(these short
articles from our Biblical
Worldview Church Planting brochure)
The unique
task of missions is to establish a viable growing church movement among
every tribe, tongue, people and nation -- that Christ might be exalted in
all the earth!
We believe
that establishing churches is central to the Great Commission and the
building of God's Kingdom among Canada's First Peoples -- and that's
why we've made it our NCEM Vision Statement.
A local church
is where God's people experience fellowship and mutual support, worship,
teaching, and opportunities for growth through service. Along with the
Christian family, it is the most effective means of winning others to
Christ. The church remains Christ's representative in the community long
after initial missionary effort.
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Biblical Worldview
Church Planting
Until there is
a strong church movement within every people group, the Great Commission
is not finished. Our NCEM action plan is now more intentional, giving
missionaries more specific measurable goals. The time frame may vary from
one Aboriginal community to another, but follows this five-stage strategy:
PREPARING
Josh. 18:8 /
Prov. 19:2, 16:3 / Eccles. 10:10 / Hab. 2:2
The
"pre-entry" stage focuses on the missionary's personal and
ministry development, and the forming of missionary teams. The church
planters train and research their future field of service before moving to
the Native community. They will also be building their
financial/prayer support team during this stage.
DISCOVERING
1 Chr.
12:23-40 / Prov. 18:13-15 / 1 Cor. 9:19-23
Also called
"pre-evangelism," church planters move to the Native community
and begin building relationships. They continue as learners, exploring the
local culture deeply, learning how the people perceive reality. The
missionaries do not hide their reason for coming, but at this stage their
primary purpose is to cause local people to question why they believe what
they believe, and arouse a hunger for the Gospel.
PRESENTING
Acts 17:16-31
/ Acts 26:28-29
In this
"evangelism" stage, the primary goal is the accurate and
understandable communication of the entire Scriptures in the context of
the local culture. The Bible is taught chronologically, intentionally
addressing those parts of the local worldview which rival God's
worldview. Bible teaching curriculum is developed so that the
yet-to-be-established church will have God's Word in an understandable
format.
DISCIPLING
Eph. 3:17 /
Titus 1:5 / 1 Pet. 4:1-2
Also known as
"post-evangelism" or "leadership development," the
primary goal at this stage is continuation of Bible teaching and
curriculum development, discipling of new believers, development of church
leaders, and their own mission endeavours to other communities. The
missionary does not take the role of pastor -- the newly formed church
develops its own ministries: worship, leadership, and outreach.
MULTIPLYING
Mk. 1:38 /
Rom. 15:23 / Phil. 2:12 / 1 Thess. 3:6
Referred to as
"phase-out," in this transitional stage the missionaries begin
planned absences until the entire team is withdrawn physically.
Relationships are maintained with return visits. By faith, at this stage
we see a healthy indigenous multiplying community of faith!
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What's More
Rewarding?
Can you
imagine anything more rewarding than seeing firsthand a church planted
where there isn't one?
15-15-15 ...
In the next 15 years, by faith we want to send 15 teams to 15 key
Aboriginal communities where there is a need for a strong indigenous
multiplying church. Our goal is to see 15 churches planted, and each of
them initiating their own church planting ministry in other communities.
Our NCEM
church planting action plan needs missionaries who are committed
long-term. Please prayerfully consider that God may be calling you to this
important work.
Wondering
if you're qualified? Foremost, the
Lord desires a willingness to learn and serve among people whom He loves
and for whom He gave His life!
