Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 4: N URTURE AND T RANSITION • 421

The Self-Governing Seven Central Principles for the Transition Phase Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

I. Boldly buy into the idea of transition as essential for a truly autonomous and community church.

A. We don’t own the church, it belongs to Christ, who is head.

B. Expect your nurturing processes to work, and to produce a strong fellowship of Christians and godly, independent leaders.

C. Understand the theology about letting people with gifts to emerge with their own visions, values, and virtues.

II. From plant to partner: factor transition to independence, partnership, and multiplication into the DNA of your church planting process.

A. Independence refers to the self-propagation, self-governing, and self- supporting nature of the healthy church.

B. Partnership refers to the church bonding with other fellowships and associations who share their vision and purposes.

C. Multiplication refers to the ongoing nature of the church to plant daughter churches.

III. Set the stage early for transition through the development of a leadership team you nurture as the future leadership of the church.

A. Establish as early as possible a clear criteria for your leadership team: biblically sound, not a novice, recognized by other members as leaders, proven servanthood in the body, etc. B. Let your relationships among the team set the tone for future direction; perceive the leadership team as a servant-team for the benefit of the body.

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter

C. Personally disciple and invest in their growth, development, and maturity.