This document is a transcription of a talk dating from 1986 or 1987. We have not found the recording from which this transcription was made. The first part of the talk is about being a community that is doing what God wants us to do. The second part of the talk is a discussion of why we are organized the way we are. In the talk, Paul DeCelles spoke about men’s and women’s … [Read more...] about 327. The How and Why of Our Structure
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312. Domesticity
Jeanne DeCelles gave this talk at a women’s leadership training event on the value of making a home and creating a place where Christian life is lived out. She talked about the importance and value of hospitality, being woman of the house, serving and being a helper. This is Part 1 of a two-part talk. “Domesticity Part 2” is available in the File Library. Transcript This … [Read more...] about 312. Domesticity
311. Self-Image
Jeanne DeCelles gave this talk at a women’s leadership training event. She began with many Scripture passages having to do with self-image. She discussed some origins of poor self-image, such as self-love, envy, sloth, pride and sin. She equipped women in pastoral positions with ways to deal with poor self-image among the women they relate to, using prayer, deliverance, … [Read more...] about 311. Self-Image
309. Coordinator Meetings: A How-to
Speaking to the leaders of various communities associated with the People of Praise in 1983, Paul DeCelles described what unity among coordinators or leaders of a community looks like. He underlined the importance of the coordinators’ meeting and explained obstacles to a good meeting. He commented on the People of Praise’s approach to decision-making and on the selection of new … [Read more...] about 309. Coordinator Meetings: A How-to
308. Friendship in Men’s Groups
Clem Walters gave this talk about men’s groups to leaders of various communities associated with the People of Praise in 1983. He explained what they are, why we have them and what makes them work well. They are a major element of community life, the living cells or building blocks of the People of Praise. The strength of a community is measured by the strength of these groups, … [Read more...] about 308. Friendship in Men’s Groups
307. 1983 Review of Our Work
Paul DeCelles gave this talk during a three-day series of special community meetings. He offered an overview of everything the People of Praise had done in the previous 18 months—the work of the divisions, expanding to different cities, acquiring the Greenlawn property, understanding and responding to the Lord’s prophetic word. He explained some decisions of community leaders … [Read more...] about 307. 1983 Review of Our Work
302. Seven Reasons to be Part of Community
Paul DeCelles gave this talk in Corvallis after members of The Vine and the Branches community there had made a one-year underway commitment to the People of Praise. He gave a surprising and inspiring list of seven reasons to be part of community. He also spent time explaining the covenant and Ephesians 1. Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio … [Read more...] about 302. Seven Reasons to be Part of Community
303. Following Jesus with Strength and Dignity
Dorothy Ranaghan gave this talk at a 1982 women’s retreat, explaining how to follow the Lord in strength and dignity together as sisters. She shared tips on repenting, being humble and laughing together. Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio recording, and may contain transcription errors and other minor edits for the sake of clarity. [Tape begins … [Read more...] about 303. Following Jesus with Strength and Dignity
223. The Character of a Christian Woman
Using examples from Scripture, Jeanne DeCelles described the qualities and character of a Christian woman and noted the ways the world does not value these things. She ended by sharing her own paraphrase of Proverbs 31, “The Woman of the People of Praise.” Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio recording, and may contain transcription errors and … [Read more...] about 223. The Character of a Christian Woman
218. The Weekly Meeting
A working paper written by Paul DeCelles for a seminar on community building in 1979 that outlines six purposes for the weekly meetings of the community. He made several points for leaders about how meetings should be led and what they should accomplish. Giving a vision of community is an important step in building community. Specifically, the weekly community meeting … [Read more...] about 218. The Weekly Meeting
215. Life in Christ for Unmarried Women
In this 1979 talk, Julie described the difficulties widowed, divorced and single women face. She talked about the importance of truth, forgiveness, trust in God fighting temptation and utilizing headship in facing these difficulties. She encouraged unmarried women to take their place in the body of Christ and to invest time in their sisters. Transcript This document is a … [Read more...] about 215. Life in Christ for Unmarried Women
214. Blessed Are the Peacemakers
The third in a series of four talks on the Beatitudes given at community meetings in 1979. The Lord himself is the perfect peacemaker, establishing peace between God and man, by offering himself as a sacrifice. Paul pointed out that those who want to follow Jesus in being peacemakers should expect humiliation, loss of property, and loss of time, effort and energy. Note: The … [Read more...] about 214. Blessed Are the Peacemakers