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

These texts make plain that God intends for us to no longer be children, but grow to the point of equipping others. And, what is true for us as individuals, can also be related to churches. God wants churches to grow! Now that you have had a chance to think about empowerment and maturity, what kinds of issues and themes come to mind for you? Are you clear about the importance of empowerment, and the central role that the transition process plays in the overall church planting effort? Some of the questions below may highlight others questions along this line as well. * If we refuse to allow churches to govern their own affairs, handle their own finances, and determine their own ministry direction, how can we say that we are empowering them? * How do issues like race, class, and culture shape and play into these issues of empowerment, transfer of leadership, and growing toward independence? * Can an urban church be in a position of depending on the resources and personnel of a suburban church and it not result in an unhealthy, dependent relationship on the wealthier church? How so? * What if an urban church plant, despite all of its bests efforts, simply can’t find anyone or any group willing to take responsibility to shepherd and lead it? What options are available to us if that occurs? * Must we always suspect that every church plant in the city will succeed? Justify your answer with an appeal to the apostles’ experience in church planting. * How would you know that God would want you to be involved in empowering urban churches for ministry? What kind of persons would make the best candidates to empower city people for ministry? * Can a person be called in from the outside to an urban church and that be an empowering decision? What about a person from a different color or culture? Must you speak the language of the people in order to lead an empowered church? * What is the likelihood that an urban church will last if it fails to connect with a larger association of churches which provides it with friendship and support? * Is Empowerment as much attitude as it is a practice or action? Explain.

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