Sacred Roots Thriving In Ministry - Apprenticed by the Early Church

20 • T he E vangel G athering • S acred R oots T hriving in M inistry : A pprenticed by the E arly C hurch

II. The Profitability of Being Apprenticed by the Ancients in the Spiritual Classics

Why Should Leaders in Movements of Communities of Poverty Become the Apprentices Under the Ancients’Tutelage?

Psalm 78.1-4 (ESV) 1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

A. History : We see how they shaped the truths of the one true Faith we now defend.

1. Close to apostolic age

2. Embroiled in defending the faith in the midst of “pagan” neighbors

3. Imagination in conceiving how to move forward in conversations with those detractors inside and outside the church

B. Strategy : We watch how “the best of us” dealt with similar attitudes, situations, and problems we face and encounter today.

1. Pick up tips in approaching tough questions and conflicts.

2. Gain insight in wrestling with problems affecting the Faith.

3. Learn how to address seemingly unresolvable issues with biblical creativity.