NINE FREEDOMS OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
Common to all CPMs (with our own spin)
George Patterson & Galen Currah, Japan, June 2003
Our spin: This is a planning workshop, not a course. Why biblical characters in the manual (not required positions in a CPM) to use with new leaders & believers. Sections in manual are options, not the workshop schedule. Why role-plays: this is for others whom you will train, to enable people to participate and discuss – if you find it helpful! Not to replace or change current pastoral training – only to add something radically new. We offer proven, biblical principles, not a fixed model.
Mr. Tradition: He attends your church and opposes all these freedoms. You will practice now how to answer him. (Someone plays his role in this workshop.)
Assignments: In your prayer & planning groups, write down your plan for how you will enact each of these nine freedoms.
Freedom for young churches to start newer churches as soon as the Lord makes it possible. (Epaphras)
Our spin: Only churches reproduce as churches (Antioch Ac 13). God promises these kinds of people, Ep 4.11-12 ; Ephphras, Co 1 & 4 ; 2 Ti 2:2 ; Holy Spirit does not tire ; enable every church to become a mother church and a sending church as soon as possible. (Define “apostle”.) You will not recognize apostles beforehand. Every where apostles went, churches multiplied. Warn not only to preach a sermon or to do it alone.
Mr. Tradition: Time, finances, doctrine and unity are at stake. (Arise from sloth, greed, pride and control and the opposite of godly qualities.)
Assignment: Start drawing a map showing where God may want to start churches. (You will show your map and give a brief report at the end of the workshop.) Write the names of persons in your church with whom you will make plans to hold a planning workshop or meetings. Determine to keep new church work free from required use of building and salaries.
For churches to start newer ones, they need the following freedoms:
Freedom to obey the commands of Christ and his apostles above and before all religious rules and traditions. (Christ and Jews).
Our spin: Peter in Ac 2 ; Jesus in Mk 7 ; levels of authority ; “light baton” for new churches.
Mr. Tradition: The denominational policies (Baptist distinctive). Conformity ensures unity.
Assignment: Hold a workshop or a series of meetings to enact this freedom. Plan how to practice seven basic commands of Jesus. Pray for discernment about which your church now neglects and what cherished evangelical traditions hinder your church’s obedience.
Freedom to enter the homes of unconverted seekers, evangelizing them and making disciples within their own cultures and families. (Peter & Cornelius)
Our spin: Jesus in Lk 10 ; Ap 7:9 ; love people & respect their cultures ; Paul circumcised Timothy Ac 16:1-3 and condemned it in Ga. Three kinds of groups: older churches with formal leaders, young churches with new leaders, and seeker groups. Most new churches start little, in a family; therefore become experts in small group worship and ministry.
Mr. Tradition: Separate new believers from the bad influence of friends, relatives and culture. (Circle skit.)
Assignment: Write plans for how you will introduce in your churches intercessory prayer for families, friends and social groups. In which homes will you introduce Christian teaching and worship? Indicate contacts on your maps.
Freedom to baptize new believers without delay, and to celebrate the Lord's Table wherever they meet. (Early church)
Our spin: Ac 2:38-47 ; priesthood of the believer ; no church building till late 3rd century. Drunkards skit.
Mr. Tradition: Baptism and the Lord’s supper are performed only by ordained clergy. Baptismal candidates must first walk on water.
Assignment: Write plans for how you will delegate pastoral authority to others to perform the sacraments in a CPM.
Freedom to serve one another in the Body of Christ as intimate, loving churches and cells, using all the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to them. (1 Cor 14:24-26)
Our spin: Corinthian church. One-another commands. GC’s 1C14 skit.
Mr. Tradition: All things in decency and order. Only educated clergy should lead public meetings.
Assignment: Write plans to train apostles and shepherds to ensure group interaction, letting the Holy Spirit work powerfully.
Freedom to provide pastoral leadership by those who meet the qualifications of elders with or without a salary or theological education. (Timothy)
Our spin: Acquila & Priscilla ;
delegation of pastoral duties. Balance of educated clergy and
part-time shepherds; Sunday-Wednesday duties and new group
freedom.
To meet the need for more pastors and inability to pay more
pastors, raise up co-pastors from laity for new groups while
forming new churches. Ask for testimonials from attenders who
have done so.
Mr. Tradition: Church by-laws require pastors to attend the denominational seminary in the capital city and have a doctoral degree. “The worker is worthy of his salary”. “You get what you pay for”.
Assignment: Write plans to commission publicly your church’s apostles and shepherds. When and where will you do so.
Freedom to apply any New Testament method of preaching and teaching God’s Word according to each group’s size and its leaders’ maturity. (Timothy)
Our spin: Baby in diapers. Compare classroom with mentoring.
Mr. Tradition: God has ordained the preaching the Word for this age. We need top quality and excellence in the pulpit.
Assignment: Plan to train your apostles and shepherds to lead small groups that hold Bible discussions and role-lays including children and adults. Plan to write Bible application lesson outlines.
Freedom for pastoral trainers to respond to immediate needs of new churches and leaders. (Titus)
Our spin: Jesus listened, Mk 6:30. Epistles responded to reports. Old & new resources Mt 13:59. Elements of a mentoring session (Caleb did not get distracted). Model use of T&M menu and materials (booklets 5, 9, 14, 24, etc.). Guidelines on writing new materials: keep an actual mentee and church need in mind.
Mr. Tradition: The seminaries have the best curriculum from the 16th century for educating clergy. Let us not allow churches weaknesses to distract us.
Assignment: Write plans to choose or develop a menu of resources to train your church’s apostles and shepherds. Write plans to introduce the one-another practices and essential NT ministries into new churches.
Freedom to provide regional coordinators who supervise new and immature churches and pastoral leaders. (Titus)
Our spin: Appoint & train elders, Ac 14, Tit 1.5
Mr. Tradition: We do not want any godless hierarchy or bishops dictating to the churches what to believe and do. We hold to the autonomy of the local church from its inception till its demise.
Assignment: Identify the men whom you will train and coach as your church’s apostles and shepherds. Identify men in your denomination whose passion is to keep a CPM on track. Write down the names of other pastors with whom you will seek to cooperate to send apostles and to train shepherds.