Focus on Reproduction, Mentor's Guide, MG12

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F O C U S O N R E P R O D U C T I O N

Planting Urban Churches: Tending

Segment 1: Incorporating New Disciples into the Body through Follow-Up

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Follow-up is an essential dimension of equipping believers in the Assemble and Nurture phases of church planting. Following up new believers in the local church is “incorporating new converts into the family of God for the purpose of edification and fruitfulness, to the glory of God.” This includes the notion of welcome and introduction into the body, building up in the body to the fullness of Christ, and using one’s gifts to contribute to fulfilling the Great Commission, all to the glory of God. Our objective for this segment, Incorporating New Disciples into the Body through Follow-up , is to enable you to see that: • Everywhere in the NT the Scriptures argue the importance of the follow-up of new converts and discipling new believers in urban church planting. • The act of follow-up includes welcoming new believers into the Church, i.e., incorporating new believers and equipping them in the local assembly of believers, which is God’s agent of the Kingdom in this world. • Following up new believers in the local church is “incorporating new converts into the family of God for the purpose of edification and fruitfulness, to the glory of God.” This includes the notion of welcome and introduction into the body, building up in the body to the fullness of Christ, and using one’s gifts to contribute to fulfilling the Great Commission, all to the glory of God. • The practice of following up new Christians is essential to their spiritual well-being. New converts need immediate care and attention because of their need for protection and to understand their new identity, their need for ongoing instruction and feeding, for the cultivation of new friends and life patterns, and because of their need for immediate and regular pastoral care. • The dynamics of follow-up include baptism and membership in a local assembly, worship, befriending, pastoral care, preaching and teaching, discovery and use of one’s spiritual gifts and service, and sharing of one’s faith.

Summary of Segment 1

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