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

b. 1 Pet. 5.1-4

3. The need is for wisdom and insight in knowing just when the Holy Spirit wants the transfer of leadership to occur.

C. Perspectives to adopt

To be aware of the unique challenges, difficulties, and opportunities which are connected to the Empowerment phase of urban church planting

1. Transition should not be the end of relationship or connection to the independent church, but the transfer of authority over to its leaders and its members, Acts 14.23.

2. Empowerment is about giving power over to ; to empower an urban church we must see that some kind of authority, power, resources, or goods have been turned over to them for their ongoing management and stewardship.

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3. The principle of “avoiding dependence” should not be translated as “be as stingy as possible;” we must provide for our children without spoiling them , 2 Cor. 12.14.

4. No pastor or church can function as an isolated, disconnected community: the “selfs” never meant (not do they mean) that a church is independent of other fellowships in the community.

5. The goal of transition is reproduction, not survival: all that takes place in the church plant should be engineered with the goal of “putting reproduction into the DNA” of the emerging fellowship.