JAC Online

One Church
(a project by Holy Session students, Dan White & Kirsten Ivany, at The War College in Vancouver)

RESEARCH MODULE

Project Objective:

To offer a proposal and plan for strengthening the church in her mission to win the world for Jesus

Research Proposal:

To investigate and research the current condition of the Christian church in various regions of the world with reference to the movement of God, the distribution of resources, and unity in the global church.

I. Movement of God:

• Argentinean revival
• African church
• Chinese underground house church movement
• Korea
• Church planting - Danie Vermeulen

Ii. Case Study: Mission-based cell churches

• 614 Model

II. Distribution of resources:

• The West - Analysis
• The 2nd & 3rd world – Analysis

IIi. Interview:

• India – Sarvesh Kumar
• China – Misha Melz

III. Unity:

• Church Bodies (working and not working)
• International bodies
• Partner schemes – Viva network (Patrick MacDonald)

PROJECT: ONE CHURCH

PROPOSAL MODULE

IV. Proposal:

IVi. Unity Proposal

IVii. Proposal

• Project
• Mission statement
• Vision
• Creed

V. Qualifications:

• Denomination
• Sponsorship
• Strategy for mission
• Accountability
• Discipleship
• Representatives & Communication
• Funding/Support

VI. Proposal Analysis:

• SWOT
• Limitations, potential difficulties, problems
• Questions?
• Hestitations

VII. Conclusion

VIII. Appendices

X. References

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I. Movement of God

Argentina

Once the world's tenth strongest economic power and boasting a standard of life higher than that of southern Europe, Argentina was the jewel of South America, peaking during the reign of Juan Domingo Peron through the 1950s and 1960s. Once the tenth strongest economic power, Argentina now finds itself tenth from the bottom by some measurements. Little wonder the nation is ripe for the gospel message. The blindfold over Argentina is mainly Spiritism, witchcraft, and a growing Mormonism cult.

The largest church is downtown Buenos Aires is pastored by Hector Gimenez, 33, an ex-drug addict and gunfighter. He started the church in 1983 and now leads a congregation of some 70,000 at The Miracles of Jesus Renewed Christian Church.

Peter Wagner writes about his experience of God working in Argentina; “Their church home is a 2,500 seat theater in which they hold eight services daily, seven days of the week. Gimenez himself preaches five services per day, a total of 35 different sermons per week. A study by a Polish sociologist estimates the attendance at 14,000 daily. I had the privilege of preaching to a packed house at the 8:00 p.m. service on a Tuesday night in April 1990, and saw more than a dozen profess salvation and fifty profess miraculous healing, numbers totally disproportionate to the usual results of my speaking. When we left just before 10:30 p.m., a new crowd had totally jammed the space between the theater door and the street, waiting to get in for the next service!

Africa

In the twentieth century, the Christian population in Africa exploded from an estimated eight or nine million in 1900 (8 to 9%) to some 335 million in 2000 (45%), marking a shift in the “centre of gravity of Christianity” from the West to Latin America, parts of Asia and Africa. At the turn of the 20th century, Christianity was virtually nonexistent in many parts of Africa but is now the faith of the majority, as the following figures demonstrate:

Africa has seen amazing Growth but unthinkable persecution. In the 20th century alone, there have been some 1.8 million Christian martyrs in Africa. This figure does not take into account the estimated 600,000 Christians who have died in the genocidal conflicts in Rwanda and Burundi, nor does it fully account for the more than two million deaths in the 17 years of Sudanese civil war waged by the militant Islamist government on the predominantly Christian population of the south.

China

China allows worship only in the official Three Self Patriotic Movement, set up after the expulsion of foreign missionaries and church leaders after the 1949 revolution. However, Protestant Christians are said officially to number around 16-17 million. Researchers suggest the real number is more likely to be around 50-70 million. Millions of Protestants worship in unregistered groups, often called house churches because they meet in private homes to avoid detection.

One report dated 2nd March 06 read as follows; Chinese police held 36 people in a raid on a bible school run by an underground Protestant church yesterday amid a nationwide crackdown on Christians worshipping outside Communist Party control. About 50 officers armed with electric cattle prods and backed by more than 10 police vehicles surrounded the school in the eastern province of Anhui, according to the China Aid Association, based in Texas. Those inside, including students, teachers, and leaders of the underground church were taken away in police vans, the group said. The school’s owner, Chu Huaiting, was later arrested at his home, the association said. It identified Chu as vice president of the Chinese House Church Alliance, which unites about 300,000 worshippers in unofficial congregations.

In another report by the BBC (UK News network), Mr Xu Yongze, the founder of one of the largest religious movements in China talks about his experiences in jail and more widely; how Chinese Christians are suffering for their faith. Both Catholics and Protestants have long complained of persecution by the Communist authorities, and human rights groups claim the problem is getting worse. "China's new generation of leaders is trying to consolidate control of the country as it goes through rapid social and economic changes," said Wilfred Wong, a parliamentary officer for the Jubilee Campaign. "The Communists feel threatened by any popular ideology which is different from their own," he said.
China's Christian population, especially those who refuse to worship in the tightly regulated state-registered churches is seen as one such threat.
According to Mr. Wong, the number of Christians in China has continued to rise, exacerbating this perceived threat and causing the authorities to clamp down still further on unregistered churches. The perception that China's Christians have close links with the West adds to their plight, Mr. Wong said.

Those Christians who want to avoid the state-controlled religious movements meet in unofficial buildings or even each others' homes - hence their description as "house churches" - risking fines, imprisonment, torture and even, in some cases, death.
"Despite all the persecution and suffering, God is calling more and more people in China," Xu said.

Korea

J. Edwin Orr has accurately described a true evangelical awakening as, "a movement of the Holy Spirit bringing about a revival of New Testament Christianity in the Church of Christ and its related community." What is the purpose for such outpourings of the Holy Spirit? Are God's purposes in reviving His Church always the same? Without question, God's primary purpose for revival is first and foremost; the purifying and empowering of the saints to be a witness to the ends of the earth. Yet, there are several possible secondary purposes for the Church to be revived. Many today when speaking of the need for revival in North America seem to focus mainly on the restoration of America's former glory and prosperity. However, God often sends revival in order to prepare His Church for times of great suffering and tribulation. At the turn of the last century revival broke out again in Wales, India, China and America, only to be shortly followed by World War I in 1914. The coming of a revival is not always a guarantee for national peace and prosperity, but rather revival is often the providence of God to prepare us for suffering.

The mighty Korean Revival of 1907 is another clear example of God's merciful purposes in revival. In 1905 Japan defeated Russia, and gained control of Korea's foreign affairs as the spoils of war. The Japanese annexed and occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945. For the next 35 years Japan manipulated and oppressed the Koreans for their own profit. Many who suffered at the hands of the Japanese during these years were the newly revived and converted saints of God. God in His foreknowledge and mercy, revived the Korean Church in 1907 and thus prepared thousands to be thrust into eternity only a few years later. Let us now consider this revival that prepared a whole nation for years of suffering and tribulation.

Church Planting

Danie Vermeulen writes “Show me a denomination in decline and I will show you a denomination without a church planting vision. Show me a country where the Christian population is stagnant or in decline and I will show you the denominations within it, with no church planting vision. It stands to reason. Yet, there are now numerous countries that show major evangelical growth since the denominations and church groups settled on a specific national church planting goal. Examples of these are the Philippines, China, Brazil (in fact most of Latin America) Ghana and Zimbabwe. In every continent of the world there are church planting movements breaking through the barriers of evil resistance, bringing the glory of the Lord, the incarnate presence of Christ into their communities”.
Saturation Church planting is a vision that aims at mobilizing the whole body of Christ within an area, city, province or country to plant a church within easy access of every person in order to disciple the whole nation. (Matt. 28:19) Jesus' command to us was not to make disciples in the nations but to make disciples of all nations. This is a whole nation vision. Therefore, the mobilization of the whole body of Christ is essential.
Danie suggests some reasons for church planting; that new churches grow faster than old churches, and a plant can often give new life and vitality to your church. The new plant develops new leadership and can stimulate existing churches in the area. Church planting can bring a new awareness and compassion for the lost and give a world vision to your church. Also, planting often re-emphasizes the principle of sowing and reaping.

II. Distribution of resources

SWOT Analysis

The following SWOT analysis’s have been compiled to highlight general trends and tendencies in respective regions of the global church body. The main sources used are journalist reports, and personal experience and testimonies.

The Western Church

Though not exhaustive or a typecast for the entire Western church, this analysis is intended to highlight the spiritual climate in the West; North America, Western Europe and Australia. Some entries may be arguable as to whether they act as strengths or weaknesses, opportunities or threats. To the best of the analyst’s wisdom, entries are based on their place when submitted to God.

Strengths
• Wealth – capital, finance, property
• Technology & communications – media; internet, newspapers, television, radio, telecommunications, blogs etc…
• Transportation – air, land & sea
• Education – secular, and Christian, qualified, trade
• Presence and influence – recognised in society, power in secular and governmental circles.

Weaknesses
• Societal oppression
• Post-modern spirituality – acceptance of new spirituality, rejection of Christianity in modernity
• Fat-spirit
• Disunity – denominational breakdown
• Immobile mission front – little outlet and vision for outreach mission
• Internalising church
• Disconnection with a post-modern world

Opportunities
• New and revived initiatives – 24/7 prayer movement, cell-based churches, incarnational living
• Sacrificial and simplistic living
• The Word – obedience
• New forms of media & communication
• Mission trips
• Authentic Christian community – discipleship and accountability

Threats
• Irrelevancy in post-modern culture
• Compromise - acceptance & tolerance
• Religiosity – tradition for the sake of tradition
• Business-like ventures – conforming to the world
• Individualism – self
• Compromise II – worldly investments, greed & materialism
• Rejection of God

The 2nd & 3rd World Church

It is generally accepted that in many regions in the 2nd and 3rd world like China and Africa, the Christian church is seeing rapid growth. And, for the purpose of a possible project proposal, the analysis couples the 2nd & 3rd world church with places in revival and/or persecution. The assumption that they are interrelated is incomprehensive, however arguably widespread.

Strengths
• Explosive Church growth
• Simplicity
• Hunger for God
• Spiritual acceptance & recognition
• Miracles
• Faith
• Unity – cultural emphasis on family

Weaknesses
• Corruption
• Physical Resources
• Lack of education

Opportunities
• Revival – massive church growth & salvation
• Awareness – injustice, discrimination, internal problems
• Bible distribution
• Increasing open national borders
• Missionary pool
• Evangelism
• Impact the government & authorities – church as a voice in society

Threats
• Health epidemics - disease & plague
• War – tribal, civil and large-scale violence and bloodshed
• Crime & corruption
• Other religions – terrorist activity, oppression & suppression
• Attacks, threats and bribes from extreme groups
• Westernisation
• Locked borders
• Poverty
• Persecution & Martyrdom
• Changes of government

After a brief observation of this resource analysis, it seems apparent how different regions of the global church body live out very different experiences of church and mission, face different challenges, and are ultimately weaker because of disunity and broken communion with the bride.

Iii. Interview - Joshua Paul (Sarvesh Kumar)

INDIA – Ambala in Haryana

For anyone who is unaware, could you possibly describe the geographical location of where you are from?

I come from the city of Ambala in the state of Haryana in India. Spiritually speaking, there are a lot of Hindus in India and the main language is Hindi. They do a lot of worshipping idols amongst other things. The whole country is divided up into social hierarchy called the Caste system, which is basically a form of social discrimination. People are born into a certain caste and they range from lower to higher castes. Low to medium castes have no source of income. They are neglected from high society and do not have access to education. Because they do not have jobs, they are forced to beg and pick up garbage. This starts as young as three years old and up. Essentially, once you learn to walk, you learn to beg.

Gender roles in India are completely different from most of the Western world. All women in India live in fear. They do not have authority or leadership at all. The man is the power head and their husbands and/or their mothers-in-law beat them. Bridal burnings occur in all castes (although not as common as it once was). Bridal burnings are a practice where when the husband dies, his widow is tied to him and burned alive.

It is a rare thing to find a woman who is not being beaten regularly. Women are also at risk for being burned alive if they are barren, haven’t paid a good dowry, don’t provide a son or are too expensive to keep alive (to feed etc.)

If there is unity between the wife and the husband, then some of this can be prevented. But regardless of this glimmer of hope, the number one cause of death for women is arguably violence/murder. There are also millions of murders via abortions that don’t get talked about. If a woman finds out that she is pregnant with a girl, an abortion will occur. There is a great problem with girls being abandoned simply because of their sex.

More specifically about the church, only 15 of the 92 known people groups in India are know to have any congregations of believers. There is a lot to be done for the Kingdom of God!

Could you share with us briefly what the church is like in this area?

The church in India is different spiritually than what I have seen of the church in the West. Where I come from, the faith that people have is great and thus there are many miracles. They have the faith to believe that it will happen, and it does.

I have seen a baby risen from the dead, a man with a physical hole in his heart with no more than three months to live who has outlived that curse by seven years, a man deaf in one ear from birth got healed and can now hear perfectly in both ears. The stories go on and on.

How does it look for someone to pray for healing where you are from?

When people go to pray for healing it’s usually for about two hours straight. But it varies.

Since the main religion is Hindu. Haryana, the state where you are from, is one of India’s least evangelized states (0.08% Christian), is there much persecution for Christians in India?

Many many people are persecuted for their faith in my state, and in the whole of India. There is a lot of pressure on the church from Hindus. If you were from a higher caste, you would be rejected and alienated from that caste if you decided to follow Jesus.

In Christianity most of the Catholics are from higher castes and the Protestants are more of a mix of different caste levels.

In the regular social regulations of India, there is no caste mixing at all. Segregation is practiced everywhere in the nation. When there is mixing in public it could result in a spectrum of reactions from people ignoring your existence to beaten up or having your life threatened.

How do you tell people about Jesus in India?

Tracts are big over there. We give out about 500 a day. Paper is expensive in India, so people will always take them and read them. A lot of open-air type things happen as well as street preaching, although it is very dangerous. Most of the time people who are preaching or sharing the gospel in some way are stopped by physical force and violence or they are threatened. There have also been incidents of people being shot or killed. Another dangerous aspect if you are a parent is that your kids could be threatened to be kidnapped. There is always a risk – 100% of the time – when sharing your faith in my country.

What are the main strengths in your church body?

Faith, Spirit, courage, and how loving people are.

What are the main weaknesses?

Fear of persecution, fear of hated by other castes and relatives, an extreme lack of finances and food etc.

What is your prayer for the body of Christ in your region?

My prayer is to see many souls saved, that people will see the reality of Christ, that the church would not be persecuted, that there will be a big Revolution for Jesus Christ, and that new churches to be planted. We must pray for spiritual awakening for the state of Haryana and for the entire country.

What are some main prayer targets that the global church could pray for? What are some practical ways that a “Western Church” could support you? (Including and beyond finances)

As I mentioned previously, my prayer for India is to see not only a revival but a Revolution. I would also pray for missionaries to be sent out to various parts of India. There is also a great need to start orphanages and/or send money or people to aid in this mission. Children need to be sponsored, as well as churches (which is rarely happening).
It helps when people from their own towns preach or testify. For example, if someone from a higher caste gets saved, then he would have a more powerful testimony to other people in higher castes. People need to have a common point of reference.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about your experience?

Nothing really. God save India!


Conclusion

In summary, this interview has given a glimpse into the reality of life in India and highlighted some of the differences between life in the West and life in a third world country. The reality of the poverty in India is vastly different from the poverty in North America where most people receive a welfare cheque each month.
There is a dire need for finances, man power and a spiritual awakening for the majority of the nation.

The church of India is small, but growing. They are strong in faith, determination, and perseverance. They are also strong in the Holy Spirit. May His Kingdom come and His Will be done.

Iiii. Interview - Misha Mezl

CHINA – Guangzhou

For anyone who is unaware, could you possibly describe the geographical location of where you are from?

I just arrived home from a small, home-church community in Guangzhou, China.

Could you share with us briefly what the church is like in this area?

Our church-group is small, between 12 and 18 people. We are made-up of English teachers from English speaking countries that gather together for church and fellowship once a week. We meet in our home every Monday night for worship, a sermon given by one of our two team-leaders and prayer. We have two new members who are Chinese teaching-assistants that have recently come to Christ.

What are the main strengths in your church body?

Our church body has a strong sense of community and a strong Bible-base as many of our members our bible school students. We are very committed to living life as witnesses in China. We try to nurture relationships with the Chinese staff.

What are the main weaknesses?

Because we are mainly made up of English speakers far from home, we tend to isolate ourselves within our own community and (I find) we do not do enough outside to serve our community, meeting needs. I also believe that we do not pray enough as a group.


What is your prayer for the body of Christ in your region?

I pray that we mobilize ourselves as an army of Christ and rise up to Love and meet the needs of our community in a powerful way.

What are some main prayer targets that the global church could pray for?

Pray that God softens the hearts of the people of earth and gifts those who wish to serve him with the wisdom, patience, courage and strength that cross-cultural missions require. Pray for HEALTH. Many of our team fell ill and this drained us emotionally and physically.

What are some practical ways that a “Western Church” could support you? (Including and beyond finances).

We are well supported financially, what we really need is PRAYER support and potentially more teachers who are willing to dedicate themselves to growing ministries in the area, to fly out for a year and continue what we have started. People are there on a one-year contract so turn-over is high and we always need replacements.

III. Unity

In many of the Western Churches there has been talk of ‘Worship Wars’ ad nausea. A constant battle seems to have been underlying church dynamics and a power struggle has existed concerning whose preferences should be upheld.

Denominational attitudes have come into play and crippled the larger church body. Divisions concerning church government, theology and expressions of worship have enlarged the chasm that exists between different church bodies.

The natural and commonsensical notion of proximity would reveal how this not only brings disunity but prevents (or at least slows down) the process of reconciliation if there lacks an intentional effort.

We acknowledge that each “church” is in itself an expression of the body of Christ. Hence the term “a church body”, yet we also agree with the truth that all the Saints together make up a larger body – the Body of Christ.

In varying degrees we can see unity in local expressions of the body, yet there appears to be a more severe neglect of the imperative need for unity and reconciliation of the global church. We must have eyes to see our need for one another.

“If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”
1 Corinthians 12:26,  NLT

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PROJECT: ONE CHURCH

PROPOSAL MODULE

IVi. Unity Proposal

A scriptural passage which offers something of Paul’s wisdom as to a model church body comes from Acts 2:42-47 which reads:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

This scripture lays foundation as one of the inspirations for a unified church and guidance in realizing that unity. Our proposal invites the marriage of two churches; that both tend different gifting and strengths, needs and weaknesses, but who have a desire to collaborate and pour into and receive from each other for the strengthening of the body.

This does not however, imply any suggestion of a “weaker” and “stronger” partner. The goal is to couple churches together so that each church can give in their strengths and receive in their weaknesses.

For example, if a church full of young families lacks zeal in their prayer life and faith is dwindling, but enjoys a deep pool of resources, they might be well-partnered with another family church that experiences a fervent and fruitful prayer ministry, but who has financial and resourcing needs.

In partnership, it is hoped that the relationship will cultivate authentic Christian community, despite geographical hurdles. This will look different in every instance; however it is a step towards greater unity in the global church body.

1 Corinthians 12:12 – 26 talks about this unity:
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?. As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

The purpose of this strategy is to acknowledge and live out practically in more fullness, the truth that we are all part of one body in Christ. No part is more important than another. When one member of the body suffers, the whole body suffers and when one part of the body is honored, the whole body is honored. We are all part of the same body and it is God’s intention that we recognize each other as part of that same body.

An example of where a group is doing a similar work is in that of Viva Network. Set up as an international initiative seeking to encourage church planting agencies and organizations, particularly in areas where the church is working with children at risk; the initiative has started working in partnerships in more holistic ways. Viva is networking because they believe it is essential to reach out to the needs of children and their communities all over the world. Some examples of how churches can be involved in prayer for one another in creative ways can be found in the appendix section.

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IVii. Proposal

Project

NE CHURCH

Mission

• To breakdown demoninational & expressive divides and build up the body of Christ

• To unite different communities, expressions of faith, cultures, socio-economic circumstances, and ministries

• To mobilize the church in mission through exposure and mutual communion

Vision

ONE CHURCH - Working in the power of diversity

Love. Faith. Community. Obedience.

Creed

One Church doctrinal beliefs based on the Nazarene Creed

• That there is one God, the Creator of all things, who reveals himself as Father, Son, and Spirit.
• That the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments in their entirety, are complete and are fully inspired by God and inerrantly reveal the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation.
• That people are all sinners by both nature and act and need God’s forgiveness and cleansing.
• That salvation through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; whoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is forgiven, made new and saved from the control and power of sin.
• That believers need the fullness of God’s Spirit in their hearts. When we make a conituned commitment to Him, He cleanses our spirit, sanctifies us entirely, fills us with His perfect love, and gives us the power to live victoriously.
• That our Lord will return, and the dead will be raised to life, and the final judgment will take place.
• That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost, but those who are in Christ Jesus shall ever be with the Lord.

V. Candidate Qualifications

Denomination:

To qualify as a One Church partner, a fellowship must acknowledge and accept the doctrinal beliefs. An objective of One Church is that partners will enter into cross-denominational partnerships, in a significant and intentional move towards a unified Church body.

Sponsorship:

One Church supports and encourages child sponsorship programs, Children’s home planting, Digging wells and community health centres as part of the project mission and vision. For further ideas see www.beahero.org.

Strategy for mission

Candidates are expected to be actively involved in expressions of mission in local community, and should present a mission objectives proposal as part of the One Church application.

Accountability:

Church leaders should be intentional in accountability relationships, both in church leadership, and throughout the congregation. This plan ties in with a proposal for discipleship below.

Discipleship:

Candidates are expected to have an active discipleship program that reflects the biblical example of Jesus Christ. One Church recommends a framework for discipleship.
(For further information see attached document “Biblical Discipleship” by Joel Boyd)

Representatives & Communication (3 party)

Each partner requires a One Church representative. Due to the fact that every partnership will look unique, partners are expected to discuss and design their own plan for communication. Partnerships will consider conversation, mail, possible mission trips, visits and points of accountability; all integral parts of the One Church vision.

Funding/support

With reference to resourcing commitments, this is a negotiable agreement between partners and it is hoped that candidates will enter in to a full discussion and commitment to matching up respective strengths and weaknesses, to maximise opportunities, and minimise threats. Prayer and fasting is a fundamental element of this covenant.

VI. Proposal Analysis

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• Awareness
• Exposure
• Unification
• Reconciliation
• Facilitation

Weaknesses

• No proven formula
• Dangers of a pioneer project
• Ad-hoc project
• Difficulties in partnering churches

Opportunities

• Accountability
• Mission – increase effectiveness
• Sacrifice
• Conviction
• Obedience
• Personalize the problems and the issues
• Crush stereotypes and perception
• Tackling the fat-spirit
• Mobilization – practical outworking
• Mutual Education
• Feedback incorporated mission

Threats

• Cross pollination of negative ideas & beliefs
• Miscommunication – reasons for partnering
o Emphasis on benefits – rather than biblical basis & mutual gain
o Charity mentality, victim syndrome
• Exploitation – misuse partnership for personal gain

Considerations

If one partner shows themselves to be unfaithful or insensitive to the needs of the other, how will we go about dealing with this issue?

Considering that some conditions in the third world would have serious financial concerns and thus limited access to international (or inter-continental) communication, how will this obstacle be diminished?

If denominational differences surface to be problematic in the relationship between the two partners and the tension becomes a distraction to the mission, how will we work to resolve the situation?

What will the agreement between partners look like; verbal/ written/ contract/ vow /covenant?

VII. Conclusion

This proposal has been piloted for the observation of church bodies and cells, to challenge the old, inspire with new, and dare to dream of a global church that fights in unison.

The prince of this world is a tempter. Everything he offers is temporary, tearing apart community and selling us individualism. It’s a veil that the church must fight to remove.

While the Church has countless programs and business style projects, this proposal is one of a different breed; ad-hoc, autonomous, and personalized. Blanket statements and generalizations don’t serve well, but rather a strategy like One Church is intended to offer the underpinnings for a revolution; Love, Faith, Community, Obedience - One Church, working in the power of diversity.

One Church is an initiative, birthed out of prayer during a shift in a 24/7 prayer room in a slum hotel in Vancouver’s downtown Eastside. To realize such a conclusion, we as the church, face perhaps the most uncomfortable, uncompromising, sacrificial, painful, risky and potentially life-threatening ride of our lives.

“While there yet remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight till the very end.”
General William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army

Proposal presented by Kirsten Ivany & Daniel White
For more information contact sixonefour@lightspeed.com

IX. References

The Awesome Argentina Revival: Lessons in Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare from Argentina, Peter Wagner,
 http://www.christianword.org/revival/argentina.html

Chinese police raid underground church - 02/03/06
 http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_06032china.shtml

China's Christians suffer for their faith, Kate McGeown BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3993857.stm

The Explosion of Christianity in Africa: An Unprecedented Spread of the Faith
http://chi.gospelcom.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses/glmps151.shtml

The Korean Pentecost: The Revival That Prepared Thousands for Eternity, David Smithers,
 http://www.watchword.org/smithers/ww45c.html

The Strategic Value of Saturation Church Planting, Danie Vermeulen,
http://www.dawneurope.net/strategicvalue.htm