Listen To Your Disciples Reports

     Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

If you have been planting and multiplying churches for more than 3 or 4 years,

you have taken on big responsibilities. In the beginning you could focus on

prayer walking, finding persons of peace, and sharing the Good News in homes

and cell groups. But now your responsibilities have grown. You spend more of

your time casting vision, training others, organizing events, and overseeing the

planting of multiple churches in multiple locations.

It’s likely that you feel somewhat removed from the joy and excitement of

direct evangelism and disciple making with brand new Christians. You’ve taken

on greater responsibility and your people are grateful for the work you do, but

the truth is, you are somewhat removed from the growing edge of the

Kingdom.

In times like these you need to take care. Guard your heart. Make sure your

compassion for the lost does not decline. Guard your heart. Make sure you trust

God daily for provision and wisdom, power and favor and grace. Guard your

heart, make sure you do not boast in your own strength; boast in the Lord and

in his mercy and kindness.

As you plant more and more churches and delegate more and more

responsibility to your disciples, one way you can guard your heart is to listen

carefully to your disciples’ reports. Jesus did. When he sent the apostles out to

minister, he listened to their reports upon their return. Matthew 9:10 tells us,

“When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then

he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called

Bethsaida.”

As you know, listening is more than just hearing. When we listen, we pay

attention. When we listen, we seek to understand. Jesus listened to his

disciples’ reports and we should too. We need to let them tell their story in

their own words. We need to ask open questions to increase our understanding

and theirs. We need to be patient as they speak. By doing so, we show respect

for men and women who are working and being stretched as they make

disciples and plant churches. We gain insight and understanding about matters

we have not seen first-hand. We gain wisdom so that we can coach our

disciples well. And our disciples gain wisdom as they reflect on their ministry

experience.

So do what Jesus did. Take time to listen to your disciples’ reports. As you do

so, both you and your disciples will be strengthened. As you listen with

empathy your hearts will be joined together. God will be honored and you will

become a stronger team. As you listen, the Lord will lead you forward together

with greater faith, wisdom, and vision.

This has been Multiply and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #ActiveListening

Give Your Disciples Significant Responsibilities

    Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Delegation of ministry responsibility is a big part of church leadership. And

delegation of ministry responsibility is also a big part of making disciples. So,

please take a moment right now to answer these two simple questions,

 When I am working with my disciples, do I often give them

responsibilities that are too big for them to handle? Or,

 When I am working with my disciples, do I often give them

responsibilities that are very simple and easy for them to handle?

If you want to pause this recording while you think about those two questions,

feel free to do so.

These two questions are really important. If we give our disciples

responsibilities that are too big for them to handle, they will get frustrated. If

they don’t know what to do or how to do it, things won’t turn out well. Even if

they know what to do and how to do it but just do not have the time necessary

to do what you have asked them to do, big problems can arise.

On the other hand, sometimes your disciples are ready to take on big tasks and

carry out great responsibilities. But if you fail to recognize their ability and

their availability, bad things will happen. They will get frustrated; they may

begin to doubt their own abilities. They may even leave you and look for places

where their skills and gifts will be better put to work in God’s Kingdom.

So, what guidelines should we follow when it comes to delegating responsibility

to our disciples. Here are five guidelines that help me.

1. Cast a big vision.

2. Pay attention to your disciples’ abilities, gifts, and skills.

3. Give your disciples responsibilities that stretch them slightly.

4. Constantly affirm what they do well.

5. Patiently help your disciples learn from their mistakes so they will be

stronger next time.

The VCP vision of a church in every African village by 2050 is big. So is the

Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Share these visions often

and well. Then, remembering your disciples’ gifts and abilities, give them

significant responsibilities that stretch them, cause them to pray, and make

them find creative solutions. Always affirm what goes well. Gently correct and

instruct for greater effectiveness next time.

My brother, my sister, follow Jesus’ example. Give your disciples significant

responsibility. If you do so, you will be blessed, they will be blessed, and

God’s grace will be released in amazing ways!

This had been Multiply, and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Delegate

Steward Leadership - Parable of the Unjust Steward Part 3

 

        This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. 

Today we continue our series on steward leadership, and we complete our study of the parable of the Unjust Steward. 

A steward is defined as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.” In our context, we are managing resources provided by the Lord for our Village Church Planting work. 

In my previous podcasts, I introduced three themes in this parable

• Stewards must give an account.  

• The shrewdness of the steward and the commendation from his master

• The criticality of faithfulness in both small things and in our stewardship of resources

An important principle that Jesus is trying to is convey that it is much better to be a just, or trustworthy, steward rather than an unjust one. Don’t be confused by his commendation of the unjust steward.  We addressed that issue in our previous podcast. The unjust steward saw his master’s resources as a means for his own personal enjoyment and advancement. Instead, Jesus wants His followers to be trustworthy and righteous stewards. 

Jesus explains today’s principle in verses 10 and 11. 

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

This reminds me of our study of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.  If we are faithful in small things, we will be entrusted with more.  And, if we can’t be faithful with earthly wealth, which isn’t even ours to begin with, then how can we be entrusted with the “true riches” of God’s Kingdom? 

The key point of Jesus’ application is verse 13.  “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (see also Matthew 6:24). If God is our Master, then our resources – our time, talents, and treasure - will be at His disposal. The faithful and just steward whose Master is God will employ all that he or she is, and does, to build up the kingdom of God.

On the other hand, those who love money more than God and who are merely seeking to get paid or get rich and are not prioritizing God’s eternal kingdom. 

In our next episode, we will continue our study of steward leadership. This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.

Steward Leadership - Parable of the Unjust Steward Part 2

    This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.  

Today we continue our series on steward leadership. One author defines a steward as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.” In our context, we are managing resources provided by the Lord for our Village Church Planting work.  

In my previous podcast, I introduced three themes that I see in this parable

· Stewards must give an account.  

· The shrewdness of the steward and the commendation from his master

· The criticality of faithfulness in both small things and in our stewardship of finances

In this episode, we address the steward’s shrewdness and the praise for this that he received from the master. We read in verse 8.  “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly…”  What is that all about?  

This parable does not seemingly make much sense in many ways.  Why would the rich man – the master – commend a servant who wasted his goods and then discounted others’ debts to him?  The key to understanding Jesus’ story is that it is not about master and servant relationships. Rather, it is about how to handle money correctly.  

On a quick side note, it occurs to me that the actions of the unjust steward caused others to join with him in his dishonesty. Our faithful stewardship – or our failure in this – has an impact upon others.  

As we consider why the master complimented the unjust steward, we must first realize that he was not applauding the man’s dishonesty. Instead, it was because he realized how the dishonest steward used (or misused) his access to resources to proactively prepare for his imminent judgment and to secure his future.  

Verses 8 and 9 elaborate on this point.  “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.  I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”  

A principle that we can take from these comments is that Jesus encourages us to be generous with our possessions in this life so that we can further the gospel and gain friends for eternity. This is similar to his teaching on wealth in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus exhorted His followers to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21).

If we understand the principle that everything we own is a gift from God, then we realize that God is the owner of everything and that we are His stewards. As such, we are to use the Master’s resources to further the Master’s goals.  

In our next episode, we will continue our study of steward leadership and the parable of the Unjust Steward.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.

Steward Leadership - Parable of the Unjust Steward Part 1

 This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

Today we continue our series on steward leadership. One author defines a steward as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.” In our context, we are managing resources provided by the Lord for our Village Church Planting work.

The parable of the Unjust Steward is found in Luke 16:1-13.  I encourage you to pause and read it. At first glance, this story may seem somewhat confusing.  Why would the master commend the unjust steward because he acted shrewdly? (this is in verse 8)  We will address this in my next episode.

In this podcast and the two that will follow, we will explore three themes that I see in this story.

* Stewards must give an account.  

* The shrewdness of the steward and the commendation from his master

* The criticality of faithfulness in both small things and in our stewardship of finances

As we begin, I believe it is also significant that this parable immediately follows the parable of the prodigal son who squandered his father’s wealth. We should also consider the context for this teaching; Jesus is speaking to both his disciples and also the Pharisees or the religious leaders of that day.  (We see this at the beginning of chapter 15.)

We read the following in chapter 16, verses 1 and 2.  “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ We recognize the “rich man” as Father God.  

He is holding accountable the unjust steward who saw his master’s resources as a means for his own personal enjoyment and advancement. Verse 1 says that he “wasted” the rich man’s resources.  Some translations say that he “squandered” them. The principle is that our Father holds us accountable to be faithful stewards. Jesus wants His followers to be just and righteous stewards.

Let’s look again at Jesus’s audience. One group was the Pharisees, and he was chastising them for not stewarding well the blessings and responsibilities as God’s chosen people.

Another audience was his disciples, his followers (see verse 1), including us today.  If we understand the principle that everything we own is a gift from God, then we realize that God is the owner of everything that we are and everything that we possess and that we are His stewards. As such, we are to use the Master’s resources to further the Master’s goals.

In our next episode, we will continue our study of steward leadership, looking at the steward’s shrewdness.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.

Steward Leadership - Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

     This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

In this new year, I have begun a new series on the subject of steward leadership. One author defines a

steward as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.” In our context, we are managing resources provided by the Lord for our Village Church Planting work.

Our text for today’s podcast is Luke 13:6-9.

Then he [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.  So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next

year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

As I began to study this parable, the first thing I asked myself was “how many years does it take for a fig tree

to bear fruit?” That seems like a reasonable question, so I did a quick online search and found several sites

that said a fig tree bears fruit in 3 to 4 years. Of course! Would not the Creator of the universe know this? (see Colossians 1:16)

My point here is that “the man” in our parable – who represents God – expects that we bear fruit in the

anticipated season. So it is with us; He expects us – and our ministry - to bear fruit when we have reached a

level of maturity where fruit is expected.

Consider the conditions in which the fig tree existed. It was planted in the rich soil of the vineyard. Sun and rain were present. After the third year, the caretaker of the vineyard dug up the soil surrounding the tree and fertilized it well. The tree enjoyed all the conditions necessary to produce fruit.

Here are the key lessons from this parable.

 God expects fruit in due season; He has provided all that is needed for fruit to be produced.

 His patience and grace grant more time to produce, and He treats us in a similar way.

 Ultimately, there is accountability for the absence of fruit.

I close with this reminder from 2 Peter 1:3. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

In our next episode, we will continue our study of steward leadership. This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.

Demonstrate Ministry Skills for Your Disciples

 

Hello, this is Multiply, the podcast designed to encourage village church planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden, and today we are going to explore John 13:12-17. In this scripture, Jesus has just finished washing the disciples' feet. This is not an easy task; it was typically assigned to a servant. 

I believe this was one of the key lessons Jesus wanted to impart to his disciples. Jesus understood that the most powerful lessons are often learned through observation. When those we are disciplining see our lives exemplifying what must be done, it becomes easier for them to learn. For instance, if I want to teach someone how to put a roof on a building, the student will learn much more effectively by watching me demonstrate the task. 

The same principle applies to gaining ministry skills in serving and other necessary tasks. We must practice these skills in front of our disciples. This not only instructs them on how to perform the tasks but also explains why we do them and highlights how effective that work can be. By being genuine examples, we also provide disciples the opportunity to reflect and ask questions, enabling them to learn even more for their own ministries. 

It is our responsibility to model Jesus' example for our disciples to foster both spiritual and functional growth in ministry. John 13:17 states that if you know these things, you are blessed, happy, and favored by God if you put them into practice and faithfully do them. If we demonstrate ministry skills before those we disciple, we will all be blessed by the Lord. This is a word of encouragement for village church planters. 

Who will you share this with today? Lord bless you!