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

7. What is the relationship of the call of Jesus to minister and the certainty of suffering and persecution with that call? Is it possible to be called to ministry by Christ and not have to endure persecution and suffering of some kind? Explain. 8. In light of the lordship of Jesus Christ over all things today, what kind of implications exist for the man or woman of God as they go forward in their work to evangelize, disciple, and plant churches in the city? What is your level of confidence regarding your own life, your calling, and the lordship of Jesus where you are? From his study of church planters from several Protestant denominations, Charles Ridley developed a helpful process for determining the probability that a person will succeed in church planting. Denominations across North America use his work to assess their planter candidates. Ridley determined that most successful church planters share thirteen behavioral characteristics. It is the Ridley assessment to which most people refer when they speak of a church-planter assessment. 1. Visionizing Capacity is the ability to imagine the future, to persuade other persons to become involved in that dream, and to bring the vision into reality. 2. Intrinsically Motivated means that one approaches ministry as a self-starter, and commits to excellence through hard work and determination. 3. Creates Ownership of Ministry suggests that one instills in others a sense of personal responsibility for the growth and success of the ministry and trains leaders to reproduce other leaders. 4. One Who Relates to the Unchurched develops rapport and breaks through barriers with unchurched people, encouraging them to examine and to commit themselves to a personal walk with God. As an additional outcome, new believers become able to lead others to salvation in Jesus Christ. 5. Spousal Cooperation describes a marital partnership by which church planting couples agree on ministry priorities, each partner’s role and involvement, and the integration and balance of ministry with family life. 6. Effectively Builds Relationships is the skill to take initiative in meeting people and deepen relationships as a basis for more effective ministry. The Ridley Categories

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