The Network

As we look at a network of faith we see the dynamic differences that make us unique individuals and the similarities that exist when we are joined together to impact our commnuties for God.
A Network is defined as:
Something resembling an openwork fabric or structure in form or concept, especially:
a. A system of lines or channels that cross or interconnect:
b. A complex, interconnected group or system:
c. An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.

The picture above is a cross section of a nueral network from the brain. Now the brain is comprised of millions of nuerons connected by synapses that transmit the information and form the basis of all brain activity. The body of Christ needs to function in this manner millions of believers unified by the Spirit of God to carry out His plan for this planet.

The Zion project is a network of people from all walks of the Way of Christ that are unified for the sole purpose of loving God and loving people. We are a network that is going to meet the needs of the communites and neighborhhods that we are part of. It is up to us to be a diverse tapestry that looks out for each other and works together for the same cause.

Romans 12:4-5
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

There is...

a movement among believers that is stirring and if you have not sensed it then you are probably to busy listening to the yabadabadoo song by Rich Mullins. All kidding aside we are in the midst of some exciting; and quite possibly some of the most pivotal times in the history of Christianity. This stirring that is manifesting comes not from a new cool trend or some title that a rogue pastor looking for a few bucks on the book scene came up with. No what is happening is a viral grass roots resurgence of the pure gospel message:
Matthew 22:37-39
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

That is all it takes, no clever strategy or program just showing Gods love! At the Zion project we want to be those instruments of love and encouragement to all regardless of where a persons spiritual walk is or is not. One would be quite arrogant and proud to assume that their faith begets them some sense of entitlement or rank over another human that is in process. We love because God first loved us not because we have been given Gods happy stamp to go around and use at our whim. It is God working in and through us that reveals the very face of our creator.

Our next voyage into the adventure to unify and inspire is The Zion Project Christian Music Festival on September 20th, 2008. For more info please read the flyer below or call us at 559-760-3889.
In Faith,
Mathew

We Need Your Help

Our next event The Zion Project Christian Music Festival is September 20th, 2008 at The Historic Coarsegold Village. We have a great line up of bands in store for the event. Ryan Morgan, Lost Ocean, Gatja, Set in Stone and many other local bands. It will be a day of great music, food, activities and fun for the whole family.
This is the first event of this kind that has been done in our area. It is our goal to make it a unifying event for our local churches as well as an outreach to our community.
We value all you do for Christ and we want your involvement. We are offering a sponsorship for the event for $100.00. Your sponsorship provides you with a booth at the festival that showcases your ministry.
In addition to your ministry being a sponsor of the event we are in need of volunteers for the prayer tent, creative arts booth and the many other tasks that go along with hosting a large event. Additional financial support is welcomed but more importantly we need your prayers.
It takes the work of all of us together to make our region one that is committed to loving as God loves. We look forward to seeing you on September 20th. Thank you for taking the time to learn about the vision God has placed on our hearts.
In Faith,
The Zion Project

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Have you ever wanted to walk into a place where the entire room shouts Norm? I know I have. A group of us were recently hanging out at a Karaoke Bar and I was awestruck by the community that existed at this crazy little place. Like every community there was brokenness, pain and heartache evident. It hit me and I realized that as Christians we sometimes insulate ourselves from the outside world and believe that the work of God is done within the church walls. This perception causes us to lose track of those that need God the most.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (New King James Version)19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[a] that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God,[b] but under law toward Christ[c]), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as[d] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you

This tugging from the Spirit and the Word has prompted us to take on an approach that has been very effective in Ireland and England. We are going to form teams that will go into the world and truly be all things to all people. These groups will be go to local hangouts with one simple mission: to show Gods love. This is in no way promoting drunken outings to bars or a moral decline it is simply meeting people where they are at. More information to follow in the coming days......

Acceptance & Validation

We all walk around this earth with the need to be embraced, loved and accepted for who we are. We seek to be included in some social circle or group that is like minded to us. Even those that feel they are outsiders find acceptance from others that have been rejected.

At some point in the Christian walk we are indoctrinated to this concept of acceptance. We embrace the power that lies in welcoming all that come into our circle with open arms. Now this is a vital part of how we treat others but we must go further than this.

What we seek from being part of a group does not end at acceptance. What we are truly seeking is validation. Acceptance is this "Hey we love you regardless how crappy you are". Validation is "we love you because we know that you are a vital part of what God has planned". What we want is to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Acceptance is hey grab a seat and enjoy the service. Validation is glad to you see you here can you go do this?

In the early days of a church plant we were part of there was a young man that showed up one night. He was hungry and anxious to serve God. We welcomed him with open arms and accepted him then asked him to light the candles before the service. Sounds silly right; let me tell you that it brought such joy to him and all of us around him. Every week it was something more that he wanted to do and to serve, he was part of something bigger than himself.

You see we get caught up sometimes in spending so much time worrying about accepting people that we neglect to take the extra effort to invest and pour into their lives. The relationships that Jesus had were all about validation. The apostles on the beach "Hey how's it goin" (acceptance) "come and be fishers of men" (validation). The women caught in Adultery "whoever is without cast the first stone" (acceptance) "go and sin no more, and come roll with me and my crew" (validation).

As ministers of God (which we all are) we must push ourselves to go beyond the first step of mere acceptance and pursue how we can validate those around us.

Why Unity?

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

This is why we have a passion to unify and inspire the church universal and those disconnected from God. We value and support individual assemblies but reject the walls that unlearned Christians are building to divide the Christian community.
The Zion project is not trying to reinvent the wheel. We are merely taking the word of God and bringing it to His people. Who are His people? Any carbon based man, woman or child that inhabits the planet earth.
Our recipe is this to Love God and Love people it is that easy....