Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Please be praying about this effort to help Thai ministry leaders support themselves. When we come back from our next ministry assignment in the states we will be looking for a facility to rent and people interested in coming and doing this program. We believe it is a very important part of seeing churches multiply in Thailand.
Work-Study/Church Multiplication Program Proposal Draft
A proposal by Kennedy and Wendy Paizs
Bang Sak, Phang-Nga
Submitted to OMF Thailand for Approval and Facilitation
August 18, 2008
Goal: To create a church multiplication work-study program for Southern Thailand using a bi-vocational / holistic framework. Selected trainees learn Christian living, church-planting and business by apprenticeship in order to become a self-supporting church planter.
Rationale: Lack of finances hinder many Thai Christians from involvement in multiplying indigenous biblical churches in Thailand. This program seeks to remove this obstacle and release the potential of enterprising Thai Christians.
3 Main Areas Of Program
There are 3 main areas of focus in this program. 1. Church Multiplication Education 2. Spiritual Life Development 3. Business training for Self-Support (financially)
Church Multiplication. Church multiplication is the ultimate goal. The approach is one of “IBCM” with an emphasis on small groups as the key to evangelism. Meetings are held in homes and places of business for chronological study of the Bible and personal witness. Cell groups become effective means of worship and Bible study. These Bible studies would be geared to the participants needs.
Spiritual Life Development. A core value of the training is a focus on the spiritual life of the trainee. We will build character through assignments in different functions church work as well as participating in a one on one discipleship relationship. Christian leadership development will also be included.
Business Training. Business as mission training integrates evangelism and Christian living into the activity of earning a living. A spiritual leader can work to earn a living and be vitally involved with the community. Good business is a form of holistic witness. Intentional witness through business is a church planting methodology.
Components Of The Program
Trainee Applicants: A simple application process for young adult Thai single and married couples who have a heart for missions and to be self-supporting. Ideally, they should come with a church recommendation and basic skills needed for business. Trainees will have to pay a fee to enter the program. (not sure how much) At the conclusion of the training year, trainees are released without obligation. (Promising trainees might be invited to collaborate in an ACT sponsored strategy for Southern Thailand)
Integrated curriculum: The curriculum is apprentice based. Meaning we would have no “campus” (classrooms) but instead be training-based, a “learn as you work” type of training. Some seminars, such as the Jonathan training) will be used during the training time. These will special times of learning and retreat from the regular program, but they will not be the main focus. The time frame would be approximately one year. The training program does not guarantee work. It imparts skills. Graduates from the program are expected to begin church planting on their own.
Staff: This will be the main area of subsidy. There will be a limited number of staff because of this.
Staff Functions
We see 5 main roles. One person could cover more than one role.
Program Coordinator: Would be overall leader and coordinator.
Spiritual Life Supervisor: Discipleship, accountability and leadership training.
Church Planting Methods Supervisor: Use of small groups and methods of evangelism and community contacts. Prayer network, strategies and other components of IBCM that need to be addressed.
Business Supervisor: Oversee the training of business in creative, practical ways. This person will take people by the hand and get them started, then be a consultant and troubleshooter later on.
Practical Living Supervisor: Logistics for living, food, housing and supply organization.
General Oversight Committee:
Purpose: To serve as a governance body for this program. It will determine administrative policy for staff, admissions, budgets, problem solving and discipline.
Composition: Three to five persons independent of the program plus, the program coordinator and one other staff member.
Funding:
Sponsorship: TEAM missionary support. Church sponsorship (West and East) OMF Thailand sponsorship via participating members or general conference decisions.
Mechanism: OMF Thailand to open an account for this program so funding may be received and distributed via an official channel. The General Oversight Committee would have responsibility for the management of this fund.
Work-Study/Church Multiplication Program Proposal Draft
A proposal by Kennedy and Wendy Paizs
Bang Sak, Phang-Nga
Submitted to OMF Thailand for Approval and Facilitation
August 18, 2008
Goal: To create a church multiplication work-study program for Southern Thailand using a bi-vocational / holistic framework. Selected trainees learn Christian living, church-planting and business by apprenticeship in order to become a self-supporting church planter.
Rationale: Lack of finances hinder many Thai Christians from involvement in multiplying indigenous biblical churches in Thailand. This program seeks to remove this obstacle and release the potential of enterprising Thai Christians.
3 Main Areas Of Program
There are 3 main areas of focus in this program. 1. Church Multiplication Education 2. Spiritual Life Development 3. Business training for Self-Support (financially)
Church Multiplication. Church multiplication is the ultimate goal. The approach is one of “IBCM” with an emphasis on small groups as the key to evangelism. Meetings are held in homes and places of business for chronological study of the Bible and personal witness. Cell groups become effective means of worship and Bible study. These Bible studies would be geared to the participants needs.
Spiritual Life Development. A core value of the training is a focus on the spiritual life of the trainee. We will build character through assignments in different functions church work as well as participating in a one on one discipleship relationship. Christian leadership development will also be included.
Business Training. Business as mission training integrates evangelism and Christian living into the activity of earning a living. A spiritual leader can work to earn a living and be vitally involved with the community. Good business is a form of holistic witness. Intentional witness through business is a church planting methodology.
Components Of The Program
Trainee Applicants: A simple application process for young adult Thai single and married couples who have a heart for missions and to be self-supporting. Ideally, they should come with a church recommendation and basic skills needed for business. Trainees will have to pay a fee to enter the program. (not sure how much) At the conclusion of the training year, trainees are released without obligation. (Promising trainees might be invited to collaborate in an ACT sponsored strategy for Southern Thailand)
Integrated curriculum: The curriculum is apprentice based. Meaning we would have no “campus” (classrooms) but instead be training-based, a “learn as you work” type of training. Some seminars, such as the Jonathan training) will be used during the training time. These will special times of learning and retreat from the regular program, but they will not be the main focus. The time frame would be approximately one year. The training program does not guarantee work. It imparts skills. Graduates from the program are expected to begin church planting on their own.
Staff: This will be the main area of subsidy. There will be a limited number of staff because of this.
Staff Functions
We see 5 main roles. One person could cover more than one role.
Program Coordinator: Would be overall leader and coordinator.
Spiritual Life Supervisor: Discipleship, accountability and leadership training.
Church Planting Methods Supervisor: Use of small groups and methods of evangelism and community contacts. Prayer network, strategies and other components of IBCM that need to be addressed.
Business Supervisor: Oversee the training of business in creative, practical ways. This person will take people by the hand and get them started, then be a consultant and troubleshooter later on.
Practical Living Supervisor: Logistics for living, food, housing and supply organization.
General Oversight Committee:
Purpose: To serve as a governance body for this program. It will determine administrative policy for staff, admissions, budgets, problem solving and discipline.
Composition: Three to five persons independent of the program plus, the program coordinator and one other staff member.
Funding:
Sponsorship: TEAM missionary support. Church sponsorship (West and East) OMF Thailand sponsorship via participating members or general conference decisions.
Mechanism: OMF Thailand to open an account for this program so funding may be received and distributed via an official channel. The General Oversight Committee would have responsibility for the management of this fund.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
New cell groups and believers
Dear Friends,
It has been a great blessing knowing you are with us in this venture to plant churches in Thailand. Thank you for your years of support and prayer.
Here are some praises and prayer requests to share with you.
Praise
New believers: Our team has started new small groups in new neighborhoods. Already, some people have come to believe in Christ. They have expressed the desire to be baptized as well. Their names are Cheem, Lamyai and Lamyai’s adult daughter Nue. Lots of new children are also attending the small groups and the church services. As we have been teaching the Bible chronologically I have noticed Cheem’s younger kids are very sharp and understand the teaching better than the adults!
Prayer Request
Not to long ago we led a family to Christ and they were baptized. For a while it seemed they were growing and excited about their faith. But one day they cut us off and never came around again. They avoid us when we go to visit and don’t really want anything to do with God or us. It is because of why they came to believe and the fact that we did not deliver the things or money that they thought they should get. It had to do with politics of the neighborhood as well. If the husband claims Christ he will not win in local elections. Please pray for them. Their names are Ung and Saw. This is a very typical scenario here and it is very discouraging for everyone. God can change the heart, however. We want to be faithful to the truth and to love people. Pray we keep at it without discouragement.
More Praises
Office and computer room: It is finished! At least the computer room is. We have 2 computers up and running for people to learn on. The computer room is done. Bang Sak is a very small community and I have noticed young people show interest, but the interest wanes fast when they see it is actually going to take a bit of work! Pray that we can use this as a tool to make relationships and be a bridge for the Gospel.
Praise
Bi-Vocational ministry: Recently our Thai partner Chan, who is self-supporting and in ministry, met a man who has a tract of land that he plants rubber trees on. This man does not like Christians, but he invited Chan to come and plant pepper plants under his rubber trees. Chan took this from the Lord. Pray that Chan will have the chance to make friends with this man and produce a good crop of peppers to sell. He needs the income badly to support his family.
Please Pray
Chan’s Burning Bush Electric Repair is not making much money. Pray for Chan (our ministry partner) to be successful at finding more customers. Also, that when he meets people he would be brave enough to be a witness for Christ, too.
Praise
Our team: We are unified and working well together. We have opportunities to spend time with many people and share Christ. We have a plan of ministry that we all like.
Pray
Our team: Tanom and Krua are facing some very difficult trials with their rebellious 19 year old son. Pray for them as the work suffers because of his foolish decisions. Our Thai co-workers are always hurting for money. We give, others give, but are we helping the work in the long run? Who will do the work once we leave? Pray for local lay leadership to be raised up someday to take our place. We are praying for churches to multiply, based on Gods working.
Praise
Church planting: We are very blessed to be here in this work. We see God working despite all the barriers and drawbacks to cross-cultural ministry. We believe Thailand is more open to God than in any other era, and many are coming to Christ in all 4 regions.
Please Pray
Church planting: Some days are very discouraging and we feel the heaviness of spirit worship cloaked in Buddhism in this land most everyday. Pray that God would change this land. Pray no matter what “method” we use, we long to see the Holy Spirit open and change hearts to turn to Jesus. In the end we would love to see churches started naturally by Southern Thai people. Might not happen in our lifetime, but we believe it will happen in the plan and process of God. We are thankful to be a part of the whole process.
Personal Walk: We have to remind ourselves daily that we get our joy from God, not from the work. The ministry in Thailand is slow. It feels oppressive spiritually everyday as we look and see most people bowing down to idols. Thai people are satisfied with their cross between Hinduism and Buddhism, otherwise known as Theravada Buddhism. They like their idols. Many of them see Jesus as just another lucky charm religion.
Time in the USA: We will be home 3 1/2 months from Dec 4, 2008 to March 20, 2009. We have the goal of raising up a prayer network of at least 500 people who pray for us consistently and precisely. Pray we will have the discipline to maintain it and that people would join us in prayer for Southern Thailand. We have plans to visit many of you. We will soon be in contact arranging time and making travel plans. Pray that we will use our time well when at home. I hope to get some painting in while home and I'm looking forward to participating in an art show with my father-in-law. I have a dream to sell paintings some day and use the money for special ministry projects here in Thailand. Please pray I might see this come true as I produce art.
Thank you for all your love toward us all these years,
Kennedy and Wendy Paizs
For pictures concerning this update check out http://southernthailandprayernetwork.blogspot.com/
Kennedy & Wendy Paizs TEAM MissionCheck out our blogs!http://southernthailandprayernetwork.blogspot.com/http://oceanicthai.blogspot.com/http://artscapesofthailand.blogspot.com/
It has been a great blessing knowing you are with us in this venture to plant churches in Thailand. Thank you for your years of support and prayer.
Here are some praises and prayer requests to share with you.
Praise
New believers: Our team has started new small groups in new neighborhoods. Already, some people have come to believe in Christ. They have expressed the desire to be baptized as well. Their names are Cheem, Lamyai and Lamyai’s adult daughter Nue. Lots of new children are also attending the small groups and the church services. As we have been teaching the Bible chronologically I have noticed Cheem’s younger kids are very sharp and understand the teaching better than the adults!
Prayer Request
Not to long ago we led a family to Christ and they were baptized. For a while it seemed they were growing and excited about their faith. But one day they cut us off and never came around again. They avoid us when we go to visit and don’t really want anything to do with God or us. It is because of why they came to believe and the fact that we did not deliver the things or money that they thought they should get. It had to do with politics of the neighborhood as well. If the husband claims Christ he will not win in local elections. Please pray for them. Their names are Ung and Saw. This is a very typical scenario here and it is very discouraging for everyone. God can change the heart, however. We want to be faithful to the truth and to love people. Pray we keep at it without discouragement.
More Praises
Office and computer room: It is finished! At least the computer room is. We have 2 computers up and running for people to learn on. The computer room is done. Bang Sak is a very small community and I have noticed young people show interest, but the interest wanes fast when they see it is actually going to take a bit of work! Pray that we can use this as a tool to make relationships and be a bridge for the Gospel.
Praise
Bi-Vocational ministry: Recently our Thai partner Chan, who is self-supporting and in ministry, met a man who has a tract of land that he plants rubber trees on. This man does not like Christians, but he invited Chan to come and plant pepper plants under his rubber trees. Chan took this from the Lord. Pray that Chan will have the chance to make friends with this man and produce a good crop of peppers to sell. He needs the income badly to support his family.
Please Pray
Chan’s Burning Bush Electric Repair is not making much money. Pray for Chan (our ministry partner) to be successful at finding more customers. Also, that when he meets people he would be brave enough to be a witness for Christ, too.
Praise
Our team: We are unified and working well together. We have opportunities to spend time with many people and share Christ. We have a plan of ministry that we all like.
Pray
Our team: Tanom and Krua are facing some very difficult trials with their rebellious 19 year old son. Pray for them as the work suffers because of his foolish decisions. Our Thai co-workers are always hurting for money. We give, others give, but are we helping the work in the long run? Who will do the work once we leave? Pray for local lay leadership to be raised up someday to take our place. We are praying for churches to multiply, based on Gods working.
Praise
Church planting: We are very blessed to be here in this work. We see God working despite all the barriers and drawbacks to cross-cultural ministry. We believe Thailand is more open to God than in any other era, and many are coming to Christ in all 4 regions.
Please Pray
Church planting: Some days are very discouraging and we feel the heaviness of spirit worship cloaked in Buddhism in this land most everyday. Pray that God would change this land. Pray no matter what “method” we use, we long to see the Holy Spirit open and change hearts to turn to Jesus. In the end we would love to see churches started naturally by Southern Thai people. Might not happen in our lifetime, but we believe it will happen in the plan and process of God. We are thankful to be a part of the whole process.
Personal Walk: We have to remind ourselves daily that we get our joy from God, not from the work. The ministry in Thailand is slow. It feels oppressive spiritually everyday as we look and see most people bowing down to idols. Thai people are satisfied with their cross between Hinduism and Buddhism, otherwise known as Theravada Buddhism. They like their idols. Many of them see Jesus as just another lucky charm religion.
Time in the USA: We will be home 3 1/2 months from Dec 4, 2008 to March 20, 2009. We have the goal of raising up a prayer network of at least 500 people who pray for us consistently and precisely. Pray we will have the discipline to maintain it and that people would join us in prayer for Southern Thailand. We have plans to visit many of you. We will soon be in contact arranging time and making travel plans. Pray that we will use our time well when at home. I hope to get some painting in while home and I'm looking forward to participating in an art show with my father-in-law. I have a dream to sell paintings some day and use the money for special ministry projects here in Thailand. Please pray I might see this come true as I produce art.
Thank you for all your love toward us all these years,
Kennedy and Wendy Paizs
For pictures concerning this update check out http://southernthailandprayernetwork.blogspot.com/
Kennedy & Wendy Paizs TEAM MissionCheck out our blogs!http://southernthailandprayernetwork.blogspot.com/http://oceanicthai.blogspot.com/http://artscapesofthailand.blogspot.com/
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