Standard Jet DBnb` Ugr@?~1y0̝cßFNl`7ߜ,(-`{6߱oC%43y[x.|*|#0Cf_Љ$g'DeFx -bT4.0dv Y S  Y   Y Y  Y Y  Y  Y  Y   Y u Y o Y n Y z Y 2lY  Y  z Y  pY ConnectDatabaseDateCreateDateUpdate FlagsForeignNameIdLvLvExtraLvModule LvPropName OwnerParentIdRmtInfoLongRmtInfoShortTypeniYYIdParentIdName        OYd30S Y Y Y  Y 2ACMFInheritableObjectIdSID  AtYObjectId Yd30SY  Y 30Y Y  Y @ Y AY  Y AttributeExpressionFlagLvExtra Name1 Name2ObjectId Orderd03 KIY"ObjectIdAttribute -YSY Y Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y ccolumn grbiticolumnszColumnszObject$szReferencedColumn$szReferencedObjectszRelationship0DVs  ] A Vs  5) $YYYszObject$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipYv1b N  : k & W  C t/ @@X  @@OJmJLJkQkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmJL^Qk`kvkJMQk`kvkdL[QMmk`kvkhoQiYQk`kvkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmdfYMbdmQk`kvkOL  @~  @ @           d k f  *q@*q@Topic Notest@DDD88888886 @*q@*q@MSysRelationshipsvDDDDDDDDDDB *q@*q@MSysQueriesv88888888886 *q@*q@MSysACEsv22222222220 *q@*q@MSysObjectsv88888888886 *q@*q@MSysDbt.........., *q@*q@Relationshipsv<<<<<<<<<<: *q@*q@Databasesv44444444442 *q@*q@Tablesv.........., jY N Y Y d YCID TitleCommentsYYIDPrimaryKeyHv1bLVAL^{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f2\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times;}{\f3\froman\fprq2\fcharset2 Symbol;}{\f4\fnil\fprq2\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f5\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green128\blue0;\red84\green141\blue212;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\qc\lang1033\b\f0\fs44 CHURCH GOVERNMENT\par \pard\fs28\tab\par \par INTRODUCTION\par \cf1 The vital consideration in Church Government is not the form of that government, but who is the real decision making power? Does that Church Government follow Biblical Principles? Is the Spirit of God the guiding factor? \f1 Whether a Church Government is considered workable is not so much the outward form that matters but whether in finality, God\rquote s decisions are being carried out. \par \par \f0\fs29 The Christian Church has been a series of splinters from the time of the early fathers. As long as the Apostles were on the earth the Church remained one body but after that there has been a tendency for each group to split off from the parent body so that there are no churches today that are not splintered from something. The purpose is usually to get back to the authentic and original church.\par Paul said God is not the author of confusion (\cf2\ul\b0 1Co_14:33\cf1\ulnone\b ) so He must not be the author of all these splinters. However He is the author of the various moves of the Spirit in revival that initiated many of those splinters. In other words He is the author of the Reformation, the present day Pentecostal movement, Latter Rain and Charismatic movements. He was the author of the Methodist movement under the Wesleys. But man has always tended to ruin the work of God so it is not God that is the author of the confusion that has resulted from these Spiritual moves.\par \par One problem with any Church Government is that the Spirit can depart from any group and that church would contiLVALnue as though nothing happened.\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\f1\fs28 The form of government accaptable to God is one that fits itself into the operation of the Spirit. What usually happens is God starts a movement of His Spirit in a sovereign way. Then that movement develops into a crystalized organization. \par That organization successfully functions as part of the body of Christ to establish the true Church of Jesus Christ in the world. Growth and success in that church is usually the result of the development and establishment of successful movements and revivals, and as the resultant organization progresses it develops a large accumulation of manpower and material resources. The mandate of the ministry is the cutting edge that brings about the enlargement of that group. \par But here is also where strength can become weakness. For that which is entrusted to the carriers of the move can be developed to such extremity and prejudice as to leave little or no room for another new wave of the Holy Spirit to take off within that organization. \par The denominational, doctrinal and organizational pride thus become a rut so entrenched, that the organization ambles along like a sluggish aging elephant, slow or impossible to adopt new moves. \par For this reason, God has to start a new work from without, to meet the challenges of time and to carry out His scheduled plan. But alas, many mighty moves end up in denominational ruts. No matter how big we become, we have to stand by Him and not Him by us. \par Every existing ministry leadership must discern what God wants them to be at a certain point and time in the growth development, and align itself into a form suitable to be part of what God is doing world-wide, if not actively, at least supportively. The ministry that subscribes to this will be one that will still be blessed. For where God is moving, there His providence, protection and enlargement will be. \par This is why BRO WALTERS is pastoring 3 Methodist Churches\par Bro Erpelding has a growingLVAL church in Great Falls\par \f0\fs29 We would like for you to \f1\fs28 ponder over the various types of church government, and apply this understanding to the church that you feel you might be given charge of or are be concerned with. Consider her background, existing operation style or governing form and see how she should be functioning to be effective for the Kingdom, and whether it should be evolving into another governing form to move into the will of God. \par Consider the reasons for the various forms\rquote strengths and weaknesses in the most edifying way. Pray about the guidance of God in this matter and prepare for a victorious ministry. For that reason we give you an exercise to help guide you into that ministry.\cf3 \par \pard\cf1\f0\fs29\par ORGANIZATION\par \cf2\ul\b0 Psa_127:1\par 1Co_12:25\cf1\ulnone\b\par \cf2\ul\b0 1Co_12:28\par Joh_15:2\cf4\ulnone\f1\par \cf1\b\fs28\par \cf0\b0\f0 The first recorded church government was instituted by God to Moses. God intended for Moses\rquote family to be a family of priests that would lead all of Israel in worship; but Moses felt unqualified to lead alone so God gave him Aaron his brother to be the mouthpiece (\cf2\ul Exo_4:14-16\cf0\ulnone ). The priesthood followed under the sons of Aaron and was handed down from generation to generation. He also intended that Israel would become a kingdom of priests to the world (\cf2\ul Exo_19:4-6\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par God\rquote s basic concept of church government had apparently started as a family priest. Abraham and Melchizedek are examples of that form of government. These men would be mediators between God and man and lead their families in worship. We also find individuals acting as priests like Abel and Job who made sacrifices for the benefit of his children. \par \par Each of these examples demonstrated a theocratic concept of government [that is God controlled]. Except in the case of Abel there was a communication between God and the leader of the family and the father handed dowLVALn instructions to the members of his family. Under that form of government the members of the family simply followed the instructions handed down to them. There is no doubt they discussed elements of worship with the father but there is no record of any member of the family making any individual decisions concerning worship.\par \par That form of government did not change when God called Moses to be the mediator for Israel. Moses received instructions and handed them down to the priests who judged the people. The people did not have any voice in government. That was one reason Korah, Abiram and others questioned Moses\rquote leadership. They apparently thought that government should be more democratic or at least ruled by elders. God showed them by the budding of Aaron\rquote s rod that the theocratic system was what He had chosen for Israel. \par \par He revealed His wishes again under Samuel. The people asked for a king and Samuel saw that their motives were wrong. God told Samuel to grant their request because they were not rejecting Samuel they were rejecting God as their leader. \par \par By the time of Jesus the Aaronic Priesthood was being bought and sold and no longer following God\rquote s ordained order. \par \par When the Messiah reigns the government will once again be theocratic (\cf2\ul Isa_9:6-7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_11:1-3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_2:1-4; Mat_25:31; Mat_19:28; Luk_22:30\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par The \cf1\b form \cf0\b0 of government never changed during the exercise of the Old Testament church. However the \cf1\b administration \cf0\b0 of that government went through several changes. \par \par David was the first one to make any significant changes. He added music to the worship so from that time forward church government included various aspects of music. David set up 24 courses of musicians and introduced several instruments to be used in music. He also wrote many of the songs that were sung by these musicians.\par \par He also officially separated the LVALArk of the Covenant from the remainder of the Tabernacle which affected the administration of church government. The Ark had been taken during the time of Eli the High Priest when his sons carried it into battle and lost it to the Philistines. It did not return to its rightful place until Solomon built a temple where it was once again housed in the Most Holy Place. \par \par Meanwhile David made a special tent for it and brought it to Jerusalem where he worshipped God privately in the presence of the Ark (\cf2\ul 2Sa_7:18\cf0\ulnone ). Meanwhile the remainder of the Tabernacle was at Gibeon.\par \par In the time of Ezra there were added \cf1\b synagogues \cf0\b0 where people who were scattered from the land of Israel could continue to worship without the benefit of the temple. A more elaborate form of worship was introduced that added to the administration of their church government. Nehemiah also mentioned various additions when he came to build the walls of Jerusalem. After the time of Ezra the \cf1\b Sanhedrin \cf0\b0 was added to help govern the church.\par \par So the form remained the same while the administration changed. This is the same thing that happened in the New Testament Church. The apostles followed the same form they were accustomed to in Judaism but changed the administration as needs arose. The first such change was in choosing workers to wait on tables (\cf2\ul Act_6:1-6\cf0\ulnone ).\par \b\par There has always been a question as to why neither Jesus nor His apostles set up any permanent church order.\par \par Jesus probably did not because He knew the church would be under many cultures and national governments and people would think according to their own culture.\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360 When Jesus referred to church government it always appears to be either after the style of the present Jewish church government, or as it would be in the millennial reign.\par (\cf2\ul\b0 Mat_18:17-20\cf0\ulnone\b ) Settle matters before the church.\par (\cf2\ul\b0 Mat_5:22-LVAL26\cf0\ulnone\b ) Disobedient will be brought before the council; cast into prison.\par (\cf2\ul\b0 Mat_28:18-20\cf0\ulnone\b ) Disciple, baptize, and teach (instruct).\par (\cf2\ul\b0 Mat_4:19\cf0\ulnone\b ) His apostles were to be fishers of men.\par (\cf2\ul\b0 Mat_20:25-28\cf0\ulnone\b ) They were not to be lords over men as the Gentiles. This was in response to their desire to know who was greatest [had the higher position] in the kingdom. He responded in a similar fashion when James and John asked to have a special position with Him.\par \pard\par The apostles probably did not discuss a form of church government because the Jewish government they were accustomed to was satisfactory to them and one that was understood by them.\par \par That government was more theocratic. It consisted of a priesthood, with organization added later such as the Sanhedrin that helped maintain order. \par \par It appears that God intended from the beginning that He would govern His people by the theocratic system. He told Israel they were to be a kingdom of priests for the world (\cf2\ul\b0 Exo_19:4-6\cf0\ulnone\b ). He told Samuel that the Israelites were not rejecting his leadership as judge of Israel, but their rejection was God\rquote s government, or theocracy (\cf2\ul\b0 1Sa_8:7\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \par \cf1 God did rule to an extent for He made the High Priest prophesy the death of Jesus\cf0 (\cf2\ul\b0 Joh_11:51\cf0\ulnone\b )\par He had the Messiah crucified at a certain time.\par He rent the veil in two.\par \par You do not see any decisions made by the body of believers without direction and appointments being made from above. \par For example there were deacons chosen by the body, \par but appointed by apostles. \par The apostles determined what the problem was, \par what to do about it, \par how many to choose, \par what their qualifications would be and \par the people then sought for someone within their midst so qualified. Thus they made no real decisions (\cf2\ul\b0 Act_6:1-6\cLVALf0\ulnone\b ). \par They obeyed what they were told to do.\par \par James shows us he is the leader of the church when he makes a \ldblquote sentence\rdblquote concerning circumcision (\cf2\ul\b0 Act_15:13-19\cf0\ulnone\b ). The only one who can do that is a person responsible to do so. Once sentence has been made there would be no further question. \cf4\fs29 He was a pillar of the Church\b0 (\cf2\ul Gal_1:19\cf4\ulnone ).\cf0\b\fs28\par \pard\sb100\sa100\b0 In Acts 15, we are informed that certain men came to Antioch and taught, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved" (\cf2\ul Act_15:1\cf0\ulnone ). A dispute resulted, and the church at Antioch realized that this was an issue of more than passing interest to a single congregation. An assembly convened in Jerusalem, where "the apostles and elders came together for to consider this matter" (\cf2\ul Act_15:6\cf0\ulnone ). The conflict was discussed, resolved, and authoritative "decrees" (\cf2\ul Act_16:4\cf0\ulnone ) were issued by the council. As Christians, we are admonished not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is" (\cf2\ul Heb_10:25\cf0\ulnone ). \par \pard\cf1\lang9\b Everyone has some notion about how the church should be governed\emdash about who should make decisions, what procedures should be followed, the kind of authority that characterizes those decisions or procedures, etc.\lang1033\par \pard\sb100\sa100\cf0\lang9\b0 Just suggest that things be done your way in the church, and you will find out soon enough that others have their own ideas too! Say the carpet ought to be red instead of green.\par WHY THERE MUST BE GOVERNMENT\par \cf1\b Who determines how the church's contributions should be spent? When should we have a church dinner? Who should preach next Sunday? What should be expected in his (her?) preaching? How does the church pursue reconciliation between offended brothers? How are disputes between disagreeing parties resolved? Who should administer baptLVALism? When? How? Who in particular makes sure the sick are visited or the needs of the elderly are met? Is there any voting involved in answering these questions? Who qualifies to vote on them? Practical questions like these and others cannot be avoided.\par \cf0\b0 During the early history of the church, for example, \cf1\b Luke found it relevant to relate that the money contributed to the church was under the control of its overseers (\cf2\ul\b0 Act_4:35\cf1\ulnone\b ). \par \pard\sa200\sl276\slmult1 the most \i prevalent\i0 reason why people get upset and leave a congregation is not really because of doctrinal differences, but is tied in one fashion or another to the way that congregation was governed or disciplined (or not disciplined). People get fed up, disputes are not peacefully resolved, regular oversight and counseling are not pursued, congregations argue and divide -- all because the biblical blueprint for government and discipline has been ignored.\b0 \par \pard\sb100\sa100\cf0 The author of Hebrews made an explicit point of exhorting believers to submit to the authority of their leaders as those who watch for their souls (\cf2\ul Heb_13:17\cf0\ulnone ). Christ in \cf2\ul Rev_2:2\cf0\ulnone commended the Ephesian church for disciplining the congregation. John wrote that all churches should do likewise (\cf2\ul 2Jn_1:10-11\cf0\ulnone ), especially with respect to false teaching.\par If the church is to emulate the New Testament pattern, Christians simply cannot deny or ignore the importance of oversight in the life, activities, and affairs of the church.\par Who, then, should have this oversight and leadership? Any Biblical answer must begin by stating that Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, its Lord and Savior (\cf2\ul Eph_1:22-24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eph_5:23-24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Col_1:18\cf0\ulnone ). Ultimately, He is the one who governs and disciplines His church. All other authority \i in\i0 the church is delegated from Him and is, \i for that very reason\i0 , not to LVALbe ignored.\par \cf1\b\i How\i0 does Christ direct and govern His church? After all, He is not bodily present to make decisions and give audible guidance.\cf0\b0 Moreover, special divine revelation is not provided every time we wish to visit the sick, resolve a dispute, determine questions of doctrine or buy a light bulb for the church office.\par \pard\cf1\lang1033\b Government is sometimes viewed negatively, seen as something that inhibits one's freedom. However, government is a necessary element of human society which serves to establish and maintain order.\cf0\b0 Anyone that doubts the need for order should think back to their school days, and remember those times when the teacher stepped out the class for a few moments. In the absence of authority and organization, the human nature lends toward mischief and chaos. God placed government over people (\cf2\ul Rom_13:1-8\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\fi-720\li720\cf1\b 1.\tab OLD TESTAMENT FORMS OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\cf0\b0 The people of God have been ruled by elders since early times recorded in the Old Testament. When sent by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, Moses was told to "gather the \i elders \i0 of Israel together, and say to them, 'The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me ....'" (\cf2\ul Exo_3:16\cf0\ulnone ) \par \pard At the time of Moses, elders were both rulers and covenantal representatives of the people (\cf2\ul Deu_21:19\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_24:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Num_11:16\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Lev_4:15\cf0\ulnone ). Elders were present in the time of the judges (\cf2\ul 1Sa_16:4\cf0\ulnone ), the period of the kings (\cf2\ul 1Sa_16:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ki_19:2\cf0\ulnone ), and the time of captivity (\cf2\ul Eze_8:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eze_14:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eze_20:12\cf0\ulnone ). Elders provided leadership in the rebuilding of the temple after the return from captivity (\cf2\ul Ezr_5:5\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Ezr_5LVAL:9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Ezr_6:7-8\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Ezr_6:14\cf0\ulnone ). Information on Jewish history during the intertestamental period also bears witness to the rule of \cf4\ldblquote Elders\rdblquote were a leading body among the Israelites since the time of the books of Moses (the Pentateuch). We find them making political decisions (\cf2\ul 2Sa_5:3\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Sa_17:4\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul 2Sa_17:15\cf4\ulnone ), advising the king in later history (\cf2\ul 1Ki_20:7\cf4\ulnone ) as well as representing the people concerning spiritual matters (\cf2\ul Exo_17:5-6\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul Exo_24:1\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul Exo_24:9\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_24:14\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Lev_4:15\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Num_11:16\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul Num_11:24-25\cf4\ulnone ; etc.). The early Greek translation of the Old Testament (LXX) used presbuteros for \ldblquote elder.\rdblquote This is the same Greek word used in the New Testament that is also translated \ldblquote elder.\rdblquote\cf0\par elders in the synagogues.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\cf2\ul Deu_1:15\cf0\ulnone captains over tens, hundreds, thousands.\par \pard\fi-720\li720\par \cf1\b 2.\tab NEW TESTAMENT FORMS OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT\par \cf0\b0\par \pard\fi720\cf4 The New Testament refers a number of times to elders who served in the role of church leadership (\cf2\ul Act_14:23\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_15:2\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_20:17\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Tit_1:5\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jas_5:14\cf4\ulnone ; etc.). And apparently each church had more than one as the word is usually found in the plural. The only exceptions refer to cases in which one elder is being singled out for some reason (\cf2\ul 1Ti_5:1\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Ti_5:19\cf4\ulnone ). In the Jerusalem church, they were part of the leadership along with the apostles (Acts 15:2-16:4).\cf0\par \~\par \pard\fi-720\li720\cf4 Zodhiates, in his The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, defines this group of elders as follows: \ldblquote The elders of Christian chuLVALrches, presbyters, to whom was committed the direction and government of individual churches, equal to episkopos (1985), overseer, bishop (\cf2\ul Act_11:30\cf4\ulnone ;\par \cf0 At the time of Christ's advent, references are found to the "elders," "rulers," and "rulers of the synagogue"(\cf2\ul Mat_15:2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mar_7:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_3:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_7:26\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Joh_7:48\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mar_5:22\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_8:41\cf0\ulnone ; cf. \cf2\ul Act_18:8\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Act_18:17\cf0\ulnone ).\par \cf1\b The apostles did not create something radically new; they built upon the foundation of previous biblical revelation.\cf0\b0 When the apostles described church officers, their hearers recognized much of the governmental framework which was found in the Old Testament.\par \pard\sb100\sa100 "Obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, . They must be \i qualified \i0 to govern, as demonstrated in the scriptural criteria for officers. Even this point is nothing new, for the Old Testament required such rulers to be "wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes," "able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness" (\cf2\ul Deu_1:13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_18:21\cf0\ulnone ). \par \pard\fi720\cf2\ul Act_14:23\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_15:2\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul Act_15:4\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul Act_15:6\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul Act_15:22-23\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_16:4\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_20:17\cf4\ulnone [cf. \cf2\ul 1Ti_5:17\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Tit_1:5\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jas_5:14\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Pe_5:1\cf4\ulnone ).\rdblquote Thus, Zodhiates equates an \ldblquote elder\rdblquote to an overseer or bishop (as episkopos is translated). He sees the term \ldblquote elder\rdblquote as referring to the dignity of the office, while bishop or overseer (episkopos) denotes its authority and duties (\cf2\ul 1Pe_2:25\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Pe_5:1-2\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul 1Pe_5LVAL:4\cf4\ulnone ). He notes that in \cf2\ul Php_1:1\cf4\ulnone , Paul greets the bishops and deacons but does not mention the elders (because the elders are one and the same as the bishops). Likewise \cf2\ul 1Ti_3:2\cf4\ulnone , \cf2\ul 1Ti_3:8\cf4\ulnone give the qualifications of bishops and deacons, but not of elders for the same reason. \cf2\ul Tit_1:5\cf4\ulnone and \cf2\ul Tit_1:7\cf4\ulnone seem also to tie these two terms together.\cf0\par \pard\fi-720\li720\par \pard\cf1\b\f2 3. FIRST PENTECOSTAL CHURCH:\par \cf0\b0\par \tab This was a Jerusalem Church for years \par \pard\fi-360\li1080\f3\'b7\tab\f2 They felt it was impossible for Gentiles to be in the Church \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 They became permanently organized into a body and were not a loose aggregation of individuals \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Antioch \par \f3\'b7\tab\f2 Epistles \par \cf2\f3\'b7\tab\ul\f2 Act_11:26\cf0\ulnone \par \cf2\f3\'b7\tab\ul\f2 Act_14:23\cf0\ulnone \par \f3\'b7\tab\f2 Revelation 2-3 He had to knock on one of His church doors to get in (\cf2\ul Rev_3:20\cf0\ulnone ). Another had a name that they were living and were dead (\cf2\ul Rev_3:1\cf0\ulnone ).\par \f3\'b7\tab\f2 Peter was the leader for some time, then James \par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\cf1\b\f3\'b7\tab\f2 The first problem was from having "all things common" \par \pard\cf0\b0\par \tab\tab\tab (1) Selfishness \par \tab\tab\tab (2) Grumbling \par \tab\tab\tab (3) Donations had to be taken for a generation \par First church had no concern for forming a church government. What they had from Judaism was considered sufficient\par \par \pard\fi-360\li2235\tx2235\f3\'b7\tab\f2 They originally had no missionary outreach \par \pard\li1440 The expectation of the speedy coming of the Lord made the company at Jerusalem a waiting congregation, in which the support of the less well-to-do was provided by the gifts of the better able, so that they had "all things common." LVAL \tab\tab\par \pard\fi-360\li2235\tx2235\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Organization was established as necessity dictated \par \pard\fi-360\li2235\f3\'b7\tab\f2 First was (\cf2\ul Act_6:1-6\cf0\ulnone ) for deacons \par \f3\'b7\tab\f2 Another was (Acts 15) over circumcision \par \pard\par 1.\tab Worship \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\f4\'a7\tab\f2 On the style of the synagogue \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\f4\'a7\tab\f2 Services had been on the Sabbath, on feast days, on Monday and Thursday \par \pard\par \tab\tab (1) Read from the law and the prophets \par \par \tab\tab (2) Sermon was preached \par \par \tab\tab (3) Prayer was made \par \par \tab\tab (4) Blessing by the priest \par \par \pard\fi-360\li1800 (5) Shema was read (\cf2\ul Deu_6:4-9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Deu_11:13-21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Num_15:37-41\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par 2.\tab Offices in the New Testament \par \par \tab\tab (1) Ruler of the synagogue \par \par \tab\tab (2) Elders \par \par \tab\tab (3) Lawyers \par \par \tab\tab (4) Readers \par \par \tab\tab (5) Legate (devotion leader) \par \par \pard\fi720\li720 (6) Scribes\par \pard\par \tab\tab (6) Meturgeman (interpreter of the law \par \pard\fi-360\li2520\tx2520\f3\'b7\tab\f2 The New Testament Church kept a similar system of officials and form of worship \par \pard\fi-720\li720\f0\par \pard\cf1\f2 4. LEADERSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH\par \par APOSTLES\par PROPHETS\par EVANGELIST\par PASTOR\par TEACHER\par ELDERS\par DEACONS\par \cf0\tab\tab A. Apostles \par \par \pard\li1800 The twelve apostles were missionaries at large, and never seemed to have held official positions in any local church. Even when the twelve tarried in Jerusalem their relation to the church does not seem to have been official. \par \pard\fi-360\li2520\tx2520\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Apostles of the Lamb (the 11 and Matthias) (\cf2\ul 1Co_12:28\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eph_4:11\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\fi-LVAL360\li2520\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Apostles in the sense of missionaries today "sent ones from God" \par \pard\li1800 (1) Paul and Barnabas (\cf2\ul 1Co_9:5-6\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par (2) James (\cf2\ul Gal_1:19\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par \tab\tab B. Prophets \par \par \pard\fi-360\li2520\tx2520\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Speaker of God's Word. He must have a revelation from God \par \pard\par \tab\tab C. Evangelists \par \par \pard\fi-360\li2520\tx2520\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Carrier of the Gospel to those who have never heard before \par \pard\fi-360\li2520\f3\'b7 \f2 He leaves his converts with pastors and teachers \par \pard\par \tab\tab D. Teacher \par \par \pard\fi-360\li2880\tx2880\f3\'b7\tab\f2 One who performs the function of an Instructor \par \pard\par \tab\tab E. Pastor \par \par \pard\fi-360\li2880\tx2880\f3\'b7\tab\f2 A "helper" or "feeder of sheep." One who ministers to the emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of a congregation. He is what the Bible calls an "elder" or "bishop"\par \pard\par \pard\sb100\sa100\f0 \cf1\b 5-fold ministry in varying degrees. It is a patriarchal and theocratic government, where the Word of God reigns\cf0\b0 \cf1\b supreme.\cf0\b0 \par \pard\f2 FORMATION OF EARLY CHURCH GOVERNMENT\par \par \pard\fi-720\li720 (1)\tab Some customs were taken EN BLOC from Judaism\par \pard\par \pard\fi-720\li720 (2)\tab Some were unique to Christianity\par \pard\par (3)\tab Some of the old customs were revised\par \par THOSE FROM JUDAISM:\par \par 1. \tab One God\par \par 2. \tab Synagogue worship\par \par \tab\tab\cf2\ul Jam_2:2\cf0\ulnone "Into your synagogues"\par \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Worship was public before Pentecost\par \pard\tab\tab\cf2\ul Num_10:1-9\cf0\ulnone Trumpets\par \tab\tab\cf2\ul Ezr_10:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Ezr_10:6-8\cf0\ulnone To settle problems in Israel\par \tab\tab\cf2\ul Neh_8:1-3\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Neh_8:5-8\cf0\ulnone Read the scripture publicly\par \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tLVAL x2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Some after Pentecost began to forsake the assembling (\cf2\ul Heb_10:25\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Some churches were in homes\par \pard\tab\tab\cf2\ul Rom_16:5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_16:15\cf0\ulnone Many gathered there (\cf2\ul 1Co_16:19\cf0\ulnone ;\par \tab\tab \cf2\ul Col_4:15\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 To obey Scripture they must assemble\par \pard\tab\tab\cf2\ul Mat_18:15-20\cf0\ulnone For discipline purposes\par \tab\tab\cf2\ul 1Co_16:3\cf0\ulnone To approve church actions\par \tab\tab\cf2\ul 1Co_5:4\cf0\ulnone To ostracize church members\par \tab\tab\cf2\ul Col_4:16\cf0\ulnone To read letters to the church\par \pard\li1440\cf2\ul Col_3:16\cf0\ulnone To admonish church members (\cf2\ul Heb_13:17\cf0\ulnone ; Acts 20; \cf2\ul Act_6:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_6:15\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\tab\tab\cf2\ul 1Jo_1:7\cf0\ulnone Fellowship among themselves\par \par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Body functions with "helps and governments. Church government is very similar to the government of your own body. \par \pard\par \tab\tab\b\fs20 [SEE WORK OF A BODY \cf2\ul 1Co_12:12\cf0\ulnone ]\b0\fs28\par \pard\sb100\sa100\f0 The scriptures set forth numerous responsibilities of believers which can only be fulfilled within the context of the corporate body: pray for one another, exhort one another, share one another's burdens, etc (\cf2\ul Jas_5:15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_3:13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Gal_6:2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Th_5:11\cf0\ulnone ). Often, we meet with professing Christians who wish to remain detached from any particular congregation. But if they dwell permanently in isolation, how can they fulfill their scriptural duties? \par The Bible also delineates lines of authority within Christian congregations. "We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in love for theLVAL!ir work's sake" (\cf2\ul 1Th_5:12-13\cf0\ulnone ). "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (\cf2\ul Heb_13:17\cf0\ulnone ). \par These passages describe the proper submission of church members to ecclesiastical officers. Members are not subjugated to officers as unto tyrants. The officers of the church rule not for private commodity, nor of personal authority, "neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock" (\cf2\ul 1Pe_5:3\cf0\ulnone ). Church members are obligated to render submission as subjects in the kingdom of Christ. \par \pard\f2\par 3. \tab Theocratic authority structure: Moses set the precedent\par \cf2\ul Exo_5:14\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Exo_5:19-21\cf0\ulnone Officers of Israel in Egypt, set up by Egyptians.\par Elders of Israel (\cf2\ul Exo_3:16\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_3:18\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_4:29\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_12:21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_17:5-6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_18:12\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_19:7\cf0\ulnone ), from these came 70 elders.\par \pard\fi-360\li2160\tx2160\tab\par \pard 4.\tab Preaching \par \tab \par \pard\li1440 (\cf2\ul 1Co_2:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_1:21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Tit_1:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ti_4:2\cf0\ulnone ). The people were amazed that Jesus spoke with authority. They were used to the Pharisees who spoke more by rote and from what they heard others say. This authoritative preaching was a wonderful change for the Christian community.\par \pard\par 5.\tab Scripture was used (\cf2\ul Act_17:10-11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_5:39\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Deu_6:6-10\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par THOSE UNIQUE TO CHRISTIANITY:\par \par \tab (1) \tab Holy Ghost (Acts 2,8,10,19).\par \par \tab (2)\tab Mission outreach (\cf2\ul Act_1:8-10\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \tab (3)\tLVAL"ab Salvation for Gentiles (Acts 10; \cf2\ul Eph_2:11-22\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \tab (4)\tab Speaking in other tongues (Acts 2,10,19; 1 Corinthians 14).\par \par OLD CUSTOMS THAT WERE REVISED:\par \par \tab (1) Worship on the first day instead of Sabbath \par \par \tab (2) Baptism instead of circumcision (\cf2\ul Col_2:11-13\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \tab (3) Communion instead of the Passover \par \pard\sb120\sa240\b\f0 The General Sense\par \b0 Christ is \ldblquote head over all things to the church, which is his body ....\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Eph_1:22\cf0\ulnone ); \ldblquote the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Heb_12:23\cf0\ulnone ). Here we have \ldblquote church\rdblquote in the broadest sense, including all the redeemed in earth and heaven, and in all ages (see also \cf2\ul Eph_1:22\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eph_3:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eph_5:22-27\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Col_1:24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_12:23\cf0\ulnone ).\b \par The Local Sense\par \pard\fi360\sa60\b0 In \cf2\ul Act_11:26\cf0\ulnone , it is said that Paul and Barnabas were \ldblquote gathered together with the church,\rdblquote where the church at Antioch is meant. In \cf2\ul Act_14:23\cf0\ulnone , Paul and Barnabas are said to have \ldblquote appointed elders in every church,\rdblquote that is, churches which they had planted. In Rev 2 and 3 the seven churches of Asia Minor are addressed. In \cf2\ul Act_16:5\cf0\ulnone we are told that the churches \ldblquote were strengthened in the faith.\rdblquote On the local sense see, further, \cf2\ul Act_8:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_15:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_16:5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_20:17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_16:4\cf0\ulnone ; 1 Cor 12; \cf2\ul 1Co_6:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_11:16\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Gal_1:2\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Gal_1:22\cf0\ulnone , and many other places.\par There are a few passages that do not seem exactly to fit into either of the above categories. Such, for example, are \cf2\uLVAL#l Mat_18:17\cf0\ulnone and \cf2\ul 1Co_12:28\cf0\ulnone , where it seems best to understand a generic sense. Such, also, are passages like \cf2\ul Act_9:31\cf0\ulnone , and \cf2\ul 1Co_10:32\cf0\ulnone , where a collective sense best suits the cases.\par Church government in the New Testament applies only to the local bodies.\par \pard\f2\par \par \par \cf1\b 5. MINISTRIES OTHER THAN PULPIT:\par \cf0\b0\par (1) Gifted \par \pard\fi-360\li2880\tx2880\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Those who operated the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12).\par \pard\par (2) Governments \par \pard\fi-360\li2880\tx2880\f3\'b7\tab\f2 The management of the church affairs. Those who gave "directions" \par \pard\par (3) Helps \par \pard\fi-360\li1080\tx1080\f3\'b7\tab\f2 Those services that insure proper function of the church (\cf2\ul 1Ti_5:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_6:1-5\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par 3.\tab Simple doctrine \par \par \tab\tab (1) Jesus is Christ \par \tab\tab (2) He arose\emdash we will also arise \par \tab\tab (3) Baptism in Jesus name \par \tab\tab (4) Receive the Holy Ghost \par (5) Jesus is soon to return (\cf2\ul Act_1:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_3:21\cf0\ulnone ; compare \cf2\ul Luk_21:27-31\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par CHURCH GOALS\f0\par 1. To guide each person to full salvation and faithfulness to God (\cf2\ul Act_2:38\cf0\ulnone \cf2\ul Rom_10:9\cf0\ulnone \cf2\ul Mat_22:37-38\cf0\ulnone )\par 2. To build Christ's character in individuals, in marriages, and in families, so that we will be above reproach and an advertisement for the Christian faith (\cf2\ul Col_1:28-29\cf0\ulnone ).\par 3. To teach every man how to delight in and meet the needs of his wife as Christ loved the church and sacrificed for her (\cf2\ul Eph_5:25\cf0\ulnone ).\par 4. To teach women to love their husbands and care for the children. How to be discreet, pure in mind; how to manage her home, and how to adapt to her own husband, so that the Christian faith is not spoken against by those who kLVAL$now them (\cf2\ul Tit_2:4-5\cf0\ulnone ).\par 5. To turn the hearts of fathers to their children, to teach them Christian principles on how to be successful persons, partners, and parents (\cf2\ul Mal_4:6\cf0\ulnone ).\par 6. To correctly handle problems, demonstrating love to God and loyalty to each other. Giving a good report and following Mt 18 in restoring rather than exposing (\cf2\ul Gal_6:1\cf0\ulnone ).\par 7. To explain and apply God's principle of finances in the church and families (\cf2\ul Mal_3:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_16:11-12\cf0\ulnone ). Teaching and giving assistance to the needy (\cf2\ul 1Ti_5:3\cf0\ulnone "widows").\par 8. To help each one find his spiritual talent and call and assist them in exercising that gift (\cf2\ul 1Co_12:1-12\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_12:6-8\cf0\ulnone \cf2\ul Eph_4:11-13\cf0\ulnone ).\par 9. To train each Christian to edify one another and make the church strong by sharing with each other what God is doing (\cf2\ul Eph_5:19\cf0\ulnone ). \cf2\ul Luk_21:13\cf0\ulnone TESTIMONY\par 10. To fulfill the Great Commission by witnessing, teaching home Bible studies, and interceding for the lost (\cf2\ul Mat_28:18-20\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_1:8\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par (See BUILDING IN VAIN \cf2\ul Psa_127:1; Joh 15:2\cf0\ulnone )\par POWER OF REVIVAL\par 1. Many are drawn to God who never had a desire to serve Him before.\par 2. It is easier for people to recieve the Holy Ghost and many are baptized in Jesus Name.\par 3. Jesus is magnified until everything else becomes secondary.\par 4. Miracles become a natural part of the church life.\par 5. Everyone has a thirst for the Word of God so that it is a constant part of conversation.\par 6. Family bonds are strengthened.\par 7. The fruit of the Spirit is noticable in the lives of all church members.\par 8. There is a definite distinction made between the saved and lost.\par 9. People are more faithful to come to church.\par 10. Everyone has more opportunity to be involved in the church.\par LVAL%\b\par \b0\f5 DANGER OF REVIVAL\par 1. Giving to mere human instruments the glory due only to God.\par 2. Trying to duplicate by mere human efforts what can be only divinely wrought.\par 3. Focusing on the peculiar and extraordinary and sensational.\par 4. Neglect of preaching and teaching.\par 5. Neglect of prayer and private duty because of the press of revival activity.\par 6. Family life must not suffer in the midst of revival.\par 7. Unfavorable comparisons among workers.\par 8. Encouraging party spirits (cliques)\par 9. Exaltation of novices\par 10. Pride and jealousy\par 11. Exaggeration or distortion of truth\par 12. Neglect of the whole counsel of God.\b\par \b0\f0\par \pard\fi-720\li720\cf1\b 6.\tab\ul FORMS \ulnone OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH\cf0\b0\par \pard\sb100\sa100 Most of you will not have to be concerned about the form of church government you use for many years because you will be part of an established organization and local church. \par One reason it will be important for you to understand something of church government is the possibility of change. It is very difficult to change anything in church. Wait until you decide it would be better to have midweek service on Thursday instead of Wednesday.\par People get accustomed to certain routine.\par Bro. Lofton could not pray anywhere but one spot.\par My Dad would tell people, "That is my seat."\par Bro. Nelson tried to get people to change seats.\par There have been several types of church governments endorsed by different groups of people through the years. \b We will list seven here. \par In each case it is a matter of leadership. Who makes the decisions? Who runs the church.\b0 Bishops, Elders, Laity, National Government, Spirit, None in particular, Community.\b\par The episcopal, the presbyterian, and the congregational, national, spiritual and non-denominational, and communal. \b0\par Each claims it is the original\par Each takes on features from the others. EpLVAL&iscopalianism, for example, finds a large place for presbyters in its synods and elsewhere, and its congregations have many functions of their own. Presbyterian congregations also play a large part, while the appearance of moderators attests a movement toward episcopal supervision. The very existence of such groupings as Congregational and Baptist Unions with their presidents shows that churches with a basically congregational polity are yet alive to the value of other elements in the Christian tradition. Yet the general categories do apply. The advocates of these forms of government very adamently declare that their form is the Scriptural form of government.\par \cf1\b A. EPISCOPACY = HIERARCHY\par BISHOP RUN\par \pard\cf4\b0\fs29 "While our Lord remained upon earth he acted as the immediate governor of his Church. Having himself called the apostles, he kept them constantly about his person, except at one time, when he sent them forth upon a short progress through the cities of Judea, and gave them particular directions how they should conduct themselves. The seventy disciples whom he sent forth at another time are never mentioned again in the New Testament. But the apostles received from him many intimations that their office was to continue after his departure; [\cf1\b and it has in all churches though not called apostles and even in the RCC there is only one pope not twelve\cf4\b0 ] and as one great object of his ministry was to qualify them for the execution of this office, so, in the interval between his resurrection and his ascension, he explained to them the duties of it, and he invested them with the authority which the discharge of those duties implied (\cf2\ul Mat_28:19-20\cf4\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_20:21-22\cf4\ulnone ).\cf1\b [That is true with the original apostles. But anyone coming in later does not have Jesus as the head as the ones did earlier and their teachings could not be claimed as authentic. In other words the writings of the first group could become scripture but those laterLVAL' could not]\cf4\b0 Soon after the ascension of Jesus, his apostles received those extraordinary gifts of which his promise had given them assurance, and immediately they began to execute their commission as the rulers of that society which was gathered by their preaching. In Acts 6 we find the apostles ordering the Christians at Jerusalem to 'look out seven men of honest report,' who might take charge of the daily ministrations to the poor, and to bring the men so chosen to them, that 'we,' said the apostles, ' may appoint them over this business.' The men accordingly were 'set before the apostles, and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them.' Here are the apostles ordaining deacons. Afterward we find St. Paul, in his progress through Asia Minor, ordaining in every church elders, presbuterous (\cf2\ul Act_14:23\cf4\ulnone ). The men thus ordained by St. Paul appear, from the Acts and the Epistles, to have been teachers, pastors, overseers, of the flock of Christ; and to Timothy, who was a minister of the Word, the apostle speaks of 'the gift which is in thee by the putting on of my hands' (\cf2\ul 2Ti_1:6\cf4\ulnone ). Over the persons to whom he thus conveyed the office of teaching he exercised jurisdiction, for he sent to Ephesus to the elders of the church to meet him at Miletus; and there, in a long discourse, gave them a solemn charge (\cf2\ul Act_20:17-26; Act_20:27-35\cf4\ulnone ), and to Timothy and Titus he writes epistles in the style of a superior. He not only directs Timothy, whom he had besought to abide at Ephesus, how to behave himself in the house of God as a minister, but he sets him over other ministers. He empowers him to ordain men to the work of the ministry (\cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf4\ulnone ). He gives him directions about the ordination of bishops and deacons; he places both these kinds of office- bearers in Ephesus under his inspection, instructing him in what manner to receive an accusation against an elder who labored in word and doctrine; and he commands him to charge LVAL(some that they teach no other doctrine but the form of sound words. In like manner he describes to Titus the qualifications of a bishop or elder, making him the judge how far any person in Crete was possessed of these qualifications; he gives him authority over all orders of Christians there; and he empowers him to reject heretics. Here, then, is that apostle with whose actions we are best acquainted seemingly aware that there would be continual occasion in the Christian Church for the exercise of that authority over pastors and teachers which the apostles had derived from the Lord Jesus; and by these two examples of a delegation, given during his lifetime, preparing the world for beholding that authority exercised by the successors of the apostles in all ages. Accordingly, the earliest Christian writers tell us that the apostles, to prevent contention, appointed bishops and deacons; giving orders, too, that upon their death other approved men should succeed in their ministry [\cf1\b misleading\cf4\b0 ]. We are told that the other apostles constituted their first-fruits, that is, their first disciples, after they had proved them by the Spirit, bishops and deacons of those who were to believe; and that the apostle John, who survived the rest, after returning from Patmos, the place of his banishment, went about the neighboring nations, ordaining bishops, establishing whole churches, and setting apart particular persons for the ministry, as they were pointed out to him by the Spirit" (Watson, s.v.). This form is used by groups such as Roman Catholic and Methodists. Episcopals, Church of England, Mormons. \par It is true they started with the original form but changed it\par \cf0\fs28\par \pard\fi-720\li1440\cf4\fs29 (1.) \cf1\b The episcopacy of the Methodist Episcopal Church is believed to be nearer to the apostolic model than that of the churches which maintain the apostolical succession. Its simple idea, is, that certain elders are chosen from the body of the presbyters to superintend the Church, aLVAL)nd are called bishops or superintendents, both terms being used in the Methodist ritual. The bishops, in virtue of their functions, naturally stand above their brethren. With regard to the ordinary functions of the ministry, they do not differ from other ministers; but extraordinary functions, such as ordaining, presiding in assemblies, and the like, are devolved upon them by their brethren, and exercised by them exclusively and of right \emdash right not divine, but ecclesiastical and human, founded upon the will of the body of pastors. \par \cf2\ul\b0\fs28 2Ti_3:5\cf0\ulnone\par \cf1\b B. PRESBYTERIAN = EQUAL RIGHTS\par ELDER RUN\par \cf0\b0\par \pard\cf4\fs29 Presbyterianism is the government of elders, being derived from the Greek presbuteros, presbyter, or elder. It is conceived to be analogous to the eldership of the Hebrews, the demogegontes of the Greeks, the senatus of the Romans, and the aldermen or eldermen of the Anglo-Saxons, and, so, to be founded in the necessities, instincts, and common-sense of human nature as well as in Scripture itself. Presbyterians acknowledge no other head of the Church than Christ. Instead of recognizing, like episcopacy, a bishop as different from and superior to presbyter, and maintaining a distinction of ranks among the ministers of religion, it holds, on the contrary, that both in Scripture and the constitution of the Primitive Church bishop and presbyter are convertible terms and that there is complete equality in point of office and authority among those who preach and administer the sacraments, however they may differ in age, abilities, or acquirements. \par According to the views of Presbyterians, there ought to be three classes of officers in every completely organized Church -viz. at least one teaching elder, the bishop or pastor, a body of ruling elders, and deacons. [\cf1\b all created equal but some more equal than others\cf4\b0 ] The first is designed to minister in word and doctrine and to dispense the sacraments, the second to assist in LVAL*the inspection and government of the congregation, and the third to manage its financial affairs. They disallow all jurisdiction or interference on the part of the civil magistrate, except for protection. They are no less jealous of ecclesiastical encroachments, and boldly assert that synods and councils may err, and have erred [\cf1\b as if elders would not\cf4\b0 ]; that all Church power is only ministerial and declarative; that no Church judicatory has the right to make laws to bind the conscience by virtue of its own authority; that God alone is lord of the conscience; and that the right of private judgment is universal and inalienable. They maintain the parity of the clergy, and protest against prelacy or episcopacy, or the one-man power, as a usurpation finding no warrant in the writings of the apostles or of those of the early fathers nearest to their time. They no less disapprove of the opposite extreme of Independency, or the complete autonomy of each separate congregation. They view the whole collection of believers as one body, constituting the universal or catholic Church (meaning by "catholic" not confined to one nation, as before under the law), though distributed into particular congregations for the purpose of meeting together more conveniently. This is the form used by Presbyterians and most Pentecostal groups to some extent.\par \par \cf1\b C. CONGREGATIONAL = DEMOCRATIC\par CHURCH RUN\par \cf4\b0\par A denomination of Christians (generally Calvinistic in theology) holding to a system of church government which embraces these two fundamental principles, viz., (1) that every local congregation of believers, united for worship, sacraments, and discipline, is a complete church, and not to be subject in government to any ecclesiastical authority outside of itself; and (2) that all such local churches are in communion one with another, and bound to fulfill all the duties involved in such fellowship. The system is distinguished from Presbyterianism by the first, and from Independency LVAL*by the second. It involves the equal right of all brethren to vote in all ecclesiastical affairs; and the parity of all ministers, the ministers being set apart by the churches, and not possessed of any power of government as ministers, but only of official power in the churches by which they may be chosen pastors. This is the government used by Baptists.\par \pard\fi-720\li1440\cf0\fs28\par D.\tab NATIONAL = COMMUNIST\par GOVERNMENT RUN [Dominion Now; Manifest Sons of God]\par E.\tab SPIRITUAL = SPIRIT LED\par QUAKERS (tiller)\par F.\tab NON-DENOMINATIONAL OR INDEPENDENT =NO ESTABLISHED LEADERSHIP\par \pard\li1440 Churches with self-appointed ministers.\par Form changes according to the present pastor\par Membership in the church is viewed as a matter of small significance: a person may attend regularly without ever joining a church anywhere or incurring any particular obligations. Members are free to adopt virtually any belief or lifestyle, according to their own individual preferences. Even open scandals and doctrinal aberration are allowed to continue without any corrective action from the church.\par G. COMMUNITY OR FELLOWSHIP (koinonia) =COMMUNAL LED ZIONIST WACO \par Major decisions made by leader [father image going back to primitive worship of father priest] but each group within the commune also has authority.\par \pard\fi-720\li1440 UPCI FOLLOWS THE PRESBYTERIAN AND US GOVT\par GEN CONF\par \pard The Organization shall have the following general officials: A General Superintendent, two Assistant General Superintendents, A General Secretary-Treasurer, A Director of Foreign Missions, A Director of Home Missions, An Editor in Chief, A director of Sunday School, A General Youth President, A Superintendent of Education, A General Executive Presbyter for each region and Canada, and a General Presbyter [District Superintendent] for each district.\par Sectional Presbyters in each section of the District.\par \pard\fi-720\li1440\par \pard\f3\par \cf1\b\f0\fs29\par } = uJ__ 127 ^  CHURCH GOVT 2r ^, BIBLE LEADERS^, IND CH 6f(|^"IND CH 5H2h^"IND CH 4Y^"IND CH 3lJ^"IND CH 2<^"IND CH 1@,^"CHURCH GOVT 1z^, LVAL^-{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\qc\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs29 PLANTING INDIGENOUS CHURCHES\par \pard\b0 1Pe_5:3\par \b INTRODUCTION\par \b0\par Your vision in this church should be more than just building a successful church here. It should involve duplicating your work in neighboring areas, eventually building indigenous churches throughout the entire country.\par \par In modern times, an "indigenous" Church is commonly thought to be one that meets the "three self\rquote s" namely, "self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating". It is a church that comes out of another, as all churches came out of the Jerusalem church.\par \par Such an indigenous Church is perceived to be the goal of modern missions. Your aim should be to become a missionary church, not just supporting outside missionaries, but sending workers from here to establish new works.\par \par The aim of foreign missions is to preach the gospel everywhere, according to the command of Christ, with a view to establishing an indigenous church. The latter phrase is too often omitted. \cf2 Indigenous is defined as "something produced, growing or living naturally in the country or climate; something that has become native. \par \cf1\par Smalley (1992, p. C-152) \cf2 "An indigenous Church is a group of believers\cf1 [Many people attend the church who are not the church, so it is not just people who say they believe in Jesus, but are people who really are committed Christians] \cf2 who live out\cf1 [the Christian life requires development, bearing the fruit of the Spirit] \cf2 their life, including their socialized Christian activity\cf1 [building church buildings, worshipping, marrying, building families, burying], \cf2 in the patterns of the local society \cf1 [adjusting cultural differences to the Christian life 1Pe_2:21; Rom_6:17],\cf2 and for whomLVAL. any transformation of that society \cf1 [and we are not Christians until a transformation takes place and we have the mind of Christ Rom_12:1-3; 1Co_2:16] \cf2 comes out of their felt needs\cf1 [the first church felt a need to determine vital requirements like whether or not to be circumcised] \cf2 under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures".\par \cf1 When a church is built in a foreign land it is not a replica of the home church, but a community of believers in a totally different culture working their way through the Bible and trying to pattern their life after the Apostolic Church.\par \par \b TEN GOALS OF A CHURCH Tit_1:5\par \b0\par The apostle Paul planted Churches, and did not simply establish mission stations. \par \par A Church and Christward movement that has grown so much that it is entirely self-sustaining, self-propagating, and producing its own mature leadership is a positive and desirable thing. \par \~\par Spirituality and activity are often viewed as opposite poles in how we take our religion; for some the contemplative life of prayer and for others the life of service and work in the world. MARY\rquote S PERFUME MUST BALANCE WITH MARTHA\rquote S KITCHEN (Joh_12:1). Both are needed for one sustains the other. \par Deeper spiritual life leads us to activity and activity leads us back to the deeper spiritual life. \par If a lake has water pouring into it, and doesn't have any outlet, the lake dies. The lake develops a buildup of minerals and garbage and nothing can live in it. The spiritual application is clear, if the Spirit of God flows into us and has no opportunity to flow out, the productivity of the Spirit dies. If we have the Spirit of God flowing into and out of us in activity or ministry, then it revitalizes us. \par "Aggressive Christianity" argues that the deeper spiritual life and activity for God are connected. If you take the deeper spiritual life away, all you have is a lot of activity. You take the activity away and the spiritual life dies beLVAL/cause there is no outflow, it stagnates. It's only as the one leads to the other and back that we have growth, maturity, and the real dynamic quality.\par The goal of this strategy was to be that these independent, indigenous churches around the world would become involved missions themselves. \par Missionaries tend to be energetic people, with lots of vision, lots of determination and lots of ability. These are the kind of people we want to build indigenous churches. But these are also the kind of people know what they want to do and know how to do it. So rather than discovering how this is done locally, the missionary takes over to get things done. Often both the missionary and the local people assumed that the missionary would know best and so a non-indigenous pattern is set. \par We need to measure projects and activities by the three-self criteria. In each case the question needs to be asked, will the local group be able to support this activity, is there anything which will get in the way of true self government, will this lead to the church being equipped to lead others the Christ. \par There should be ways found to help build an indigenous church with more than a local assembly. Some movements have had medical missions and educational facilities. That can be a blessing and it can also be a hindrance when it is not run correctly and the focus is lost. \par We need to choose what our priorities will be." The basic principle is that everything we do needs to lead to these objectives. Everything we do needs to be self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating. \par Relationships between the mission goals the actual church that is built changes over time, like any human relationship. We must be careful that as the Church matures the role of the mission does not change to that of a participant providing specialized services rather than direction. \par Things have changed quite dramatically in the years since we began sending missionaries around the world. While "aggressive" may not be LVAL0the adjective we would chose to describe our Christianity, we need to continually deepen our engagement with the grace and mercy of God and from that resource move out to touch the world for Christ. \par Missions outreaches are very diverse and encompass a wide range of opportunity for ministry in the world. Chaplaincy, Church Planting, Teen Challenge (Drug Rehabilitation), University Student Ministry, International Media Ministry, Intercultural Ministry, Children\rquote s Ministry, Youth Ministry are all viable missions ministry opportunities within the church.\par We are there to serve the indigenous church and where there is no indigenous church, we are there to evangelize, train, and release those called to lead the indigenous church. Once the indigenous church is established, our policy is to support their leadership and church.\par It is vital to know the people we work with and understand their language.\par \par Effective missionaries have always sought to immerse themselves in a profound knowledge of the ways of life of the people to whom they have sought to minister, since only by such an understanding of the indigenous culture could they possibly communicate a new way of life.\par \par Our calling as missionaries compel us to be evangelists (2Co_5:14). As missionaries we must first consider that God "has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2Co_5:19-20)\par \~\par The missionary thus sets an example for the new believers, and eventually for pastors and leaders of the new church. If the missionary has given priority to personal evangelism, the first believers of the new church will follow that example. As a tree can only bear fruit of its own species, so the missionary/evangelist will reproduce what he or she has modeled. \par \par Much emphasis should be placed upon healing ministry, both spiritual and physical. That is what drew people to Jesus in His day and still does.\par \par LVAL1 The goal is to train indigenous leadership so that the pastors, elders, deacons, and other church leaders are enabled to govern themselves and to feel that they are freed from missionary domination. \par \~\par Concentrate much effort in preparing written Bible study materials and in training indigenous leaders, and then turning the authority and control of the church over to them. Missionaries have often taken the initiative in establishing Bible schools and being the main teachers. \par \par Missionaries who are not willing to step out of the way and permit the indigenous local leaders and teachers to have the authority and control eventually hinder the maturity of the church. This principle of allowing indigenous leadership and ownership is especially important in the areas of administration and finances. \par \~\par They [Paul and Barnabus] preached the gospel in that city [Derbe] and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. Paul and Barnabus appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. \par (Act_14:21-23)\par I understand that a three-fold secret of modern success in business is first, clear understanding of the consumer's need; second, confidence that the article produced is the one best suited to meet that need; and third, careful preparation for its distribution and sale. This applies equally well to the great work of building an indigenous church. \par First we must understand the people's need. That need is a solution to the problem of sin. \par Second we are convinced that there is one product that can meet that need in all its phases: the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But third, do we have a carefully considered plan for the world distribution of this gospel? Is the plan available whiLVAL2ch will bring about the greatest possible results and reach the largest number of people in the shortest space of time? WHAT DID JESUS DO?\par Such a master plan has been laid down clearly for us in the New Testament [Mat_28:19-20], but many Christians do not yet understand it. Where New Testament methods have been most carefully followed there has been the greatest success. Do study the matter of church organization now in the light of the New Testament and especially the Book of Acts.\par Do not get overburdened with a mass or organization and ecclesiastical machinery thoroughly unadapted to its use. \par A detrimental attitude is to fail to think through a clear plan of church organization. Some are tremendously interested in winning souls, but after they're won it's sometimes embarrassing to know what to do with them and how they can be best organized. \par The Church Builder is a COACH.\par An indigenous church is self-governing. The national Christians - not the foreign missionaries - set up standards for admission as a member of the church. There are many heartaches in making decisions about such matters. What about plural wives? Can a polygamist receive baptism? Can any of those wives be baptized and become church members? Sensuous old habits and customs, sometimes religious and sometimes non-religious cause perplexing problems which the self-governing indigenous church must settle. What shall be the standards for Christian living? This problem was considered in Acts 15 and is more serious in young missionary churches than in America today. Church discipline according to Matthew 18.\par There are also questions of the form of government and its administration to be settled by the indigenous, self-governing church. Of course the doctrinal standards must be agreed upon also.\par The indigenous church is self-supporting. Regardless of the social and economic standards of the national Christians they should be able to bear this responsibility unaided from the very beginning. This means thatLVAL3 the salaries and support of all church workers should be provided by the national church and not by the foreign missionary societies. The purchase of property and erection and maintenance of buildings should be paid for by the national church - not by the foreign missionaries. \par Constructing church buildings and taking care of property cause headaches on most foreign mission fields. Some missionaries in various lands feel that there is no use having a church without a building; whether rented or purchased. But when we examine the New Testament a church building is never mentioned. Instead "to the church in the house of so-and-so" is oft-repeated (Romans, I Corinthians, Colossians, Philemon). The home is the normal place for a church to begin - not in a building put up by foreign missionaries. The first people to receive the Lord should normally start the church in their home. \par The indigenous church is self-propagating. National Christians evangelize in all its forms, winning new Christians and establishing them in the church. \par There is Scriptural example for such an indigenous church. \par Read through Acts and you will find that they become indigenous at the very beginning. Act_14:21-23 tells of Paul's establishment of churches with which he had only very brief contact initially, and whom he did not revisit for at least two years. Paul had the holy boldness to believe that God would carry on what He had begun. I know of no mission or missionary today who has the flame of courage that the Apostle Paul had in starting churches after at most a few weeks of preaching the gospel, ordaining elders and then going on, committing unto the Lord those who were left in charge. That is the New Testament example of an indigenous church. And the problems Paul faced in those days - suspicions of governing officials, idolatry and superstitions - are the very same ones we face in foreign missions today. \par The standards Paul demanded of believers in his day, while far higher than we demand of believLVAL4ers here in America today, are the same type of standards which are in force in most mission fields and mission churches. Thank God for this. The spiritual level is consequently higher than in most churches in America. \par "See that everybody is given a thorough Scriptural indoctrination. Make the Bible a living book and a familiar book. \par Soltau: I remember a conversation in earlier days with Dr. Moffatt, one of the great missionaries to Korea. He said to me, "Soltau, as a missionary you have no right ever to expect to have the satisfaction of doing any job well. "Oh?" I said, "why not?" "Because it's your job as soon as you can to find a Korean who can do what you are doing - maybe not as well as you're doing it, but one who can do it at all. Then it's up to you to put him in your place and you can drop back and do something else. You're here to start a church, establish a church. It isn't your church - it's a Korean church. And they must take over as quickly as possible. It's up to you to put a grin on your face and make yourself expendable, so that long before 25 years are up everything you started will have been taken over by Korean Christians.\par At first they may make mistakes, but soon they'll do things as well as you could have yourself. That requires humility and more humility." An indigenous church cannot be established apart from humility, prayer and sacrifice. But the result will be glory to God and blessing to His people and the gospel for those who have not yet heard. \par \b 1.\tab A SELF-GOVERNING CHURCH\par \b0 The form of church government you adopt will have a direct impact on the way church members live, the course the church takes, and the effectiveness of the ministry.\par There have been three major methods of church governments employed since the church began, with several variations of those three.\par \b (1)\tab Theocratic form of government\par \b0 This is also called the Episcopal form of government and is that of the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican ChuLVAL5rch of England. Since the early church was born out of Judaism this is very likely the form they started with, but it soon became corrupted because they eventually built an ecclesiastical pyramid with too much power at the top. Their clerical hierarchy wound up with the pope at the top and cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests beneath. \ldblquote Absolute power corrupts absolutely.\rdblquote When the leadership led the people astray, they had no recourse but to leave and form a new church government. All power comes from the top and goes down. The laity at the bottom simply obey. Note for example when the first church was told to choose seven men to be the deacons. The apostles decided the problem, the solution, and gave directions to the laity. The laity then obeyed and brought the seven men they chose to the apostles, and the \ldblquote apostles appointed\rdblquote them over their task. That way if they chose someone the apostles did not think was qualified they could tell them to go choose another. Notice also that in the conference concerning circumcision, that once the matter had been discussed James who was considered head of the church gave a sentence. He said, \ldblquote My sentence is,\rdblquote and there was no more question after that. There was a consensus of the brethren and the Holy Ghost, but someone had the final say.\par \b (2)\tab Presbyterian form of government\par \b0 This form of government was established to counter the abuses of the Episcopal form of government that had corrupted the church. It consists of a rule of elders, so that there are checks and balances going down to the grass roots. Churches are interdependent, with presbyters chosen from among them to represent the body and a general assembly as the head which makes all final decisions.\par \b (3)\tab Congregational form of government\par \b0 The basic purpose for forming this type of government was the felt need to have autonomous churches, established on a more democratic basis. The laity have more voicLVAL6e in this form than the others. \par There are many variations of this form, but two major ones are the single-elder form where there is one pastor over the entire congregation who has the final say and is only answerable to Jesus Christ, and a multiple-elder form where the elders of the church are the court or board of the organization.\par The United Pentecostal Church has combined the Presbyterian and Congregational forms and added the system used by the United States government to give further checks and balances to secure the movement from straying from its foundational truths.\par Whatever form a church takes there are dangers. The hierarchical form gets top heavy and tends to lead the adherents astray without a method of self-correction. The Presbyterian method has a tendency to deadlock on issues, without final solutions. The Congregational method tends to laity rule and abandonment of the Spirit\rquote s leadership. The route taken by the UPC is certainly not perfect but it has worked well in assuring a church that has held onto its original message longer than church organizations usually do.\par Every church group claims that Jesus Christ is the head of that church and that it is being guided by the Holy Spirit. This often becomes just a statement trying to justify their existence. It is extremely difficult for Him to be head when He is not physically here and we do not have a body to look to. \par One man said, \ldblquote I do not follow men, I follow Jesus Christ.\rdblquote His very statement says Jesus is not his head for Jesus told him to follow his leader.\par Some say we must get back to the type of government they had in the New Testament, but that type failed also. So getting back under the original form is not going to guarantee success. \par There are often misconceptions in the leadership of a church that hinder the growth\par A man may think that because he is a good preacher and people love to hear him that he would be a good pastor.\par A man may think that because sLVAL7omething worked in one place that it will work as well in another, or vice versa.\par A man may try to imitate someone else, or their successful methods.\par A man may think that because he is a good teacher he can also be a good administrator, or that he does not need an administrator. \par A man may consider his style of ministry superior to others and feel like he does not need or want the opposite ministry. An evangelist type preacher, for example, does not want the methodical teacher to be part of his team because he feels it hinders revival.\par \b 2.\tab A SELF-SUPPORTING CHURCH\par \b0 Two major areas of focus are necessary to keep in mind as a church becomes self-supporting; (1) the stewardship procedures that are used by the church to maintain its growth and (2) teaching of financial freedom to all the members so that the entire church understands God\rquote s methods of provision, and has a spiritual value system rather than a temporal value system. \b [SEE FINANCIAL PRIORITIES Deu_8:18]\par 3.\tab A SELF-PROPAGATING CHURCH\par \b0 (1)\tab For a church to make sure it is a self-propagating church one of the main goals it must forever keep in mind is replacement of leaders. The self-governing of the church has to be concerned with developing leaders, but the self-propagating aspect must take into consideration that the only way this church will go on beyond the next generation is if someone takes the place of the leaders that are now at the top.\par (2)\tab Self-propagating also involves spreading the influence of the church beyond the present doors, so there needs to be an outreach program set in motion. There needs to be some kind of educational system to train workers. Some churches have tried other methods of self-propagating methods such as cell ministry within the local assembly.\par If your church is going to last it must adhere to biblical principles.\par \'b7\tab It must follow the leading of the Spirit\par \'b7\tab You must develop faithful leaders\par \'b7\tab It must LVAL8be financially free\par \'b7\tab It must fulfill the Great Commission\par \'b7\tab It should follow His example [Joh_4:5]\par Robert Coleman Master Plan of Evangelism\par 1.\tab SELECTION: Jesus called a few men to follow Him who could bear witness to His life and carry on His work after He returned to His Father.\par 2.\tab ASSOCIATION: He stayed with them, making it a practice to be with them, drawing them close to Himself.\par 3.\tab CONSECRATION: He required obedience, so that they would willingly deny themselves for others.\par 4.\tab INSPIRATION: He gave Himself away to His disciples, giving all that He had, withholding nothing, not even His own life.\par 5.\tab DEMONSTRATION: He showed them how to live, practicing prayer, turning to the Scriptures, attending synagogue, teaching, serving, and sharing the gospel naturally and freely.\par 6.\tab DELEGATION: He assigned them meaningful work, keeping His vision before them and calling them to fulfill His will.\par 7.\tab SUPERVISION: He kept check on them through His questions, illustrations, warnings, and admonitions in order to keep them on course to know and fulfill His work through them.\par 8.\tab REPRODUCTION: He expected them to reproduce themselves in the lives of others through witness and mission.\par God will do supernatural things in His church but He will use natural means.\par You will build a church according to your own personality and temperament. [Act_1:8 DISCOVER]\par \'b7\tab Paul would build a Paul-like church\par \'b7\tab John would build a John-like church\par \'b7\tab You will be you!\par Sometimes God has made an exception to that\par \par Moses became a leader though he did not enjoy being with people\par Gedeon\rquote s faith was simple obedience to God\par \par Your conscience must be more important to you than your own desires.\par You must follow what God is saying regardless of customs or influence of others.\par \par Time must be spent preparing for the replacement of the present leaders.\par LVAL9 Failure here has caused the folding up of great churches after a great leader dies.\par \par This church must be organized for service, not just dominion.\par \par You must avoid syncretism (Col_2:8)\par \par Add ministries, methods, or programs as needs arise but do not add them just to have them and when they are no longer useful discard them. Do not keep a lot of sacred cows around.\par \par There should be mutual accountability.\par \par There should be a cooperative ministry.\par \par There should be a workable church government.\par \par The final question is always going to be, Did it last? (Joh_15:2; Psa_127:1)\par Most of the first century churches did not last a century\par \'b7\tab Corinth divided over power struggle between young and old ministers\par \'b7\tab Ephesus left their first love\par \'b7\tab Laodicea became lukewarm\par \'b7\tab Galatia turned from the doctrine of Paul to legalism of the Judaizers.\par \par Grievous wolves crept in\par Heresies brought dissension\par \'b7\tab Some taught that the resurrection was past already\par \'b7\tab Some taught that they were now in the Great Tribulation\par \par What keeps churches from lasting more than three generations and remaining true to their original beliefs? 2Ti_2:2\par Methodists no longer follow the method\par Lutherans no longer follow Luther\par Baptists no longer believe it is necessary to baptize\par Catholics no longer obey Peter\rquote s doctrine\par \par You must consider\emdash\par Is the way we are building this church going to make it long lasting?\par Are we willing to change detrimental methods?\par Are our methods leading us to\par (1) Self-governing\par (2) Self-supporting\par (3) Self-propagating\par \par What are the built-in safeguards to avoid self-destruction?\par \par CHURCH PLANTING\par (Poitras)\par INTRO: \par LESSON ONE: WHAT IS CHURCH PLANTING AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY?\par LESSON TWO: WHERE SHOULD CHURCHES BE PLANTED?\par LESSON THREE: WHEN SHOULD CHURCHES LVAL:BE PLANTED?\par LESSON FOUR: WHO SHOULD BE USED TO PLANT CHURCHES?\par LESSON FIVE: THE HOW OF CHURCH PLANTING (PART ONE: THE FOUNDATION)\par LESSON SIX: THE HOW OF CHURCH PLANTING (PART TWO: THE METHOD)\par LESSON SEVEN: GETTING STARTED\par LESSON EIGHT: THE NUCLEUS OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION\par LESSON NINE: REPRODUCTIVE TRAINING - DEVELOPING NEW LEADERSHIP\par LESSON TEN: ADMINISTRATION OF THE NEW WORK\par \par \b INTRO:\par \b0 Mar_16:20\par \par What a great and mighty revival we read about in the book of Acts. Clearly, these men and women of the early church were mightily used of God in bringing the gospel to the lost and sinful world of nearly 2000 years ago. \par \cf2 They succeeded, but it was not their own special talent or skill they possessed that made them so effective in their work, for they were unlearned men.\cf1 The religious leaders of the day were amazed that the Lord had so greatly used two "unlearned and ignorant men" like Peter and John in Jerusalem (\cf3\ul Act_4:13\cf1\ulnone ). So what was it?\par \par \cf2 1.\tab What is the process Jesus talked about in Mar_4:26-28?\par \par \cf1 Jesus told us in Mar_4:26-28 about a process.\par It is a process that He instituted and that is eternally true.\cf2 It is the system of casting seed or sowing the seed.\cf1 The responsibility of ensuring the growth of the seed into maturity is the Lord's, but the responsibility of sowing the seed is ours.\par \cf2 Yoke\par He used the process of casting seed into the ground. Man sows but God gives the increase (1Co_3:6-7).\par You are God's gift to His church (Eph_4:8-14). Which is more important, the gift or the one who receives? (Rom_12:1-8; 1Co_12:28-31)\par Different plants show various aspects of planting churches\par Vine (Joh_15:1-8)\par Wheat\par Rice\par Fruit Trees\par You would be wise to study the manner of production from plant life to know something about planting churches\par \cf1\par \cf2 5. What is meant by viability? How does this relate to church plLVAL;anting?\par 6. Each seed in its own context has what three things?\cf1\par \par A term used in the science of seed production and utilization is "\cf2 viability.\cf1 " \cf2 This refers to the time during which the seed is able to germinate under proper conditions, including the proper light, moisture, oxygen, and soil. \cf1 Some seeds, like those of the willow tree, are viable for only a few days after separation from the paren tree. In other words, if they are kept for more than just a short time without the proper conditions, the seeds will not produce. If they do produce, it will only be a weak plant. Other seeds are viable for longer periods of time. The Indian lotus seed has the capacity of producing fruit after a period of two hundred years from the time it is separated from its parent plant. \cf2 Each seed in its own context has a time to be sown, a place to be sown, and a promise of a harvest.\par \par God furnishes proper conditions of nature. You furnish proper conditions with discipling, baptising and instructing (Mat_28:18-20). Through geotropism roots are formed by gravity pulling the plant toward the earth, and a meristem is formed that allows growth of fruit above (Amo_2:9; Col_2:7).\cf1\par \par \cf2 When you start a church you are going to put within the foundation something that will be the future success or failure of the work. You build a spiritual meristem.\cf1\par "Geotropism" refers to the marvelous way in which, after germination, the new root of the young plant will move toward the earth by gravity. Then the shoot of the plant will grow away from the gravity of the earth and thereby spring up above the surface of the soil. The farmer never worries about how the seed is lying in the earth. He only knows that his responsibility is to ensure that the seed is in the earth. Though we in the Church may not understand all of the ways by which God makes spiritual seed to grow up, we have a great responsibility to be the sowers of that seed.\par \par \cf2 2. What will church DLVALTplanting based on NT principles produce?\par 3. What did Paul say in Gal_6:7\par \cf1 Paul tells us in \cf3\ul Gal_6:7\cf1\ulnone that \cf2 whatever we sow that is what we shall reap.\cf1 James even tells us not to expect olive berries from a fig tree, nor figs from a grape vine (\cf3\ul Jam_3:12\cf1\ulnone ). It is certain that in God's kingdom there will be a harvest based upon what was sown. \cf2 Church planting based on New Testament principles, using New Testament methods, will produce a New Testament revival harvest.\par 4. Where must our goal of establishing indigenous national churches begin?\par \cf1\par \cf2 Our goal of establishing self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating churches on a national level must start on the local church level.\cf1 We must start with the seed to realize the blade, the ear, and finally the full corn in the ear. Then, we will use a portion of that corn to sow again and see more and more fruit. In this study we will examine the what, why, where, when, who, and how of planting new churches in our fields of labor.\par \par WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \par 1. What is the process Jesus talked about in Mar_4:26-28?\par 2. What will church planting based on NT principles produce?\par 3. What did Paul say in Gal_6:7\par 4. Where must our goal of establishing indigenous national churches begin?\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 1\par \pard\cf1\par 5. What is meant by viability? How does this relate to church planting? \par 6. Each seed in its own context has what three things?\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 2\par \pard\cf1\par \fs29\par } LVAL^={\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red128\green0\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs29 LESSON ONE: WHAT IS CHURCH PLANTING AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY?\par \b0\par \cf2\ul Luk_24:47-49\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 This lesson is designed to remind us that the Great Commission and our obedience to it, is forever involved with the successfulness of church planting.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \b0\par \cf3 1. Where is the Great Commission located?\par 2. In Act_1:8, Jesus tells us that the power must be used for what purpose?\par Systematically spread the gospel of His death, burial and resurrection. \par \cf1\par Throughout the New Testament we find exhortations by Jesus and the apostles to go and evangelize (\cf2\ul Act_8:4\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_9:16\cf1\ulnone ). \cf3 In \cf2\ul Mat_28:8-20\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mar_16:15-18\cf3\ulnone ; and \cf2\ul Luk_24:46-49\cf3\ulnone we read what has been called the Great Commission of Jesus to His followers. In \cf2\ul Act_1:8\cf3\ulnone , Jesus reveals that the Church would shortly thereafter receive power, and that this power must be used to systematically spread the gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection. \cf1 It would grow from Jerusalem into all of the surrounding area of Judea, then into Samaria, and finally unto the uttermost parts of the earth.\par \cf3\par \cf1 From the very birth of the Church, we have had a mandate to take the only true and saving message of repentance and remission of sins to the lost and dying world. Planting churches in new areas has always been the desire of the true body of Christ.\par \cf3 What is your evangelism style (\cf2\ul Act_1:8\cf3\ulnone )? \cf1\par \cf4 FOR\par AXEHEAD (\ul 2Ki_6:7\ulnone )\par \cf1\b What is Church Planting?\b0\par \par Evangelism is the natural result of the new nature after spiritual birth. TLVAL>he apostles saw themselves as owning something to the world. Paul said he was a debtor (\cf2\ul Rom_1:14\cf1\ulnone ). He goes on to say that he was ready to preach to those at Rome also (\cf2\ul Rom_1:15\cf1\ulnone ). He was driven by a feeling of gratitude to the Lord for what He had done. He reckoned that if he had been given the opportunity to be saved, then all men everywhere should have the same opportunity.\par \par Paul told the Corinthians that he was constrained to preach (\cf2\ul 2Co_5:14\cf1\ulnone ). He felt he had no choice but to serve Jesus in humility and in response to the burden placed there by God. \par \cf3 3. What will happen to congregations that have only an inward focus?\cf1\par Where does this burden come from? In \cf2\ul Isa_6:1-8\cf1\ulnone , we read of the burden of a great prophet of God. In response to God's question of "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah was able to answer, "Here am I, send me." But we must notice that this burden was to respond and to go starts with a look at the Lord. Isaiah seems to have a glimpse of God like never before. He saw Him high and lifted up. He has a vision of the glory of God and then realizes how unclean he is before the greatness of God. Through genuine repentance and humility, Isaiah is touched by God's grace and is changed forever. It is then that Isaiah hears a voice of the Lord as He asks for a messenger to send to a people lost in self-righteousness and stubborn rebellion. Surely, this is the means by which a true burden for souls arrives. \cf3 Congregations that look only inward will soon become only self-serving and miss the bountiful harvest that God has ordained. \cf1 As Isaiah learned, we must get out eyes off of ourselves and onto the Lord in order to realize where we fit in the plan of God.\par \cf3 4. What is church planting?\par \cf1 The same burden that individual saints feel, also operates in the body as a whole. \cf3 Church planting is the result of responding to this burden. \cf1 Each congregatioLVAL?n of truly born-again believers will look upon the world with a deep spiritual desire to start new assemblies in new areas.\par \par These new assemblies must be started properly, that is \b (1) at the right time, (2) in the right place (3) with proper oversight. \b0 There must be a commitment to ensuring that, once started, the new assembly will continue to flourish under the inspiration and direction \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 3\par \pard\cf1\par provided by the Holy Ghost through anointed leadership. Just as the seed that is planted at the right season under the right conditions will produce a harvest, so will a church planted in the proper way produce a spiritual reaping.\par \par \b Why is it Necessary?\par \b0\par Churches that are not growing are dying. Part of growing means spreading the gospel outside of the existing borders of the church. Planting new congregations is an expression of faith demonstrating the church's true God-given burden to reach the lost. Jesus Himself declared that He had come to "seek and save that which was lost," (\cf2\ul Luk_19:10\cf1\ulnone ). If His Spirit really dwells in us, and if we have given ourselves to His cause, then the same Spirit should propel us into a harvest in order to reach that which is lost.\par \par We cannot and will not win souls to the Lord simply because we are commanded to do so. We do it in response to the love of God working in us and through us. Is it any different for the body as a whole? Can a national church ever be satisfied with what they already have seen? Will the move of God within, cause them to be concerned with a greater harvest that beckons them? We must learn to see church planting as a priority. It is an integral part of the overall growth and revival of the church. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he speaks of being built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and the apostles. In \cf2\ul Eph_2:21\cf1\ulnone he explains that this building is the temple of God and that it is "fitly framed together." The WilliamsLVAL@ New Testament Translation puts it this way: "In union with Him the whole building is harmoniously fitted together and continues to grow into a sacred temple through its union with the Lord."\par \par Planting, growing, harvesting, replanting, that is the way of the Lord in His church. It is more than a commandment, it is a way of life, the natural result of His dwelling in us.\par \cf4 Skill in building (Exo_31:1)\par \cf1\par \b The Pauling Perspective\par \par \cf3\b0 5. What was the major method of evangelism that Paul employed?\cf1\par Of all of the first century apostles, we read the most about the Apostle Paul. It is his missionary journeys that we follow through the Book of Acts, and his epistles that we study throughout most of the New Testament. To study the New Testament church method is to study the methods and philosophy of Paul the apostle, Paul the missionary. To Titus he wrote (\cf2\ul Tit_1:5\cf1\ulnone ). Paul believed in and practiced church planting. Again, in \cf2\ul Act_14:23\cf1\ulnone we read how Paul and Barnabas "ordained them elders in every church."\cf3 The method of evangelism that Paul employed was church planting: training and ordaining elders.\par \par \cf1 In Paul's letter to Timothy, he defines the character traits necessary and the spiritual qualifications needed to be ordained as an elder or as a deacon. These men were needed because new congregations were being started (planted) in new cities and villages. He was careful to delineate the authority and responsibility of an elder or pastor, because he understood the importance of the long-term commitment needed to produce a missionary minded congregation. He knew the importance of timing, personnel, and geographical significance of a new area. He was burdened to reach important centers such as Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome. It was through Paul's focused efforts and intense training of leaders at Ephesus that (\cf2\ul Act_19:10\cf1\ulnone ). We find Paul and Timothy traveling (\cf2\ul Act_16:4-5\cf1\ulnone ).LVALA \par \par Shortly thereafter, Paul receives a vision in the night, beckoning him to go into Macedonia where the Lord was calling him to preach the gospel. Paul arrived in Athens, the capital of Greece (\cf2\ul Act_17:16\cf1\ulnone ). Can we say that we are stirred when we see entire cities held by the power of the devil? Are we stirred enough to take action? Do we have a plan in action that targets new towns and villages with new congregations? Are we in the process of training new leaders and equipping them with the necessary tools to have revival in those new areas?\par \cf3 6. David Womack suggests/lists 10 parts to the Paul's Ephesian Method of Evangelism. What are the two parts we should make careful note of? (6, 10)\par \cf1 In David A. Womack's book, "Breaking the Stained Glass Barrier," he lists ten parts of what he refers to as Paul's Ephesian Method. These represent the way in which Paul (and other apostles) began new works and established them in the faith. These are:\par \par (1) having a single purpose\par (2) having preliminary planning adequate to meet the need.\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 4\par \pard\cf1\par (3) cooperative teamwork\par (4) forming a basic nucleus\par (5) mass communications (the process of mass evangelism, assimilation of new converts into the churches, and returning these to the masses again in order to reach more prospects)\par \cf3 (6) establishing congregations (church planting)\par \cf1 (7) training national leaders\par (8) maintaining the momentum\par (9) overcoming opposition\par \cf3 (10) becoming a missionary church\par \cf1\par Please take careful note of points 6 and 10. We must endeavor to not only plant new works as part of the natural cycle of a vibrant, spiritual church, but also ensure that these new congregations mature and become missions minded as well. Our daughter works must grow up to become mothers as well. To become a spiritual parent is great, but to watch your spiritual children beget spiritual children is sometimes even mLVALBore rewarding. So it should be with congregations. They should become more and more sensitive to the Lord and then respond by faith to start new churches whenever and wherever possible. These new works will in turn mature and produce even more works. What could be more rewarding? And how else could we ever fulfill the prophecy of the Lord Himself in \cf2\ul Act_1:8\cf1\ulnone ?\par \par \b WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \b0\par 1. Where is the Great Commission located?\par 2. In Act_1:8, Jesus tells us that the power must be used for what purpose?\par 3. What will happen to congregations that have only an inward focus?\par 4. What is church planting?\par 5. What was the major method of evangelism that Paul employed?\par 6. David Womack suggests/lists 10 parts to the Paul's Ephesian Method of Evangelism. What are the two parts we should make careful note of?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 5\par \pard\cf1\par \b LESSON TWO: WHERE SHOULD CHURCHES BE PLANTED?\par \b0\par \cf2\ul Act_17:6\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Act_19:10\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Mar_16:15\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS: \b0 Just as the Lord Jesus was not a respecter of persons, neither should we be. Everyone ought to know who Jesus is.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \par \cf3\b0 3. Where was the church founded according to the book of Acts?\par \cf1 It seems evident that the apostles followed the command of Jesus to take the gospel everywhere. \cf3 We read in the Book of Acts about the church being founded in many cities of the ancient world. Cities like Damascus, Antioch, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, the cities of Galatia, Thessalonica, were all reached with the saving message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. \cf1 The apostles remembered the words of Jesus when He told them to go, but they also felt the urgency in the Spirit and the burden of compassion to spread the gospel of salvation. They felt what He felt, and they became His feet and His hands ministering to the world that they knew. (\cf2\ul Joh_14:1LVALC2\cf1\ulnone ). Though the disciples most likely misunderstood His words then, they now in the revival of the Book of Acts, had fully comprehended the importance of what he had told them. The miracles were the same as Jesus had performed before and the teaching was certainly the same, but what had changed was the magnitude of the teaching and the ministry. They were reaching far more people than Jesus could have reached by Himself. They were going everywhere and telling everybody.\par \cf3 What would you do if you had to reach the whole world and had only three years to do it? Jesus focused on 12 men and developed them and would not commit Himself to anything or anyone else (Joh_2:24).\par 2. Even though reaching the world may seem impossible, how can we do it?\par \cf1 And yet when we closely examine the missionary journeys of Paul, and either Barnabas or Silas who accompanied Paul, \cf3\b we find a certain strategy that prevailed in Paul's actions. \cf1\b0 We can be safe in assuming that this strategy was God-given, and that a similar plan of action can be expected today as we dedicate ourselves to taking this gospel everywhere to everybody. In fact, to simply state that we should "go into all the world," might bring a certain frustration to the church leaders of today. Our means are limited, whether we speak of the resources of the Church as a whole, or of the means of a local congregation. How can one local church go into all of the world? How can a large organization like the United Pentecostal Church International reach into all the entire world? With limited resources like funds and trained and equipped manpower, we must be very careful to have a plan formulated and directed by the Holy Ghost. (\cf2\ul Luk_18:27\cf1\ulnone ). \cf3 Reaching the world seems like a task that is insurmountable, yet step by step, under the constant guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we shall reach the world.\cf1 How can we decide where to begin?\par \cf4 It will make a difference with this one\par Death oLVALDf vision (Joh_12:24)\par \cf1\b The Plan\par \cf4\b0 Jesus' strategy (LOC EX)\par Paul's strategy\par \cf1 Whether we are considering the evangelism of an entire nation, or reaching into a neighboring area of a local church, we must have a well-defined plan of action. This must start with a prayerful approach to finding a comprehensive means of effectively reaching the area to be evangelized. Meetings with key leadership personnel must be held in which careful consideration of the following factors are made:\par \par \b (1) The geographical size of the area to be reached.\par \b0\par A clear definition of the area to be evangelized must be outlined. Where exactly will the planting of the church be made? Based upon the size of the area, population, etc., how many church centers will be started?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 6\par \pard\cf1\par \b (2) The geographically strategic parts of that area.\par \b0\par Here we are speaking of targeting the area to be evangelized. What, if any, are the large cities or towns of that area? Are there district or regional centers included? Is there an administrative capital involved? Is there a center of higher learning? What is the political climate? Is this an ethnic or tribal stronghold? What is the economy like? What is the area's current exposure to Christianity as a whole and its teachings? Based upon the answers to these questions, we can begin to shape the model church that we would like to minister in this area. Ministry has always been based upon need. Without a clear definition of the need (as well as the potential) we can never define the ministry to meet that need.\par \par \b (3) The time investment needed to reach that area.\par \b0\par \cf3 1. What is the answer to reaching the world?\cf1\par Do we have the resources, based upon the time needed, to continue the work once started? \cf3\b Bearing sheep, only to let them die in the wilderness, is not the will of God.\cf1\b0 Once we commit to the work of church planting, we must be williLVALEng and prepared to continue the work, and administer the work, enabling the work to grow, prosper, and eventually to develop new works under it. Many young men want to become evangelists, but pastors are the need of the hour. (\cf2\ul 2Ti_4:5\cf1\ulnone ). Pastors that are burdened to open up new works can do the work of evangelists in many cases, and thereby make a full (complete) demonstration of the ministry that God has put inside them. \cf3\i Simply moving from place to place, supposedly sowing seed, but not establishing strong congregations of believers is not the answer to reaching the world. Church planting is the answer.\par \cf1\i0\par \b (4) Is the focus of the evangelism in a rural setting or an urban one?\par \b0\par The answer to this question helps determine the kind of personnel that will be needed to meet the need. \par \par We need different training schemes for different kinds of ministry. While long term Bible School training is necessary, there may be need for shorter term education that can qualify leaders for smaller works. City people have different needs than farmers. City congregations do better with city pastors. Rural people have different needs and different ways, needing different ministry than city congregations can provide.\par \par \b (5) Job descriptions of key personnel that will be needed.\par \b0\par In a comprehensive plan to reach an area, after deciding the first four factors, it should be possible to determine the kind of personnel required. This, in turn, should lead to a \cf3\b clearly defined job description \cf1\b0 for those personnel. By this we mean the boundaries of responsibility, authority, etc. Who will be responsible for what? Is there a time constraint on these responsibilities?\par \par \b (6) The trained manpower that is currently available.\par \par \cf3\b0 4. What is essential to leaders?\par \par \b DO NOT USE WRONG PEOPLE (Psa_127:1)\par \b0\par \cf1 Now that we have fully described the responsibilities and limits of authoritLVALFy needed to effectively start the new work, we must appoint someone that is already qualified and trained to accomplish the task. Whether trained in a Bible School, at the local church level, or by any other means, the leader or leaders must be ready for the task. It is important to note that there should always be manpower being trained for the jobs that are ahead. \cf3 The call of God is essential to these leaders. They must feel a personal and deep attachment to the work ahead of them. \cf1 The three-fold qualification (spirituality, training, and gifts) is one of the most necessary criteria for appointing people to positions of leadership. These three qualifying factors will be discussed more fully in another lesson. \par \par \b (7) Training programs to further equip existing leaders and to provide new leadership.\par \par \b0 Before opening a new work, we must be ready to implement the necessary programs in the new work to train future leaders that will be needed in the ministries developed to meet the needs of the work. Where will we find leaders for the youth work, the ladies, the home fellowship or cell ministry? They will be members that are trained for these ministries. \cf3 The new work must be equipped to become not only a center of evangelism (reaching new converts), but also a center for edification (leadership development and personal growth of the converts). \cf1\b Leadership equals revival.\b0 If no new leaders are being trained, then the revival of the new work will not proceed. There will be a shortage of "ministers" for the work of the ministry, which \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 7\par \pard\cf1\par is training saints to become all that God wants them to be.\par \par \b (8) Facilities to contain the revival once it has begun.\par \cf3\b0\par 7. What is one of the basic parts of the Christian experience?\cf1\par Though the new work can begin in homes, there will come the time when the new converts will be brought together. \cf3 One of the basic parts of the Christian LVALGexperience is fellowship in the body, a communal spirit wherein we can minister to and love one another. \cf1 There is power in joint worship, testimony, and edification of one another. The converts must be joined into a congregation, and this means there will have to be some means of "housing" this revival. The kind of facilities necessary for the growth of the church must be considered. Will it start in a rented building, or in a purchased facility? What kind of support from the national work will be available for the new congregation when it decides to expand or build? Just as members must know what is expected of them, local churches should also know what is expected of them. What exactly will be the ties that bind together the local assembly with the national work? What are the responsibilities and obligations of "affiliation" on the part of the national leadership as well as the local leaders?\par \par \b (9) Administration of the new work\par \b0\par Every congregation should feel (from the very beginning of the work) a close attachment to the body of Christ as a whole. Proper administration or church government should account for this. The new pastor of the new work should be "in touch" with an overseer on a local or regional level. He also should understand the links to the national level of leadership in the nation. It is very important for the converts of a new work to sense that they are now part of something "big." Large congregations develop a "church personality" that helps define who they are. It is much easier for new converts in an existing large work to assimilate themselves into the doctrine, the holiness, and the philosophy of the local church and its teachings. In a new and smaller work, however, it takes time and patience to see the new converts gradually become accustomed to the new life in Jesus Christ. To help facilitate this, it is important that the pastor provide means by which his converts can realize that they are part of a large, growing, church movement. This can LVALHbe done by taking his members to district, regional, and national meetings in which his members will see that they are part of something that is much larger than their local church. The national work will also feel the responsibility to bring the "big church personality" into the local congregation. This is accomplished by frequent visits and teaching/preaching by national leaders and missionaries. Clearly defined administration also provided accountability for the new pastor. He then understands his obligations to the national direction of the church, and also what the national leadership will do for his congregation. Reports are essential to this administration.\par \par \b (10) Future support of the work.\par \b0\par As already discussed in the sections on training, facilities, and administration, the new work must understand what kind of support they can expect from the "mother" church (whether another local church that has daughtered the work or from the national level). The main consideration here is that of never allowing the new, local congregation to feel separated from the mother, especially during its infancy. Adults and children are different. Children will become adults eventually, but there are very critical times of development that must take place. During these developmental stages it is critically important that the "parent" nurtures, supervises, and loves the child. Let us not begin what we cannot finish.\par \par \b (11) How will the church spread? What are the next steps?\par \b0\par These are essential questions in our planning. What seem to be the next God-directed steps in the growth development of the church? Where are the doors opening for future works? What is the potential for each new opening? What are the target areas for revival? \par \par \b (12) Prioritizing the goals, or, what needs to be done NOW?\par \par \cf3\b0 5. What is the key word in prioritizing goals?\par 8. We can never define the ministry to meet a particular need without what?\cf1\par \cf3 ThLVALIe key word is NOW.\cf1 As we have seen before, there never seems to be enough resources for what we would like to do. Therefore, we are forced to prioritize what needs to be done next. \cf3 Ministries are started according to need, therefore we must be able to define, at any particular time, the present needs. Making a list of needs in terms of which have priority is the next step.\cf1 Ministries are then implemented as means and manpower become available.\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 8\par \pard\cf1\par \cf4\b Goals of the church \ul Tit_1:5\par \ulnone\par \cf1 The Pauline Perspective\par \par \cf3\b0 6. According to \cf2\ul Act_16:10\cf3\ulnone where did Paul receive his vision and what was he told in this vision?\cf1\par As we read and study the Book of Acts, we begin to notice that Paul was careful in his missionary efforts. He was careful concerning being in obedience to the leading of the Spirit, and also careful concerning the best use of his time and work in the spreading of the gospel. He was mindful that key leaders were necessary in the development of the early church, and was also particular about where new works should be opened (\cf2\ul Act_16:12\cf1\ulnone ). The fact that Philippi was a chief city was important to Paul. Like Ephesus, it was a city into which many people traveled for various reasons. Therefore, it would be a center for Christian training, after which those reached while at Philippi could carry the gospel of Jesus Christ into different parts of the region and the world. In fact, the Epistles of Paul represent several "key" areas of the ancient world in which Paul made a considerable investment of time and effort. These were significant centers of commerce like Ephesus and Corinth, centers of education and the arts like Athens, centers of government like Rome, etc. Laodicaea was mentioned in 1 Timothy's subscript as another of the chief cities of the day. In \cf2\ul Act_28:7\cf1\ulnone we see Paul ministering to Publius, the chief man of the island of Melita. LVALPaul was sensitive enough to the Lord to realize that there would be both key people and key areas in which and through which to focus his efforts of evangelism. Finally, when we study \cf2\ul Act_16:6-10\cf1\ulnone , we find an occasion when Paul's desire was different than the will of God. He had tried to go deeper into Asia Minor, but the Holy Ghost prevented him. He then tried to reach Bithynia but the will of God led him to continue on the path that he was currently traveling. At the very end of this road was the last city of western Asia Minor, Troas, a seaport.\cf3 It was there at Troas that Paul received a vision from God\cf1 \cf3 telling him that the next step was to go to Macedonia to spread the good news. \cf2\ul Act_16:10\cf1\ulnone is Paul's assurance to us that the Lord will certainly lead us in His great work if we will only allow Him to do so.\par \par WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par 1. What is the answer to reaching the world?\par 2. Even though reaching the world may seem impossible, how can we do it?\par 3. Where was the church founded according to the book of Acts?\par 4. What is essential to leaders?\par 5. What is the key word in prioritizing goals?\par 6. According to \cf2\ul Act_16:10\cf1\ulnone where did Paul receive his vision and what was he told in this vision?\par 7. What is one of the basic parts of the Christian experience?\par 8. We can never define the ministry to meet a particular need without what?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 9\par PAGE 10\par \par \pard\cf1\par \fs29\par } LVAL^K{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red128\green0\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs29 LESSON THREE: WHEN SHOULD CHURCHES BE PLANTED?\par \b0\par \cf2\ul Ecc_3:1-2\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Mat_13:30\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Gal_4:4\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 God's timing may not be our timing, but His timing is always best.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\b0\par \cf3 3. Explain how God is the Master of time\par \cf4\ul Act_3:1\ulnone -8 How many times did Jesus pass through this gate and see this man?\cf3\par God is the master of time. He knows when we should move forward, when to remain, and when even to retreat. He knows the world and the needs of its inhabitants. He knows, best of all, how to reach the world with the saving message of salvation through the name of Jesus Christ. Walking with the Lord and doing His will means staying close to His side. This is His work, His church, and His revival. To move too fast is just as dangerous as moving too slow or not moving at all. Both mean that we are outside of His timing, and therefore outside of His plan. The timing of when to open new works is just as crucial as the location of the new work.\par \cf1\par \b The Strategy of Timing\par \cf3\b0 1. What is the strategy of timing in relation to church planting?\cf1\par \par In \cf2\ul Act_17:32-33\cf1\ulnone we read of Paul's final days in the capital city of ancient Greece, Athens. The apostle had tried very hard to reach the Athenians with message of Jesus. He had debated with them at Mar's Hill. He had tried to explain the identity of "the unknown god" that they ignorantly worshipped. \cf2\ul Act_17:32\cf1\ulnone tells us that, after all of these efforts, some mocked Paul and others simply said that they would hear him again at a later time. But notice Paul's reaction (\cf2\ul Act_17:33\cf1\ulnone ). Paul must havLVALLe realized that the time was not right for the revival at Athens. He had sown the seed, but the harvest was still distant. Instead, as we see in \cf2\ul Act_18:1-3\cf1\ulnone , he continued on to Corinth where he found Aquila and his wife Priscilla. These dear people responded, along with many others. In \cf2\ul Act_18:5\cf1\ulnone , we find Paul as he is "pressed in the spirit" to leave off witnessing to the Jews and concentrate on the Gentile population of the great city of Corinth. The result is one of the great revivals and one of the great churches of history (\cf2\ul Act_18:10\cf1\ulnone ). \cf3 So, what is the strategy of timing in relation to church planting? It is being aware of the times. It is being aware of the possibilities. It is being prepared to move when God says move. \cf1 If we are not prepared, it does no good to be sensitive to His voice when He asks us to plant. \cf3 Being sensitive, prepared, and responsive is the key to obeying the timing of God.\cf1 (\cf2\ul 1Ch_12:32\cf1\ulnone )\par \par \b The Beginning\par \cf3\b0 2. Where does successful church planting begin?\cf1\par \cf3 4. Why will vision be important in times of frustration, hardship, and near despair?\par Successful church planting begins with a vision.\cf1 (\cf2\ul Neh_1:1-5\cf1\ulnone ) Whether the new work is one that a "mother church" is starting as a daughter, or if it is a home missions work, the vision must be received by the leader that will be responsible for directing the work. He must feel it as a calling from the Lord. \cf3 There will be times of frustration, hardship, and even times of despair, but the calling, if it is a sure one, will carry the leader through those dark times. Knowing that he is in the will of God will make all the difference. If, on the other hand, the calling and vision are not certain, then circumstances may become difficult enough to drive the leader away, as he thinks that God is using those circumstances to redirect him somewhere else. The vision will help maintain the momLVALMentum of the new work. When all else says "stop," the vision will say, "Go on."\par \cf1\par This vision that the leader has must be in harmony with the vision that the national leadership has for the overall work. Sometimes, pastors and local church leaders fail to see with the "big picture" in mind. They carry a limited view of what God is doing. This is natural, as local church leaders are focused \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 11\par \pard\cf1\par on the task that they must carry out. The national direction of the work, however, is a responsibility that only national leadership can fully understand. If a local leader has the desire to evangelize a new area, it must be agreed to by the national board of the nation, in order to ensure that the new work will not be started in confusion, will not be in conflict with any other congregation, nor be allowed to start if there is no hope of it continuing after inception (\cf2\ul Ecc_5:5\cf1\ulnone ).\par \par \b The Prerequisites\par \b0\par Before commencing a new work, certain things must already be in place. Let us consider four of these that are of absolute necessity in planting a church.\par \cf3 5. What are four prerequisites that need to be in place before starting a new work?\par \par \b (1) A leader must be available.\par \b0\par \cf1 As said before, he must carry the momentum of the new work through a deep burden and personal vision and understanding of what God really wants to accomplish in the new work. The leader must be trained and equipped in order to carry out this responsibility. He must have the tools at his disposal that he will need in order to plant, nurture, and finally harvest the crop, and he must be adequately trained in the use of these tools. He must feel a personal responsibility for the work. In the next lesson, we will discuss in detail the character, training, and qualifications of such a leader.\par \par \cf3\b (2) A structure must be available\cf1\par \b0\par There must be a system in place through which theLVALN leader can organize the new work. There should be a means of evangelizing, discipling, edifying, and training the new converts for their ministry in the Church. There must be a local church government that will help the leader in administering the new work in harmony with the national organization. There must be the ministries available that will meet the needs of the new community, whether for those in the church or for those outside the church. Obviously, in the beginning, these ministries will be in the mind of the new pastor only. He must, however, be properly trained in these available ministries so that he will be able to implement them when necessary, and will also be able to train new leaders of those ministries in the new congregation.\par \par \cf3\b (3) Support must be available.\par \cf1\b0\par \cf3 6. What things will a pastor of a new work need to know about financial support?\cf1\par There must be a strong connection between the new local work and the national organization. This should be done through the regional level as well, with proper oversight of the new work by the regional leadership. There must be accountability on both parts of the organization, local and national. There must be a clear understanding of the responsibilities of both levels of leadership. \cf3 The local leader should know that he will be supported in his efforts to build the new congregation. He must as well know the limits of such support. He should understand that the new work will be expected to stand on its own as soon as it is able. He must also realize from the outset that the new church will be expected to daughter new works in the future.\cf1 On the other level, the national leadership must be confident that the local leader and the new congregation will be committed to working in harmony with their direction of the overall work that they administer. The national and regional leaders must be committed to supplying whatever support in teaching, encouragement, and regular visits that becomes necesLVALOsary. The new work cannot be ignored nor left alone to die in neglect. \cf3 Financial assistance may be necessary in the beginning, with the understanding that this must change as soon as the new work begins to stand on its own. \cf1 The target of a mature church becomes the common goal of both local and national leadership, and both teams will be working together to achieve this goal. (\cf2\ul Luk_22:35-36\cf1\ulnone )\par \par \cf3\b (4) Means must be available.\cf1\par \b0\par Whatever financial needs that are necessary to the beginning of the new work must be available before the church begins. The leadership (both local and national) must have a clear picture of what these needs might be. They should also know that these means are ready to be used in conjunction with the new work, or, at least, that there is a plan in place to supply these needs. Extravagant plans that call for unavailable financial resources only lead to confusion in the end. The subject of "financing the new work" will be addressed in a later lesson.\par \par \b The Pauline Perspective\par \par \cf3\b0 8. According to \cf2\ul 1Co_16:9\cf3\ulnone what two important things do we see concerning Paul?\par \cf1\par One of the greatest revivals of the first century church was the revival at Ephesus, overseen by the Apostle Paul. We read of the revival in Act 19, but one of the greatest clues to why it was so great is \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 12\par \pard\cf1\par not found in Acts, but in 1Co 16. In \cf2\ul 1Co_16:6-9\cf1\ulnone we find that though Paul was uncertain about when he would have the opportunity to visit the saints at Corinth after passing through Macedonia, he was very certain about the need to be in Ephesus (\cf2\ul 1Co_16:9\cf1\ulnone ). The Weymouth New Testament Translation puts it this way "for a door that offers wide and effective services stands open before me." \cf3 In this verse we see two important things:\par \b (1) Paul was aware of the enemy (many adversaries) that faced him at Ephesus.\paLVALPr (2) Paul was aware that the time was right to act by faith.\par \cf1\par \b0 In fact, according to \cf2\ul Act_20:31\cf1\ulnone , the apostle spent three years at Ephesus in not only evangelism, but in equipping the church to have greater and greater revival. [In two years all Asia heard the word \cf2\ul Act_19:9-10\cf1\ulnone ] He had realized the potential of the work of God in Ephesus (the vision), and he was willing to invest sufficient time and work in seeing that potential reached (the prerequisites were in place).\par \cf3 7. Why did Paul insist on going to Rome even though trouble awaited him there? \cf2\ul Act_21:4\cf1\ulnone\par Paul had for a long time a tremendous burden for the work of God at Rome, the capital of the world at that time. He had feared that false teachers would come in and pervert the gospel of Christ. He states in \cf2\ul Rom_1:13\cf1\ulnone that he had purposed to go to Rome, but that he had been hindered. In the Living Letters Translation it says "but God did not let me." The timing just had not been right for Paul's visit. But finally, in Acts we see a great determination on Paul's part to go to Rome. Immediately after Paul's work is through in Ephesus, he tells the elders there that he will go to Jerusalem despite several warnings and appeals to avoid the city. Others have been warned of Paul's possible arrest and persecution by the Jews there. But Paul was adamant in his decision (\cf2\ul Act_20:24\cf1\ulnone ). Then in Jerusalem, and as prophesied in advance, Paul is arrested and convicted by the Jews. He however, saw an opportunity for his visit to Rome by appealing his case before Caesar (\cf2\ul Act_25:11\cf1\ulnone ). Though the arrest, conviction, and final transport to Rome would mean his eventual execution, \cf3 Paul saw the timing was right for his ministry to the church at Rome (\cf2\ul Act_28:30-31\cf3\ulnone ).\par \cf1\par \b WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \b0\par 1. What is the strategy of timing in relation to church planting?\par 2. Where doeLVALQs successful church planting begin?\par 3. Explain how God is the Master of time\par 4. Why will vision be important in times of frustration, hardship, and near despair?\par 5. What are four prerequisites that need to be in place before starting a new work?\par 6. What things will a pastor of a new work need to know about financial support?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 13\par \pard\cf1\par 7. Why did Paul insist on going to Rome even though trouble awaited him there?\par 8. According to 1Co 16:9 what two important things do we see concerning Paul?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 14\par \pard\cf1\par \par \b LESSON FOUR: WHO SHOULD BE USED TO PLANT CHURCHES?\par \b0\par \cf2\ul Joh_4:34-36\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 Are we burdened when we look upon the lost state of our fellow man? Do we feel the need to spread this gospel near and far?\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \cf3\b0 3. What type of laborers does the church need?\par \cf1\par From the beginning, God has had one great goal in mind: saving mankind to forever live with Him in His kingdom. Jesus, the manifestation of God in the flesh, was the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (\cf2\ul Rev_13:8\cf1\ulnone ). All that the Lord has done, and is doing, and what He will do is centered around this single purpose of man's redemption. To be involved with this work of God is to do the will of God. Jesus said it was His meat, or His nourishment. It was what sustained Him in this life, and what moved Him from day to day. The burden of reaching others with the truth was what led Him to Calvary, and even more, it was what kept Him on the cross when everything and everybody screamed at Him to come down from the tree and save Himself. In \cf2\ul Joh_5:30\cf1\ulnone Jesus told the Jews that He had not come to do His own will, but the will of His Father. To Zacchaeus (\cf2\ul Luk_19:10\cf1\ulnone ) he declared that He had come to save that which was lost. \cf3 The church needs laborers that have the mind of God, that posseLVALRss an understanding of God's eternal purpose, and that comprehend the significance of the mission of salvation to the lost.\par \cf1\par In John 6 we find Jesus teaching the difference between the carnal and the spiritual. He had declared that real life was in Him (drinking His blood and eating His flesh). Many of His followers were greatly offended at this teaching. It was just too strong for them. It was a teaching of no compromise, of being either with Him or against Him. The flesh wanted something more simple, with less commitment, but Jesus had no such compromise to offer. After many had walked away, Jesus challenged His disciples with the question, "Will ye also go away?"\par \par This question will ring in the ears of every follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ. At some point in our lives, He will challenge us to go a little further, to work a little harder, to give a little more in sacrifice. Will we simply seek a compromise? Simon Peter, though he did not fully understand his own words at the time, gave the reply that Jesus still seeks from believers (\cf2\ul Joh_6:68\cf1\ulnone ). In other words, Peter had declared that the only life with any meaning is to do the will of God. When we ask concerning who can be used to plant churches, we must start with this principle. We need workers, leaders, and pastors that have the same vision and burden of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church needs men and women that can say with Isaiah, "\i Here I am, send me\i0 ." (\cf2\ul Isa_6:8\cf1\ulnone ) In this lesson we will look at the vision of the planter, the motive of the planter, and the qualifications of a planter.\par \par \b The Vision\par \cf3\b0 1. What does the planting of a new church begin with?\cf1\par \par As we saw in Lesson Three, \cf3 the planting of a new church begins with a vision. \cf1 This vision is really a "connection" between the planter and the Lord of the harvest. It is a transfer of the burden of the Lord to the leader. It is a glimpse of what God would like to do throughLVALS the leader and in the lives of those to whom the planter will be sent. It is not a revelation that "I can go," but rather a clear understanding that "I must go." Where else could we go, when Jesus alone has the words of eternal life, for us and for others. The vision must be clear enough and tangible enough that the church planter can say that it is what nourishes him. It must become the meat that sustains him.\par \par (\cf2\ul Ecc_11:4\cf1\ulnone ). Neither circumstances nor \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 15\par \pard\cf1\par personal ambition propel us into the harvest, therefore, neither adversity nor personal sacrifice will pull us away from the harvest. Always before the face of the church planter will be the vision that God has provided. The successful church planter will be like the Apostle Paul (\cf2\ul Phi_3:13-14\cf1\ulnone ). \cf2\ul Phi_3:15\cf1\ulnone according to the Phillips New Testament Translation says, "All of us who are spiritually adult should set ourselves this sort of ambition."\par \cf3 2. What are three ways we receive a vision?\cf1\par \par \cf3 Part of the vision comes from experience.\cf1 It is partially based upon the level of experience of the planter. What has been his experience in the work of the Lord? What has he seen the Lord do in the past? What does he believe the Lord is capable of doing in the future?\par \par \cf3 Another part of the vision is inherited. \cf1 It has been passed on to him from the Lord directly, and indirectly from the mother church or other church elders and leaders under whom the future planter has served. A pastor who thinks "big" can certainly help to pass on his vision to the leaders working under him in the harvest. Being part of a home missions work from the very beginning can help one of the members become a missionary himself.\par \par \cf3 Finally, part of the vision can be taught. \cf1 We can help faithful members realize the need of the harvest, equip them with the tools for the harvest, and help them realize that God mLVALTight be calling them into the harvest. We must always be on the lookout for members of our churches that are receiving the vision of the Lord for revival. Pastors should be challenging members with the vision. He should then allow those who respond, the opportunity to be charged with greater responsibilities in the kingdom of God. This will help them to become experienced workers with the Lord. We must learn to wait before the Lord in prayer, discerning His will, and answering His call to service.\par \par \b The Motive\par \cf3\b0 5. What is one of the strongest themes of the NT?\par \cf1\par (\cf2\ul 1Co_3:5-7\cf1\ulnone ) There is no room in God's harvest field for those that seek personal fame and glory. \cf3 One of the strongest themes of the New Testament teaching is that of humility. \cf1 Paul had realized that he had been crucified with Christ, yet he lived (\cf2\ul Gal_2:20\cf1\ulnone ). He recognized that the life he had was actually the new life of the Lord in him, allowing him to do by faith what God wanted him to do. It was no more and no less than that. This was the great apostle's motive. Personal ambition and trying to prove one's self-worth by building a church are not godly motives. Seeking position is not the same as seeking to do the will of Him that sent us. These carnal motives are like the tares that the enemy had sown in the field (\cf2\ul Mat_13:24-30\cf1\ulnone ). The law of Moses carefully described how the seed was to be sown in Israel. (\cf2\ul Lev_19:19\cf1\ulnone ) They were not to sow a field with mingled seed.\par \par The word "\i mingled\i0 " here refers to different kinds of seed being placed in the same field. It was forbidden by God. (\cf2\ul Deu_22:9\cf1\ulnone ) There must be purity in the way we plant today as well. There must be purity of doctrine, for example, purity of holiness. And there must be purity of our motives. Anything else will be simply tares. Tares were plants that closely resembled wheat, but that, when matured, were actually poisonous toLVALU man. It took some time before one was able to recognize the presence of tares in the wheat fields. The similarity in the young plants was too strong to notice the difference at first, but eventually, and sadly, the tares made themselves known to the planter. We must guard against this problem in our fields of revival. Notice in the parable that the tares were sown "\i while men slept\i0 ." To appoint a leader or future church planter that has not demonstrated faithfulness, loyalty, and humility will only bring poison into the household of God.\par \par \b The Qualifications\par \b0\par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 16\par \pard\cf1\par The qualifications necessary for church leaders fall into three major categories. These three areas are used to determine the eligibility for use in church leadership at any level, whether as a leader in the local assembly, or as a planter of a new missions work. Leaders will become qualified through:\par \cf3 4. How does a leader become qualified/eligible to plant a church?\par \par (1) Proper training\par (2) Spiritual demonstration\par (3) The presence of necessary spiritual gifts\par \cf1\par Let us consider each of these qualifying factors individually.\par \par \b First, there is no substitute for proper training.\b0 Paul refers to the danger that Israel had fallen into (\cf2\ul Rom_10:2\cf1\ulnone ). To possess desire and burden is absolutely necessary, but leaders need training as well. Our God-given skills must be sharpened through teaching and practice, and by experience. Pastors should consider regularly scheduled leadership training an absolute must as part of the local church ministry. Saints should know that in the local assembly there will always be further opportunity for growth and usefulness in the work of the kingdom of God. They must see that necessary training in leadership skills will be provided, making it possible for them to realize their true potential. Leadership training classes should focus on teaching about personal ministry, communicaLVALVtion, the Word of God, prayer, teaching skills, the importance of lay ministry in the local church, etc. There is an endless list of needful teaching that the pastor should feel responsible for providing. If the pastor is unable to provide the teaching himself, he should be able to point future leaders to where they may be trained in these areas. Pastors should keep careful records concerning who has taken part in these classes. In this way, the pastor will know who has successfully completed the training portion of the qualifying process for use as a leader or church planter. Since this course deals with church planting, there should be specific training offered which will provide potential church planters with the necessary teaching for starting a new work. It is true that some things will only be learned "on the job," after having commenced a new work. That is what experience is all about. However, to ignore the experience that others have to share will only hinder the work that God wants to perform through new leaders. Seasoned, successful pastors should pass on their knowledge and experience to leaders being trained under them.\par \par \b Second, church planters must be qualified by spiritual demonstration. \b0 Some people become very good at "talking" like Christians, but they never seem to be able to "walk" like real Christians. The prophet Samuel was certainly on of the greatest Old Testament characters. He, however, made a great error in thinking that God would choose someone like Saul to replace Saul, the backslidden king of Israel. In the well-known passage of 1Sa 16, we find Samuel being sent to the house of Jesse, a man of Bethlehem. Here, Samuel would be responsible for anointing the future king of Israel that would replace the carnal Saul. Samuel had been the prophet used by God to anoint Saul when he had first been chosen by God to become king. Saul had been a powerful young man then, very tall and strong. So, in 1Sa 16, we find Samuel looking for one of the older, stronger sons oLVALWf Jesse as the "obvious" choice of the future king. But God had a different plan. Samuel, seeing the eldest son, Eliab said (\cf2\ul 1Sa_16:6\cf1\ulnone ). But the Lord's answer was simple (\cf2\ul 1Sa_16:7\cf1\ulnone ). We are looking for men that are qualified spiritually. They will be those who have demonstrated a right spirit, and attitude of loyalty, unity, humility, and faithfulness. These are men that have demonstrated their willingness to participate in the work of the Lord. They have been faithful in the little things and now will be trusted with great things (\cf2\ul Luk_16:10\cf1\ulnone ). If a leader in the local assembly has struggled with faithfulness or has not cooperated with the pastor in the work of the church, how will he be able to spiritually survive the battlefield of planting a new congregation? We must be very careful to view prospective leaders the way God sees them, in the Spirit.\par \par \b Third, part of the qualification is in the area of spiritual gifts. \b0 Paul talks about gifts that differ (\cf2\ul Rom_12:5-8\cf1\ulnone ). Grace is the unearned favor of God bestowed upon us in order to accomplish a specific task or ministry.\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 17\par \pard\cf1\par \cf3 7. Locate the two passages of scripture dealing with Spiritual Gifts mentioned in this lesson.\cf1\par Therefore, we can know that the Lord will enable us by His power and equip us with the spiritual tools we need to accomplish the ministry He has chosen to work through us. We have all seen men and women that have failed at producing a spiritual harvest. They have been frustrated in their attempts to do a work for God. Their intentions were good and their motives were pure, but were they actually called for that particular ministry? Some pastors have failed in building a congregation, and in retrospect, we can see that they were more aptly suited to be good and strong leaders in the local church under the direction of a dynamic pastor. Perhaps they felt as though the only "advancement" inLVALX the ministry was to become a pastor, but the gifts that should accompany this kind of ministry were never present. If only they had been offered ministry at the local church level in which they could excel according to the grace that was given them, they would still be producing a spiritual harvest in the local church. As church leaders, we have the responsibility of recognizing these gifts in our members, and also in helping them to nurture and develop these gifts. By doing this we are helping them to recognize their places in the kingdom ministry, and preventing the frustration that comes with being "in the wrong spot at the wrong time." \cf3 Several of these spiritual gifts are described in \cf2\ul 1Co_12:27-31\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_12:4-11\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_12:6-8\cf3\ulnone . \cf1 All of these have their places in the ministry of God through the church, and we must learn to direct the operation of these gifts according to the will of God.\par \par The Pauline Perspective\par \cf3 6. What did Paul instruct Timothy to do in \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf3\ulnone ?\cf1\par \par \cf3 There is no doubt about the Apostle Paul's burden to plant churches throughout the first century world. (He instructed Timothy \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf3\ulnone ) Again in \cf2\ul 1Ti_3:1-13\cf3\ulnone he outlines some of the qualifications that are absolutely necessary to men that would become pastors and deacons.\cf1 As we read these, it is important to note that all of the qualifications but one are concerned with the leader's character. The only one that deals with personal ability is that the pastor be "apt to teach." Some of the other New Testament translations render this as "skilled in teaching," "with a gift for teaching," or "qualified to teach." All of the other named qualifications are directed at the spiritual character of the potential church leader. \cf2\ul 1Ti_3:14-15\cf1\ulnone tells the reason for writing these things. He says that he hopes to soon be with Timothy (at Ephesus) but that if he is delaye0 LVAL@ d, it is imperative that Timothy understand the importance of appointing the right people for the great responsibility of being leaders in God's church. Building on anything else than the proper spiritual foundation is to build on sinking sand.\par \par WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \par 1. What does the planting of a new church begin with?\par 2. What are three ways we receive a vision?\par 3. What type of laborers does the church need?\par 4. How does a leader become qualified/eligible to plant a church?\par 5. What is one of the strongest themes of the NT?\par 6. What did Paul instruct Timothy to do in \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf1\ulnone ?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 18\par \pard\cf1\par 7. Locate the two passages of scripture dealing with Spiritual Gifts mentioned in this lesson.\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 19\par \pard\cf1\par \fs29\par } LVAL^Z{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red128\green0\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs29 LESSON FIVE: THE HOW OF CHURCH PLANTING (PART ONE: THE FOUNDATION)\b0\par \par \cf2\ul Joh_1:12-13\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Joh_3:6\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Joh_6:63\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Eph_2:20\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 A house with a proper and strong foundation will last.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \cf3\b0 5. We will be guilty of what if our work is not energized and directed by Christ?\par \cf1\par When we speak of the how of church planting, it is not the intention of these lessons to lead the reader to believe that there is a simple way of having successful revival through any mechanical means. The Church is spiritual. It is born of the Spirit, directed by the Spirit, and continues to grow because of the Spirit. There will never be a program that brings revival or church growth. We must be led by Jesus Christ in total surrender to His will. He must give the power and the direction for all of our evangelistic efforts. \cf3 If our work is not energized and directed by Him, we will be guilty of trying to copy the things of the Spirit with the work of the flesh.\par \cf1\par There are, however, certain principles that can and must be applied to the ministry of planting churches. These are essential in laying the proper foundation on which to build a new work. Jesus warns us of the danger of building something other than His truth (\cf2\ul Mat_7:24-27\cf1\ulnone ). To follow the leading in the harvest is to build upon the rock. To ignore His sayings and not do them is to build upon the sand.\par \par In introducing this lesson, it is perhaps better to begin with how NOT to plant a church.\par \cf3 1. List the five instructions on "How not to plant a church."\par \par \b (1) At the wrong time. \par \cf1\b0\par ALVAL[s we saw in Lesson Three, proper timing is essential. Planting a crop in the wrong season is a guarantee of failure. Harvesting as well, must take place at the full maturity of the crop. The Lord will certainly urge us to action at the right time. The key is positioning ourselves to be useful to God. Positioning refers to making the necessary preparations in order to be equipped and ready when the Lord does direct us to plant. What a pity it would be to be called when we are not ready, or worse yet, to be so unprepared that we are not even called (\cf2\ul Mar_4:25\cf1\ulnone ). A modern way of saying the same thing might be \i "Use it or lose it."\i0 The Lord considers His abiding grace and blessing as an investment, and He expects a return on that investment. Not using the gifts, power, and anointed guidance of His Spirit is ensuring a great failure in the harvest. In fact, it guarantees that we will be out of position for being used by Him in the manner that He has ordained.\par \par \cf3\b (2) In the wrong place.\par \cf1\b0\par Though it is true that we were commissioned to go into all the world and preach to every creature, the Lord will provide a well-defined strategy for this. A haphazard approach will only lead to frustration and disappointment. We must wait on the Lord to give us the eyes of the Spirit, to see what He sees, and to understand where He is directing us.\par \cf4 Some places are condusive to the Gospel and some are not. Those who go to the hard places must be willing to spend a lot of time digging them out of the rock.\par \par \cf3\b (3) With the wrong leader.\par \cf1\b0\par The epistles of the New Testament are full of admonitions concerning false teachers and men that would try to subvert the Church \b\fs20 [SEE WHY FALSE PROPHETS \cf2\ul Deu_13:1\cf1\ulnone ]\b0\fs29 . In Titus Paul explained the importance of the character and training of the men who would be ordained in every city (\cf2\ul Tit_1:5\cf1\ulnone ). Paul left Titus behind to organize the new church wLVAL\ork on the island of Crete. Paul clearly defines the need for demonstrated faithfulness, that is, a proven soundness in \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 20\par \pard\cf1\par their walk with the Lord. He warned of unruly teachers (\cf2\ul Tit_1:10-11\cf1\ulnone ). \par \par A bishop was not to be ordained with responsibility if he was a novice (\cf2\ul 1Ti_3:6\cf1\ulnone ). The word novice here in the Greek is \b\i neophutos\b0\i0 meaning "one who by inexperience is unfitted to act as a bishop or overseer" (Vine). Both of these dangers can lead to the fall of the new work into confusion or even false doctrine. Sufficient time must be given prospective leaders in which they may demonstrate their faithfulness and their soundness in teaching, as well as gain valuable experience while working under the direction of a proven and successful elder. These men to be entrusted with starting and overseeing new works must also be approved by the church administration. We find this very principle in (\cf2\ul Act_15:1-6\cf1\ulnone ). Certain men had gone into churches teaching doctrines that were not approved. The elders at Jerusalem solved the problem by writing an official letter to the churches saying that these men had not been sent out by the Church, and the doctrine they taught was not sanctioned by the Church Headquarters in Jerusalem. They emphasized that the men actually ordained by them (Barnabas and Paul) were authorized (\cf2\ul Act_15:24-26\cf1\ulnone ).\par \par \cf3\b (4) With an incomplete support structure.\par \cf1\b0\par The Lord always finishes what He begins (\cf2\ul Phi_1:6\cf1\ulnone ). This should be true with us as well when we are in cooperation with Him in His work. One of the fundamental goals of evangelism is the identification of the new convert with: firstly, the mystical body of Christ as a whole, and then secondly, with a local congregation. The conversion of sinners without the discipling process is without benefit. In fact, it can even have a negative effect. \cf4 To start LVAL]an evangelistic effort in a new area with many being born again, and then not continuing that work, causing the new converts to spiritually die from neglect, may leave a negative attitude in the area toward the church.\cf1 Even later, when another leader comes to reopen the work with a greater desire and lasting burden, those in that area may be reluctant to receive the gospel the second time.\par \par They may well remember that this is the church that does not follow through with their commitments. There must be a full dedication to the new work, on the part of the organization supporting the work, and on the part of the pastor leading the work.\par \par \cf3\b (5) With an incomplete vision.\par \cf1\b0\par There are boundaries to every vision. Every leader should have a vision of that which the Lord has called him or her to do. What are the limits of this vision? How can the vision be expanded? Is the vision sufficient enough to carry us through the work? Can we see the order of the work, and the next necessary steps that must be taken? Successful church planters will have these questions answered before they even begin the new work. They will have a vision and they will be able to pass on this vision to the people they will lead. To try and lead without knowing where we are going is futile. Those who follow us must be assured that we know the way that God is leading us.\par \par \b The Sure Foundation\par \cf3\b0 2. Explain what "digging deep" means.\par \cf1\par Despite the attempts of some to overthrow the faith of some the "foundation of God stands sure." (\cf2\ul 2Ti_2:19\cf1\ulnone ). The foundation that Paul speaks about here is the rock on which we are to build, Jesus Christ. Jesus, in fact told us that He would build His Church upon this rock (\cf2\ul Mat_16:18\cf1\ulnone ). It will be built. And we can be part of that great construction (\cf2\ul Eph_2:20-22\cf1\ulnone ). Earlier in this lesson, we referred to Jesus' admonition of building on the rock and not sinking sand (\cf2LVAL^\ul Mat_7:24-27\cf1\ulnone ). In Luke's account Jesus tells us the man "digged deep," in order to lay the foundation on the rock (\cf2\ul Luk_6:48\cf1\ulnone ). \cf3 Digging deep means spending sufficient time in preparation so that there will be no doubt of the building standing after construction. Digging deep means not looking for fast results, but rather a slow and steady growth in quantity and quality of the new congregation. Digging deep also means work.\par 4. What are the two main objectives of the church?\par \cf1\par \cf4 Jesus spent 30 years preparing. \par Nehemiah spent three months praying and preparing to rebuild the walls.\cf1\par Throughout the New Testament description of the early church, we can clearly see that the goal of evangelism was firstly, reaching the lost, and secondly (and certainly no less important), establishing the new converts in \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 21\par \pard\cf1\par strong congregations. \cf3 In other words, the main objectives of the church were \b\i evangelism \i0 and \i edification\b0\i0 . \cf4 This is what Jesus meant by the Great Commission (\cf2\ul Mat_28:19-20\cf4\ulnone ).\cf3 \cf1 In a beginning work these two objectives are pursued one at a time in cycles. First comes an intense period of evangelism, followed by a time of edifying those reached through the evangelistic efforts. These new converts must be assimilated into a congregation where they feel part of the Christian family. Here in the shelter of the communion of the saints of God they will begin their spiritual growth and development. After this period of edification, they must be employed in the harvest themselves. Therefore, what follows next is another evangelistic effort, followed again by more edification. This cycle of evangelism and edification occurring at different times is normal for a growing and somewhat undeveloped church. Later however, there should be programs and ministries developed and introduced that will accommodate and ensure both evangelism and edificationLVAL_ simultaneously. From the outset, the pastor of a newly planted church must begin working toward this goal. The pace of this development must be carefully watched similarly to that of the growth of an individual member. To push a saint too much in the beginning can bring frustration and lack of progress. To be too hesitant in pursuing growth, and therefore work too slowly, also will retard growth. It is the same principle with an individual congregation. The new church must be challenged to higher and higher goals, but at the right time.\par \par \b The Structure\par \b0\par From the beginning, the leader should be endeavoring to build a structure that can provide ministries that are adequate enough to meet the goals of evangelism and edification.\par \par These goals must include:\par \b Spiritual birthing of new converts\par Nurturing these converts\par The spiritual growth and development of the new members\par Training in specific ministry\par Usefulness of members in those ministries\par The transfer of burden and vision of the pastor to the congregation.\par \b0\par The structure will normally be patterned after the mother church, or in the case of a home missions work, according to the experience of the leader. This is why it is so important to establish new works on the pattern of the New Testament Church, thereby ensuring that future works that spring from those churches will be according to the same pattern. By establishing strong congregations, we are building bases from which we can launch stronger and stronger evangelistic thrusts. This is the only way in which the church of today can effectively reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.\par \par \b The Pauline Perspective\par \cf3\b0 3. __ not only had a __ __ to __ the __, but he had a __ __ that it must be __ __.\par Paul not only had a deep burden to evangelize the world, but he had a strong conviction that it must be reached properly (\cf2\ul 1Ti_4:16\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf3\ulnone ). \cf1 The word "LVAL`continue" here is \b\i epimeno\b0\i0 meaning to continue on these things. Paul is exhorting Timothy to remain on the foundation and never allow any substitute. Certainly the apostle never intended that Timothy would do things in exactly the same way as Paul, but he did expect the same spiritual principles to be in force. \par \cf3 6. Who would continue as the pastor of the Ephesian church after Paul's departure?\cf1\par Paul's last meeting with the elders of the church at Ephesus contains some very interesting exhortations (\cf2\ul Act_20:17-36\cf1\ulnone ). He had abundantly labored there for three years, pouring himself into the work of God at Ephesus. He had recognized the strategic importance of a strong church in this commercial center of the ancient world.\cf3 It was Timothy who would continue as pastor of the Ephesian Church after Paul's departure.\cf1 This is the reason we find such a comprehensive epistle as 1Ti written to the young pastor while Paul was imprisoned at Rome. The book contains several sections that deal with administration, training of leaders, principles of pastoring, the importance of doctrinal purity, etc. It is clear from Paul's concern about the work at Ephesus that he intended the church to not only flourish, but to become a center of evangelism, reaching to the furthest parts of Asia Minor.\par \cf3 7. The new work that Paul started was to serve as a model to who?\par \cf1\par It is also clear that it was at Ephesus that Paul demonstrated the team concept of evangelism. Many names of Paul's associates are \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 22\par \pard\cf1\par mentioned throughout the New Testament, but never so many as at Ephesus. Men and women like Aquila, Priscilla, Timothy, Titus, Gaius, Erastus, and Aristarchus are mentioned in the context of the work at Ephesus. More would join the work as it progressed, and as the need for trained leadership became more and more evident. Apollos, Sosthenes, Tychicus and Trophimus were used as ministers in the new work at EpheLVALasus, and stand as witnesses to us of the need of a comprehensive plan to reach a new area with the gospel. \cf3 The new work that Paul spent three years opening, establishing, and expanding was to serve as a model, not only for that region, not only for that time, but for us as well when we lift up our eyes and look on the fields white already to harvest.\par \par \cf1\b WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \b0\par 1. List the five instructions on "How not to plant a church."\par 2. Explain what "digging deep" means.\par 3. __ not only had a __ __ to __ the __, but he had a __ __ that it must be __ __.\par 4. What are the two main objectives of the church?\par 5. We will be guilty of what if our work is not energized and directed by Christ?\par 6. Who would continue as the pastor of the Ephesian church after Paul's departure?\par 7. The new work that Paul started was to serve as a model to who?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 23\par PAGE 24\par \pard\cf1\par \b LESSON SIX: THE HOW OF CHURCH PLANTING (PART TWO: THE METHOD)\par \b0\par \cf2\ul Mat_18:20\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Act_19:8-9\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 A church needs constant growth to be considered healthy and productive.\par \cf4 It requires following proper cycles (\cf2\ul Joh_15:1\cf4\ulnone ).\cf1\par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \par The Pauline Perspective\par \b0\par Paul understood the need for congregations. After a period of three months teaching and preaching at Ephesus, he separated the disciples into a congregation. No longer meeting in the Jewish synagogue he found a location where they could gather, a school operated by someone named Tyranus. The time had come when it was more beneficial to have a congregation of believers in and through which the saints could find strength, benefits, and the manifest presence of the Lord. The Christian experience is certainly contacted individually at first, but it is important to note that there are many exhortations in scripture that make mention of the "body" and its ministLVALbry. Congregations also provide the opportunity for members to participate in the Great Commission through the joint efforts of the Assembly. \par \cf3 3. What was the method of church planting according to the NT?\par \cf1\par These first "churches" were probably synagogue style in worship, and met in homes, or in some cases like Ephesus, in rented facilities. Each city had a bishop or pastor that was overseer of the general work in that area, and deacons that led meetings in individual homes. Perhaps the Romans tolerated these meetings as long as they perceived the new Christianity as just another part of the Jewish religion, but in and of themselves Christian meetings were illegal. The meetings or services conducted on Sunday, the first day of the week, were simple in content, concentrating on ministering to the basic needs of the new believers. This ministry most certainly included teaching doctrine, baptism, worship, Holy Ghost baptism, etc. The ministry was defined by the need, as it should still be today. \cf3 According to the New Testament, the method of church planting was simply:\par Preaching to the crowds (whether publicly, in synagogues or in homes)\par Bringing together the new converts (in homes, synagogues or schools)\par Worship instituted along with instruction in doctrine and practical Christianity\par Elders and deacons chosen and trained for use in further ministry\par \cf4 Jesus mentored twelve men for three years. They in turn carried on a similar process with their converts. Like a coach in sports.\cf1\par We should note that there are no appeals to the Jerusalem Headquarters for pastors for the newly opened works, neither any request for financing the new works.\par \cf3 1. What are the two primary means by which we open new works today?\par \par Today the two primary means by which we open new works is through the Mother/Daughter concept or by the Home Missions concept. In this lesson we will explore the two concepts.\par \cf1\par \b The Mother/Daughter Concept\pLVALcar \b0\par A pastor should be congratulated for having successfully started and pastored a church. But there is still more to be done. The feeling of "having done all we can" is a deceptive one. Just as a church without growth is not healthy, it is also not healthy to stand by and watch as the communities around us fail to receive the only gospel that saves. \par \par The book of 1Sa opens with a moving story of Hannah, the wife of Elkanah. This was a marriage based upon love and mutual respect. Elkanah dearly cared for his wife Hannah, but the marriage had never been blessed by the addition of children. Hannah was barren. One day, while Hannah could not eat, but wept instead, Elkanah asked her, "Am I not better to thee than ten sons?" (\cf2\ul 1Sa_1:8\cf1\ulnone ). Hannah knew there was more to her life than her husband's love. She felt \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 25\par \pard\cf1\par destined to be the mother that brought something great into the world, a child that would be dedicated to the Lord and His work. Nothing could stop that desire and nothing could become a substitute for it.\par \par This is a beautiful picture of the church that is so dearly loved and cared for by Jesus Christ. He bought it with His own blood. He is our Friend, our Lover, and our Husband. But isn't there a destiny felt by the true members of the body of Christ? Isn't there a feeling that we should be New Testament "Hannahs" that will not be satisfied until we bear spiritual children? We are like Rachel who cried out, "Give me children or I die" (\cf2\ul Gen_30:1\cf1\ulnone ). Strong, mature congregations must recognize this burden that God inspires. The church's destiny includes spiritual motherhood. After Hannah had poured out her burdened request to God, the priest Eli gave her the answer she sought (\cf2\ul 1Sa_1:17\cf1\ulnone ). This will be the answer He gives us as well if we will only surrender to the call of spiritual motherhood.\par \par \cf3 2. How does parenting a daughter work begin?\par ParentinLVALdg a daughter work begins with identifying the target. \cf1 We must establish to which community God is directing us. What are the possibilities? What are the potential problems? One of the easiest ways that a daughter work can be started is through the Home Fellowship Group or "Cell" ministry. When a Home Fellowship Group reaches a certain size, and there is a leader that has accepted a call to the new area, the group can become a daughter congregation, meeting on Sundays. Like spokes coming from a central hub, every mature church should send out branch works to the communities surrounding it. Home Fellowship Groups that meet during the week can easily become daughter churches as sufficient members to help sustain the new work are reached.\par \par We must also be able to identify the helpers. Who is spiritually able, trained, and qualified to lead the daughter congregation? This is why ongoing leadership training and qualifying must be taking place in mature congregations. In fact, this is one of the signs of a healthy church. There will always be a need for trained leaders. If the pastor's burden and vision is successfully being passed on to growing members, there will be a response from those that God is calling into pastoral ministry. \par \par Identifying the place and time comes next. Will the new congregation start in a home or a rented facility? Where is the most central place in regards to the new and yet to be reached saints? Will these be Sunday morning services? Is it better to start on Sunday afternoons, allowing the pastor of the mother church to be in charge of the services? This might also allow members of the mother church to attend, thereby bolstering the faith and expectancy of the new services.\par \cf3 4. What does "each existing church planting just one daughter work" mean?\par \cf1\par In the case of a daughter congregation the "vision" that is so important is supplied by the mother. It is the pastor's vision that has started the new work and his burden that will continuLVALee the momentum necessary in the beginning. Gradually, however, this vision will be passed on to the eventual leadership of the daughter church. The experience of the mother will also greatly benefit the new work, and will shape the early growth of the daughter. What has worked in the growth of the mother church will surely be tried in the daughter. Mistakes made by the mother can be sometimes (but not always) avoided in the daughter work. The goal is producing a daughter that the mother can be proud of. We should strive to start works that will soon become self-sufficient as soon as possible. Independence from the mother comes as the daughter begins to mature and is gradually able to stand on her own. Soon after, it too will become a spiritual mother of another new congregation. \cf3\b Each existing church, planting just one daughter work would mean doubling our present outreach.\par \b0 7. When Bible schools are "mothers" what two important things can be accomplished?\cf1\par Bible Schools can also become mothers. Students, while attending school, can be used to start satellite works in the near vicinity of the school, or in some cases be allowed to travel further distances on weekends in order to plant new works in new areas. \cf3 This is an excellent way of accomplishing two important things. First, the student gets practical training as well as learning the scriptures; and secondly the student's work can be closely monitored by the school officials during the crucial period at the beginning of the new work. \cf1 Valuable experience will be gained by these students that are afforded such an opportunity, and many new works can be planted.\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 26\par \pard\cf1\par Finally, it is important that the mother church continue to provide the necessary help to its daughter as long as it is required. In the beginning, or infant stage of the daughter it is obvious that continuous help is needed. But as the daughter grows, it will become less in terms of time required, but more focLVALfused in nature. There will be certain areas of the daughter work that will be targeted by the mother for assistance. As an example there could be "power teams" sent by the mother for some Sunday services. These teams can help the faith of the daughter congregations in the worship, in the teaching and preaching, and more especially in the altar call portion of the meeting. Trained altar workers are very important in every church. In a new congregation, these altar workers are scarce. They are yet to be trained and have not gained the experience so necessary in ministering to people during prayer. The mother however, should have enough trained personnel to be able to share teams occasionally with the daughter. What a difference it makes to have seasoned veterans of the Lord's work present in a service. What a blessing it is for a daughter to enjoy this kind of support from its mother church. At first, church reports, tithing, and visitation follow-up will probably be directed by the mother church for proper administration, and later will be surrendered to the responsibility of the daughter.\par \par \b The Home Missions Concept\par \par \cf3\b0 5. What does the Home Missions Concept refer to?\par \par This refers to a trained pastor being sent out by the church into a new area, previously unevangelized. \cf1 This is a process seen so often in the Book of Acts. Many of the points discussed in the Mother/Daughter Concept will continue to apply here. \par \par For example; the need for identifying the target community, the helpers, as well as the time and place of meeting will still be absolutely essential. The vision in this case, must be a combination of the vision of the leader that is sent, and that of the national leadership that is sending him. They must be in complete agreement about the need, the structure, the goals, and the method. There should be a clear understanding of what is expected on both parts. The experience of the leader while at his home church, will provide a large part of thLVALge direction that the new leader will pursue in opening the missions work. This is one of the reasons why the national leadership must be careful in its choice of who will go to a new area. What are the leader's real qualifications and what is his past experience? While experience is certainly no guarantee of success or failure, it is certainly valuable.\par \cf3 8. Why is it critically important that a pastor demonstrate his loyalty to the organization and the doctrine; and show himself faithful in church work administration?\par \par This new work and its leader/pastor will be working alone most of the time. Therefore it is critically important that the new pastor has demonstrated his loyalty to the organization, and to the doctrine, as well as having shown himself faithful in the administration of church work. \cf1 He should have the recommendation of someone who has watched him labor. He will not be working with the benefit of the help that a mother church can provide, so he must be a motivator of himself and of others. He must be prepared to train those needful in the ministries of the new work. He will at first be the head of all ministries, the teacher, the preacher, the youth leader, choir director, etc. He must be ready to face every adversity, knowing that his best friend is the Lord Himself. He must realize that although the national organization will want to help all it can, this help will be sporadic, and that there will never be the time nor opportunity for enough of that help.\par \par There are many ways in which the initial contacts with residents of the target community may be made. This can be done through mass evangelism strategies like open-air crusades, through tent meetings, through Bible Studies taught in individual homes by the new pastor, or simple invitations to newly made acquaintances. In the next lesson we will look at what to do with these new contacts and how to get started in planting the church.\par \par \b Having a Plan\par \par \cf3\b0 6. Where can the answLVALer be found to the question "when will we have enough churches?"\cf1 \par Whether a new church will be planted by a Home Missions Effort, or by a mature congregation branching off a daughter work, the key is to always follow a plan. Every church that is beginning to show the signs of spiritual maturity should have a plan for reaching out into the surrounding areas. These areas may be neighborhoods in a large town, or they may be villages not very far away \par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 27\par \pard\cf1\par from the mother church. The pastor and leadership of these mature churches should meet regularly, not only for discussing and analyzing the progress of their work in the local church, but also to map out a strategy for planting a new work in these neighboring areas. \cf3 Our towns and cities are not yet saturated with too many churches. There is always room for more growth and therefore for more congregations. When will we have enough? (\cf2\ul Mat_25:19-21\cf3\ulnone )\par \cf1\par \b WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \b0\par 1. What are the two primary means by which we open new works today?\par 2. How does parenting a daughter work begin?\par 3. What was the method of church planting according to the NT?\par 4. What does "each existing church planting just one daughter work" mean?\par 5. What does the Home Missions Concept refer to?\par 6. Where can the answer be found to the question "when will we have enough churches?" \par 7. When Bible schools are "mothers" what two important things can be accomplished?\par 8. Why is it critically important that a pastor demonstrate his loyalty to the organization and the doctrine; and show himself faithful in church work administration?\par \par \pard\qc\cf5 PAGE 28\par PAGE 29\par \pard\cf1\par \par \fs29\par } LVAL^i{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs29 LESSON SEVEN: GETTING STARTED\par \b0\par \cf2\ul Mar_4:8\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Joh_4:36\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 It does not matter who plants the seed and who waters it, we need to remember that only God can give the increase.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\b0\par \cf3 3. How does Jesus end the parable in Mark 4?\par \cf1\par "\i Getting Started\i0 ," sounds like a big job indeed. And yet, it is simply a matter of beginning by sowing the seed. In the parable of the sower and seed, Jesus taught that the seed will fall on different types of ground (\cf2\ul Mar_4:3-20\cf1\ulnone ), the hard ground by the wayside, the ground full of stones, and thorny ground that chokes out the young plants. \cf3 But he ends the parable with the encouragement that some seed will fall on good ground and will bring forth fruit. It is guaranteed. No matter in what portion of God's harvest field we find ourselves, there is a revival waiting to take place.\cf1 Some revivals will be like the seed that brought forth thirty fold, others will be those that bring forth sixty fold, and others will be entrusted with a hundred-fold result.\par \par \b The Pauline Perspective\par \b0\par The Apostle Paul knew very well that though he had planted, and Apollos had watered, it was God who gave the increase (\cf2\ul 1Co_3:6\cf1\ulnone ). He had the wisdom to understand that not everywhere would there be an easy result. To some, like Lydia (\cf2\ul Act_16:14\cf1\ulnone ) the word had immediate and lasting results. He enjoyed great success in building the revival in Ephesus (\cf2\ul Act_19:10\cf1\ulnone ). Yet in Thessalonica (\cf2\ul Act_17:1-10\cf1\ulnone ), after only three weeks, Paul and Silas were forced to leave the city which had broken out in rioting bLVALjecause of the gospel they preached. It was in fact, Timothy who was sent back to Thessalonica to establish and comfort the new believers there (\cf2\ul 1Th_3:2\cf1\ulnone ). \par \par At Antioch of Pisidia (\cf2\ul Act_13:44-46\cf1\ulnone ) Paul and Barnabas were forced to conclude that they must focus their ministry on the Gentiles, and not the Jews who were displaying a very hard and stubborn spirit. In order to make this Spirit-led judgment, however, they had to sow the seed wherever and whenever they could in the beginning.\par \cf3 2. Why did Paul return to Lystra?\par \cf1\par \cf3 Paul saw the beginning of a work in Lystra but was stoned (\cf2\ul Act_14:19\cf3\ulnone ). After preaching in Derbe he returned to Lystra (\cf2\ul Act_14:21\cf3\ulnone ). Why return to the city where he was stoned and left for dead? Paul had seen the potential for a great harvest in Lystra. Where he had sown the seed he had seen he had seen the beginning of true growth. In other words, he had recognized Lystra as having lots of good ground on which to plant a church and see a harvest.\par \cf1\par The words of the apostles at Jerusalem were ever in the mind of Paul (\cf2\ul Act_13:2\cf1\ulnone ). There was too much work yet to be done to waste time trying to sow the seed of the Word of God on ground that was too hard, too stony, or too thorny. Once Paul determined the type of ground he was encountering, he pursued the planting of churches on the soil that would produce a harvest.\par \par \b The Initial Contacts\par \b0\par While the church planter sometimes will be specifically led by the Holy Ghost to certain individuals and groups, the majority of the time will be spent initially broadcasting the seed onto as much ground as possible. By doing this and remaining sensitive to the Spirit, he will be able to determine which ground is receptive to the gospel.\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 30\par \pard\cf1\par \cf3 6. What should be the motto of the church planter?\par \par \b\i "Go everywhere and tell eveLVALkrybody"\b0\i0 must be the motto of the church planter in the beginning stages of the new work. \cf1 In fact, this should remain the cry of the church as it grows in the Lord. Though the pastor's time will transition from doing most of the sowing to that of administration, comfort, preaching, teaching, etc.; he will be responsible for ensuring that the new congregation assumes the responsibility of continuously sowing the seed.\par \par Contacts are made through continuously witnessing on the street, in the village, at the workplace, and from house to house. Mass evangelism also produces mass numbers of initial contacts that must be followed up. Open air services, tent meetings, and large crusades produce can produce lists of visitors. Therefore, it is imperative that every such crusade or meeting be organized so that the visitors to the service can be traced after the meeting concludes. There must be a determination on the part of the pastor (and whatever help he has) to visit each and every visitor that attended the crusade, tent revival, or open air meeting. Whether the visitor's list is composed of ten or two hundred names, each one is a potential member of the new congregation. They have displayed some faith and interest in simply attending, therefore they may further pursue more truth if given the opportunity. It is not sufficient to simply invite the visitors back for another service during the crusade. They deserve a personal visit by the pastor or his helpers. This should be done in the visitor's home where it is important to try and secure the visitor's willingness to have a Bible Study taught.\par \cf3 1. After seeing new converts born into the church, what should the church planter do?\cf1\par As we saw in lesson six, in the beginning of a new work, the leader is probably the only one really ministering. (This will be somewhat different in the case of a daughter work where there may be workers already trained in some areas of ministry who will be valuable helpers to the new pastor). HeLVALl will be making the contacts and following them up. He will be transforming the contacts from mere acquaintances into Bible Study recipients, from outsiders to new members. He will group these Bible Study participants into home fellowship groups when possible, and will be teaching both the Bible Studies and Home Fellowship Groups. Part of identifying good soil also takes place after the contact has become a new member. Who is showing potential in ministry? Who can be trained to take some of the responsibility of the pastor? The responsibility of the pastor, after all, is to perfect saints to do a ministry, so the body of Christ may be edified (\cf2\ul Eph_4:12\cf1\ulnone ). F\cf3 rom the very beginning of seeing new converts born into the church, the church planter should start training programs to equip these members for ministry in visitation, witnessing, teaching Bible Studies, and ministry in home fellowship groups. \cf1 Then, as the congregation grows, there will be need in training in areas that directly boost the Sunday services; ministries like teaching Sunday School, altar worker training, and choir, etc. The pastor will learn to spot soil that is receptive, and the soil that will never produce. He must invest his time in planting the seed on the good ground, knowing that the Lord will respond with a harvest of thirty fold, sixty fold or a hundredfold.\par \cf5 Starbucks\par Newspaper articles (Grant)\par Funerals\par \cf1\par \b The Home Bible Study\par \par \b0 From the very birth of the Church, there have been Bible studies (\cf2\ul Act_5:42\cf1\ulnone ). \cf5 THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST VITAL ELEMENTS OF THE NT CHURCH. It would be hard to find a church today that did as much Bible Teaching as the NT church, and they were already indoctrinated with the law of God. If they needed it, we need it more.\par Every member needs to study it because it would take 21 years to teach the whole Bible in three services per week.\par \cf3 4. Bible studies accomplish what two things?\par \cf1\par LVALm \cf3 These Bible studies accomplish two main things: implanting the Word of God in the heart of the listener, and impacting the new contact with the love of God through ministry.\cf1 Sometimes, the content of the Bible study is not as important as merely being in the person's home on a regular basis, praying with him, and touching him with the compassion of Jesus Christ. Other times, the Word of God, so sharp and powerful (\cf2\ul Heb_4:12\cf1\ulnone ) is the agent that starts a permanent change from carnal to spiritual. From shortly after the church planter's arrival in the new area, there should be home Bible studies being taught. And, after several years and thematurity of this new work, there should still be home Bible studies being taught (fewer perhaps by the pastor, but certainly many by the congregation).\b\par \par HOME BIBLE STUDIES (\cf2\ul\b0 Act_2:42\cf1\ulnone\b )\par \cf3\b0 7. A congregation that truly cares will do what?\par \cf1\par Volumes have been written concerning the kinds of Bible Studies that can be taught, and it is not in the scope of this lesson to describe any particular one. The church planter, however, must be qualified in teaching such a study, and must train members of his new congregation to do the same. As soon as practicable, he must \par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 31\par \pard\cf1\par qualify new members to become teachers themselves, able to both break the bread of life to new contacts and to minister to them by the Spirit of God. The new pastor can take members that are showing promise with him as he goes to teach Bible studies and gradually allow them the opportunity to teach as well. These Bible studies should have some form of organization; that is, the teacher should be held accountable for teaching them in a timely manner. Missing appointments, or being slow to start a study after the initial contact has been made has caused many potential saints to become discouraged and lose interest in the new church.\cf3 A congregation that truly cares will folLVALnlow up its commitments. \cf5 It should be the goal of the pastor to have each new contact taught a home Bible study, by him, or by members he has trained in this valuable ministry. \cf1 Much spiritual soil testing takes place during a home Bible study. Many people reveal that they are not good ground at the time of the study. Others show great progress and results during and after being taught.\par \par The teacher must try and remain sensitive to and led by the Spirit of the Lord to know when to proceed and when to quit if necessary. Some Bible studies show results after just a few sessions. Others need months of time and energy invested before the light finally shines through. There is no substitute for one-on-one ministry, and home Bible studies serves as the medium through which this ancient and apostolic duty can take place. \par \b\fs20 [SEE TEACHING 1 - TOP]\par [SEE HOW TO \cf2\ul Act_2:42\cf1\ulnone ]\par \b0\fs29\par \b The Home Fellowship Group\par \par \cf3\b0 8. What three things does a growing church need?\par \par While the one-on-one ministry is vital to a growing church, there is also the need for group ministry, and a vehicle by which members may be used in group ministry. \cf1 Of course, there are several forms of ministry that can only occur in the setting of the Sunday service, where larger numbers of saints can share the manifest presence of the Lord, and enjoy the feeling of security found only in the body as a whole. Some ministry, however, is restricted by these larger numbers of participants. Not everyone in the church service can share a testimony, lead a chorus of praise, or lay hands on others during prayer. \cf2\ul Jam_5:16\cf1\ulnone exhorts us to confess our faults one to another, so that earnest prayer might be made and spiritual, emotional and physical healing might take place. This would be very difficult in a congregation of many people. Smaller groups where real Christian fellowship can be felt and demonstrated are needful in today's churches. The Greek LVALoword for fellowship or communion is koinonia, meaning sharing, in common, participation, and contribution. It is more than a handshake after church service on Sunday. Paul taught us to bear one another's burdens (\cf2\ul Gal_6:2\cf1\ulnone ). We can use the four components of the name to illustrate the valuable contribution Home Fellowship Groups can offer to a new congregation.\par \par \b Home\par \b0\par This speaks first of all about the setting of the meeting. It is in a home where people can be more comfortable and even more relaxed than in a church service. They can "lower their guards," and hopefully allow us to get inside their walls of defense. It also describes the convenience of a house setting. There is no need for a church building to begin the ministries of a church. By bringing those who have been participating in home Bible studies into the new home fellowship group, we can begin their experience of group ministry. Here, they will be able to receive and to learn to give as well. There will still be times of teaching during which they will learn valuable lessons in practical Christian living and doctrine, but there will also be the opportunity for members of the group to learn to minister to others. This is the real blessing of the home fellowship group, where members learn their parts in the body ministry, and realize their personal importance in the kingdom of God.\par \par \b Fellowship\par \b0\par \cf3 5. What does the home fellowship group serve as?\par \cf1\par The Church is not a building and its activities are not limited to those that take place on Sunday morning. The Church consists of members that have vital roles in ministering to each other. \cf3 The home fellowship group serves as a place for restoration, feeding, burden-bearing, spiritual growth, evangelism, spiritual warfare, deliverance, and the development of future leadership. It provides a certain security in knowing that one belongs to a group that really cares.\par \par \cf1\b Group\par \b0\par ThLVALpere is unity in these groups, as the exhortations of Paul in \cf2\ul Rom_12:5-9\cf1\ulnone are fulfilled. Participating members begin to see how they each fit in, as well as fully realize how their individual contributions (materially and spiritually) are valuable aids to the congregation as a whole. There is strength as each member helps to uphold and edify his brothers and sisters in the group. It is a good \par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 32\par \pard\cf1\par place to bring new visitors, even before they experience the Sunday gathering of all of the members.\par \par \b Ministry\par \b0\par Here is a medium in which existing leaders can "practice" and sharpen their skills in ministering to the household of God. The pastor will not only see that intensive training of potential leaders is necessary, but also that they be given the opportunity to use and develop skills and techniques they are learning. These leaders will recognize the importance of their ministries, in focusing, directing, and administering the move of the Spirit in these home fellowships. They will be learning valuable skills that will benefit them personally, as well as bless the members of the group and combine with the efforts of the other fellowship group leaders in "growing" the church. These leaders will be sharing a large part of the pastor's responsibility in reaching the community and in discipling the membership of the congregation. This means that they will also share some of the authority that pastor's possess.\par \par \b The Sunday Service\par \par \cf3\b0 10. What is one of the first considerations regarding the commencement of Sunday Service?\par \par One of the first considerations in regard to starting Sunday services is when. \cf1 To rent a hall, a classroom, or other facility before there are sufficient people to attend these meetings seems futile. \cf3 Through the efficient use of home Bible studies followed by and coexistent with home fellowship groups means that people will be ministered to even wiLVALqthout the financial burden of a Sunday service. The thought here is this: Bible studies lead to the formation of home fellowships\cf1 (composed of Bible study participants and "graduates"), and these home fellowships can be brought together for a gathering of all the participants, i.e., the Sunday service. Sunday church should not be thought of as the only means of ministry, but rather as having a specific ministry itself. When the congregation meets as a combined unit, there is strength in numbers, there is a clear manifestation of the Lord's presence in the group, and visitors should feel a touch of God in power. As was discussed in the section on home fellowships, there are certain forms of ministry that can only take place in smaller numbers of participants. Conversely, there are some aspects of church ministry that will be accomplished only in the Sunday Church service.\par \par \b The Model Church\par \par \cf3\b0 12. Explain how the model church can be a good one or a bad one.\par \cf1\par This is one of the most crucial aspects to be considered when planting a new work. The new church should be targeted from the outset as a model church of the future. This new congregation will, after all, become a pattern for any future daughter works it begins. Especially, in a regional or district center, this new work will become the model for future satellite congregations that will spread from it as a base. \cf3 This "model" can be a good one or a bad one. It will set the pattern in a positive way or a negative way. It will shine as an example of spiritual growth in quantity as well as quality, or it will hinder the future growth of other churches by setting the example of stagnation or carnality. \cf1 Each of the ministries within any local church should all be moving forward together in order to accomplish the well-defined goals of that church. There should be a comprehensive plan developed at the local church level that describes the goals of the congregation, as well as the steps that they LVALrwill take to accomplish those goals. The absence of this plan will only lead to meager and scattered attempts at evangelism, leadership development, and church growth. All pastors should be accountable in their responsibility to spearhead the efforts of a local church in reaching a new area with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. The pastor should, at any time, be able to describe the future of the work, the problems of the present, and the way in which he is taking the congregation forward by the grace of God. This is the calling God has given him. Paul said, \i "Follow me as I follow Christ"\i0 (\cf2\ul 1Co_11:1\cf1\ulnone ). The Berkeley Version puts it this way, \i "Pattern after me as I pattern after Christ."\i0 A clearly defined plan to reach the new area should accompany the pastor into the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of the portion of the field that God has assigned to him.\par \par In his book, "\i Strategies For Church Growth\i0 ," C. Peter Wagner describes four things that must be investigated if there is no fruit resulting from the sowing of the seed. These are:\par \cf3 9. According to C. Peter Wagner, what four things must be investigated if there is no fruit after the seed is sown?\par \par \b (1) Be sure you are in the vine.\par \cf1\b0\par This refers to \cf2\ul Joh_15:16\cf1\ulnone , Branches that bear fruit are the \par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 33\par \pard\cf1\par ones that are locked into the vine that supplies all the resources necessary to grow fruit.\par \par \cf3\b (2) Be sure you are preaching to the right people.\par \cf1\b0\par Look for and recognize the "good ground."\par \par \cf3\b (3) Be sure you are using the right methods\par \par (4) Be sure you are working hard enough.\par \b0\par \cf1 And make sure that you are investing your time and energy in the right ways.\par \cf3 11. What two things identify a healthy congregation?\par \cf1\par Finally, the goal of establishing a church that is self-propagating, self-supporting, and self-goveLVALsrning must be set at the beginning of the new work. While this is normally a goal targeted when considering the national work as a whole, it applies to the local church level as well. \cf3 A healthy congregation will be one that is continuing to sow seed and reap a harvest (evangelism and edification). It will also be one that is a sacrificial, giving church, where the members know what is expected of membership. \cf1 The new congregation must also be one that is governing itself through a clear form of local church government and administration. In another lesson, we will examine the administration of the newly planted church.\par \par \b WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \b0\par 1. After seeing new converts born into the church, what should the church planter do?\par 2. Why did Paul return to Lystra?\par 3. How does Jesus end the parable in Mark 4?\par 4. Bible studies accomplish what two things?\par 5. What does the home fellowship group serve as?\par 6. What should be the motto of the church planter?\par 7. A congregation that truly cares will do what?\par 8. What three things does a growing church need?\par 9. According to C. Peter Wagner, what four things must be investigated if there is no fruit after the seed is sown?\par 10. What is one of the first considerations regarding the commencement of Sunday Service?\par 11. What two things identify a healthy congregation?\par 12. Explain how the model church can be a good one or a bad one.\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 34\par PAGE 35\par \pard\cf1\par \b CHAPTER EIGHT: THE NUCLEUS OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION\par \b0\par \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:19\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 Pastors, work toward bringing unity to the "nucleus" your church; for these members are the ones who will help you carry the load.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \par A Nucleus in Every Church\par \par \cf3\b0 1. What did Jesus emphasize in His parable of the sower and the seed?\par 2. What is the nucleus of a congregation?\par \cf1\par \cf3 In any church coLVALtngregation, no matter the size, there exists a "congregation within the congregation."\cf1 In the last lesson we discussed the sowing of the seed. In Jesus parable of the sower and the seed, \cf3 He emphasized that not all ground on which the seed fell was good ground.\cf1 There was, in the case of the stony ground, a rapid growth of the young plant at first, but later, when the sun was up, it was scorched. On thorny ground, the results are similar. The thorns will grow around the new plant and choke it, causing it to die. Only on the good ground was the harvest what it should have been. In the explanation of the parable, Jesus taught us that there are people who hear the Word of God with gladness, but who later are offended by persecution or affliction and do not endure for long. There are others who hear the Word but are later choked by the deceitfulness of riches and lust for the things of the world. Only those that hear the Word and receive it deeply into the soil of their hearts will produce harvests that are thirty-fold, sixty-fold, or an hundred-fold.\par \par Pastors of every church should realize that within the churches they pastor, there is a group of saints that will be the strength of that church. \cf3 They will be the ones on whom they will build the revival that God so desperately wants. This is the nucleus of the congregation. \cf1 It is very important that pastors know that this is a normal part of the growth of a church. They should not be discouraged by the many that will hear the word but never really take it to heart and become fruitful. Pastors of new works must know this from the very beginning of their work. There will, at all stages of the growing church, be this nucleus. From this group of strong members the pastor will form his "team" that will share the load of building the work of God in the new area. These will be the saints that he will train intensively in leadership and they will be the ones that assume places of responsibility and authority in the local church.\paLVALur \par \b Identifying The Nucleus\par \b0\par Pastors should be looking for members that will speak the same thing and have no division among them (\cf2\ul 1Co_1:10\cf1\ulnone ). They will be people that share the pastor's vision and his burden. They will be perfectly joined together by the job that has been put before them by the Lord. \par These are the members of the church that clearly show that they are going in the same direction as the pastor. As he follows Christ, they follow him. In other words, they are demonstrating that they are dedicated to doing the will of God. \par \par We need to look at something that Paul shared with Timothy, his on in the gospel\cf3 (\ul 1Ti_4:12\ulnone ).\cf1 In this verse we find a great list of identifying features of those that will form the nucleus of any congregation.\par \cf3 3. List the identifying features that will form the nucleus of any congregation and give the scripture reference as well\par \b (1) In Word\cf1\par \b0\par This is what they say. They are showing that they agree with the direction that the pastor is taking and that they are willing to go with him. They are saying that they are with him in doctrine and in policy.\par \par \cf3\b (2) In Conversation\par \cf1\b0\par The word here in Greek is anastrophe, meaning "manner of life." This word is used to describe the daily lifestyle of someone. This means that their actions are in agreement with what they say.\par \par \cf3\b (3) In Charity\par \cf1\b0\par This word speaks of true love that comes from God, and works through the church. It refers here to our relationships with others. These are Christians that not only allow the love of God into their hearts, but who also allow it to move through them to touch others.\par \par \cf3\b (4) In Spirit\par \cf1\b0\par We must look for the members of the new congregation that are showing signs of \par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 36\par \pard\cf1\par being led by the Spirit. (\cf2\ul Rom_8:14\cf1\ulnone ).\par \par \cf3\b (5) LVALvIn Faith\par \cf1\b0\par This means that they are directed in their actions by the Word of God. They are acting with His strength in order to accomplish His task. We are not looking for those who "talk" a big faith, but those who live it.\par \par \cf3\b (6) In Purity\par \cf1\b0\par By this, we mean that these will be the saints that separate themselves from the world and who find what real holiness to the Lord means.\par \par It is obvious that not everyone will fall into this category. Some "\i members\i0 " will never become fruitful in the kingdom of God. They will simply never make the necessary dedication and sacrifice to become what they could become by the power and grace of God. Many pastors have expended too much time and energy trying to resurrect "\i dead saints\i0 ." The new leader of a church recently planted, should be able to identify these key individuals that will receive what the Lord is desiring to give.\par \par Someone has said that leaders should spend 80% of their time working with 20% of their people. While the numbers may not always be exactly 80/20, the principle is a sound one. Pastors and leaders should invest the majority of their precious time in those that show that they are the key individuals described above. This is nothing more than "sowing on good ground." This brings us to another major point in working with the nucleus of a congregation.\par \par \b The Nucleus is not Always The Majority\par \b0\par When a daughter church has been started with a group of believers that are strong and spiritual, there might be the possibility that the nucleus at the beginning is also the majority of members. This may change, however, as more and more visitors attend the church services and begin to call the church their home.\par \cf3 4. What can the unbelief of new visitors do to the progress of a church?\par 5. What are pastors called to do in reference to Ephesians 4?\par \cf1\par For a pastor that starts a home missions work, the situation could be entirely dLVALwifferent. He might begin the services with a few that have been taught a home Bible study and who have been formed into a home fellowship group or two. Along with these, there will be visitors that have come because they were invited to the Sunday meeting.\cf3 In this case, the pastor (and any key saints with him) may be overwhelmed by the majority, which in this case, is not all that spiritual. This majority may now even begin to work against the progress of the new church. When the faith and vision of the pastor urge the church to move on, the unbelief of the new visitors (as well as the carnal saints) can stop any progress, or perhaps cause the church to move in another direction. In some sad cases, a home missions pastor might consider this as matter of "us against them." It is during this period of overcoming the unbelief of many that the burden and commitment of church leadership is so crucial.\cf1 A pastor with a burden wants to see everyone saved, of course. The fact is, however, that not all drowning men will reach for the lifeline that is offered to them. Not every visitor will repent and be baptized, and not every member of every congregation will submit himself to the Lord in order to be used by the Spirit in the local church. \cf3 As we discussed in an earlier lesson pastors are called to equip the church membership to do a work of ministry (\cf2\ul Eph_4:11-12\cf3\ulnone ). The aim is spiritual perfection (\cf2\ul Eph_4:13-14\cf3\ulnone ). Therefore it is paramount that from the very beginning of a new church, the pastor identify the nucleus and begin to build the house of God upon it\cf1 . Gradually, and only by building the revival upon a spiritual foundation, the nucleus will become more powerful than those who have little faith.\par \par New pastors are often tempted to appoint members that have a good standing in the world to places of spiritual authority in the church. They think that if a person like this is rewarded in the church with position, he or she will remain loyal toLVALx the work. This has proven many times over the years to be false. Building a structure without a foundation is quick, but never can stand for long. We must dig deeply into the ground and base the future revival that God has guaranteed on a solid footing of spirituality. No worldly position, no singular talent, no amount of financial strength, and no abundance of carnal personality can ever \par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 37\par \pard\cf1\par become a substitute for spiritual dedication, and loyalty to the work of God as He builds the Church.\par \par \b Qualifying New Leadership\par \b0\par While identification of the nucleus of the congregation is absolutely necessary, it is not enough to stop there. Pastors must continue in providing leadership to these members that have proven their dedication. They must be helped in realizing their true spiritual potential. In other words, they should be shown that areas of responsibility and leadership are awaiting them. Qualification for leadership in a newly planted work must take place and include the three primary areas discussed in lesson four; training, spiritual demonstration, and spiritual gifts. It must be continuous. There should be training programs that fit the need at the time in the church. There should be jobs delegated to these aspiring leaders and key members through which they may demonstrate their loyalty and faithfulness, as well as practice their newly found skills in ministry. Finally, there must be teaching and guidance provided to show how ministry is accomplished through the Holy Spirit. Specific training programs and use of new leadership will be discussed in the next lesson.\par \par \b The Shepherd\par \b0\par (\cf2\ul Heb_5:11-14\cf1\ulnone ) When a congregation is composed of people that are spiritually immature, it is the fault of the pastor. While in the beginning of a new work it is expected to have a time of spiritual infancy in the church, it should not continue forever. Saints will grow if they are nourished and protectLVALyed. Children grow and mature. If there is not growth in our children then we know that something is wrong with the child, and we, as adults, take action to correct the problem. There are four primary responsibilities that pastors should fulfill in order to grow a mature congregation.\par \cf3 6. What are the four primary responsibilities that pastors should fulfill in order to grow a mature congregation?\par \par \b (1) The pastor must feel personally accountable for the success or failure of every ministry within the local church.\par \cf1\b0\par Delegation is absolutely necessary, but this does not mean that he totally surrenders his personal obligation to oversee the progress and development of the delegated ministries. For example; if the choir is not ministering properly in the church service, it is the pastor's ultimate responsibility to find the solution for the problem. The pastor should not place the blame on someone inadequately trained to carry out the function of a delegated position. A choir leader that does not know the goals of the choir, nor understand the ways in which a spiritual choir can minister to the needs of a congregation, will only become frustrated and confused. The same applies for any ministry of the local church. The ladies' leader must know what is expected of her. The youth leader should understand where he should be directing the youth group. They should all be involved in an integrated program of the local church to minister to the needs of the congregation and the community. If a particular ministry of the local church is failing, the pastor should ask these questions:\par \cf3 7. When a particular ministry is failing in a church, what four questions should the pastor ask?\par \b Is the leader adequately informed of what he or she is expected to do?\par Is he or she adequately trained to accomplish the task?\par Is he or she capable of doing the job?\par Does this leader need to be replaced by someone more capable?\par \cf1\b0\par \cf3\b (2) The pastor muLVALzst provide training in ministry for those who will be in leadership roles in the local church's various ministries.\par \cf1\par \b0 This can be done by the pastor himself, or by directing these leaders to sources of training that will provide the necessary learning in ministry. As the church grows, the training program must grow as well, to meet the expanding needs of leadership in an expanding church ministry. \par \par \cf3\b (3) The pastor must identify the potential role of each member of the congregation.\par \cf1\b0\par This seems like a huge task at first, yet it represents one of the most basic and vital responsibilities of a shepherd. A pastor should be able to look out over the congregation and give an account of each member's spiritual condition. Just as the shepherd inspects his flock on a daily basis to check for sickness, injury, or other problems, so should the spiritual shepherd look for the healthy or unhealthy signs in each of his flock. As the church grows in size, the pastor will add more staff to the pastoral ministry to ensure that this can continue to take place.\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 38\par \pard\cf1\par \cf3\b (4) The pastor must help each member to reach and achieve that potential.\par \cf1\b0\par Each member should learn to see himself as God sees him in order to understand how he might be used by the Lord in body ministry. We often drag with us into the church the old ways of the world. These include the ways by which we used to look at ourselves, that is, as unworthy, unimportant, and having little or no impact on those around us. Jesus, however, considers us as new creatures (\cf2\ul 2Co_5:17-20\cf1\ulnone ). \par \par Identifying the nucleus comes from this proper look at the congregation by the new pastor. As more and more members are added to the church, the pastor continues to recognize the good ground on which sowing and reaping will take place. He will continue to love and minister to all that come to the church, but he will recognize that he muLVAL{st devote the majority of time and effort in developing those that show real potential in the kingdom of God. By doing this, he will ensure that the congregation becomes all it should be by the grace of God.\par \par \b The Pauline Perspective (\cf2\ul\b0 Act_9:26-27\cf1\ulnone\b ) \par \b0\par When all of the church leaders at Jerusalem were ready to reject Paul and his ministry, there was someone who looked with God's eyes and saw potential. Barnabas saw something that no one else saw, an apostle not yet fully developed. \par \cf3 8. What did Paul see himself as in \cf2\ul Rom_7:24\cf3\ulnone ? In \cf2\ul Rom_8:37\cf3\ulnone ?\par \cf1\par It is also interesting to note that the Lord called out Barnabas and Paul (\cf2\ul Act_13:1-4\cf1\ulnone ) together to become missionaries. The Lord knew that there were many things that Paul could learn from Barnabas, and that Barnabas was the one to give Paul the opportunity in ministry that he needed to become the great apostle that we know him as today. Barnabas had recognized that Paul was surely part of the nucleus of the first century church fellowship, and worked diligently to develop this potential. It is no wonder that later, the Apostle Paul told us that "he could do all things through Christ."\cf3 In Paul's own eyes, he considered himself as a "wretched man," (\cf2\ul Rom_7:24\cf3\ulnone ), but when he saw himself in God's eyes he was "more than a conqueror" (\cf2\ul Rom_8:37\cf3\ulnone ). \cf1 Based upon this valuable experience afforded him by Barnabas, Paul learned to devote his ministry to church planting and leadership development, a ministry that reaches through his epistles to our work today.\par \par \b WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?\par \b0\par 1. What did Jesus emphasize in His parable of the sower and the seed?\par 2. What is the nucleus of a congregation?\par 3. List the identifying features that will form the nucleus of any congregation and give the scripture reference as well\par 4. What can the unbelief of new visitors do to the p LVAL rogress of a church?\par 5. What are pastors called to do in reference to Ephesians 4?\par 6. What are the four primary responsibilities that pastors should fulfill in order to grow a mature congregation?\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 39\par \pard\cf1\par 7. When a particular ministry is failing in a church, what four questions should the pastor ask?\par 8. What did Paul see himself as in \cf2\ul Rom_7:24\cf1\ulnone ? In \cf2\ul Rom_8:37\cf1\ulnone ?\par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 40\par \pard\cf1\fs29\par } LVAL^}{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs29 LESSON NINE: REPRODUCTIVE TRAINING: DEVELOPING NEW LEADERSHIP\b0\par \par \cf2\ul Tit_1:5\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul 1Ti_1:3\cf1\ulnone\par \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf1\ulnone\par \par \b FOCUS:\b0 The pastor should not be a one man band. He must determine the potential in members and train leaders to help him with the work.\par \par \b WHAT I HAVE LEARNED\par \par The Pauline Perspective\par \b0\par \cf3 1. What examples did Paul give Timothy in 2Ti 2 and what are they symbolic of?\par 2. By what system was Titus appointed?\par \cf1\par There is clearly no doubt at all that the Apostle Paul recognized the need for qualified leaders in the work of God. He also knew that there must be a continuous program of qualifying these leaders in order to fulfill that need. \cf3 The examples given by Paul to Timothy were those of a soldier (\cf2\ul 2Ti_2:3-4\cf3\ulnone ), an athlete (\cf2\ul 2Ti_2:5\cf3\ulnone ), a farmer (\cf2\ul 2Ti_2:6\cf3\ulnone ) and a vessel (\cf2\ul 2Ti_2:20-21\cf3\ulnone ), and are symbolic of the character necessary to a spiritual leader in God's household. \cf1 The scriptures provide a balance in Paul's recognition of the need for leadership and his demand that these leaders be trained and proven (\cf2\ul Act_14:23\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Ti_3:1-13\cf1\ulnone ). In fact, it is after Paul's writing regarding the qualifications of bishops and deacons that he gives Timothy instructions (\cf2\ul 1Ti_3:14-15\cf1\ulnone ). It seems that Paul desired to come and teach these principles himself to the rising leadership at Ephesus, but recognizing that he was being hindered from coming, he decided to write these verses. \cf3 Paul instructed Titus that elders were to be appointed in every city even as Titus had been appointed. The system wasLVAL~ simple and complete \b (1) reach someone with potential (2) develop that potential (3) work with that person while he or she gains experience and is proven in the work (4) release that new leader with clear responsibilities, and finally (5) charge that leader to do the same with someone else.\par \b0 3. What is the key to developing new leadership?\par \cf1\par Act 19 describes the great revival at Ephesus. Paul had found twelve disciples of John there and had preached to them more fully the gospel of Jesus Christ. After baptizing them and seeing them filled with the Holy Ghost, Paul continued his teaching and evangelism for three months. When resistance was encountered during his meetings in the Jewish synagogues where he had been meeting with the new converts and with new contacts, he decided to separate the believers and probably continued to meet with them in private homes throughout the region. Note the interesting observation at the end of \cf2\ul Act_19:9\cf1\ulnone . Then Act 19:10 tells us this continued for two years. At first it may seem that this is simply referring to the preaching of the gospel that Paul had initially begun soon after his arrival. But it is important to remember that he had separated the believers and then began the disputing of \cf2\ul Act_19:9\cf1\ulnone . The word for dispute in the Greek is diolegomai, signifying conversing, arguing or disputing. Several translations of this verse shed more light on this passage. Twentieth Century NT "and gave daily addresses in the lecture hall of Tyrannus." Berkley "and went on holding discussions in the school room of Tyrannus." We must remember that this went on for the next two years. This was certainly more than evangelizing; it was training. In \cf2\ul Act_20:17\cf1\ulnone Paul calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus (the region). By this time he has been gone for a only a few months after spending his three years at \par \par \pard\qc\cf4 PAGE 41\par \pard\cf1\par Ephesus. Where did these elders come from? TheyLVAL had been discipled, trained, proven and sent by Paul. They had passed the course taught by Paul in the school owned by Tyrannus. (\cf2\ul 1Co_16:9\cf1\ulnone Williams NT "For I have an opportunity here that is great and calls for work." Paul had no doubts concerning the magnitude of the potential revival at Ephesus, and of the impact it could have on the rest of Asia Minor. He recognized that there would be a need for trained leaders to administer this revival, and therefore, set about early in training and qualifying these leaders. The ministry of Barnabas to Paul had by this time clearly shown results. \cf3 Paul had learned the secret of "reproductive training," the key to developing new leadership.\par \cf1\par \b Identifying the Need\par \b0\par The development of new leadership cannot begin without clearly defining the needs of the congregation in terms of evangelism, growth and discipleship, and then setting the appropriate goals to help accomplish this mission. The system works like this:\par \par \b Identifying the needs,\b0 leads to\par \b Targeting the necessary ministries,\b0 which defines the\par \b Leadership required,\b0 which determines the\par \b Training programs developed and instituted.\b0\par \par Pastors of new works must be careful in spotting areas in which the church should be expanding. There will be need for further ministries to enhance the outreach of the church as well as training for the purpose of discipling the new converts. All of the work done initially by the pastor must be shared more and more with the membership as the congregation continues to grow. While once the pastor was the leader of every service, there will be leaders trained to take over some of this responsibility. The same will apply to areas of ministry like outreach, teaching, preaching, Bible studies, home fellowship groups, and various ministries like youth, ladies work, etc.\par \cf5\b Altar Work \cf2\ul Act_2:41\cf5\ulnone\par \cf3\b0 4. What must the pastor do if the church is fLVALailing in some form of its ministry to the community?\cf1\par Since it is the will of God that our churches continually experience growth, there will always be a need for new ministry, therefore new leadership, and therefore new and continuous training to provide that qualified leadership. The pastor must be the trainer and equipper in the beginning. As suitable leaders are developed under his ministry, he will be able to turn over some of this responsibility to others that can continue the training programs under the general oversight of the shepherd/pastor. The pastor will continue being the one ultimately responsible for the progress of the local congregation. \cf3 If the church is failing in some form of ministry to the community, the pastor must identify the need, out line the proposed ministry necessary to meet the need, target the leadership required, and then provide adequate training for those potential leaders.\cf1 This was the way of the apostles and should be the method we pursue.\par \par \b The Four Main Ministries of the Local Church\par \par \cf3\b0 5. Explain the "Four ministries of the local church" triangle\par \cf1\par \cf3 Generally speaking, all of the specific ministries of a local church fall under one of four main areas: \b (1) The ministry of the church through the Sunday service (2) The ministry through the home fellowship group (3) The ministry through members teaching home Bible studies of visitors and new converts (4) The training ministry that provides leaders to support the other three.\b0 Auxiliary ministries like youth, ladies groups, choir, etc. are useful in establishing converts and reaching out also, but serve in a supporting fashion to the three above. These four main ministries could be represented by the following: \par \par \b Sunday Service\par Leadership Training\par Home Bible Study\par Home Fellowship Group\par \cf1\b0\par \pard\qc\cf4 P