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Refuge.Church

Fort Myers, FL

Category: Announcements

Know Thyself Homework (Enneagram)

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

How can we draw close to God when we are far from our own self // St Augustine

For the next few weeks, we’re going to continue our journey to BETTER KNOW OURSELVES so that we can BETTER KNOW GOD and draw close to Him.  One of the tools we will utilize together as a church is the Enneagram Method.

This coming weekend (May 23rd) instead of doing our normal Livestream where I give a “traditional” sermon, we are going to do a LIVE ZOOM gathering so that we can be together and see each others faces, and more importantly so that we can all have the opportunity to share with each other.

Below are some resources to help you on the road to self-discover and knowing your personality better through the Enneagram.  Again, this is just ONE of the many-many  tools available, but it is one of the more popular today, and has had several recent Christian books to help us see God better within seeing ourselves, so the tool we’ll be using together as a church.

As you look through these resources (or read one of the recommended books), I’d encourage you to do so in relationship with other believers.  Our family has had some really fun discussions (and honest tough debates) as we explore our own strengths and failures that derive from our Enneagram personalities.

Upcoming Zoom Worship Gathering Details for May 23rd

Refuge Facebook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2138404829638513/

Recommended Enneagram Books

Introduction The Road Back to You // Ian Morgan Cron

Next Step The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth // Chris Heuertz

Deeper Study The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective // Richard Rohr

Online Enneagram Type Test

Free (less detail) https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test

Free (more detail) http://similarminds.com/test.html

Not Free (very detailed) https://ianmorgancron.com/assessment

Podcast from Various Speakers on using the Enneagram

https://www.typologypodcast.com

Various Blogs & Sights Introducing the Enneagram

These are a few I found, the give a good starting point without reading a book (to give you a taste of some self-discovery).

What’s Your Number? The Enneagram and The Road Back to You

What’s Your Enneagram Number?

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works

https://theenneagramatwork.com/nine-enneagram-types

Tour the Nine Types

4 Ground Rules of the Enneagram

An Response Critical of the Enneagram

While I think the Enneagram is a GREAT TOOL for self discover to better know God, we should also be aware of its short comings.  This author (one I respect) does nice job giving a critical response to consider.

Enneagram: The Road Back to You, Or to Somewhere Else?

And just for fun …

The Enneagram Type of Everyone in ‘The Office’

 

Announcements // May 5th, 2018

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

These are the special announcements for Refuge Church in Fort Myers from May 5th, 2018. Please be sure to see the calendar for regular weekly events and gatherings.

Women’s Brunch // This Saturday @ 10am

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Guest Speaker Tullian Tchividjian // During our normal worship gathering, this Saturday (May 12th @ 5:30pm)

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Men’s Gathering // Next Thursday, May 17th @ Millennial Brewing (7p)

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Summer Mission Trip // To Exotic SWFL

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Youth Trip // Lake Aurora

High School – July 8-13 // Middle School – July 29-August 3rd

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Baby Room// Need help please

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Cleaning // Need help please

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Announcements // April 21, 2018

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

These are the special announcements for Refuge Church in Fort Myers from April 21st, 2018. Please be sure to see the calendar for regular weekly events and gatherings.

Women’s Brunch // May 12th

180410-refuge-womens-brunch-eileen-craig

Men’s Group First Gathering // Thursday @ Millennial Brewing @ 7pm

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Summer Mission Trip // To Exotic SWFL

Summer Camp 02.jpg

Youth Trip // Lake Aurora

High School – July 8-13 // Middle School – July 29-August 3rd

Lake Aurora-01

Baby Room// Need help please

Baby Room Slide-01.jpg

Cleaning // Need help please

Cleaning Slide-01.jpg

 

 

Worship Prep (2/3) // Announcements (1/27)

by Brian Culbertson 1 Comment

Deep Study.  Deep Relationships.  Deep Service.  The three pillars of ongoing discipleship at Refuge.Church as we allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape our hearts.

This past week, we shook things up, to be sure what we do as we gather is not a show.  It was a beautiful (and at times a little messy) time of discussion and working through God’s word TOGETHER.  Everyone participated.  Building one-another up.  Sharing.  Learning.  Flexibility.  Everyone given an opportunity to speak.  Organic and emerging worship.  Mutual edification.

This week, while doing our more traditional worship gathering, I still want to encourage you to read and study the text in advance.  I’ve included some information below to help get you started.

Bible Text

Matthew 6:19-34

Recommended Additional Material

5 Lies Christians Tell About Money

Why Christians Aren’t Required to Tithe

Perspectives of Faith in the Kingdom of God

On Wealth and Worry

Tim Keller Sermon // Treasure vs. Money

Announcements (from 1.27.18 gathering)

Mission Trip Fund Raising

Sign up now to help raise funds for our summer mission trip right here in Fort Myers.  We will be working the concessions at the Boston Red Sox home spring training games, and receive back a portion of the profits (expecting to raise $12-13k).  Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the lobby, or contact Geoffe Lange.

Parents Night Out // February 10th

Beat the crowds for a Valentines dinner date and leave the kids with us at Refuge.  6:30-10:30pm.  $15 First Child. $10 Additional Child.  Infant to 12-Years old.  Must sign up before February 9th.  Includes dinner for kids.

High-School Night Out // February 14th

Headpinz Bowling and Lasertag.  For High-School students only.  6-8pm.  Please RSVP to Brian or Karen Culbertson prior to February 10th.  Advise if transportation is needed.

Prior Messages from this Series

Refuge.Church Series // The Gospel of Matthew

 

Worship Prep // January 27th, 2018

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

Deep Study.  Deep Relationships.  Deep Service.  The three pillars of ongoing discipleship at Refuge.Church as we allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape our hearts.

This week, we continue in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus’ first teaching to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew.  Below are resources that you may use as you prepare for our time TOGETHER on Saturday at Refuge.Church Fort Myers.

Bible Text

Matthew 5:17-48

10 Questions for Further Thought

  1. To what Law did Jesus refer? How is this evident in the text?
  2. What specific things did Jesus do that made it appear that he was abolishing at least some of the Law? In what way did/does Jesus fulfill the Law? What was/is the appointed goal of the Law?
  3. For how long must the Law remain intact? Has this point been reached? What does this imply about the modern authority of the Law?
  4. What was Jesus signifying when he taught, “You have heard that it was said, but I tell you . . .”? What does this imply about Jesus’ relationship to the Law? What does this imply about the relevance and authority of the Law today?
  5. Why must Christians obey the Law? Must Christians obey every Law?
  6. What view of the Law was Jesus refuting? What practices of legal adherence was Jesus refuting? Where do you recognize this view and these practices in the church today?
  7. What qualities should characterize Christian obedience to the Law? How (and how often) do you consider the Law as it applies to your daily life?
  8. Why is harmony in human relationships so important to worship? How has your own worship been hampered in the past by strife in your own human relationships?
  9. Why did Jesus tell people to cut off their hands and to gouge out their eyes if he didn’t really mean it? How can one prove that Jesus didn’t really mean it?
  10. How does one “turn the other cheek” without “going overboard”? How does one know where to draw the line?

Recommended Additional Material

Tim Keller // The Grace of Law

Approaches to Interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount

Why People Hate the Sermon on the Mount

Commentaries of Matthew 5:17-48

Prior Messages from this Series

Refuge.Church Series // The Gospel of Matthew

 

Starlight Service // December 23rd

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

This Saturday night at 5:30pm, through music, stories and the Bible, we will share the true story of Christmas, as we celebrate the birth Jesus.

In the Christmas story we see violence, injustice, abuse of power, homelessness, refugees fleeing oppression, families ripped apart, bottomless grief.  Sound familiar?

It’s been a rough year.  The worst mass shooting in American history.  Racial violence.  Hurricanes.  Maybe there has been darkness and pain in your own personal story.

But into to this darkness came Jesus.  A light to help us find our way.  A light so bright that one day every dark shadow will be illuminated with light.

The story of Christmas isn’t that we can fix things if we try hard enough.  It’s that things are dark … BUT …  there is hope.  A new light has dawned.  Like starlight in the dark, only infinitely brighter

For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  (Luke 2:11)

Trunk-or-Treat Rescheduled // Sunday 4-6pm

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

Our Trunk-or-Treat event for tonight (Saturday 10/28) has been re-scheduled for Sunday 4-6pm due to weather.  All other details remain the same.  We will NOT have a corporate worship at Refuge tonight (too late to plan), but instead encourage you reach out to another family, or neighbor and do church together?

Acts 2:42 // And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

EVENT DETAILS FOR SUNDAY

We will be partnering with two other churches in our area, and serving the residents of the Villa’s community and school.

For additional information contact Tania Lange at tania@refuge.church or 239-672-1131.

Refuge-Trunck-or-Treat-2017

 

 

Announcements // October 21st

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

These are the special announcements for Refuge Church in Fort Myers from October 21st, 2017. Please be sure to see the calendar for regular weekly events and gatherings.

One big announcement this week … next Saturday (10/28) from 6-8pm we will be partnering with two other churches in our area, and serving the residents of the Villa’s community and school.  We will NOT have our normal worship at Refuge, instead will spend the evening worshipping God through service.

We still need CANDY … VOLUNTEERS (for games) … and TRUNKS (of cars).

Event will be at the Villas Community Center at 2306 Sunrise Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

For additional information, or to sign-up to contact Tania Lange at tania@refuge.church or 239-672-1131.

Refuge Trunck or Treat 2017

 

 

No Gathering // Hurricane Irma

by Brian Culbertson Leave a comment

Due to the timing of Irma, and so many out of town, we will not have our corporate worship gathering on Saturday night (9/9/17).

Instead, we want to encourage you this weekend … BE THE CHURCH.

Get together with each other in your homes.  Invite over a neighbor.  Throw a party.  Help someone in need.  If you know of needs in our community, please post to the Facebook Group page, so we can mobilize and go change the world (or at least SWFL).