Church Planting Movements: A Potential Thriller, Finding the POPs

A Potential Thriller; Finding the POPs

A Person of Peace wants to be found. Do we really embrace this truth?

 

In Church Planting Movements there exist a tension. The tension lay in what we know to be consistent with Scriptural teachings upon which CPM is grounded and one’s practice in walking these truths out.

At any given time in any Unreached People Group one could find a Person of Peace who longs to be found. This POP is ready to take one to their oikos or their Mother Ship. However, the intentionality to go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to facilitate the meeting of these whom the Father is preparing is the challenge.

I still recall the strong message implanted into the DNA of several missionaries we associated with in the early years on the mission field, “the role of the foreigner is to not directly share Christ with Muslims.” Messages like these are counterintuitive to the heart that pays attention to the modeling of Christ to His disciples. Thankfully, there were a few others who decided an opposite approach; in order to model to one’s national partners what it is to wrestle through ways to more effectively share Christ with Muslims we need to be about MAWL (modeling-assisting-watching-leave/letter/love).

In regards to implementing the aspect of trusting the Holy Spirit to lead one to POPs and then to see oikos’ engaging in the Word leading them to multiplying faith in Christ, the area of modeling is key. Do we each truly believe that the weak and frail vessels of the stuff of each of us who desire to see CPM can trust God’s strengthening to transform us in these areas or not?

What then is the process of one being morphed into a bold proclaimer. Just do it. Wait on a cotton pick’n minute, one might be prone to beg. We sometimes dare to be bold but it can really be a great looking disguise for self reliance rather unmitigated Holy Spirit led dependence. Just do it scared. That more describes an honest trust which could be the greatest conduit of God’s blessing of the goer. One can have all the cpm training in the world, have all their cpm t’s crossed and cpm i’s dotted but not be dependent upon the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead.

My husband and I go out each week at specific times in the process of hunting for POPs; at times just us two but also we try to be intentional in bringing others we are training to do likewise. Rainy season is one of the best times to hunt. Each afternoon, the rain descends consistently.  Each rainfall provides an opportunity to find clusters of Muslims gathered in the nearest shelters available, as they are enroute to various destinations in life. Typically, Muslims are gathered waiting out the rain readied to discuss issues of life. One basic reality in the hunt for POPs is to ask the Holy Spirit where non-Christians like to gather and then go there. 

Just yesterday on one of our planned POP hunting trips, Ibu Nani delightedly played with her granddaughter in the park. She and I exchanged many pleasantries. I then shared a Shemah statement with her, “Bu, I can see that you thoroughly enjoy your precious granddaughter. I find it so amazing the gift of the beautiful entrustment of children from the hand and heart of Allah.” Immediately she inquired if I was a Muslim. I responded with identifying myself as one who follows Isa Al Masih, the one who satisfies the daily heart cry for Allah to reveal the straight and true way. She smiled. I seemingly did not fit her prior categories enough so that she was intrigued. I then shared with her that I find it sad that not many of my Muslim friends have ever enjoyed the privilege of studying the Taurat (books of Moses), Zabur (Psalms), and Injil (the gospels)and the amazing stories, which can transform our lives, contained therein. I mentioned that the AQ (Koran) in Sura 4:136 admonishes one must believe in these books. I then invited her to meet in a few days time with one of my MBB friends and me. A key to this interaction is to share the first story in DBS (Discovery Bible Study). From there, we will invite her to identify who else she could gather to share the same story; starting with her oikos and then helping her identify others if family is not desiring to study.

Reviewing basics in finding POPs;

1.   Spend time in focused prayer. Have others on your team cover you and your                             partner going out POP hunting. Contact your intercessors to pray over this time.

2.     Rely on the filling of the Holy Spirit to lead you. Engage the person.

3.     Within a few minutes share Shemah statement and identify yourself as follower of Christ.

4.     Offer to study stories of Taurat, Zabur, Injil as considered a must from Sura 4:136.

They are many other introduction type approaches for finding a POP. In future entries I will share other ideas to ask the HS to use in and through you. 

5.     Can include in offer that you have been asking Allah to lead you and your national partner to those who are desiring to study these stories. Then, you can inquire if they are an answer to this prayer. (One of the indicators of finding a real deal POP as described in Matt. 10, Luke 9 and 10 is that they invite you to their home). There are times a potential POP offers this but most times we suggest they do this…

6.     From the beginning plant desire to study these stories with their oikos. “When can you gather them and when can we meet?” Do not stay in group past 1-2 times. You want to quickly identify the natural leader, which could or could not be the POP, and then begin to meet with them privately to model the process of the next story in the DBS story set. They then will be challenged to take this same pattern and story and facilitate in their respective oikos. That will be the established norm as you plant in the DNA of this effort.

7.     Get contact info and set up time to meet, meeting within a few days time is ideal.

Remember, these hungry hearts want to be found because the Holy Spirit is drawing them.

RA

Church Planting Movements: Killers and Thrillers

Church Planting Movements: Killers and Thrillers

A Potential Killer-A lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”

                                                                                    -Ephesians 3:8

Unreached People Groups opportunity to have abundant life for here and eternity comes down in part to our growing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.  Do we expect that God is about movements? Are we expecting that disciple- making movements will be reproducing? Or is our common belief more likely expressed, “Oh, that Disciple Making Movement among the Unreached People Groups (UPG) X or Y happened there but not likely among our UPG. You must understand that this UPG is just really, really hard to reach.”  

For those called to focus upon home culture ministry, along with sending others to UPGs, this posture of our lack of expectation that God will fulfill His promises, is just as relevant to be confronted. He wired us, in Christ Jesus, to be partnered with His Holy Spirit in seeing the fulfillment of His purposes on the earth for His glory. Quite frequently, the common theme song rising from among cross-cultural workers is the more subversive mindset that assumes “this particular UPG” is SO difficult to reach.

It is quite often observed, as a tendency, that cross-cultural workers may at times confuse the lack of vision and faithfulness. There are laborers among UPGs which are faithful yet have lacked clarity of end vision. God will fulfill His promises along with His purposes, that is His promise. However, the question begs whether we, as laborers, will slow the impartation of Spirit led movements down. Will we actually be the agents who hinder a Disciple Making Movement, though His purposes will be fulfilled in the end? The good news is that many of us DMM practitioners have observed a ramping up of a sense of urgency for obedience. As laborers, the reliance upon God in complete utter dependence is vital. This dependency is built upon a foundation of total implicit trust along with heaps of sensitivity to the Spirit of God.

One area where it is easy to see a “killer” in the birthing of a potential DMM is in the area of a lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Healthy DMs are predicated upon seeing where the Father is working and partnering with Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Cultural irritants, no longer shockers

My husband and I were recently transiting through an airport in our Southeast Asian country we call home, for now. With ample time in transit to reflect, I considered that though we have lived here since 1991, honestly, home looks more and more as defined by God’s heart. Heaven truly is our home. Consequently, we are living more and more like the pilgrims we are called to be. Hebrews 11:13-16 describes this heavenly longing which this short list of faithful followers enjoyed,

"All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that {country} from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better {country,} that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them."

Vermin and Marble Flooring

Awaiting the next flight to yet another area of the country where we are privileged to train and coach national colleagues in Disciple Making Movements, I have been thinking. I have been thinking a lot lately about God's mercy and my personal need for daily transformation by the power of Christ alone. Having walked into the women's restroom in this airport, I observed a group of Muslim women washing their bodies in the sink.  Actually, the water was more out of the sink than in during this process. At that moment I thought of God's mercy. While anticipating a much awaited bathroom stall, I also observed the cause for pause sight of the sheer innumerable masses of vermin which infested the standing water on the restroom flooring.  Again, I thought of God's mercy and my personal need for daily transformation by the power of Christ alone. I also considered the obvious reality: no amount of marble flooring can bring the needed cleansing. Vermin and disease do not flee the occasional splash of water, which promotes a false sense of cleanliness. Vermin is still vermin. Eradication is the action needed, not a little splash now and then. The naked eye dare not feign recognition of the diseased places in life. Conversely so, a trained eye sees full well. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit affords one the ability to look within and to really see what hinders a vital walk with Christ.

I wondered at that moment about God’s higher ways. I thought about how quickly I took a pause and internally committed to polite disdain regarding the cultural norm of these women. Perhaps this process in this moment in the seam of the fabric of time all actually began this morning as a fellow passenger in the airplane sat quite contentedly picking his nose. Of course, the small comfort is that in all of these years accrued I can definitely concur with the cultural norm of never using one’s left hand for greetings and such. "Tangan kotor" (dirty hand).  Trust me, there are very solid reasons for this cultural norm beyond what is appropriate to be written here. As one of the first cross cultural norms our family understood in our host culture, I am exceedingly thankful for that bit of culturally relevant piece of wisdom, especially as I considered this morning's flight.

Why do I share this somewhat tongue and cheek reflection? I guess in so many ways, life depends upon whose set of lenses I choose to appropriate. Do I really understand my own desperate need for His cleansing alone? That is, cleansing from the inside out. Am I growing in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s biddings in my life? Going to the heart of the matter in all areas of life, is truly the heart the Father is after in each of His followers.

I have been reminded recently that each of us who come to Christ has a tendency toward a common ailment in the flesh. Before coming to Christ in faith, we understand the dire need of the cross. We understand that our hearts are desperately wicked apart from the saving power and mercy of our great God. However, one of the areas of disobedience potentially committed by our hearts after coming to Christ is when we begin to read and believe our own headlines, so to speak. Meaning, the sin of self-righteousness is a highly common ailment in the Bride of Christ.

Even the oft used phrase, "there but by the grace of God, go I," has potential to reflect this tendency. In a simple phrase as this, Satan can even ignite as fuel for my heart to think that somehow I am worthy in and of myself. While it is true that each of us is deeply valued by Christ, it is Christ' grace and forgiveness alone which brought us from being enemies of God to being called His children. Am I truly appropriating this reality in my life today?  If not, then my own road and my own process to walking in a spirit of humility and growing sensitivity to the Spirit of God will be paved with many opportunities to relearn or perhaps unlearn, over and over again.  As a potential “killer” of CPM as well as an obstacle to personal healthy growth in Christ, a lack of sensitivity to the Spirit is a major threat.

Desiring His Ways,

RA

Church Planting Movements: The Grim Reaper and POP's

The Grim Reaper and POP's

The Grim Reaper was on the prowl. By Grim Reaper in this case, I am referring to a personal pet name given to one of several cab companies (a.k.a., Gemah Repah) in Bng, sia. At the completion of a course, which helps to further coach others, I looked forward to a quiet evening at a nearby restaurant.

Admittedly, a low-grade level of dread grew at the precise moment as I needed to hail the services of said taxi company. Past experiences with cabs in this city had been less than pleasant. The ensuing conversation with the desired cab drivers followed.

“Good evening sir, I would like to be taken to

my hotel at _____ address. I desire to

only use the meter price,” I ventured.

Their responses followed.  “That is impossible. We will ask the following

price and nothing less,” they asserted.

I did definitely not like this instant recollection of life experience among the disposition of the general population of Sese.

At that very moment the two roads of choice lay clearly before me. A few words scrolled past my frustrated mind in the first road, thankfully not taken. The second road meant I would pound the pavement in hopes of acquiring another ride.

The high road perhaps for some might include the choice to smile and just say no thank you and then reoffer yourself as their compliant, though milked for resources, passenger.

As I considered the options, the traffic, the lack of evenly paved sidewalks, and the lateness of the evening; the best option seemed to be to walk until I could arrive at another spot where taxis gathered. The public buses were brim full with evening passengers as they scurried to make quick escape from the wetness of the nighttime precipitation.

The hunt for another taxi began on an agitated note in my heart as I walked in the general direction of my hotel. Rain began to descend as my tired condition increased. The Spirit prompted me to give this slight agitated state of my countenance to Him. As I walked a struggle in my spirit grew. At this moment the power of worship took over.

To choose to sing songs of worship and praise was the transformational key, which unlocked the door to God’s heart for me on this evening. As I praised, I remembered. As I remembered I grew in gratefulness. Gratefulness took over the momentary and light grumblings and inclination to whine (self pity) as I recalled the 21 years prior when Bng and all of its congestion was home to our family.

If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness for His namesake.   I John 1:9, Ephesian 5:18

In these many years since our family’s move to another area of this archipelago to focus on 3 other Muslim unreached people groups, we have always known the Lord to be faithful. Memories of God’s faithfulness flooded my mind on this monsoon impacted evening; tears of struggle in a new culture, longings to be with family and friends in our home culture, yearnings to gain the language in the midst of the beginning years, adjustments in bringing our precious two small children to this place.

As I continued in the mist of the descending rainfall on a wobbly path of displaced paving block, I sang. Songs of worship lifted my heart that evening and gave clarity to receive what Kingdom realities the Spirit wanted to lead me to in the next few moments. Confession of stanky attitudes and self-pity were dialogued with my ABBA. Then, to ask to be cleansed and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit brought about the needed transformation in my heart.

After a brief walk I arrived at one of those spots where other cab companies awaited passengers. Amazingly, I found a willing and helpful driver. My mind was cleared, my heart was renewed, and I was an available vessel for the Master.

The short journey to my hotel began with a desire to share of the goodness of Allah (shemah statements) meant to engage the Sese Muslim driver related to his family. To which he immediately described the painful departure of his wife from their family in favor of another man. I felt led to share with him how much his leadership and care for his sons in the midst of suffering was that which reminded me of God’s heart.

After desiring to express compassion for this man, I then explained that the issue for all of mankind is that we are sinful and hurt God and one another. In 3 minutes time, I then related God’s desire to have relationship with man and yet because of man’s sin, we are separated from God and therefore cannot know God for who He truly is.

As is the pattern in seeking after Persons of Peace as delineated in Luke 10 in the process of trusting God for launching Church Planting Movements, I invited this man to study the stories with his family from the Taurat, Zabur, and Injil (Muslim understanding of what is considered to them as Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures). Though I offered to connect him up with Sese followers of Isa Al Masih and to discover Allah’s heart and plan for his life, the man declined.

To a hurting Muslim man, the non-obvious choice of transport to a foreign woman, and to the heart of mankind God speaks. He arranges the affairs of man to lead those who follow Him into the moment-by-moment delight of Him. And out of the overflow of that intimacy we speak, we live, we demonstrate, and we proclaim His glorious ways.

The driver didn’t trust Christ that night but He did understand, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that God could be known only through Christ.

This journey began with a desire to simply secure transport back to my hotel in order bed down for the night. What was to be the true journey was a reminder that it is not about the “taxi” ride, it is about the process of the journey as we yield or not to His bidding. And no matter the inconvenience, and no matter the perceived miscues of our own well-laid plans, God is worthy of being Lord over all. 

The Gemah Repah taxi service had not their way on this night. Rather, a God who desires my heart to be walking in a manner worthy, moment by moment empowered by the Holy Spirit, captured my prone to wander affections once again.

RA