Welcome & Campaign Overview
Welcome to
the 40 Days of Unity resource. God promises that “my word that goes out from my
mouth will not return empty” (Isaiah 55:11). As you spend 40 days listening to
God’s word on church unity and city transformation, trust that promise. God
intends to bless his church with unity and work through that unity for the
benefit of cities and nations. Jesus prayed: " ...
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me
and have loved them even as you have loved me."
(John 17:23).
The 40 Days
of Church Unity and City Transformation have grown out of the church scene of
In Toowoomba
there is an understanding among numerous church leaders that all Christians of
our city belong together and that only together we can impact the city. Our
hope is that anyone doing the 40 Days of Unity campaign may come to share in
that vision. God means to pour out his grace on cities and nations through a
united church.
The 40 Days
of Unity campaign may best be undertaken by a number of churches in the same
town, city or suburb. Christians may learn together why they need to be what
they are: one with each other. If a joint campaign with other churches is
premature or not possible, then an individual congregation may study the 40
Days of Unity by itself to strengthen its resolve to engage the wider body of
Christ. Even small groups or individuals may use the resource and then speak
the word of unity into their context.
The following resources are available:
1. Unity Handbook (for every participant) containing a campaign
overview, 40 Bible devotions on church unity & city transformation and 6 small
group study guides.
2. Unity DVD containing the six small group messages.
3. Unity Transcripts containing a campaign overview and the transcripts
of the six video messages (also available for free on the internet: http://www.lca.org.au/pastors/edgarmayer).
Resources:
Unity Transcript Manual – Includes 6
Small Group Message Transcripts
Unity Handbook- Includes 40
Daily devotions & 6 Small Group Study Guides
Unity DVD Pack – 2 DVDs
including 6 Small Group messages
Unity
Promotional Pack – E-Blast electronic
file for email promotions
-
Power Point Presentation showing an overview of 40 Days of Unity
-
PDF files of 40 Days Covers, Overview, 3 Devotions & a Sample Study
- 6 Colour A3 Posters
for local promotion
- 100 DL Colour Fliers
for local promotion
These resources may be ordered from
Tel: 0746382399, Fax: 0746392691
Email: tcchurch@tcchurch.com.au
The campaign has four components:
1.
Every day for 40 days people read a Bible devotion on church unity.
2.
Once a week for six weeks people meet in
small groups to study a video message on church unity & city transformation.
3.
Seven Sunday morning worship services
tie in with the small group studies and expand on church unity & city
transformation.
4.
At the beginning and end of the campaign
all of the participating churches come together for combined citywide
celebrations. In the middle of the campaign Christians from all participating
churches support a joint week of prayer.
The campaign may be prepared in the following way:
1.
Campaign facilitators may be appointed
and oversee the running of the campaign.
2.
For the duration of the campaign
churches clear their calendars of all unnecessary distractions.
3.
Four months before the campaign a prayer
team from several churches forms and begins to intercede for God’s purposes to
unfold in the campaign.
4.
Four months before the campaign church
leaders begin to promote the campaign in their churches.
5.
Four months before the campaign church
leaders begin to plan for the combined church celebrations and week of prayer.
6.
Four months before the campaign church
leaders appoint small group teams which begin to meet and pray together. These
teams are responsible for launching the various small groups and supporting the
small group hosts.
7.
Four months before the campaign church
leaders appoint a communications team which builds momentum for the campaign by
releasing advertisements, encouragements, reminders, …
8.
A commitment for reaping the benefits of
the campaign may be given. After the 40 Days of Unity what will be the next
step for the local church community?
Possible Campaign Outline
Sunday Morning 1: Preparing for the mid-week small group message “One People”.
Sunday Evening Combined
Church Celebration
Mid-Week Small Group
Study 1: One People.
Sunday Morning 2: Preparing for the mid-week small group message “One Message”.
Mid-Week Small Group
Study 2: One Message.
Sunday Morning 3: Preparing for the mid-week small group message “One At The Cross”.
Mid-Week Small Group
Study 3: One At The
Cross.
Sunday Morning 4: Preparing for the mid-week small group message “One Through Prayer”.
Mid-Week Small Group
Study 4: One Through
Prayer.
Sunday Morning 5: Preparing for the mid-week small group message “One In Repentance”.
Mid-Week Small Group
Study 5: One In
Repentance.
Combined Week Of Prayer
Sunday Morning 6: Preparing for the mid-week small group message “One For Our City”.
Mid-Week Small Group
Study 6: One For
Our City.
Sunday Morning 7: Celebrating what has been learned and done.
Sunday Evening Combined
Church Celebration
As the author of the 40 Days of Unity resource (except for 11
devotions which were written by various Christian leaders belonging to the
church in Toowoomba) I would welcome any feedback in order to keep improving
the 40 Days of Unity. Please send me an email (edgar.mayer@lca.org.au)
or letter (
God bless.
Edgar Mayer.