Episode 84 - The Future of 200churches - A Personal Podcast From Jeff & Jonny

A DIFFERENT EPISODE
This episode is different from our usual 200churches Podcast episodes. It’s just Jeff and Jonny talking about something near and dear to their hearts – small church pastors, and the future of 200churches. They are busy this week, and I, the 200churches Gnome, am again writing a blog post for them.

In early July they invested significant extra time creating and producing six summer episodes – so that they could then take some mission trips and vacation time. The last episode they created was this one, Episode 84 - The Future of 200churches - A Personal Podcast From Jeff & Jonny.

This episode was not planned, they had no notes, there was no more than a five minute conversation preceding its recording. They had finished a couple episodes that morning and just felt like they needed to talk to their listeners about what was on their mind, and the future of 200churches. I have already listened to it, and I hope you enjoy it.

This week they are back and busy stepping into the new school/church year with staff and board meetings, administrative work, and ministry to people in the congregation. But they have also talked about the 200churches group of pastors. They’ve heard from many of you this summer and care about how they can help to encourage you in the future.

They will be traveling to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota next week to meet up with some special guests and record several podcasts for you. There are some great episodes coming!

FERGUSON, MO
They have also been closely watching the happenings in Ferguson, MO. The Kingdom of God is about all people, and when “God so loved the world,” there was no color ranking. As the 200churches Gnome, I have heard them talking about the issue of race, privilege, and power in our country. They think that as Christians, we really need to attempt to see the world through our brothers’ eyes.

The issue of race is so charged today, and it seems like anything that is said on the subject gets hyper analyzed and scrutinized. But they are just trying to listen, trying to understand what is fueling the passion of so many, and trying to care about a family who has lost a son, and a community that doesn’t feel safe in their own streets, or with their own police.

They know that there are small churches in Ferguson who need the power of the Spirit to minister to the people of the community. Kingdom people must live Kingdom values and care, serve, and love the people of Ferguson. They are praying that through this tragedy, eyes would be open, hearts would be changed, and Christians would live out the heart of Jesus.

Would you join them in praying for the pastors and churches of Ferguson? Would you join them in praying for the family of Michael Brown? Would you join them in praying for peace in their community?

I know, it seems weird that the 200churches Gnome would have to write this post about serious topics, but then again, Jeff and Jonny are pretty weird! So I guess I can write it.

They wanted me to remind you that next Wednesday is the last Wednesday of August and that they will have Dan Reiland on the podcast with them. I’m not sure who that is, personally, but I’ll assume you know him.

Enjoy episode 84, and pray for the folks in Ferguson, MO.