RIGHT HERE index.php

An Introduction to the 7 Mountain Mandate

“Great things are done when men and mountains meet,” wrote famed poet William Blake. Mountains are a perfect metaphor for the height required to shape the culture of a nation. Within American Christian culture we refer to the template for cultural transformation of cities and nations as The Seven Mountains. 

Long before use of a Seven Mountain template, William Blake coupled the lines, “Great things are done when men and mountains meet; this is not done by jostling in the street.” Culture is created from the top and flows down into the grassroots of culture. It does not flow from the streets to the mountains, but from the mountain tops to the streets. 

The Seven Mountain template is new language for holistic theology where truth is not confined to the spiritual aspects of life but flows just as strongly into the practical aspects of a society. Francis Schaeffer contributed a large body of work and teachings to the body of Christ demonstrating that biblical truth appropriately applies to all areas of life. The Seven Mountains is a template for believers to see those areas of life that need biblical discipleship. 

The Seven Mountains divide culture into seven spheres of influence. These are:

  • Religion
  • Family
  • Economics
  • Media
  • Education
  • Arts & Entertainment 
  • Government

Each of these mountains have key influencers at or near the very top who are discipling the entire mountain in their worldview. It is not a conspiracy; it is the world doing what men and women were created to do – they are just doing it under a false reality that serves a different master. At times these influencers strategically implement plans to win cultural wars on issues that matter a great deal to believers. However, it is all coming out of a false worldview that they believe to be the right way to think. 

When we do not disciple The Seven Mountains, these areas of culture work in tandem to disciple culture which results in the Church being discipled by the world. 

In contrast, when we disciple in these spheres applying biblical theology to church, economics, family, media, education, the arts, and government, we not only disciple these spheres but the populace that these mountains disciple. 

The goal is not to use worldly power to control these mountain tops. That is how the world disciples. The goal is also not to build a Christendom reminiscent of Constantinian Rome. We are not rejoining Church and State and giving the Church control over all these mountains of culture. 

The goal is The Great Commission to go into all nations discipling them in all that Jesus taught. It is to liberate nations to their God-given freedom to operate free of the bondage and oppression of foreign worldviews. This work is accomplished through the Spirit of God and not by might nor by power. No worldly weapons, no worldly domination, simply serving and discipling showing a better way forward that will enhance, cultivate, and reflect the glory of God within the nations of this world. 

History of Church Involvement In Movies and Morality (USA)

This article provides an overview of the history of church involvement in film regulation and censorship.

Summary:

Since the dawn of the cinema at the turn of the 20th century, the church and its vicissitudes have been an essential part of the Hollywood story. There is a basic affinity between film and religion; both propagate values and offer visions of life that can—and often do—rival one another. For that reason, religious leaders have always been wary of Hollywood’s effect on the moral and religious character of the nation and its influence around the world. The film industry evolved in tandem with the church and other social institutions as it became integrated into society as a legitimate art. Negotiations with Hollywood were complex as church leaders sought to resolve enduring tensions between profits and the public welfare, freedom and control, art and entertainment, morality and marketing.

Approaches to the cinema embody deeply held religious principles held in some tension. The one stresses freedom of expression and individual conscience; the other a concern with protecting the church and the moral and religious character of American society. Various perspectives that are rooted in different theological-cultural traditions exist along a spectrum. At one end is an emphasis on the individual as the genesis of social change; at the other is a concern with transforming institutions that influence and govern people’s lives. These two tendencies, which are not mutually exclusive, find expression both within religious groups and between them.

In the history of Hollywood-church relations, Protestants favored industry reforms to protect individual liberty and the common good based on a shared recognition of the need for self-restraint and public responsibility. While Protestants stressed the individual conscience in movie matters, Catholics emphasized ecclesiastical authority. Proscribed film viewing and production oversight were deemed necessary to develop the individual conscience and protect parishioners from false ideas and immorality. Evangelicals, in turn, utilized film to evangelize and expected to restrain film production with highly publicized protests and a demonstrable consumer demand for family-friendly movies. Though motivated by different goals and perspectives, these strategies are all in some measure attempts to fuse moral and religious principles with democratic values and market realities: persistent dynamics traceable from the origins of the cinema to contemporary debates.

 

For Full Article:

http://religion.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-447

Great Progress toward Reaching the Lost through Cooperation (Nov 2011)

With all of the shaking happening in the Middle East and the political intrigue in the United States leading up to the election just one year from now, one does not hear very much about the continuing march to reach the world with the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are some very significant initiatives being undertaken that are multiplying the capacity of Christian movements throughout the world to learn and be motivated to fully join in their responsibility to “finish the task” of reaching the world for Christ.

Certainly there are serious challenges facing the Western economies, but there are countries where the economies are strengthening more than ever before. We call these countries “developing economies.” Some of these are wide open for evangelization; others require “creative access and methods.”

Even though the opposition is great, the opportunities to make advances for the sake of the Kingdom are absolutely unprecedented in the history of the Church. These are truly marvelous days to be alive and see such tremendous things happening in a spirit of willing cooperation.

READ MORE

Sample Chapter – Kingdom Business Leadership (Jun 2011)

Have you ever wished for a practical training manual for business explaining to you what to do and how to do it? Kingdom Business Leadership was written by Dr. George Meyers to empower a new kind of business leader. In today’s fast-paced marketplace, leading and managing wisely are still mandated even though technological advances are rapidly changing many aspects of the work environment. This book reinforces progressive and continuous lifelong learning while engaging in the global marketplace. High standards of morality and integrity are crucial to advance in leadership. The book confirms that work is honorable and profit is essential in the Kingdom of God at work in the marketplace.

The book, Kingdom Business Leadership, is going to the publisher in a few days and you will be notified when it is available for purchase.

Learner-Centered Online Course

June 1st was the launch for the course, Advancing Business Entrepreneurs and Leaders in the Marketplace using the text of the book. We selected 12 protegés as the initial group to take the course through the Cascade Institute for Kingdom Business Advancement. We are now accepting applications for future groups. The course described above, including the text book – Kingdom Business Leadership – costs $100 per individual, couple, or family wishing to include older children. For more information or to apply for participation in a group, contact:

READ MORE

Toward a Model of Cooperation to Implement Enduring Development (Generic – Full Document – Mar 2011)

There is a struggle in many countries to satisfy the basic needs of all levels of society. Various influences bring frequent change, but improvement in the plight of the poor often remains elusive. It is difficult to bring about change that is of genuine help that endures.

Various models of governmental services exist and are successful in varying levels of effectiveness.

This document will provide a platform from which to create a development model for improvement of the quality of life for the citizens in lesser developed countries. This system, in tandem with other concepts, if properly implemented, has the potential for significant and measurable progress.

No single model is the best nor appropriate in every situation; however there are some common themes that can be used to study and evaluate.

Success can be determined by a chart of information on results that are collected and then statistically evaluated. Benchmarks are set from which to set goals for measuring improvement.

READ MORE

Toward a Model of Cooperation to Implement Enduring Development – Full Document (Mar 2011)

There is a struggle in many countries to satisfy the basic needs of all levels of society. Various influences bring frequent change, but improvement in the plight of the poor often remains elusive. It is difficult to bring about change that is of genuine help that endures.

Various models of governmental services exist and are successful in varying levels of effectiveness.

This document will provide a platform from which to create a development model for improvement of the quality of life for the citizens in lesser developed countries. This system, in tandem with other concepts, if properly implemented, has the potential for significant and measurable progress.

No single model is the best nor appropriate in every situation; however there are some common themes that can be used to study and evaluate.

Success can be determined by a chart of information on results that are collected and then statistically evaluated. Benchmarks are set from which to set goals for measuring improvement.

READ MORE

Toward a Model of Cooperation to Implement Enduring Development (Mar 2011)

This paper is prepared for the purpose of assisting developing economies in Third World countries. It is for planning and implementing development of nations.

The family is the basic unit of the society and a priority is to strengthen families in every way possible, which will enhance nation building. Wise development prevents dependency and helps to lift families out of poverty and despair. The goal is to give them sufficiency in things truly needed and an eternal hope.

Quality of life increases as free enterprise flourishes.

The protection of wealth and protection of private property for all people is essential to nation building. Economies grow when the growth of government is slowed and cost is contained as taxes are controlled.

The effectiveness of urban and rural development will be increased greatly through employing proven collaborative partnership models with inputs from the village, church, NGOs and government.

The wealth of the nation increases through individual wealth accumulation through private enterprise. A strong focus is on the inclusion of indigenous populations into the national economy and to improve the quality of life among them.

READ MORE