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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Stages of Church Maturation
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Planting Churches – is the initiating of reproductive fellowships who reflect the kingdom of God in the world. Initiating – the beginning of the process Body of fellowship – community of believers (horizontal perspective) Reproductive – God’s intention for the church Reflect kingdom of God – Vertical relationship manifested to the world
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Guidelines for planting new churches Planters must see their work as a spiritual activity. Planters must have a vision of what God’s church should look like in a particular culture. Church planters communicate in relevant manners to the culture. Church planters pay attention to web-lines.
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Nurturing churches – is the building up of the local body of Christ so that each part of the body contributes its gifts and talents to the whole work of the church. Building up – equipping members for service Local body – congregation in a particular area Work of church – Worship, evangelism, service
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Guidelines for effective nurturing Must be done in a loving, caring community of believers. Leads new Christians to visualize specifically what God desires them to become. Involves modeling the Christian life and disciplines of prayer, worship, study, living in peace, fasting, and meditation. Nurturing must be passed on
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Four stages of church maturation Initial church Developing church Independent church Mature church
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Initial church - first contacts and evangelism Being a part of the community Visiting people (home, work, socially) Goal is friendship and sharing gospel Times of study and teaching Group of interested people Group of people who become Christians Not yet familiar with function of the church
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Developing church – building the body into a function church Understanding the purpose, nature, and function of the church Assisting people in finding their gifts & talents Encouraging emerging leaders (not appointed by missionary) Experience in church activities Avoid too much dependence on missionary Begin leadership training & assistance in teaching
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Independent church – local leadership takes responsibility and roles in ministry Leaders functioning in various roles Church functioning without the assistance of the missionary Leaders teach their own members and evangelize Missionary primarily working in providing more leadership training
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Planting & Nurturing Churches
Mature church – appointed leaders with experience in nurturing Elders and deacons selected by the church Leadership experience in solving problems Training of new leaders in the church Planting other churches Missionary is a co-worker
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