Planting from a Mother Church

Transcription

1 Planting from a Mother Church Dan Serns Don t let your church become a cul-de-sac on the Great Commission Highway! Quiz (p2) Counsel (p7) Case Studies (p11) Q&A (p12) Dynamic Church Growth and Seeds Church Planting Convention Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Atholton Seventh-day Adventist Church September 12-13, 2014

2 Intro to Adventist Church Planting Quiz The Seventh-day Adventist Church has always been an aggressive church planting movement. Test your knowledge of Adventist church planting with this quiz. You ll find the answers and scoring at the end. 1) Who should be involved in church planting? a) Specially trained pastors b) Conference leaders c) College students d) Church lay leaders e) All believers f) All of the above g) None of the above 2) Who is the leading Adventist expert on starting new churches? a) Cyril Miller b) George Knight c) Russell Burrill d) Tom Evans e) Ron Watts f) Ellen White g) None of the above 3) How many Adventist churches have been planted in the North American Division in the last 160 years that are still meeting? About a) 55 b) 550 c) 5,500 d) 55,000 e) None of the above 4) Where should new churches be planted in North America? a) The Ten Largest Metro areas b) Wherever there is an Adventist church of 300+ members c) Wherever God provides the opportunity for a viable church d) All of the above e) None of the above 5) What are some common mistakes new churches should guard against a) Pastoral dependency; wanting their own pastor from the beginning b) Tithe diversion; not remitting tithe to the conference in a timely manner, or not recognizing the Biblical distinction between tithe and offerings c) Doctrinal disharmony; avoiding the unique message, identity or mission of Seventh-day Adventism d) Premature birth; core group does not yet have one or more of the following- unity, experienced church leaders, recognition of sacred things (marriage, tithe, Sabbath), outreach experience, commitment to worldwide mission & message of Seventh-day Adventist church, soul winning plan, spirit of cooperation with conference leadership e) Disconnection from SDA Education; not taking steps to be involved in the governance and/or financial support of the local SDA school(s) 2

3 f) Isolation; Church and/or pastor does not connect regularly with other SDA activities and leaders in the area g) Lack of clarity on church organizational issues- e.g. how each of these issues is handled in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and why- membership, ordination, baptism, assignment of pastoral care, accountability of local leadership to the congregation, accountability of pastors to the constituency, etc. h) All of the above 6) Which conference in the North American Division has planted more churches in the last 40 years than any other? a) Florida b) Texas c) Oregon d) Northeastern e) None of the above 7) Which division of the Adventist world church planted the most churches in the five years from ? a) North American Division b) Inter-American Division c) Southern Asia Division d) Euro- Asia Division e) Trans-European Division 8) What parts of the Bible are especially helpful in finding church planting principles a) Acts b) The Pentateuch (Genesis- Deuteronomy) c) The Gospels (Matthew- John) d) The Epistles (Romans- Jude) e) Daniel & Revelation f) All of the above g) None of the above 9) Where can you find counsel in Ellen White's writing about principles of church planting? a) Christian Service, chapter 16 The Church Expansion Movement pp b) Evangelism, chapter 10 Establishing and Holding New Members pp c) Testimonies, volume 7, Section One Acceptable Service pp.9-50 d) Review & Herald, August 24, 1886, paragraphs 1-16 e) Acts of the Apostles, the entire book f) A word search of new churches, churches raised up, etc. in the writings of Ellen G. White g) All of the above 10) When new churches are started how might the conference assign pastoral care for the new churches? a) Pastor on a multi-pastor staff b) Nearby Pastor assisted by an intern c) Pastor with only one church currently 3

4 d) Bi-vocational pastor (e.g. LE, Bible Worker, Unsponsored seminary student) e) Conference/Union/Division Staff Person f) School or institutional chaplain g) New pastor to the area h) Any nearby pastor willing to coach a lay-led group i) Any of the above 11) How can we afford church buildings for new churches? a) Keep the building humble and inexpensive b) Expect that non-adventists may contribute c) Sacrifice financially since new buildings are crucial d) Recognize there is plenty of money to raise up churches and erect buildings when selfishness is overcome e) Ask existing churches & church institutions to have the same spirit of sacrifice that helped them get started f) Donated labor by new & longtime members g) Unreached people in the cities will give once they embrace the Adventist message h) All of the above. 12) How can we strengthen existing churches while planting new ones? a) Train the members to share their testimony & to preach b) Church leaders & pastor visiting in the homes of the members c) Distribute our literature d) Initiate ministries such as visiting the sick, teaching healthful living, helping the unemployed find work, etc. e) Members taking the initiative to help others as they have been helped f) Teach the people to work for God and depend on Him rather than on the pastor g) Keep the vision that, from among the church, some members will be taken to plant new churches h) Strengthen confidence in spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophecy i) Any of the above 13) What are some the things that should be taught and done in new churches? a) Sabbath observance b) Healthful food preparation c) How to help the needy & suffering d) How to give home Bible studies e) Faithfulness in tithes and offerings f) Dangers of being fashion-driven g) Carefulness in speech & conduct as a witness h) Missionary work by every member i) All of the above 14) A vibrant, healthy Adventist church of 200 members can reach a maximum of how many people personally on a regular basis? a) 400 b) 1000 c) 10,000 d) 50,000 e) 100,000 4

5 15) What should you do if God is impressing you to help plant a new church? a) Forget it. It's too much work b) Wait till you have plenty of money to start something c) Start Sabbath services in your home immediately and try to get as many to attend as possible d) Try to follow the model of non-adventist church plants e) While staying active in your home church, begin a prayer and study group with interested people f) Talk to your pastor and/or conference leaders ANSWERS 1. f) All of the above. See Medical Ministry p f) Ellen White. While each person listed has either written about or been involved in planting Adventist churches, none have come close to what Ellen White ( ) has done. She was personally involved in planting Adventist churches on three continents and helped start one of the largest coordinated church planting movements in the last 2000 years, which has planted over 115,000 currently organized churches & companies in the last 160 years. 3. c) 5,433. See 4. d) All of the above. For a) see Evangelism p. 60, 379, 384f. For b) see Ministry of Healing p. 151 & Special Messages p For c) see Testimonies vol. 6, p. 24 & Acts of the Apostles p h) All of the above. For a) see Review & Herald, October 22, 1889 par. 3. For b) - d) see Testimonies vol. 6 p. 85. For e) see Testimonies vol. 6 p For f) see 1888 Materials p For g) see Ministry of Healing p. 147 & Testimonies vol. 7, p b) Texas, with a net total of 102 newly organized churches. A dramatic period of growth took place from when 69 churches were planted in a seven year period under the leadership of Cyril Miller, then conference president. Net totals of the other conferences listed are Florida- 93, Northeastern- 92, and Oregon- 25. Answer e) could also be correct because South Atlantic conference in the Southern Union sub-divided into the South Atlantic & Southeastern Conferences in 1978; added together they have 258 newly organized churches 7. c) Southern Asia Division, with a net total of over 1000 newly organized churches in the past five years under the leadership of Ron Watts, president! Approximate number of net new churches in the other listed divisions are Euro-Asia- 450, Inter-American- 300, North American- 200, Trans-European f) All of the above. The Book of Acts describes how the first Seventh-day Adventist Churches were planted (yes, they did keep the Sabbath holy and lived for the advent of Jesus), the Pentateuch shows us the patterns Jesus established for His chosen people, the Gospels teach us how Jesus laid the foundation for the church, the Epistles are letters to newly planted churches, Daniel & Revelation show us where we are living in the flow of earth s history and how God s people are to live in the last days, and all the rest of the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16 9. g) All of the above. 5

6 10. i) Any of the above. For additional insight on this see Review & Herald Oct. 22, 1889, par. 2-3; Testimonies vol. 6 p. 414, vol. 7 p. 19; Atlantic Union Gleaner January 8, 1902 par. 9; Review & Herald April 24, 1888 par h) All of the above. For a) see Gospel Workers p For b) see Evangelism p For c) see Review & Herald Nov. 14, 1899, par. 13. For d) see Kress Collection p For e) see Testimonies vol. 7 p For f) see Testimonies vol. 6 p & Gospel Workers p For g) see General Conference Bulletin, May 24, 1909 par i) Any of the above. For a) see Testimonies vol. 7 p. 19. For b) see Pamphlet For c) see Christian Service p For d) see Welfare Ministry p For e) see Testimonies vol. 7 p For f) see Testimonies vol. 7 p For g) see Testimonies vol. 3 p. 205 & Review & Herald Jan. 19, 1897, par. 6. For h) see Review & Herald, January 14, 1868 par i) All of the above. For a) see Testimonies vol. 6 p & Manuscript Releases vol For b) see Gospel Workers p For c) see Manuscript Releases vol For d) see Manuscript Releases vol For e) see Testimonies vol. 6 p ; Testimonies vol. 3 p For f) see Testimonies vol. 5 p For g) see Review & Herald April 14, 1910, par. 6. For h) see Review & Herald August 24, 1886, par c) 10,000. Here is the rationale: IF you had a congregation of 200 active, vibrant, faith-sharing Adventists, and IF each one had a circle of influence of fifty people they knew or crossed paths with every few months, and IF none of these circles of 50 overlapped, then The maximum impact that church would have is 200 x 50 = 10,000. This is why we need a vibrant, healthy Adventist church for every 10k population if we are to truly have this gospel of the kingdom preached in all the [northwest] for a witness unto all [people] before the end comes [paraphrase of Matthew 24:14]. 15. e) and/or f). Not a) because Review & Herald, November 14, 1899 par. 13. Not b) because Christian Service p & Testimonies vol & Special Messages p Not c) or d) because Review & Herald, October 22, 1889 par. 2-3 SCORING RESULTS Count your correct answers Excellent! Tell your pastor you are ready to help raise up an Adventist church! 8-11 Very Good! You have a grasp of what it takes to start new Adventist churches. Begin praying about what you should do next. 4-7 Good. Look up the Bible and Ellen White references listed in this article to increase your understanding and conviction. 1-3 You have just had your first Intro to Adventist church planting class. Keep studying and praying because Upon all who believe, God has placed the burden of raising up churches, for the express purpose of educating men and women to use their entrusted capabilities for the benefit of the world, employing the means He has lent for His glory.they are to employ His entrusted talents in building up His work and enlarging His kingdom. Medical Ministry p

7 Counsel Inspired Insights on Church Planting "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." Romans 15:20 (NIV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."" Acts 1:8 (NIV) 1. The Lord designs that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest work carried on in the world at this time... In this country and in foreign countries the cause of present truth is to make more rapid advancement than it has yet made. If our people will go forth in faith, doing whatever they can to make a beginning, and laboring in Christ s lines, the way will be opened before them. If they will show the energy that is necessary in order to gain success, and the faith that goes forward unquestioningly in obedience to God s command, rich returns will be theirs. They must go as far and as fast as possible, with a determination to do the very things that the Lord has said should be done. They must have push and earnest, unwavering faith... The world must hear the warning message. Evangelism p In the place of spending time on those who have been given many opportunities to learn the truth, go to the people who have never heard your message. Hold your [evangelistic] meetings in cities where the truth has not been proclaimed. Some will attend the meetings and receive the message... The places in which the truth has never been proclaimed are the best places in which to work. Evangelism p All our capabilities and gifts are to be used in the work of saving perishing souls, thus winning others to become co-laborers with Christ. The knowledge and powers that the Lord has given men and women will be largely increased as they work to build up His kingdom. Evangelism p Many of the honest in heart are gasping for a breath of life from heaven. They will recognize the gospel when it is brought to them in the beauty and simplicity with which it is presented in God s Word. Evangelism p As a people we have been in danger of centering too many important interests in one place. This is not good judgment nor wisdom. An interest is now to be created in the principal cities. Many small centers must be established, rather than a few large centers... Let missionaries be laboring two and two in different parts of all our large cities. The workers in each city should frequently meet together for counsel and prayer, that they may have wisdom and grace to work together effectively and harmoniously. Let all be wide awake to make the most of every advantage... Evangelism p Churches are to be planted. No great centers are to be made, as at Battle Creek; and yet there will be some important churches established, and meeting houses provided in large cities favorable to accommodating the believers in each locality. 7

8 There should not be a call to have settled pastors over our churches, but let the life-giving power of the truth impress its individual members to act, carrying on an efficient missionary work in that locality. As the hand of God, The church is to be educated and trained to do effective work. Its members are to be the Lord's devoted, Christian workers. The church is too one-sided. {PH } 7. Many of the members of our large churches are doing comparatively nothing. They might accomplish a good work if, instead of crowding together, they would scatter into places that have not yet been entered by the truth. Trees that are planted too thickly do not flourish. They are transplanted by the gardener, that they may have room to grow and not become dwarfed and sickly. The same rule would work well for our large churches. Many of the members are dying spiritually for want of this very work. They are becoming sickly and inefficient. Transplanted, they would have room to grow strong and vigorous. {8T 244.2} 8. It is not the purpose of God that His people should colonize or settle together in large communities. The disciples of Christ are His representatives upon the earth, and God designs that they shall be scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities, and villages, as lights amidst the darkness of the world. They are to be missionaries for God, by their faith and works testifying to the near approach of the coming Saviour. {8T 244.3} 9. The lay members of our churches can accomplish a work which, as yet, they have scarcely begun. None should move into new places merely for the sake of worldly advantage; but where there is an opening to obtain a livelihood, let families that are well grounded in the truth enter, one or two families in a place, to work as missionaries. They should feel a love for souls, a burden of labor for them, and should make it a study how to bring them into the truth. They can distribute our publications, hold meetings in their homes, become acquainted with their neighbors, and invite them to come to these meetings. Thus they can let their light shine in good works. {8T 245.1} 10. But selfishness, so abhorrent to God, came in. The work was neglected, when there was plenty of means to send missionaries abroad to preach the gospel, raise up churches, and erect meeting houses. If men had worked actively on the Lord's plan, laboring earnestly and unselfishly to impart what God had given them, churches would have been established in many places. The standard would have been planted in new fields. Witness would have been borne to the truth in many more cities. God's memorial of creation, the seventh-day Sabbath, would have been honored. {GCB, July 1, 1900 par. 30} 11. No man ever lived who was a more earnest, energetic, and self-sacrificing disciple of Christ than was Paul. He was one of the world's greatest teachers. He crossed the seas and traveled far and near, until a large portion of the world had learned from his lips the story of the cross of Christ. He possessed a burning desire to bring perishing man to a knowledge of the truth through a Saviour's love. His soul was wrapped up in the work of the ministry, and it was with feelings of pain that he withdrew from this work to toil for his own bodily necessities; but he seated himself to the drudgery of the craftsman that he might not be burdensome to the churches that were pressed with poverty. Although he had planted many churches he refused to be supported by them, fearing that his usefulness and success as a minister of the gospel might be interfered with by suspicions of his motives. He would remove all occasion for his enemies to misrepresent him and thus detract from the force of his message. {4T 409.2} 8

9 12. The enemy had laid a snare for the Fresno church. Brethren had left the churches where they belonged and where their help was greatly needed to strengthen and encourage the weak churches, and had moved into Fresno, to add their presence and increase the numbers of the church at that place. If they cannot hear the voice of God saying, "What doest thou here Elijah?", God will speak more plainly. It is not God's plan to have men of the same faith colonize and dwell together. We are living in the last days, and unless God moves the men, this moving mania will prove a snare perhaps to the loss of souls of those who move, as well as to the loss of many souls left discouraged in the small churches. { } 13. Our ministers are not to be encouraged to hover about the churches to repeat to the believers week after week the same truths. We have a truth that is saving and precious. The Word of God must be planted in many hearts, the bread of life must be dealt out to many hungering souls. If we will study carefully the fiftyeighth chapter of Isaiah, with these words I have read to you from the 54th and 55th chapters, you will see that there is a precious and an extended work to be done by the people of God. It is a blessed work to lift up Christ before the world. {10MR 320.2} 14. God expects those in His service to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Our aggressive missionary work is to be more abundant than it has been in the past. More territory is to be annexed; the standard of truth is to be planted in new places; churches are to be established; all is to be done that can be done to fulfill the commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matt. 28:19).... {TDG 242.3} 15. The life of a church depends on the interest which its members manifest in those outside the fold. Let the church of God remember that Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice to save a world from destruction. For our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might come into possession of eternal riches. Shall those whom God has blessed with a knowledge of the truth become narrow in their plans. Let them arouse to a sense of their vast obligations, cutting away every thread of selfishness, that the Lord may pour upon them His Holy Spirit. {TDG 242.4} 16. How did Paul and Barnabas labor? They visited every place where they could get an entrance, and they had success in the saving of souls to Jesus Christ, After a large territory was worked, they visited the churches which they had planted, and then returned to Antioch, the place from which they had been recommended by prayer and council for the work. {PH } 17. In the same way the work is to be carried now. Let those preparing to be laborers study Acts 14. Let them become familiar with this whole chapter, for those who will become laborers together with God in these last days will realize similar experiences as those recorded in verse nineteen. "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, (who had so recently refused to be worshiped as a god), drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood about him, he rose up, and came into the city; and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when he had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch." Thus they fulfilled the commission given in Matt. 28: : "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Their special 9

10 work was, "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14: These experiences were of great value to the churches. {PH } 10

11 Case Studies 1. Brownsville, TX San Benito 2. Kansas City, KS Chapel Oaks Wichita Cornerstone 3. Kansas City, KS Chapel Oaks KCK Spanish 4. Wenatchee, WA Wenatchee Abundant Life 5. Richardson, TX Plano Acts Two 6. Richardson, TX McKinney 7. Richardson, TX White Rock Lake 8. Ukraine a. Mykolayiv Mykolayiv 2 nd Church b. Chernovtsy Chernovtsy 2 nd Church c. Khmelnik (No mother church) 9. India a. Jaggunapeta Ten Village Program b. Khammam & Eluru One Hundred Village Program 11

12 Questions & Answers 12

13 Evaluation 1. My next step is 2. On a scale of 1 (totally useless) to 10 (one of most helpful I ve had in years) how would you rate this seminar overall? 3. The three things I liked best about the seminar are a. b. c. 4. The three things I wish had been done differently at the seminar are a. b. c. 5. Additional Notes & Suggestions Please give or send this to Seminar organizers to be forwarded to Dan Serns. Thanks. 13