- Embrace Multiplication: As God blesses this process, churches multiply and the kingdom spreads out. In order to allow this process to work, some ideas have to be embraced, and our paradigms must shift. As I’ve said, this method is a tool for anyone who wants to spread the gospel. Here’s the possible rub, this system is empowered by God, and not overly controlled by the church. Through prayer, and obedience-based disciple making, the church allows these groups to spread as the Holy Spirit leads. This process may start a church we don’t even know about, and that’s okay. Multiplication comes when we learn to constantly search out and disciple two types of people—Persons of Peace and Multipliers.
- Multipliers—these are believers who will be open to learning how to reach people in bunches (like the way you harvest bananas and grapes), not just one by one. Almost all Western evangelistic strategies focus on one on one approaches. But we have found that using these can actually increase the resistance of people groups with strong family and friendship ties. Multipliers will be open to learning group strategies. They are willing to shift their focus toward discipling disciple makers. They are willing to learn to use approaches which can easily be reproduced by the people they are reaching. Multipliers are very coachable.
- Scriptures:
- John 15:1-17 (Those who abide in Jesus bear fruit, vs. 2; much fruit, vs. 5; and fruit that will last, vs. 16).
- Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20 (The message of the resurrection culminates in the Great Commission).
- Acts 2:42-47; 4:1-4; 5:12-16; 6:1, 7 (These passages reveal the growing spread of the gospel of the kingdom).
- Acts 8:1-3 & 11:19-30 (The gospel is spread by ordinary disciples as their response to persecution).
- Acts 19:1-20 (Paul and his team see the gospel spread throughout the Roman province of Asia from Ephesus).
- Activities:
- Guide church leaders through an exploration of what will be needed to replicate themselves and their ministries.
- Brainstorm what will be required for our church to plant “Rabbit Churches” (i.e., those which rapidly multiply).
- Share in your cohort the Paradigm Shift which has been most difficult for you to make. Pray for one another to be patient with those who are just starting down the road of embracing multiplication.
- Celebrate successes!
From the Desk of John King 