CO2 - The Hyatt Family (4)

In response to the story about the Hyatt family doing CO2, Jared Looney, a church planter in NYC, posted this comment yesterday...

We recently did S.A.S.H.E.T. as a family. That is, my wife, my five year old daughter, and me. My wife and I had practiced this tool in various settings before, but doing it as a family with our 5 year old was pretty awesome.

Isn't that encouraging! Nothing excites me more than stories of children, even young children, responding to these simple ways of doing/being church.

Today, in the fourth and last part of this interview, Sean tells how his family has shared CO2 with other families and individuals. Notice again how natural and almost effortless this is. It creates a whole new picture for the term "church planting".

Also makes me think of the title of Roland Allen's famous book: The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church.

Your thoughts?

John

CO2 - The Hyatt Family (2)

In today's short video below (3 minutes), Sean explains two things that might seem impossible to those of us who have spent our entire lives in traditional church.

First, he explains how he has trained his two boys (aged 7 and 10) to facilitate the family's daily CO2 (CO5!) time.

(Observation: children and teens often "get" CO2 more easily and more quickly than adults who have been in the current religious "system" for years.)

Second, he tells a story that illustrates that worship flows spontaneously out of listening.

(Observation: Simple church (CO2) is built on the belief that Jesus is really present when we meet in His name and that He is a great "worship leader". Worship is no longer something that we have to "make happen". It emerges naturally out of listening to Jesus.)

Love to hear your comments about the video below.

John

CO2 - The Hyatt Family (1)

A CO2 (church of two) is simple. Two people committed to two practices as close to daily as possible.

But, the CO2 concept is also highly adaptable. Sean Hyatt has applied it to his family. (Since he has a wife and three young children, it's now a CO5!) The result is a simple way that families can function as churches (think "church = vibrant family of Jesus".

Over the next four days, I'll be sharing an interview with Sean where he tells how this has worked out in his family. Today, Sean explains that this is a model that has been sustainable over time and that he loves what it has produced in his family.

Two things for you to think about. First, what would happen to the church in America (or wherever you live) if this practice became normative for every family? Second, is there anyone you need to pass this on to?

John

Please share your comments below.

Beta

I continue to be encouraged at how our new eBook is being used. In some situations, husbands and wives are using it for 30 days. (See email from Mike below.) In others situations, it's two friends. (See email from Maree below.)

What I want to emphasize today is that this is a beta version. We need you to "field test" it and let us know what works and what needs improvement. As you can tell when you read the daily entries, this is a community project. Thanks for your help!

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, just let me know at DenverWH@aol.com

John

Mike in Virginia:

Thx for sending the CO2 e-book. It looks great. I'm hoping to use it with (my wife). Would you mind, John, if I forward this to a friend in KS with whom I spent about 2 weeks practicing CO2. He's hoping to start this with his wife.

Maree in Australia:

Just finished reading the e book, what a fantastic job you've done and what a thrill to find Sharon and I on the last 2 pages!! Even if our story doesn't make the final cut (it is a long one and feel free to edit ) I feel very humble and grateful that our story was considered part of the Co2 journey.

I have found such freedom in telling friends and clients about my listening journey. Where as before I was stuck in finding the words or conviction to invite them to church, now I know that they can have Jesus without all the baggage. And with a real 2 way relationship.

Just thought I'd share a few insights from my Co2 journey

My listening and journal time has become so precious, my journal entries have totally blown me away, it was almost overwhelming. The Lord told me to go back over all the promises he has given me and to Proclaim and Declare them. He said "Proclaiming them builds your faith, creates expectation and hope. It is an act of faith and obedience. Declaring lets the devil know we are in business. My word is creation. The powers of hell cannot stand against my word. Go back and Proclaim and Declare the promises I have given you"

One day when questioning the Lord about sharing 'everything' with Sharon I wrote "You are in a covenant with Sharon, Co2 is a covenant relationship. You are free to share with Sharon unless I say no"

And on another day "Co2 is like a crash course in prophetic, because you believe you will hear from me and you are expectant I can speak knowing I have your attention.You share it, speak it out which builds your faith.You come again expectant for more. I am delighted to give. I have so much to give."

I thought I had lost my journal the other day and it occurred to me that it is my most treasured and precious possession.

Thanks for the great blog and insights I look forward to reading it each day.

Checking in as sad

I'm checking in today as sad.

I've had two different conversations this week with Christians who have been in church for a long time. They are good people who love Jesus. In many ways, they are very mature and have a deep desire to serve God. They know Scripture and are diligently seeking to live it out. So, what's missing?

In both cases, these dear folks have almost no idea how to hear God's voice. It makes me sad that people could spend so much time in churches that haven't helped them with what surely is at the heart of a "personal relationship with Jesus". By definition, friends carry on conversations. They talk to each other. They listen to each other. They dialogue.

How is it that we have invited people into a "personal relationship" with Someone that never personally speaks to us??? "My sheep listen to my voice" (Jn. 10:3, 4, 16, 37)

I'm also happy. Because it was so much fun to share with these two people how to hear His voice. And, to tell stories about what we've heard. As individuals. And, as churches. In fact, once a person understands listening, church planting is easy. As we noted a few days ago, Mary is our model. Mary "who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." (Lk. 10:39)

I'm also happy that we can offer people the new eBook which is designed as a 30 day journey for two people who want to deepen their ability to listen to God. The stories are already beginning to come in about the eBook.

John Parker (Merced, CA) is passing the eBook along to the church planters he is training. Here's an email dialogue with one of those people.

John: Attached find an eBook you and your wife can start using today. It is a 30 day action book for CO2. My friend John White who wrote it just sent it to me yesterday. It’s brand new! I think you’ll like it. Another “A God Nod” !! J

Mike: Yes, you're right I like this very much, I have just begun to get into it but what I have seen so far is great. Yup, its a God nod I think. I will start the 30 day exercise tomorrow because today I'm going through all the links and watching the videos. You can thank your friend John for me too the next time you chat with him. I really appreciate what you're both doing!! Praise the Lord!!!!

The eBook: "It's really good!"

See below for an encouraging email from Roger Bullard to the leader of a ministry in Colorado Springs explaining the CO2 process and the new eBook. We would love to hear your comments about the eBook also.

If don't have a copy of the CO2 eBook yet, just shoot me an email and I'll send you a free copy.

John at DenverWH@aol.com

I can see how this process (ie, CO2) could be used in with (your ministry).... It's (the eBook) is really good and I would encourage you to click on the link and watch the video on page 4, for sure. John White is the leader that I have talked about in earlier emails.

A little crotchety and impatient at 72 last year, I failed to give Virkler and SASHET the value deserved in this process. After tennis and over a meal at Mom’s in Fountain, my friend Richard convinced me of the value it has, even in a marriage relationship. Joyce and I are now doing SASHET and really seeing its value.

...SASHET is a way to go to the heart in a beautiful way and Virkler is the principles of hearing God’s voice... Small groups with everyone participating, is likely the best discipling process and tool for leadership development. Starting as small as two (CO2), we have a building block that will multiply. Periodically, those doing CO2 can come together over a meal, some worship and share their testimonies.

It is fascinating to me how it is portrayed in Luke 19 that the last stop, just before Jesus was entering Jerusalem, that He does CO2 with Zacheus and salvation came to his whole household (v. 9). Then Jesus gives that memorable parable of the talents and the value He puts on multiplication.

Guinea pigs needed

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, the "church of two" (CO2) concept is spreading rapidly. We are hearing stories of wonderful transformation through this simple tool from many places. In a desire to help people understand how to get maximum benefit from a CO2, Tim Pynes and I have created an eBook called "The Church of Two: The Overlooked Principle at the Heart of Jesus' Ministry that Can Change Lives and Transform Communities". (How's that for a title!) This online book is designed to be a practical, 30 day journey that two people would go on together.

We are at the stage now where we need some feedback from other people to produce the final edition. Currently, the eBook is 38 pages long. Each page is a few comments and sometimes a short video about one aspect of the "church of two". We want each page to be something that could be read/watched in around 5 minutes or less. We want to get down to 30 pages - one page a day for a month. So, we want feedback on which pages are most effective and which are least effective and could be eliminated. And, any other ways that the eBook could be improved.

So, my question is - would you be willing to review the eBook and give us your comments. What works? What could be improved? What could be eliminated?

I can see two ways you might do this.

The first is that you could just read through the whole thing in probably less than an hour and tell us what you think.

The second, which would be even better, is that you would use the book as it is designed to be used and go through it with another person for 30 days. The very best would be going through it with a person new to the concept. And, then, tell us what you think. Either one day at a time or all at once.

Also, please forward this request to anyone in your circle of friends who you think might be willing to help.

To find the book, go here http://regionalrevolutionaries.blogspot.com/ Then, look in the right column under "Read the CO2 Book". Click on "Two Are Better Than One".

So, let me know if this is something you could help with. And, please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this.

Thanks!

John

DenverWH@aol.com