leading in a diverse church--lesson 1: framework for unity (w/student responses)
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PerSpective 12 Training and Ministries All Rights Reserved Jan Paron 2012 Taught at All Nations Leadership Institute 4501 West 127th Street Alsip, IL 60464 http://allnationsleadershipinstitute.orgTRANSCRIPT
Leading in a
Diverse Church
Session 1
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who
will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all
may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in Us, that the world may
believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You
gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just
as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they
may be made perfect in one, and that the world may
know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as
You have loved Me” (KJV).
High Priestly Prayer: John 17:20-23
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
Unity Leading Grounding Ministry Setting the Supporting Framework Across Cultures in Love Table Mosaic Communities, Parts 1 & 2
Course Outline
Lesson’s Big Ideas
• God’s intent is to give access to the message of salvation for the ‘called’ from every culture and generation
• Scripture mandates a heterogeneous, multicultural faith community
• It is the role of a leader to bring unity to transform church culture and make room for grace for people from all tribes, nations and tongues
Understanding Biblical Mandate for Unity:
John 17:20-23
What do you know about why the Body needs to be
one for a unified church?
Student responses:
• One mind and one accord: Same message
• Like-mindedness and in agreement—Carry the same
message
• Regardless of background, we’re all married to Christ
• One mind, edifying each other
Orthodoxy(RIGHT MEANING)
Orthopraxy(RIGHT PRACTICE)
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, AS YOU, FATHER, ARE IN ME, AND I IN YOU” (17:21a)
Vision of Purpose and
Knowledge (P1)
That believers may be joined
together in “one fold and one
shepherd” with “unity of purpose
and knowledge through Jesus”
(17:21a)
Class response
Using intentionally diverse teams:
minister to others with multicultural
teams so people see oneness of
the Body.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be
one in Us,
THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME” (17:21b)
Bearing of Witness (P2)
That believers abide in the one
Shepherd and as one fold to bear
unified witness in one accord to the
identity of Jesus as the Sent One
(17:21b)
Class response
Witnessing to people from different
background, ethnicity, creed, etc.:
Go outside your own circle. (Build
new bridges—Also witness to
people who do not look like you.)
Orthodoxy(RIGHT MEANING)
Orthopraxy(RIGHT PRACTICE)
“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them,
THAT THEY MAY BE ONE JUST AS WE ARE ONE: (17:22)
Reflection of God’s Glory (P3)
That they may be kept in solidarity
as one fold, transformed into His
likeness to reflect His glory (17:22)
Class response
Showing solidarity as one through
fellowship: New member dinners
shows the diversity present, serving
different foods, meet and greets with
regions and Soul Patrol
“I in them, and You in Me;
THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE, AND THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW
THAT YOU HAVE SENT ME, AND HAVE LOVED THEM AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME” (17:23).
Perfection of One in Him (P4)
That they may be made complete
and full as one, believers
collectively abiding in Christ and
Him dwelling within every believer
(17:23)
Class response
Breaking barriers by coming
together as a diverse one: VIP,
prayer room, hospital, grieving
people, baptisms, & weddings
(Learn different customs. Mix
w/people outside church)
Petitionary Prayer
Unifying the Body on Your Knees: Prayer of Petition“My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt 21:13 NKJV).
Petitionary Prayer DefinitionGod is your source. Make your petitions known to him.
A petitionary prayer is a request or supplication, one “supported
by evidence and facts based on the known will of God by the
Word of God” (Savelle, 2011; cf., Eph 6:10-18).
Steps for Petitionary Prayer Step 1. Depend on God as your source. Pray with an expectant
faith.
Step 2. Pray in the name of Jesus, your power source.
Step 3. Pray the Word itself. When you pray the Word back to
God, it shows Him that you are in agreement with His will.
(Ephesians 6:17-18 (KJV) says, “take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints.”)
Step 4. Read and study the selected Scripture passage. Know
what the passage means. Circle the key words and look
up their meaning.
Step 5. Pray the Word as a petition for the needs of the saved
souls and unsaved souls for reconciliation with God and
each other in Christ (Savelle, 2011).
Class Examples of Petitionary Prayer
To be added.
Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity
60-60-30-30 Paired Discussion
Pastor Tony Evans, in his book Oneness Embraced, says that
“Unity is not uniformity, nor is it sameness. Each person is
unique in personhood and yet at the same time one in essence,
unity reflects a oneness that does not negate individuality. Unity
does not mean everyone needs to be like everyone else” (2011).
• What is the meaning of “unity if not uniformity, nor is it
sameness?”
• How does Evans’ quote relate to John 17:21b?
Quick Self-Assessment:
Leadership Action Skills for Unity1=Undeveloped, 2=Emerging, 3=Proficient 4=Highly
Developed
1 2 3 4
Element 1: “M” Intentionally Ministers to the Multitudes
Element 2: “O” Views Others with Openness
Element 3: “S” Adapts the Method, Keeping the MeSSage
Element 4: “A” Focuses on the Call to the All
Element 5: “I” Shows Inclusion and Impartiality
Element 6: “C” Uses Value Communication
Quick Self-Assessment:
Leadership Action Skills for Unity
Debrief
What surprised you about your pre assessment?
Closing
What impressed you as most important from our discussion?
Want to know more about unity?
Read these articles from Jan Paron
• Seeking the M.O.S.A.I.C. Church: Bridging the Gap Leadership Framework
for Unity, http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-
c-church-bridging-the-gap-leadership-model-for-unity/
• Seeking the M.O.S.A.I.C. Church: Understanding New Covenant Unity,
Pt. 1 http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-c-
church-understanding-new-covenant-unity/
Pt. 2 http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-c-
church-understanding-new-testament-unity-pt-2/
• Seeking the M.O.S.A.I.C. Church: Bridging the Gap Leadership Framework
for Unity, http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-c-church-bridging-the-gap-leadership-model-for-unity/
References
Evans, T. (2011). Oneness embraced through the eyes of Tony Evans. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.
Paron, J. (2012). M.O.S.A.I.C. Church Series Pt 1. Introduction. Alsip, IL: PerSpectives 12.
Savelle, J. (2011). Prayer of petition: Breaking through the impossible. Ventura, CA: Gospel Light.