Secret Church

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Day 6: Orthodoxy Posted: 02 Mar 2012 10:00 PM PST During this Secret Church on Good Friday, April 6, we are focusing our prayer time on the people of the Horn of Africa. Over the next six weeks we will post information and prayer requests on this blog. We invite you to join us in learning about and praying for the people of the Horn. Photo used with permission from Pray for the Horn The Orthodox of the Horn number more than 50 million. The average member of this Church participates in rituals they do not understand as religious services are conducted in a language (Ge'ez) that is no longer spoken by the people. The faith and practice of most Orthodox includes elements from other branches of Christianity as it has developed in the Horn over the centuries. As with many Christian traditions, Orthodox Christianity in the Horn includes secular elements that have been passed down for generations. These traditions are usually practiced by the ordinary priests and include appeasing various spiritual powers through charms, sacrifices and pilgrimages. Christian elements include the importance of the Bible and Trinity among others. For Orthodox believers of the Horn, a hierarchy of angelic messengers and saints conveys the prayers of the faithful to God and carries out the divine will. For this reason, when an Orthodox adherent is facing tribulation, he or she appeals to angels and saints as well as to God.  Some even believe that the Virgin Mary is a Co-redeemer with Christ. Though the Bible is considered foundational and given great honor, there are many churches that have no copy in their own language. Pieces or portions of the Bible may exist but are often in tatters. The traditions bound up in the church retain a position of co-importance to the Bible. Ways to Pray Pray that the eyes of the Orthodox will be opened to see that they cannot earn their way to the Father. Pray that the Orthodox will see that the salvation they are searching for is not found in fasts or religious rituals but in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pray that the truth of God's Word will shine bright in the midst of the syncretism and traditions clouding the hearts of the Orthodox. Ask the Father to pierce their hearts with His truth and draw them to Himself. For more information about and ways to pray for the people of the Horn of Africa, visit Pray for the Horn.   Source: Pray for the Horn

Why Churches Should Sign Up Now Posted: 02 Mar 2012 09:30 AM PST If you are a church – large or small – and you are planning on hosting Secret Church on Good Friday we would encourage you to go ahead and sign up now. The next few weeks are very important for promoting the simulcast at your location as well as preparing your staff and participants for our time together that night.  Here are a few things you may not be aware of that are only accessible through your LifeWay registration… Secret Church Location Map LifeWay publishes an interactive simulcast location map.  When you register you will be asked if you want to be “published to the web”.  When you select this feature, LifeWay posts your location on the map so that interested participants in your area can find your location. Promo Videos DMI provides LifeWay with promotional videos, like this one,  for use on the web and in worship gatherings.  These videos are only accessible through your account. Web Graphics and Print Materials LifeWay has produced graphics, posters and other print material to assist you in promoting your simulcast.  These resources can be found in your account after you register. Study Guides When you register for the simulcast you receive study guides for your participants.  Registering early ensures that your study guides will be shipped in a timely manner.  If you are a large church and have registered for the largest tier (100+ participants) you may wish to order additional study guides.  It is better to do this earlier than later to allow time for shipping. Secret Church Prayer Guide A Secret Church prayer guide is being provided to help you and your church in praying for the people of the Horn of Africa over the next month leading up to our time together in prayer on Good Friday.  A PDF is provided in your LifeWay account that includes blog posts, bulletin blurbs, etc. that you can use in guiding your church in prayer. This PDF is only available through your LifeWay account. Mandatory Testing There are dates, scheduled throughout the month of March, that are required testing dates for simulcast hosts.  These dates, and information concerning the testing, are provided in your account.  Once you register, you can download the Secret Church Simulcast Manual (PDF) for the testing dates and times. To register for Secret Church on Good Friday, April 6, go to LifeWay.com/SecretChurch. If you have questions about your account you can email LifeWay at SecretChurch@LifeWay.com or call 1-800-458-2772.

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