Select text to comment.
Contents
What: A network of people committed to growing every way into Christ
A new-yet-old way of “doing church”
- New for the modern world.
- But it’s actually old–dating from the New Testament and into the 2nd century
Rusticus the prefect said, “Where do you assemble?” Justin said, “Where each one chooses and can: for do you fancy that we all meet in the very same place? Not so; because the God of the Christians is not circumscribed by place …” Rusticus the prefect said, “Tell me where you assemble, or into what place do you collect your followers?” Justin said, “I live above one Martinus, at the Timiotinian Bath … I am unaware of any other meeting than his.” (Martyrdom of Justin, 2; see also Clementine Recognitions 10:71)
Why: The traditional corporate approach falls short
- God has still used it
- Jesus’ example, teaching, and the NT epistles are centered around building people.
- The corporate model often conflicts with this focus.
Discipleship is too big to be secondary
- Not only do we need to learn the Bible, but practical know-how such as relational skills, crisis intervention, life disciplines and more.
- The linear approach of sermons, small groups and classes simply can’t cover everything. A parallel, individualized approach is needed.
Information technology eliminates the need for top-down structures
- Gutenberg’s printed Bible broke the elitist monopoly on information
- The Internet, and now AI, destroys it completely
- Countless resources for learning the Bible etc.
- Double-edged sword. Online Information includes “arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God” of every type. (2 Cor. 10:5). There is no way to counter everything via a linear, top-down approach.
Principles
People first
Literally “people, not programs”
The Body of Christ grows by growing people, not churches
Eph. 4:12-13
to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Col. 1:28
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Gatherings second
Disciples will gather. But gatherings are only a small subset of being a disciple of Jesus. When gatherings come first, discipleship often gets left out.
Cf. Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership II model. People with high competence and high commitment manage themselves and work independently with little supervision, requiring only delegating leadership.
A key motivation for corporate church is the human need for belonging. A key part of people building will be helping individuals to receive and embrace their belonging in Christ, as kingly sons and daughters, cf. Ephesians 1-2, 1 Peter 2:9-10 etc., and
Safety First
Follows from People First
Salvation: being made safe
The core message of Jesus is safety in transparency
1 John 1:5-7
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Truth in love is safety
Ephesians 4:14-16
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Hurt people hurt people
- Lack of complete discipleship directly causes spirtual abuse/church wounds
- Gatherings of non-disciples will include people with unhealed hurts, misunderstandings, and knowledge gaps, who can impact each other negatively.
- Stories of deconstructed former Christians often include experiences of toxicity, control, and doctrinal misunderstandings.
Goal is full truth and full grace
John 1:14
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Function first
- Forms follow function
- Forms to be evaluated regularly: “Does this form best accomplish its intended function(s)?”
Functional Terms
These are alternatives to traditional terms for clarity. It’s not about trying to be cool.
- Church -> Network (Eklesia–group, assembly, gathering)
- Pastor -> Coach or facilitator
- Elder/overseer -> Gatekeeper
- Services -> Gatherings
Membership
Definition
- A member is anyone who participates
- By intentionally working on discipleship
- By connecting with others
Requirements
- Complete Onboarding Process
- Agree to a covenant
- Follow discipleship goal
- Report progress to others
Checkups
Wellbeing Inventory:
- Physical: “Are you sleeping? Are you eating to fuel your purpose?”
- Emotional: “Are you living in joy? Are you managing anxiety through the Life Management objectives?”
The Safe-Person Inventory:
“Are you maintaining boundaries? Are you being a safe listener?”
Leadership
Ephesians 4: 11-12
Facilitators
- Requirements
- How chosen
- Responsiblities
Gatekeepers
- Qualifications
- How chosen
- Responsibilities
- Guardians
- Personal safety
- Doctrinal safety
- Librarians
- Guardians
Fellowship
- 1 John 4:12
Relationships
- Guidelines
- Addressing problems
Gatherings
- Flexible Acts 2:42-47
- Initiated by members
- Occasional full gatherings
Key Texts
- John 13
- 1 Corinthians 14
- Colossians 3
- Ephesians 4-5
- Hebrews 10:24-25
- 1 John 1:1-7
- 1 John 4:12
Tech Platform
Overview
A set of tools to help facilitate
Components
Connection List and Group Finder
Basic database of who is meeting with whom, whether one-on-one or a group.
- So leaders to keep tabs on who is meeting with whom.
- Can use to connect people with new partners or groups.
Resource Library
Website where members can submit links to anything they’ve found helpful in discipleship, with a basic review/rating system. Members will also be able to request ideas for specific needs.
