A Sincere Appeal

[Sean]

Shalom

'dont know if this is the right place, but I couldn't figure out anywhere better to stick it. I have started a messianic assembly in S.Africa in the black community. I am a former AOG pastor we have "defected" to the enemies camp ...that would be you guys
The problem is that there is not a Jew, messianic or otherwise within 140 miles of here, and so we are making slow progress. In fact, the only messianic folk I can ever find in this country seem to be the "sacred name" types, and the fruit isn't really what I'm looking to grow here, if you understand what I'm saying.

This is an appeal to anyone who by some chance may have video footage of any synagogue service and or celebrations, this would help us out a bit, sometimes reading about stuff just doesn't compare to seeing it.

If you have anything lying around at home, and it's not copyrighted, and you don't mind sharing it for a good cause, then we would really be blessed. The same goes for any old books that you don't anticipate ever reading again but which helped you get started on this walk.

Plse give me a shout if you think you could help
regards
Sean

[Prodigal Girl]

What is "AOG"?

[Prodigal Girl]

Personally, I would start by reading the out loud, then discussing it in groups. Skip the sermons. Then just start doing!

[Sean]

Hi, AOG is assemblies of G-d...(man more like it...). This has not been an easy change, besides being involved in a legal battle with the almighty church, which we eventually lost in November (their lawyers were bigger,badder,better), which cost us our property and buildings, and saw me wind up homeless (I'm now living in an old generator store that belonged to the state railway with my family, and it's bloody hot in here), many people just flat out reject the message of the . I have to move slowly, because people need to understand something in order to be able to do it for the right reasons, and my congregation are not even english first language, never mind Hebrew! And so, this is kind of like turning an aircraft carrier around...it takes a while

You guys have no idea how privelaged you are just to be able to find fellowship with like minded believers, or to be able to go into a kosher butcher etc. Halaal is the closest we have, and we have to try and learn the differences and figure it out for ourselves. We don't even have decent internet here...thanks be to G-d for Motorola, this post travelling to you via my trusty Razr

Anyways, anything helpful would still be much appreciated.
Sean

[Prodigal Girl]

Well, take heart; you are going through very similar experience that the apostle Paul went through. If you read his letters realizing that he was working cross-culturally and cross-linguistically, it makes his letters easier to understand. Established religious systems be they churches or synagogues are a real problem; then as now. The main thing, as a body, is to study and become very familiar with scripture. This has always required oral reading in many cultures because of the language and educational (reading) gap, as well as the lack of enough copies. This was true in old testament times also. The normal effective way is to read and discuss. By discuss I mean not one person taking over and monopolizing, even if that person has more education. The modern church and synagogue way of one person (with more education and speaking ability) standing up in front and lecturing, usually by patching together various scriptures from all over, out of context, is something that I have noticed even Messianic leaders having difficulty getting away from. It is a problem because the people never have the chance to question or discuss the scriptures, which is absolutely essential for clear understanding and application. If you have enough copies of the Bible to go around, that is great. There are some groups today that might only have one book of the Bible (like Luke) translated into their native tongue, which most can not read anyway, and owned by one person, the pastor. Don't worry about all the cultural and traditional stuff at this point, just start with the main thing. What you know and are certain about, if you can do those things as a group you will rock your world.

[ad4e]

I have meet many missionaries and I'm member of a church plant in an area that has been "dead" for many many years.

If it were me...I would start with prayer - LOTS of prayer to cast out what hinders your work and to put protection around what you are doing. Since things are as bad as you say a fast would be in order - your lack of kosher food may be a blessing in disguise- use this as a tool by which you can fast with.

A good study in the book of Ephesians with the armor of G-d would be a good start also not only for your listeners but to encourage each other as well.

The enemy hates what you are about to do and you will need help to break up the ground before you can plant. So you can't been in prayer too much!

I will be praying for you and I'll be talking to my brothers and sisters this coming Sat. and will have you put on our prayer list.

I work at a large Christian book store and I have may pastor friends and as many as I come in contact with in the days ahead- I'll have them place you on their church prayer lists as well.

I'll also see if I can find some videos for you as well.

Take heart, my brother. Adonai has placed you there for a reason and you can know in your heart it is a holy and good reason.

Trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding - His ways are not ours but rest assured that His work will be done though your humbleness and He will supply what you need in His good time.

Shalom!

[Mark]

Sean,

I very much want to echo what Prodigal Girl has shared with you. Remember that "All Scripture is given... that the man of God may be complete." (2nd Timothy 3:16-17)

It is easy to get into the mode of what one should look like and forget what one must be. These are trappings that have had a terrible affect on the Messianic community at large- so much so, that in some extreme examples, the congregation eventually rejects Messiah and converts to rabbinical Judaism. Solidify your beliefs in the foundational truths of the Scriptures.

I'd like to give you Josiah as an example. In 2nd Kings 22, he found the hidden in the wall of the Temple. He had no examples of how to proceed; but immediately made preparations for the Feast of Succot. What I have found is that when you set your heart to following the commands of Scripture, focus on the "what" prayerfully and obediently. Adonai will lead you in the how. In coming years, you will be humbled and amazed to find how consistent your practices have become with those who are pursuing a life of holiness all over the world.

At the same time, any resources that come available, I will be sure to let you know about if I am able. We struggle with very much the same limitations as everyone else. Adonai owns the cattle on a thousand hills; but He tends to feed us hand-to-mouth. This is much, I believe, because He knows how prone we are to otherwise wander.

A couple of good sites that may help you are

www.ffoz.org
www.torahresource.com
www.restorationfoundation.org

These are real people who have a sincere passion for spreading the worthiness of to believers. If you express your same request to them, they may more likely have resources available that they could share with you.

Mark

[Prodigal Girl]

I wanted to say also, that if you are truly seeking to follow Yeshua in being obedient to HIS commandments (same ones He's always had in place), and focus on those, then it will be unmistakable that you belong to Him. This is what draws others to Him, and as the Bible says, you will be known by your love, your genuine Yeshua-like love. For ideas on what Yeshua-like love looks like, read the WHOLE Bible, and as I said, so important, discuss!

[Sean]

Wow guys thanks! Mark, you really made me stop and think there. I once did one of those Tony Robbins personality profile thingies and it said I tend to have a weakness in that I always look for a precedent. I guess that I figured this to be so important that I want it to be right. In my zeal though I forgot that my congregation is not Jewish, and that they don't have to be. This is just as well, because I think I could make it to the point where I could fully integrate into that lifestyle, but I know that most of them would not. And you're right, why should they have to... As long as one keeps , there will be similarities, but I guess that Shaul really had in mind some kind of trans cultural Judaism thing that allowed for some freedom of expression, as long as it fell within the bounds of the .

I guess I have to find something that will work within this culture and still be recognizable as being distinctly messianic.
Thanks again guys

[Prodigal Girl]

Now you're talkin'! And I think Mark was right on, when he used the example of Josiah. A lot of stuff that passes for "true Judaism" is just someone's interpretation or practice, and in many cases it has little if anything to do with original practice, but instead actually was influenced by the culture they were surrounded by. Not a bad thing, as long as they are following the . The problem becomes, as I said, in not distinguishing between the two; following traditions and actual obedience of Him. As far as your congregation is concerned; Truth will always win out, if it is put into practice. Following His way, obeying Him makes so much more sense and it is very recognizable when it is put into practice; it really does stand out and draw others to Him.
Shaul was also dealing with people who thought you should instantly "know" all the right stuff to do when you come to Yeshua. If you are brought up a certain way, and don't have any, or very little, exposure to others who have not been born and bred a certain way, it can tend to make you impatient and intolerant of those who were not born and bred that way. Things do take time. It is a huge shift, and changes your entire way of life when you decide to follow Him and His ways. And this happens from the inside out; with your heart attitudes. That is really the only way to even be able to have any success in doing things His way. Being recognized as "Messianic" really is, or should be, all about being recognized as following and obeying Yeshua the Messiah in all He is and does.