people of Senegal, where they now serve thru Heart of God ministries. “It’s an eye opening experience that God used to help show us what our lives were purposed for and to draw us into a life of full time ministry work in an unreached people group in Africa,” said Patrick Shin. The Shinn’s have their “advocacy” or sending team in their home church – The Austin Stone. Some say this type of symmetry between the local church and those in mission is where the church starts to look “glocal”. Living and serving locally, but also engaged globally.
Church members in Austin are now beginning to see that God wants to change this city not for the sake of change, but for the sake of His name. And in the same process God will also use Austin to impact the world because He is a global God…a missionary God. Is Austin becoming a center for global change? At the moment, this is probably a matter of perspective, but more are discovering God’s perspective everyday!
Revelation 5:9-10And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
by Troy Alexander
Task Force Member
Perspectives Austin
Audience: Churches
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