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Core Assumption…. We all want to be a part of a movement…. Core Conviction…. The movement we are made to be a part of is God’s Gospel movement…. Gospel Movements Prioritize Equipping Learners. Why prioritize equipping?.
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Core Assumption… We all want to be a part of a movement…
Core Conviction… The movement we are made to be a part of is God’s Gospel movement…
Why prioritize equipping? Equip = to furnish or provide with whatever is neededfor any undertaking; fit out, as a ship or army
What is the undertaking? Matthew 28:18-2018 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciplesof all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What is the undertaking? 2 Corinthians 10:3-53 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
What is needed for this undertaking? “When is a believer equipped? What are we shooting for?” • Strong in the Word of God(Learning Biblical Truth) • 2 Tim. 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
What is needed for this undertaking? “When is a believer equipped? What are we shooting for?” • Strong in Prayer(Intercession) • Colossians 4:2-4 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
What is needed for this undertaking? “When is a believer equipped? What are we shooting for?” • Strong in Love for Others (Fellowship)
What is needed for this undertaking? • Colossians 3:12-1612 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgiveone another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. “When is a believer equipped? What are we shooting for?” • Strong in Love for Others (Fellowship)
What is needed for this undertaking? “When is a believer equipped? What are we shooting for?” • Strong in Outreach(Extending LIFE to others) • 1 Peter 3:15-1615 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
What if we decide this is too much? • Entertainment • Boredom • Obsession with tangential issues • Social Club • Put unequipped people into tough spots • Reliance on cookie cutter resources • Leadership personality cults and/or spiritual gopher boys & girls
What if we decide this is too much? • Ephesians 4:11-16 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. • Entertainment • Boredom • Obsession with tangential issues • Social Club • Put unequipped people into tough spots • Reliance on cookie cutter resources • Leadership personality cults and/or spiritual gopher boys & girls
Are we learners? • Barna found that among those identified as “born again Christians”, 10% believe that people are reincarnated after death, 29% claim it is possible to communicate with the dead, and 50% contend that a person can earn salvation based upon good works” • “Biblical Worldview” survey was revealing. • Only 5% of American adults have a biblical worldview • Only 8% of Protestants have a biblical worldview • Less than ½ of 1% of Catholics possess a biblical worldview
Are we learners? “Most American Christians do not know the Bible, do not know how to lead others to Christ, cannot counsel others, don’t know how to give generously, aren’t ready to teach God’s word, and cannot discern false teaching when they hear it.” - Dennis McCallum in Members of One Another
Are we learners? “How is it possible for a person to be an active member of an evangelical church for twenty or thirty years and still know next to nothing about the history and theology of the Christian religion, the methods and tools required for serious Bible study, and the skills and information necessary to preach and defend Christianity in a post-Christian, neopagan culture?” -J.P. Moreland in Love Your God with All Your Mind
Are we learners? Hebrews 5:11-1411 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
How can we prioritize equipping? ALL OF US come to expect it as normative… • “Ask yourself why people’s schools, companies, and professions are so prepared to demand excellence and years of training at the highest level and nobody thinks that’s strange. Doesn’t the kingdom of God deserve something similar? Why are the institutions of the world the only entities that can call on people for long-term sacrifice and brain-wracking memory and creativity? We’re not surprised to see people devoting long hours of study toward earning degrees, so why shouldn’t we expect something similar for the far more important task of serving God?” -Dennis McCallum in Members of One Another
How can we prioritize equipping? Aggressively put money into it… • Personally • Corporately Put top leadership on the task… • Quality classes & training environments • Top leaders become top leaders because of experience & effectiveness equipping workers
What are we doing to prioritize equipping? Personal Disciple-Making 2 Timothy 2:1-2 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
What are we doing to prioritize equipping? Classes Acts 19:9-10 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
What are we doing to prioritize equipping? Staffing • All staff expected to equip Leadership Support • Team leadership required • Planters provide ongoing support & coaching of plantees • Quarterly Servant Team Equipping & Updating meeting • Annual Servant Team Summit • Annual trip to Xenos Summer Institute • Continue to expand LIFE U.classes
What are our next steps more fully prioritize equipping? The Greenhouse • Two-year equipping track for people wanting to go out together to plant NH-style churches (especially in university environments of the nation and world) • Starts this summer with XSI…
What are our next steps more fully prioritize equipping? NH Study Center • Pursuing selling the land • Our hope is to find a property near Aggieville/ campus that will serve the following purposes: • NH offices • Study Center (library, space for reflection & study, private meeting spaces) • LIFE U. & GH classes • Youth hangout space
