Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 2: P REPARE • 167

2. The Poor as Leaders

Acts 4.13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common ( idiotes ) men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 1 Cor. 12.7, 11 – To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . . . [11] All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. James 2.5 – Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? Rev. 1.5-6 – . . . and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. [6] To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I have my defense, but it consists in the prayers of the poor. The blind and the lame, the weak and the old, are stronger than hardy warriors. ~ St. Ambrose (340-397). “Sermon Against Auxentius.” Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers , Second Series, Vol. 10. p. 436.

Key Church Planter Virtues: Constantly vigilant against paternalism and responses to the poor that are based on “remedial Christianity.” Constantly investing in, and entrusting authority to, faithful leaders among the poor as the means by which the church will be planted.

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