Ripe for Harvest

408 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

VIII. Deal with cultural issues openly, sensitively, and biblically.

A. If you impose your culture, your group will only be a collection of bi-culturals.

B. If you ignore the culture, it will go underground or it will create a revolution.

C. If you excuse the culture, you will permit syncretism and compromise.

D. If you respect the culture, you will match discipleship with cultural sensitivity.

IX. Respect cultural difference but do not compromise the Scriptures. Understand that “neighborhood for neighborhood’s sake” is not biblical.

A. Jesus is Lord, even of the neighborhood.

B. What is comfortable for people may not necessarily be consistent with the Word. Through instruction in the Word, equip people to recognize what is amoral, immoral, and moral within the neighborhood.

X. Use the formation-of-a-constitution process as a tool to give your assembly a sense of autonomy and identity.

A. PWR the fledgling body in a neighborhood style of approach.

B. Don’t patronize community people: city people can think through their processes.

C. Constitution is not an end; it allows for proactive understanding of decisions and makeup.

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter