The
local churches we desire to see multiplied across Africa should be…
1. Healthy: This includes healthy theology, healthy
leadership (spiritually, emotionally, relationally), and making healthy
disciples.
2. Indigenous: Indigenous churches
are churches that reflect the culture of the people among whom the church is
planted, while also being thoroughly biblical in their practices.
3. Self-supporting: Self-supporting
means that the indigenous church is not dependent on outside funds to be
planted or to exist. It is based on the conviction that Christ designed
the church to exist in any culture, any socio-economic and political climate,
and to do so in such a way that it can organically reproduce itself regardless
of the structures in which it exists.
4. Reproducing: Healthy churches
reproduce themselves. God designed the church to reproduce itself
organically, intentionally and rapidly—once the gospel takes hold. Healthy
churches can do that.
5. Interdependent: ReachGlobal believes
that congregations are healthiest when they are in fellowship with and are
cooperating with other like-minded congregations. Thus, we choose to work with
groups that value interdependence rather than independence. Interdependent
churches work together to bring the gospel to those around them, to train
workers, and to do missions together.
3 comments:
Kevin,
Seems like these would be five good characteristics for our church as well.
Praying with you and my brothers and sisters in Africa, for God to so bless them with these strong churches.
Thank you for what you are doing as well as Christ's ambassador to Africa.
Kevin, I'd add a corollary to your #1: that healthy theology needs to include the tools and encouragement to explore theology anew as opposed to just learning Western theology well. I recall the excellent insights you shared from an African commentary a few years ago...we need more insights like that!
Dan, we need to equip the indigenous church in every culture with the skills necessary to handle the Scriptures well and to develop a Biblical theology that impacts their culture in ways that bring lasting transformation. We then have to be prepared that it won't necessarily look like the way we do church in the west, which is a good thing.
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