Building a joy-filled community in the slums The Holy Spirit’s pattern for Church planting

A holistic Church was God’s intention….. But most Christians when talking about holism still ignore three vital elements of a holistic gospel; 1. The economic factors – money is seen as evil and secular. 2. Sustainability and viability – what we do must be viable and sustainable otherwise it will not last 3. Creativity – God made us to be creative. We experience the most satisfaction or joy when we are using these creative talents.

Every aspect of redeemed human life was intended to be part of church life… We are to be naturally spiritual To be truly spiritual is to be truly human as God intended. We have created a dichotomy (separation) between the natural and the spiritual that God never intended. The church is still the church when in the workplace. The workplace should reflect that level of spirituality.

What is the Church??? We misunderstand the concept of the holistic nature of the Church because we still see the Church as an institution rather than a community of God’s people. We still put structure before people, making God’s servants serve structure rather than people…the genius of Mother Teresa’s ministry to the poor. The community of God’s people are not of the world but are still living in the world. You cannot live in the world and ignore economic issues, such as sustainability and viability. Our heart is not to serve money but to use money to release God’s servants to serve people.

The Church is a community A Church is not created by helping individuals to become economically self sufficient. Members of a Church must value their experience of learning and working together. Helping one another to acquire skills to live and bless others is essential for a joy-filled community (Church).

What makes a healthy community? There are four key principles; 1. It must be economically viable 2. It must attract and develop capable indigenous leadership – this may well involve very difficult sacrifices in time and money to educate and skill the potential leaders

What makes a healthy community....continued? 3. It must seek to integrate itself into the wider city systems for transport, water, power, healthcare, rubbish removal, policing and local politics. 4. It must teach its members to practice “Kingdom values” in all aspects of their daily lives.

The impact of these Kingdom values were demonstrated in the Acts 2 Church

The Acts 2 v pattern They continually devoted themselves to prayer, teaching, fellowship and breaking bread. They had a sense of awe at the amazing things God was doing amongst them. They had all things in common. They shared their possessions.

They were meeting together daily. They were of one mind (unity). They were eating together. They were daily worshipping God together. They were glad (joy-filled). They were sincere in their heart and relationships with one another.

How do we prepare to enter a slum context? The are four key steps to entry; 1.Hear the call of God and respond in obedience 2.Relocate into the slum and live with the people 3.Reconcile relationships within the slum 4.Re-distribute wealth and resources especially the under-used labour resource

How do we create a joy-filled community in a slum context? Find an activity appropriate to the context that is skill creating and income generating that a group of people can do together in the same location. The joy of learning and earning will create an environment for a church to be planted.

Leadership will emerge from the activity The group participation in the activity will cause leaders to emerge from within the group and they should be given responsibility for the leadership of the group activity. This way indigenous leadership gifts will emerge among the community.

Jesus was anointed to set the oppressed free! Isaiah 61 verses 1-2 Bring good news to the afflicted Bind up the broken-hearted Proclaim liberty to the captives Set the prisoners free All the above Jesus did so they will experience the favourable year of the Lord in their lives.

The anointing is upon urban poor workers so they can… Bring the year of God’s favour to the slum dwellers. Liberating them from poverty, disease, malnutrition, addictions, and broken relationships

Isaiah 61 v 3 Give flowers instead of ashes Give gladness instead of mourning A spirit of praise instead of fainting (tiredness). Those who receive this blessing will be oaks of righteousness. The planting of the Lord that He may be glorified… e.g. a Church.

Anointed slum workers should try to… Develop an activity in a slum that will; Form and interdependent community that meets together every day. Teaches skills, creates income, teaches kingdom values and attitudes, prays and praises together. Is fair and just and shows the love and goodness of God for all members of the community.

Show mercy with cheerfulness…. Marva Dawn has written a book called “Truly Community – an exposition of Romans 12 v 8 The Greek word for cheerfulness is “hilarotes”. It implies a deep joy from being in the community of the Body of Christ Paul says we are to “show mercy with cheerfulness” Romans 12 v 8 Everything you do in slum ministry should be done in mercy with cheerfulness; a deep joy coming from the fact that you are doing what you do in a community context…the Body of Christ. This is why it is important for the slum activity to be a communal activity. The joy comes not only from the Holy Spirit’s presence but from the joy of being with each other in community, our spiritual extended family.

Your attitude is being copied….be like Christ ! As you work with people in the close context of community your actions and attitudes are copied by those you are working with. You are a role-model. The Apostle Paul knew that, so he said “show mercy with cheerfulness” Romans 12 verse 8. That cheerfulness comes from our love of the Body and the joy of being together. Relationship that have been made whole by the power of a reconciling Christ. We have all been given the ministry of reconciliation so the Body of Christ can enjoy the joy of healthy relationships. 11 Corinthians 5 v

A joy-filled community becomes….. A Church. The ministry of each person to the other becomes the way in which the Spirit develops gifts in each person. These gifts make a way for leadership to develop in the community. Leadership should be encouraged as a recognition of maturity in Christ.