A simple introductory course on Church Planting. The majority of the course notes presented here are based upon J. D. Payne's Planting Apostolic Churches
A simple introductory course on Church Planting. The majority of the course notes presented here are based upon J. D. Payne's Planting Apostolic Churches
A simple introductory course on Church Planting. The majority of the course notes presented here are based upon J. D. Payne's Planting Apostolic Churches
A simple introductory course on Church Planting. The majority of the course notes presented here are based upon J. D. Payne's Planting Apostolic Churches
The key takeaways are that ministry often involves teamwork rather than individuals working alone, and that teams should have diverse gifts and skills. Biblical examples of both individuals and teams in ministry are given.
Examples of individuals include Elijah and Phillip. Examples of teams include those sent out in pairs by Jesus, the Antioch church sending Paul and Barnabas, Moses and Aaron, Paul, Timothy, Luke and Silas.
Qualities of Barnabas mentioned include being an encourager, taking on Paul and encouraging him when others wouldn't, being a servant, teacher, leader and apostle, being full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and making significant contributions to the church in Jerusalem.
#3 Team Members
What is the best team
you have ever seen, or been a part of? Why was it good? Give biblical examples of individuals and teams serving in ministry of the Kingdom of God: Ministry is a Team Sport!
Occasionally we find individuals
working alone in ministry: - Elijah, 1 Kings 17-19 - Phillip, Acts 8 But most often team work takes place. This is very clear when we look at disciple making or church planting activity: - ___________________________ (student to give an example) - Lk 10:1, 72 sent out in teams - Antioch church sent a team of Paul & Barnabas Acts 13 Exodus 17 – Moses, Aaron, Hur The Godhead Paul, Timothy, Luke & Silas – Acts 16 Paul & Barnabas – Acts 13 Moses & Aaron – Aaron was able to speak well Jesus & the 12 – Luke 9 – onto Luke 10 Elijah & Elisha Nehemiah's team rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem Acts 6 – first deacons The body of Christ – 1 Cor. 12 “In God’s economy [way of doing things], the missionary team is vital to the propagation [growth] of the gospel and the multiplication of disciples, leaders and churches.” Payne Teams need different gifts, talents and skills. We do not want a team of church planters who share the same attributes [skills and gifts] — Why? The team would be very strong in a few areas but limited in others. Paul’s says that the body of Christ has different gifts (1 Cor 12) and different offices (Eph 4:11-12). A church-planting team is not the same as the church, but they are part of the church. Being different is a good thing. Barnabas Factors Payne gives 8 qualities that are important for every team member to have—they are not their personal gifts. He suggests that these are “Barnabas Factors” in church planting. What do you know about Barnabas? Include any Bible references. - Barnabas was an encourager, Acts 4:36 - important in the growth of the 1st century church - Barnabas took Paul on and helped and encouraged him when no-one else would have gone near him, Acts 9:26-28; 11:25 - Barnabas was a servant, teacher, leader and apostle, Acts 14:14 - Acts 11:25, full of HS and faith - He was part of the Jerusalem church and made significant [financial] contributions to it - He experienced conflict, some say there was hypocrisy in his life at times Some church planters are willing to have anyone on their team as long as they are breathing and love Jesus. Is this a good idea? Give arguments for and against this stand Some church planters are willing to have anyone on their team as long as they are breathing and love Jesus. Payne suggests that “This is a plan for disaster!” It sounds like a good (nice) idea, but should not be a way of selecting team members. - Personal histories [quality of work, relationships etc.] should be considered. - Qualities desired in a team should be present in the individuals’ lives long before they join a team. This is important for the team, and because the qualities and characteristics of the team will be passed on to the new churches. - God sanctifies us, but our past behaviour (as believers) often is a good predictor of how we will act in the future. - Team members may have knowledge and skills, but if they don’t do certain biblical practices, they will not be a wise part of a CP team. Barnabas Factors 8 Essential [must have] Characteristics of Church Planting Team Members 1. Walks with the Lord 2. Maintains an Outstanding Character 3. Serves the Local Church 4. Remains Faithful to the Call 5. Shares the Gospel Regularly 6. Raises up Leaders This sounds really obvious—and it is! Only out of a good relationship with the Lord can we serve Him wisely and well. We can see the quality of Barnabas’ work in the qualities seen earlier. Consider these other qualities of Barnabas - for each reference give the quality shown: Acts 11:23 _________________ Acts 15:25 _________________ Acts 11:30 _________________ Consider these other qualities of Barnabas - for each reference give the quality shown: Acts 11:23 (encouraged others) Acts 15:25 (lovable) Acts 11:30 (reliable) We have to be careful of being ambitious to do the Lord’s work, in some people this stops their love for the Lord. We have to have three levels of relationships - all of which need to be in good shape: - God (most important—affects other relationships) - The church - The outside world 2. Maintains an Outstanding Character 3. Serves the Local Church 4. Remains Faithful to the Call 5. Shares the Gospel Regularly 6. Raises up Leaders Acts 11:24 - a good man An outstanding character, good speech and actions —and full of the Spirit and faith. What aspects of faith would be very important to a church planter? Are your team... - Full of the Holy Spirit? - Constantly giving themselves to the Lord? - Are they good and faithful? “Great leadership is built on trust. Without character, trust can never be achieved. If you aren’t a person of integrity, the effort will implode quickly.” integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles: 3. Serves the Local Church 4. Remains Faithful to the Call 5. Shares the Gospel Regularly 6. Raises up Leaders What is the first time we hear of Barnabas in the Bible? What is the first time we hear of Barnabas in the Bible? Acts 4:32-37 The second time is in Acts 11:22 He is chosen to go and inspect the church in Antioch —this was an important role, so why choose Barnabas? The second time is in Acts 11:22 He is chosen to go and inspect the church in Antioch —this was an important role, so why choose Barnabas? We might say of Barnabas that he was in a church: an encourager, a sacrificer, and a submitter (to God and men). How good are your team at serving? Do they love the church and sacrifice for her? Teams reproduce what they have seen and experienced—in turn the church (new believers) will reproduce them. 4. Remains Faithful to the Call 5. Shares the Gospel Regularly 6. Raises up Leaders Barnabas was possibly converted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). A faithful member of the Jerusalem church and at Antioch. Out of ministry in Antioch the Spirit called him to church planting (Acts 13:1-3). What had the Spirit seen in him? What had the Spirit seen in him? Faithfulness to the Lord, the team and the Great Commission, especially during times of persecution. Spiritual warfare and persecution are likely to come to any CP team. Members should be faithful to God’s call. On some days only the call of God will keep them going. What are other issues could distract church planters from their calling? The offer of other jobs / ministries Etc. There needs to be a testimony in the heart of a man or woman that God has called them to church- planting ministry. New building of Audacious Church, Chester Proclaimers, Norwich Proclaimers, Norwich Proclaimers, Norwich 5. Shares the Gospel Regularly 6. Raises up Leaders Barnabas knew that church planting began with evangelism. He probably believed 1 Cor 9:22-23. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. His work as an evangelist was done with strategy and deliberate action (Acts 13:50-51; 14:1-6). He was bold (Acts 13:46). He responded to persecution with faithfulness to continue to share the gospel (Acts 14:6-7). He wanted to work with people who were responding and was willing to move on when necessary (Acts 13:51). But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. Barnabas was concerned with the spiritual maturity of those who came to faith—he made disciples (Acts 14:21-23). When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Is doing evangelism essential for CP team members? No evangelism = disciples not made, churches not planted. CP team members should have a history of regular evangelism. 6. Raises up Leaders Barnabas spent time with other leaders— he was known among the elders and apostles in the Jerusalem church. He practiced wisdom- guided risk taking when it came to developing leaders— e.g. Saul (Acts 9:27). He saw the potential in John Mark as a leader Even after a big mistake (Acts 13:13) he gave him a second chance Acts 15:38-39. Others then acknowledged his abilities. “Teams should consist of members who refuse to do all the work. Rather, they recognize their calling to an equipping ministry, laboring for the empowering and releasing of others to do the work.” Raising up leaders is a practice that cannot be open to discussion, it simply has to be done [non-negotiable]. Signs of Potential Leadership 1. Leadership in the past. 2. The capacity to create or catch vision. 3. Asking positive questions 4. Practical ideas. Signs of Potential Leadership 1. Leadership in the past. 2. The capacity to create or catch vision. 3. Asking positive questions 4. Practical ideas. 5. A willingness to take responsibility. 6. A completion factor. 7. Mental toughness. 8. Peer respect. 9. Family respect. 10. A quality that makes people listen to them. Adapted from Fred Smith, Leadership 1996 Ways to keep other Leaders from Emerging Make the risk look large. Make the reward look small. Create a threat. Show a lack of confidence. Expect results too soon. Don’t give support. Be open in criticism of them. Make the effort required look bigger than it is. Suggest rejection by friends. Talk about how much pressure there is. Adapted from Fred Smith, Leadership 1996 7. Encourages with Speech and Actions Barnabas’s birth name was Joseph. Yet the church called him Barnabas Acts 4:36. This reveals a lot about him: - Possibly his habit of encouraging came out of his relationship with God - His actions were above reproach. - His speech was trustworthy, true and consistent. - He convinced the church in Jerusalem that Paul was a genuine believer (Acts 9:27). - He taught the Word of God (Acts 11:26). - Barnabas was consistent. Paul would not take John Mark, Barnabas who stood up for Paul in Jerusalem, now stood with John Mark against Paul. Barnabas’s actions were substantial, sacrificial and helpful, and they set an example for others to follow. Barnabas strengthened the faith of many by sacrificing his money and time. A church planter said: “Encouragement is key. In church planting, you have to look for things to be encouraged about and to encourage each other about. Encouragement is a cornerstone of church planting.” Another planter said, “I always try to communicate how valuable each one of them is to me personally and to the ministry. . . . I would say this is not my greatest strength, so I need to be very intentional to accomplish this. . . . Help them feel like they are part of your team, not just the team. Let them feel valued by you.“ CP teams have many difficult days— encouragement is needed. Often the only people who encourage the team are the team members themselves. 8 Essential Characteristics of Church Planting Team Members 1. Walks with the Lord 2. Maintains an Outstanding Character 3. Serves the Local Church 4. Remains Faithful to the Call 5. Shares the Gospel Regularly 6. Raises up Leaders 7. Encourages with Speech and Actions 8. Responds in a right way to Conflict Where two or three people are gathered in the name of Jesus, there will be conflict! Don’t be surprised as mistakes and misunderstandings will occur. CP teams are forgiven people who are still sinners. And even when sin is not present, conflict still happens. Barnabas and Paul had a sharp disagreement over John Mark — the result was that they separated (Acts 15:36-41). Paul also experienced great disappointment and conflict as a result of Barnabas’s hypocrisy (Gal 2:13). But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” Paul spoke of Barnabas in 1 Corinthians, — these disagreements did not finish the relationship between Paul and Barnabas (1 Cor 9:6). The relationship between Paul and John Mark also continued (Col 4:10), with Paul even saying that John Mark was useful to him (2 Tim 4:11). When conflict happens, teams must respond in the right way. • Be loving for the sake of the kingdom and the witness of the team. • Act in humility and servanthood. • Seek the best for all team members. Remember that not all conflict is bad! Summary - There is more to being part of a CP team than knowing the right answers to theology or mission questions. - Team members require healthy spiritual practices - Look at possible team members to see if these factors are present in their lives before you invite them to join. - Most of these things are best seen within a local church. CP teams should be developed within local churches. - Evaluate possible team members in light of each of these factors. Use the following scale to help guide you. Low Medium High 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Rare Usual Always
1. Walks with the Lord 2.Maintains an Outstanding Character 3. Serves the Local Church 4.Remains Faithful to the Call 5.Shares the Gospel Regularly 6.Raises up Leaders 7.Encourages with Speech and Actions 8.Responds in a right way to Conflict Payne offers the following guide: Low total (8-24): Do not select this person for the team. Would you include them at any time? Medium total (32-56): Consider them as team members— be careful and set targets for growth. Identify weaknesses and provide guidance for growth. High total (64-80): A high total doesn’t always guarantee effectiveness. It suggests that they might be a good team member.