Four Seasons of Growth

Goals of the Four Seasons of an Emergent Faith Community: 

Goals of the Four Seasons of an Emergent Faith Community Viv Grigg, Oct 2002, rev 2006, 2008 Based on chapter 13 of Cry of the Urban Poor

Dicipleship: 

Dicipleship Can this be accomplished without Individual discipleship Extended family discipleship Small group Discipleship Congregational Celebration

The Goal of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) : 

The Goal of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) Disciple the Nations Bring the Nations under the authority of the King The Means: Evangelize, Teach, Baptize Context: Group of Disciples Intermediate Goals: Groups of Disciples Gatherings of Disciples = Churches What is Discipling? (1 Thes 2:1-7, John 17:1-5) What is Churchplanting? Social structuring of the fruit of evangelism

What is a Church?: 

What is a Church? Acts 2:42-44 Antioch? Converted Synagogue Conversion Baptism Meetings in Houses Use Central Temple Teaching, Preaching Leadership Regular Gathering Worshipping Prayer Outreach Economic Sharing (see diagram on overhead)

What is a Churchplanter’s Definition of a Church?: 

What is a Churchplanter’s Definition of a Church? Depends… on culture 1. A Bible Study Small group Meets weekly 2. A House Church meets weekly Bible is preached/ discussed 12 or more adults (1-3 families) Care for each other Worship together 3. A Fellowship all the above meets weekly for worship /teaching Up to 30 adults (2+ cells + kids ministry) 4. A New Church All the above 30+ adults (or 5 + families), 4-6 cells Recognised leaders Legalised May / may not have pastor / building Small Group, Large Group, Leadership Cell, Congregation, Celebration, Coordination

Four Season of Growth: 

Four Season of Growth How to get from evangelism to a fellowship to a multiplying movement. For each season we need to know our goals the focus of teaching the type of group culture. Read 1 John 2:12-14 and define three phases of growth and their characteristics Based on the Focus Chart of Gene Tabor and the Philippine Navigator and Reach, Lakas-Angkan movements. © Viv Grigg, Oct 1989

Growth-Oriented Theology 1 John 2:12-14: 

Growth-Oriented Theology 1 John 2:12-14

Four Seasons of Growth: 

Four Seasons of Growth

Teaching at Each of the Four Seasons: 

Teaching at Each of the Four Seasons

Goal for Each of the Four Seasons: 

Goal for Each of the Four Seasons Disciple Basic Labourer Complete Labourer Convert Beginning Disciple

7 Characteristics of a Slum Disciple?: 

7 Characteristics of a Slum Disciple? Puts Christ first in all areas of life (Luke 14:26-33; Matt 6:33), and separates from sin. Spiritually Socially (Luke 14:26) Economically (Luke 14:33) The Word of God is food and authority (John 8:31) Fellowships regularly with other believers showing love and unity (John 13:34,35) Growing in devotion to Christ, and developing a prayer life (John 15:7) Growing in Christlike character (John 15:16) Witnessing regularly (John 15:16) A learner, open and teachable (Matt 28:18-20)

What is a Basic Labourer?: 

What is a Basic Labourer? Christlike Character Essentially healed Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23) Healthy marriage Skill in Ministry Able to lead someone to Christ Able to disciple Able to lead a small group and larger group Able to teach Heart for Ministry

Group Discussion: 

Group Discussion Determine at which season your church is at and join that group. Work together on a work plan for churches at this season

Strategic Issues in Discipling: 

Strategic Issues in Discipling The Purpose of Discipling Rom 8:29 Col 1:27-29 Eph 5:27 Everyone mature in Christ Discipling Damaged People Discipline Needed Create trouble, grace needed Lots of counseling time needed Healing by Holy Spirit Urban Poor Issues Anger Debt Those who oppress Fatherless families Envy Demonic activity…. The Centrality of an Open Home

Pastoral Issues: 

Pastoral Issues 3 Structures for Poor Peoples’ Churches Multiplying web of small churches Gang structured discipling movement (prison, gang, drugs…) Central hotel church and daughter churches in the slums Breaking the Property Barrier Creating Momentum A rhythm of events A simple pattern of Bible study, of worship, of discipleship Becoming both social and spiritual leader High commitment - 3-5 nights per week. Developing Self-Supporting Pastors

Why do People Move Churches? : 

Why do People Move Churches? Sensitivity Economics People want feeding, theygo where they are fed Opportunities Disappointment, based on false expectations that God will instantly do miracles Leadership divisions, spirit of bitterness People can’t pay rent, they are mobile

Reference Works on Churchplanting: 

Reference Works on Churchplanting Brock, Charles (1994) Indigenous Churchplanting . Church Growth International, Missouri. Simson, Wolfgang (1998) Houses That Change the World . OM Publishing. Walker, Andrew (1985) Restoring the Kingdom: The Radical Christianity of the House Church Movement. Hodder and Stoughton. Schwartz, Christian (2000) Natural Church Growth Development Hesselgrave, David (2000) Planting Churches Cross-Culturally , Baker Books Neighbour, Ralph W., Jr. (1990) Where Do We Go From Here: A Guidebook to Cell Group Church , Touch Publications Stephan, Tom Passing the Baton Grigg, Viv (1994) Cry of the Urban Poor, MARC British Church Growth Magazine