Missions in Christian Education5/15/2002
Introduction – Discussion
The Problem
How can I communicate the Gospel in context to persons of a different worldview and educational level from my own?
The Challenge
Start a church planting movement among the people group God has placed upon your heart.
What are the characteristics of a church planting movement?
Prayer (At 1:14;2:42;3:23-31;6:6-7;10:1-48;12:5;13:3;14:23;16:11-15,24-34;20:36;21:5)
Abundant sowing of the Gospel (2 Cor 9:6)
Intentional Church Planting (At 2:42-47; 13-20)
Local Leadership (At 14:21-23; 20:17; Tit 1:5)
Lay Leadership (Rom 1:3-16; I Cor 16:15-18); Col 4:15; II Tim 4:19-21; Tit 3:12-13)
Cell/House Churches (At 2:42-49; 5:42; 8:3; 10:24-27)
Churches planting churches (1 Thess 1:6-8)
Scriptural Authority (At 2:14-47;4:23-25;7:1-53;8:26-35)
Rapid Reproduction (At 2:41-47; 4:4; 8:4; 13:49)
Perceived Crisis or vacuum of leadership or spirituality
Worship is typically in the heart language (At 2:1-13)
There is a price to pay in society to become a Christian (At 7:12-15; 8:1-4)
On the job training for Church Leadership (At 16:4; 18:11; 19:10)
Bivocational Pastors (At 18:13)
Divine Signs and wonders (At 2:43; 5:12; 19:11-12)
Leadership from the common (rather than the exceptional) profile of the people (At 6:1-7; Rom 16:3-15)
There are a relatively small number of “outside” missionaries in relation to local workers (At 13-20)
Missionaries suffered (At 5:17-41; 7:12-15; 12:1-9; 16:16-24; II Cor II:23-28)
The 222 Principle (II Tim 2:2)
(Taken from Rapid Advance of South Asia by R. Bruce Carlton)
What will hinder a church planting movement?
Extra-biblical definitions of and requirements for being a church
When becoming a Christian results in the loss of a valued cultural identity
Overcoming pre-existing patterns of Christianity
Efforts to contain a CPM within a single denomination
Planting churches that cannot be indigenously reproduced
Money leading to subsidies that create dependency
Extra-biblical leadership requirements
(Taken from Rapid Advance of South Asia by R. Bruce Carlton)
What is a missionary?
Your job is not to pastor churches. Your job is to train those who can plant and pastor churches that will in turn train and equip other church planters and pastors!
Biblical Basis of Missions (Ex. 19:6; Mt 28:18-20; Luke 19:10; At 1:8)
Role of the Holy Spirit
Biblical Strategies for Missions (2Tm 2:2; Luke 10:1-11; At 2:37-47; Missionary Journeys in Acts)
Research and Planning
Worldview
You must know your people in order to reach them
Language/Cultural acquisition
Research/Interviews
Identify the bridges, barriers, and gatekeepers
People Profiles
Resources
Brainstorming/100 Ministry Options
Master Planning
Vision Statement
End vision Statement
The Pillars of the Master Plan
Prayer, Advocacy, Networking, and Mobilization
Scriptures
Evangelism
Men and Women of Peace (Biblical Basis: Luke 10:1-11)
Leadership Training
Identifying key leaders
Train them
Mentor them
Set them free
Encourage them
Church Planting
Remember -- You do not have to do it all!
Methods Used
Paint Talks, Street Evangelism
Mass Evangelism
Personal Evangelism
Adapting strategies and understanding theology important to reach the sub segment (ex. Sunnite vs. Shiite, Druze, Maronite, and Orthodox)
Follow up
Use of education as an evangelistic tool
Language classes
Arts and crafts
Learning a trade
Music classes
Sign language
Tutoring
Literacy
Health or other social assistance and education
Chronological Storying
Specialized Bible Studies
Male/Female
Couples
Rapid Discipleship/ Multiplication
Charles Brock (Good News for You and What’s Next?)
Pioneer Evangelism -- Wade and Barbara Akins
Cell Church Methodology
G-5
G-12 (Watch out with this one)
Purpose Driven Church Methodology
Adapting Material for your people
Reproducible Methods are a Key
Discipleship by accountability
Locations Used
Formal Church Location
Home or Apartment Dwelling
Neutral location (shop, gym, or other place)
Problems Encountered
Cells or churches that do not multiply
Discipleship and Education of Children
Immature Believers and Diverging Doctrines
CPM Team Composition
Working in Teams
Multicultural and interdenominational teams
Setting limits and establishing relationships
Security issues
Strategy Coordinator
Task Force Coordinator
Intercessory Prayer Coordinator
Promotion and Mobilization Coordinator
Training Coordinator
Church Planting Coordinator
Church Planters and Missionaries
Leadership Cells
Logistics Coordinator
Financial Coordinator
The Life of a Missionary
Getting started – language and cultural acquisition
Getting settled – houses, visas, transportation, schooling
Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and resting