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Gareth Goossen started the weekend with a time of worship, followed by an admonition by pastors Thom Braun, Vic Ratzlaff and Barry Adams that the leadership recognize the reality of spiritual battle and the call of Christ on His warriors. Each leader was given the opportunity to grab hold of the cross to confess the things that hold him/her back from fighting spiritual battles as a victorious warrior. After confession and prayer for renewed strength, participants were adorned with "war paint" to symbolize their role in the battle. The stripes on men and hearts on women were a visual symbol of the positions held in daily spiritual battle.
The leadership was urged to work towards taking their individual groups to the next level. Being satisfied with the status quo is a death dentence to the individual and to the church, they were told. Individual growth, reaching beyond one's comfort zone, and being stretched and challenged are the required elements for the maturation of the church.
We are not only warriors, but also priests in homes, neighbourhoods, places of work and in the church, the group was told.
The weekend closed with a time of worship, led by Goossen. The leadership participated in foot washing, symbolizing the desire to submit to serving each other.
from a report by Dave Martens
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