Austin "Greenhouse"

This past weekend (25th to the 27th) I had the privilege to attend a “Greenhouse” in Austin Texas. Neil Cole together with Paul Kaak shared their hearts passionately about Organic Church. I don’t consider myself to be a writer so the words here would do injustice to the quality and excellence of how the weekend went, all I can say is that these guys do this continually, yet the very things they teach still burn passionately within there hearts as evidenced by the way in which they communicate the message of the “Greenhouse”.

Things I came away with:
Keep it simple,
“Open war is upon us whether we would risk it or not” Throughout the weekend one of the fun things for me was to see how they incorporated movie clips to illustrate a point or a subject, for me the visual message together with the sincerity and passion that the message was conveyed made the weekend very impact full.

It’s not so much what I do for God, but what God wants and desires to do in me that will bring lasting fruit.

The whole analogy of the Garden, Organic, the stories through the Bible that relate to some form of organic thinking, the plough the seeds and on and on the list goes on. It amazes me still that God would use the analogies of the natural things to share his spiritual treasures as highlighted by the Greenhouse.

“Where two or more are gathered in My Name there I am in the midst of them” The LTG’s Life transformation groups as prescribed this weekend, so simple and very reproducible.

DNA = Organic Church
Divine Truth
Nurturing Relationships
Apostolic Mission

On a Personal Note
Earlier this month, I found myself reading Luke 10, it seemed to me that must of happened before Luke 10 which got me reading prior chapters, this got me thinking that, God was asking me, to ask of him, these two things;

Pray for a passion for the Lost
And that He would give me, (as he gave His Disciples in Luke 10) Power to heal the sick cast out demons and raise the Dead.

Some would think that a bit presumptuous of me but really this is the desire now of my heart to not only beseech the Lord of the Harvest to send Laborers (luke10:2b) But that It really was a call for me to as we say in Afrikaans (Kry Rigting), for some time now I have been sensing a deeper call to plug into the things God has for me, not that I am sure what that looks like or how it will all pan out, but there is a clear sense that God is about to do something in me unlike I have ever seen or experienced before. This past weekend at the Greenhouse was just a confirmation of this very thought that God is about to do something new, and that in this time I am to truly seek him.

Comments

[Debbie Kizer]

I am interested in participating within the house church movement in Austin, Texas. Reading the book Houses that Change the World. I see there is supportive information on the web about these church movements, but what I dont see is actual information about the church networks themselves? How do you identify a church network in the area (Austin, Texas)?

[Jeff Pankratz]

Greetings brothers and sisters in the Church! In doing some research on the web, I've run into this site and just wanted to say a hearty 'well-done' to those of you pursuing our identity together as the Body of Christ!
I was researching the principle of not forsaking the assembly of the saints (as found in Hebrews) and how it pertains to healthy growth as a Christian. My goal is to be committed to a healthy, local church (local assembly, gathering) for fellowship with all of God's people, young and old. While doing this, I hope to be a catalyst for the principles in Neil Cole's book (Cultivating a Life for God) through personal relationships within a LTG.
I am currently working in Turkey right now, and I hope to encourage the brothers and sisters here to keep these principles in balance according to scripture. Please pray for the country and that many disciples would grow into maturity through the Church, and the lost would be drawn to them by the Father! Thanks for the resources! -Jeff Pankratz