The Timothy Conference

T H E T I M O T H Y C O N F E R E N C E

Selecting a Credible Criteria for Independence: Navigating Toward a Healthy Transition Don L. Davis, June 30, 2002

In order to establish a smooth transition from missionary-led community to indigenous, independent church community, we must identify and agree upon a clear criteria which would help us know when the transition is complete. In other words, everything depends on all of the key players’ ability (i.e., missionaries, elders, and church community) to be crystal clear regarding our assumptions about what the transition involves and what we are seeking to accomplish. If, for any reason, we are unclear as to our expectations and directions together, we can easily misunderstand one another, and prolong the process, or even make the transition period unnecessarily painful. The following categories are given as a guide, a criteria which may help you as leaders critically assess whether you have covered all necessary areas of transition. The list is suggestive, not exhaustive, and is not meant to be a final summary, but a tickler to help you think carefully through all of the issues necessary to make your period of transition an open and supportive one. 1. A Faithful Group of Converted, Gathered, Maturing Disciples of Jesus a. Solid conversions to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior b. Self-identity as a separate Christian assembly with its own passionate spirituality, inspiring worship, and presence in the community c. Possess clear sense of membership, ownership, belonging; able to bring new members in easily through strong orientation and loving relationships d. Clear sense of entering membership, disciplining members, restoring them e. Incorporating people smoothly into the life of the body (i.e., small group life, friendships, large group fellowship, etc.) d. The Body exercising wisdom as it determines which leaders to fund (i.e., how many it can afford to fund fully or partially), while at the same time relying on lay leaders and members to meet its needs as God leads e. Acknowledged separately from missionary leadership as authority of the Body 3. Selection of its Own Pastor and Pastoral Staff a. Creation of a charter/by-laws/constitution/covenant delineating role of pastor(s) and relationship to Body b. Installation of a pastor duly ratified by membership and endorsed by leadership c. Formal recognition of pastor’s authority and responsibility d. Affirmation of community’s support and submission to pastoral leadership 4. Limited and Decreasing Oversight, Participation, and Direction a. Missionaries have surrendered all significant positions and authority b. Clear understanding of the role all missionaries presently serving our body c. Distinct lines between missionaries and indigenous leaders in decision-making and direction setting of the church d. Encouragement for missionaries to seek God’s leading regarding new communities to target for new outreaches of the Gospel 2. Identified, Commissioned, and Released Indigenous Leaders a. Selected by and for the Body publicly and prayerfully b. Determiners of the church’s direction and operation c. Accountable to the church’s membership for their life and ministry

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