May Church Sustainability Forum

In the May Forum we discussed some key criteria to assist business owners and pastors determine if the way they're building reflects a Kingdom or worldly (cultural) values system. In this we had some great discussion around what it actually means to be self-sustaining in the context of the local khmer Churches and in kingdom business. We also talked through the need for taking steps towards sustainability, in particular - how the model we're using will impact on our ability to reach the goal of sustainability, and the ways in which organisation "culture" is established in the process.

We had a great time of prayer at the end of the forum - as we encouraged each person to identify what "seed" they needed to start planting in their business or Church - encouraging them to take steps towards being more sustainable in sowing this seed right now. We asked the pastors and business people to draw their "seed" as a picture or write it down in words - and we encouraged each person to pray over this seed, to speak to it's destiny/prophesy over it and declare God's promises for the reaping of a great harvest and to ask for God's blessing. For some - this was the first time they had experienced prayer in this way - and for some it was even the first time of drawing something on paper!!

Overall - this was quite significant - as during that week, the khmer people celebrated what is known as the "royal ploughing day" ceremony which is a buddhist spiritual festival (public holiday) involving an invitation to the (demonic) spirit world to speak and determine which crop would have the blessing for the coming year's harvest.

We believe God is calling his Church in Cambodia to rise up and claim its rightful inheritance - God's goodness for the nation. In this we seek His blessing in building kingdom business and partnering with Him in building the Church - so, the act of praying over our seed (God's vision, prophetic word) was a great way to end the Forum! ..Here are some pics: