Goals of the Four Seasons of Growth Viv

Goals of the Four Seasons of Growth Viv Grigg, Oct 2002, rev 2007 Based on chapter 13 of Cry of the Urban Poor

The Goal of the Great Commission (Matt 28: 18 -20) z Disciple the Nations z =Bring the Nations under the authority of the King z Or = disciple individuals in nations z Intermediate Goals: y. Groups of Disciples y. Churches

The Means of Making Disciples (Matt 28: 18 -20) y. Vai y. Evangelizar y. Incinar y. Baptizar z Qual e processo de discipulado? (1 Thes 2: 1 -7, John 17: 1 -5)

What is Churchplanting (Matt 28: 18 -20) z Context: Group of Disciples = Communities of Faith = Churches z Churchplanting is the social structuring of the fruit of evangelism z Churchplanting is forming communities of love, faith and hope

Qual e a Igreja? z Acts 2: 42 -44 y Conversion y Baptism y Meetings in Houses y Use Central Temple y Teaching, Preaching y Leadership y Regular Gathering y Worshipping y Prayer y Outreach y Economic Sharing

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

Four Season of Growth How to get from evangelism to a fellowship to a multiplying movement of diciples. For each season we need to know zour goals zthe focus of teaching zthe 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

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

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

Teaching at Each of the Four Seasons

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

What is a Basic Labourer? z Takes 4 -5 years to develop a worker z This is a season of one to one relational training y. Christlike Character x. Essentially healed x. Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22, 23) x. Healthy marriage y. Skill in Ministry x. Able to lead someone to Christ x. Able to disciple x. Able to lead a small group and larger group x. Able to teach y. Heart for Ministry

Group Discussion z. Determine at which season your cell/church is at. Join other leaders for that season in a group for that discussion. z Work together on a work plan for cell/churches at this season

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

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

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