Ripe for Harvest

140 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

The Gospel vs. Culture Identify which of the following are merely negotiable, essential, allowable, or unallowable.

1. Constructing, owning a building for church life 2. Conducting a liturgy to hip-hop music 3. Permitting dancing in church 4. Electing church leaders by vote 5. Communion celebrated in home fellowships 6. Laypersons baptizing new converts 7. Using all electric instruments in worship 8. Sunday School class

9. Women as teachers and pastors 10. “Quiet Times” in the morning 11. Supporting widows and orphans 12. Dressing up for Sunday worship 13. Not suing other Christians 14. Taking offerings/tithes each week 15. Dating 16. Women not to teach men 17. Organizing politically in church 18. Governed by single pastor

Taking a Quick Tour of the World Today

I. “What in the World Are We Doing?”: The World Today

A. If the world were made up of 100 people . . .

B. The world is becoming urban.

1. Right now, there are 111,000 non-Christians becoming urban dwellers every single day (this number will triple within the next 30 years). 2. In 1900 there were only 20 cities in the entire world over one million people; today, there are 360 cities with over one million people.

Context Values/Vision Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter