Defrag Theology to Integrate Truth and Task

George Patterson & Galen Currah             Some preachers think their job is done when they voice a truth, but truth must also be applied and experienced in loving relationship with God and one another, or it remains inert abstraction.             What occurs when you eat a jelly sandwich? Your hands hold it; your mouth chews and swallows it; glands yield enzymes to digest it; blood transports it through arteries to your muscles to do productive work. Many organs … [Read more...]

Ode to Spontaneous Church Multiplication

by Robert Aitken, Perth, Australia 2002   “To reach all the nations there’s only one way!”The old school missionary ventured to say. If you want to reach the people, All it takes is church and steeple In large buildings built on loansThrough laptop computers, mobile phones. When they come, seat them in pews,Surely their ears will hear the good news. We've done it this way for years and years, Reaching the people based on their fears. The young man came in and said to the first,Of … [Read more...]

Leaders that God Gives to Churches

 Check the box by these persons that God gives to do vital ministries (Eph. 4:11-16), when your church or organization is activating all of them.  Apostles (sent ones) Go to neglected people, are visionaries and effective planners. Keep churches or cell groups multiplying.  Prophets Speak to people to build up, exhort and console (1 Cor. 14:3). Help the body to balance action with doctrinal instruction.  Evangelists Introduce people to the living Christ, and heal in Jesus … [Read more...]

Writing Tips for Texts to be Translated

  Replace pronouns with a noun or name, if there can be any doubt as to their antecedent. When translated, pronouns do not always fall near their antecedent noun or name, or pronouns may be easily misunderstood. Avoid parentheses as you avoid poison. Other languages may prefer to make parentheses into a separate sentence. Use connecting words between clauses, such as ‘because,’ ‘so that,’ ‘when,’ ‘therefore’… For example, instead of ‘The balloon exploded. He … [Read more...]

Jethro Tells Moses to Name and Mentor Shepherding Elders

Based on Exodus 18  POY! SKIT GUIDELINES: In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words. Most POY! skits require no practice in advance. Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants. Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along. It is not necessary to … [Read more...]

Duties of Regional Church Coordinators

I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. Titus 1:5 NLT Paul left Titus in Crete to coordinate new church work by appointing elders in each town and instructing them in faith, conduct and responsibilities. Paul did the same during his own church planting trips (Acts 14:23). In both cases the churches had been planted before elders were appointed, and were functioning as the Body of Christ, although … [Read more...]

Bible Persons Model Seven Tasks that Sustain Multiplication

  CHRIST the King Make disciples the precise way Jesus said to do it: teach them to obey His commands above and before all else, Matt. 28:18-20 Do evangelism as Jesus said, integrating it with healing and focusing on His Presence (not just teaching truths about Him). Key word: Foundation   PAUL the Apostle to the Nations Focus on neglected fields Love people enough to respect their culture, 1 Cor. 9:22 Work with coworkers who share your zeal, vision, and … [Read more...]

Coach Assertively

               Jesus painted clear visions, provided precise instructions, issued absolute orders and demonstrated single-hearted devotion to His mission. The urgency of bringing people to Christ and of multiplying churches requires coaches who do the same.             Coach with single-minded purpose. Westerners often find it hard to agree and focus on outcomes, as individuals seek personal interests and preferences. Younger adults often lack purpose aside from … [Read more...]

Seven Compelling Reasons for Faith

Assure victims of error, doubts and godless teaching These reasons for faith are for seekers and believing students who have been bombarded with godless theories aimed to destroy faith. They are not to build faith, which comes from the Holy Spirit, the Word and sacraments, but rather to expose the deceptive teaching of materialistic rationalists. Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, 1 Peter 3:5. Satan's boast (that human ears … [Read more...]

Future of Anglo American Christianity

Interview with George Patterson           Churches’ decline in Anglo America stands well documented. Mega-church, emerging church and home church trends remain too small to reverse the downward spiral. People Of Yes! asked veteran church-multiplication advocate, George Patterson, two questions: Question 1. Since conventional churches in Anglo America currently have no verifiable church-planting movement of significance, what kind of churches can multiply there? Patterson enumerated … [Read more...]