Ripe for Harvest

404 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

Nurture: Mature the Church Exercise Questions

1. How can we help believers understand their spiritual gifts and encourage them to be used in the church? 2. When will we form a constitution (i.e., draft Bylaws for the church)? If we have already done so, should we revisit our draft by-laws we initially formed, in order to bring about its completion? 3. How will we form ministry teams for carrying out the functions of and doing ministry outreach on behalf of the church? 4. How will emerging leaders be given authority and responsibility? What opportunities will we give them and how will we train them to fulfill these roles? Consider the four stages of training:

a. Let them observe you b. Let them assist you c. Let them do it with you assisting them d. Let them do it without you

5. What will be the criteria for church leadership (teachers, elders, deacons, worship leaders, Christian educators, small group leaders)? 6. What will the credentials be for pastoral leadership? 7. Is there a local TUMI site where our leaders can receive training, or should we start a TUMI Satellite in our new church? Could we partner with other churches or an association to start a TUMI site? (See The Urban Ministry Institute: Polishing the Stones that the Builders Reject – How You Can Equip Leaders for Your Church and Ministry at the end of this book). 8. How will we identify and train potential leaders for specific leadership positions in the church? a. Elder

b. Deacon c. Teacher d. Worship Leader/worship team

e. Treasurer (collect, count, receipt, record, deposit, reconcile, write/sign checks, write reports to keep the leaders/body up to date on income/expenses, etc.)

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter