Principles of Leadership - Explain the Ground Rules

 

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

As I begin today, I want to pause and celebrate that this is my 50th podcast over the past two years.  All have been on the topic of leadership.  In 2021, the entire year addressed the theme of “The Character of a Leader.”  Now, in 2022, I am sharing my personal Ten Principles of Leadership.  

Principle #1 was Share the Vision.  #2 was Facilitate Equipping, and Principle #3 was “Define the Expectations”. Today we turn our attention to “Explain the Ground Rules”.  Or, stated another way, leaders define, and set the example for, the values and standards for how a team will work together.  

Today, and in my next episode, I want to describe seven characteristics of healthy working relationships.    

1. Mutual Trust and Respect – The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church (4:32) that they were to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.  As co-laborers for Christ, it is imperative that we appreciate and respect one another and their role in Kingdom work.  AND, we need to treat them accordingly.  

2. Mutual Commitment to Help Others – The book of Hebrews speaks to this value.  We have this promise in 6:10. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people ...”  Notice this:  “The love you have shown him as you have helped his people…” As we help others, we are aiding Christ Jesus.  

There is also this reminder in 10:24, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”   The Greek word translated as “spur” (other translations render this as stir up, provoke, encourage, or motivate) means “a provocation which literally jabs (cuts) someone so they "must" respond”.  Sometimes, godly leaders need to [what I would describe as] “assertively encourage” others to do what is right.  

3. Mutual Use of Gifts, Skills, and Creativity – 1 Corinthians 12 describes the Church as being similar to the human body; it is one unit with many parts, and each part needs the others in order to function together.  Effective teams realize the complementary skills, personalities and gifting's of each other AND they utilize all of these for optimum effectiveness.  

To reiterate, it is the responsibility of leaders to explain these characteristics of healthy working relationships, and we must model these values.  Next time, we will explore the remaining four standards.  

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

The Lord's Supper As An Act of Worship

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

When Jesus went to the cross to shed his blood and die for you and me, he addressed all the worst problems this world or ours has ever faced.

He bridged the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity when He died on the cross. Jesus defeated death when he died and rose again. He erased guilt and shame and condemnation through his sacrifice for all humanity. The crucifixion of Jesus looked like the defeat of all that is good and right and beautiful. But in fact, his agony and death proved to be just the opposite. By his stripes we are healed, because he died, we live. His suffering bought our redemption. His blood makes us clean. Jesus broke every chain by his death and resurrection.

Just before his betrayal, judgement, and death, Jesus gathered together in a second story room with his closest friends for one last meal. He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it saying, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

Then Jesus took a cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  By giving us this command, Jesus was planning worship for years to come.  You see, the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, is an act of worship from start to finish. In the Lord’s Supper we glorify God for the way he addressed the worst problems you and I have every faced.  We thank him for his great love. We honor his amazing sacrifice. We declare our faith in Christ and in his finished work on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is a very, very important worship service in which we honor the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

And so dear brother, and so dear sister, when you celebrate the Lord’s Super in newly planted churches, do it well!  Take your time. Tell the story. Tell about the bread and how it represents the body of Christ broken for us so that we could be made whole. Tell about the wine or the red juice and how it represents the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all sin. Tell how Jesus death takes away our shame because he bore it all when he suffered and died.  Don’t rush into giving out the bread and the wine after quickly reading a Bible verse or two. Jesus told us to partake of the Lord’s Supper so we would remember him.  Remembering is not done quickly.  It takes time to remember details and reflect on meaning. So take your time when you serve the Lord’s Supper.  You are declaring the Lord’s death until he comes again.

May your worship be glorious each and every time you celebrate the New Covenant in the Lord’s Supper.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #TheLord’sSupper #HolyCommunion

Scripture for Worship with the Lord's Supper

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

The Lord’s Supper is a powerful reminder of the essential message of the Bible, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”    Jesus said about that simple meal of bread and wine, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Our Train and Multiply materials teach us that participation in the Lord’s Supper is one of the seven basic commands of Christ.

I am convinced that Jesus told us to celebrate the Lord’s Super because it is very, very important for our spiritual life and development. When we partake of the bread and the red juice with faith, we really do experience communion with our Lord. We are reminded that the same God who delivered the children of Israel from the angel of death in Egypt saves us from eternal death today. In the Lord’s Supper we remember that God sent his Son to do what we could never do, provide a sacrifice that would truly wash away our sins. In the Lord’s Supper we remember how much Jesus loves us and how he longs to spend time with us. In the Lord’s Supper, we have a chance to examine ourselves, confess our sins, and experience a deep sense of forgiveness in Christ.  In the Lords’ Supper we have a chance to reconcile with our brother or sister whom we have offended. The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of the grace of God until Jesus comes again. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to express our gratitude to the Lord for his sacrifice and his saving grace.

But sadly, some churches and some congregations rarely experience all of these facets of the Lord’s Supper.  Their experience of the Lords Supper is limited because every time that partake of the bread and the wine, they hear the same passage of Scripture from 1 Corinthians 11. Now let me say that 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 is a wonderful passage inspired by the Holy Spirit and very useful for Christians.  But it is not the only Bible passage related to the Lord’s Supper.

So here is my encouragement for you dear church planter: Use a variety of Scripture passages when you prepare your people to participate in the Lord’s Supper.  I Corinthians 11 is helpful, but it is not the only passage in Scripture about the Lord’s Supper.  From time to time read Exodus 12:1-30 about the first Passover. Compare what God did with the Children of Israel in Egypt to what Jesus has done for us his children. From time to time, read from the Gospels about that night in the Upper Room when Jesus met with his disciples, broke bread, and told about the new covenant in his blood. Remind your people that the same Jesus who was about to die for his disciples’ sins humbled himself to wash their feet on the very night he was betrayed.  You can find these stories in Matthew 26:26-30, Luke 22:14-23 and John 13:1-17.

As you read them or tell them, you will enrich your people’s fellowship with Christ and with one another.

The Lord’s Supper is full of meaning and full of potential for fellowship with Christ.  So don’t just use one passage of Scripture every time the Lord’s Supper is served. Use a variety so that your people will experience deep communion with their Lord.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #TheLord’sSupper #HolyCommunion

Who Can Lead A Cell Group?

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement to Village Church Planters.

Some of my greatest experiences of Christian fellowship have occurred in cell groups. God our heavenly Father uses the intimacy of a home, the warmth of a small group, the light of his Word, and the faith of brothers and sister in Christ to strengthen his children.  Cell groups provide all of these blessings. Cell groups help us know that we are not alone in the world. They point us to God and give us strength to go on.

For these reasons and more, Village Church Planters are encouraged to start new cell groups to help their churches grow. But almost invariably the question arises, “But who is qualified to lead a cell group? This question is one of the very most important questions that a church planter can ask.  “Who is qualified to lead small groups within the church?  Who is qualified to lead a cell group?  If the church planter fails to answer this question well, he or she will run into many problems.  If the church planter makes the requirements for becoming a cell group leader too difficult, few if any church members will start new groups.  But if the church planter allows unqualified church members to lead new cell groups, that poor decision can lead to all sorts of problems.

You are a church planter; whom should you choose to start and lead new cell groups?  Let me encourage you to set two very firm requirements.  First of all, only choose men and women who are faithful, available, and teachable. Secondly, only choose men and women whom you are willing and able to train, little by little, on an ongoing basis, after they start their groups.

The very ideas and skills you have learned in the VCP training center are the ideas and skills you need to pass on to cell group leaders in your church.  Paul told his disciple Timothy, “… the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. In the same way, if you want cell groups in your church to prosper, find reliable people and teach them to be effective leaders. Find faithful men and women who have learned to obey Jesus’ commands. Find faithful men and women who love God and neighbor and who have identified themselves with Christ through baptism and participation in the Lord’s Supper. Show them how to lead a cell group. Lead by example, then invite them to start a cell group in their own home.

When you invite them to start a cell group, they may be somewhat fearful of the new responsibility.  But your solemn promise that you will walk beside them and train them month by month should reassure them. Cell groups are inherently simple.  Bring 5 to 20 people together at a time of day or night that is convenient for you and for them. Give a warm welcome. Show respect and kindness. Pray and study God’s word. Talk freely among yourselves. Help everyone, little by little, to trust God more and obey him more fully. Keep it simple; keep it real.

Who can lead a cell group? Men and women who are faithful, available and teachable. What do these faithful, available, and teachable men and women need to be successful?  They need your encouragement, your instruction, your prayer support, month by month for many months.  If you give them these things, soon they will be teaching others to start new groups.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#CellGroups #EncouragmentForChurchPlanters #2Timothy2

The Meaning of the Lord's Supper

 

Welcome to Multiply, a podcast to encourage church planters and leaders. We are Brad & Daneille Snowden.

I grew up as a pastor’s kid, and one of my favorite times was when we would have communion. Even better, my favorite holiday was and still is Easter. Remembering the Lord’s great sacrifice with the elements before me was always so dear to my heart. Even as a tiny child, tears would well up in my eyes as I held the broken bread and the little cup. I truly believe, if the Lord’s Supper is explained clearly, even a child can understand.

When we look at the spiritual foundation of the Lord’s Supper, we can clearly see the true heart of our Heavenly Father. God desired to have a relationship with each one of us. He sent Jesus to be our sacrifice, His body broken and hung on the cross sacrificed for us. Jesus’s blood flowed so that the new covenant and the cleansing of our sins would be complete. What a powerful time we have to remember who we are in Christ.

Most ministers when they officiate the Lord’s Supper, they read from 1 Corinthians 11. The culture background is interesting. Though the Corinthian church were Christians they were still hanging on to old customs on how they ate together, as they brought their own food and ate according to status. Some would leave hungry and forgotten.

Yet, when Jesus first served the Passover meal; He made it about Him coming and offering Himself for everyone! Thus, no one leaves hungry and alone!

The Tamid was a sacrifice that was presented twice a day, every day at 9 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon; this was the sacrifice of a perfect lamb for the redemption of sin and reconciliation of man’s relationship with God. The Passover was focused on the deliverance from bondage. Jesus enacted this as He was crucified on the cross for our sins and deliverance.  By reading the last words in 1 Corinthians we see clearly that as we PROCLAIM Jesus UNTIL HE COMES, it inspires us to continue to follow the Father’s call upon our lives.  

I personally love the experience that we can have sharing in the Lord’s Supper. We have time to reverence the memory of Christ’s sacrifice, which has made a way for us to dwell in His presence. It also is a place of celebration for the victory God has given to us through Jesus and that there are souls who need the message of His sacrifice and God’s love plus mercy given through His Son. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Please share this podcast with others.

 Lord Bless!  

#TheLordsSupper #VillageChurchPlanters #MultiplyPodcast #MaundyThursday #Passover #JesustheLambofGod

Principles of Leadership – Define the Expectations - How

 

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

During 2022, I am sharing my Ten Principles of Leadership. Principle #3 is “Define the Expectations”.

Last time, in part one, we considered Jesus Christ’s expectations for us and our expectations for VCP. Today we will address “how” (the appropriate behaviors and ways of interaction) we are to go about achieving these expectations. I would suggest that godly leaders define two key expectations for those who follow and those who work with them.

 Dependence upon God

 Inter-dependence with one another

Last time, I made this statement. “We do not do this work alone or in our own strength or power. His promise is “I am with you always”. This is through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within us.”

I quoted Luke 24:49 where Jesus gave these instructions. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Greek word for “clothed” is “enduo” which means to sink into, put on, or to clothe one's self. As we lead, we must do so having first put on – or clothed ourselves – with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah heard this from the Lord, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (4:6) How much more true these instructions are today as we live in the era where the Holy Spirit indwells each Christ-follower.

I shared in one of last year’s podcasts how I literally will pray out loud regularly these words. “Lord, I am absolutely, completely dependent upon You.” I pray this as a reminder to myself and as a confession to the Lord, that I need the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Godly leaders demonstrate dependence upon the Lord. They also set the expectation – and the example – that healthy teams minister in a spirit of inter-dependence. 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 describe diversity of spiritual gifts; Ephesians 4 instructs us about diversity of ministry callings; and again 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that we are one body with many parts. None of us have all the spiritual gifts and callings; none of us are the complete body; we need one another. We must recognize and respect one another’s unique gifting's, AND it’s imperative for Kingdom success that we minister together in unity.

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

Baptism As An Act Of Worship

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

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Today, before we get to some encouraging thoughts, I want to tell you about a

book of the Bible that always makes me sad when I read it. But don’t worry; I

will get to the encouraging part in a minute or two!

That book of the Bible that makes me sad is the book of Judges. The book of

Judges is the story of the people of Israel after God had delivered them from

slavery in Egypt. It is set just after God had allowed them to conquer the

Canaanites and gain control of the promised land. This is the story of the

nation of Israel, a people group who had observed godly leadership in the

persons of Moses, Joshua and Caleb. The Israelites were people who had

received great riches and wealth simply because God blessed them. The people

of Israel at the end of the book of Joshua and the beginning of the book of

Judges were men and women who were set up for success.

Except they had a big problems: Judges 2:11-13 tells us:

“The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They

forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of

Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around

them. They aroused the Lord’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal

and the Ashtoreths.”

The book of Judges tells stories of horrible human suffering: killing, destruction

and fear. But it could have been prevented if God’s people had worshipped him

instead of the gods of the people. Worship is very important. Worship helps us

remember God’s power and grace at work in our lives in days gone by. Worship,

helps us experience the greatness of God even in our most challenging

moments. Worship builds faith. Faith enable us to keep on obeying the Lord.

Faith gives us access to the blessings of God.

Baptism is an act of worship. In baptism, new believers thank God for his

saving work. The name of God is lifted up and glorified when new believers are

baptized. Baptism empowers the new believer to keep on obeying Christ.

Baptisms empower the church to keep on proclaiming the Good News and keep

on calling others to salvation in Christ. Baptism is a declaration by the new

believer that they have rejected the gods of the people and have put their

trust in Christ alone for salvation.

So when you conduct baptisms, take your time. Baptism is important. Take

your time to worship God in prayer and with songs of praise and adoration.

Take your time to clarify the meaning of baptism. The water doesn’t cleanse us

from sin, the blood of Jesus does. Baptism symbolizes dying to sin and rising to

new life in Christ. In the baptism, tell the story of Jesus and tell it well. Let

the new believers testify concerning what Christ has done for them. There is no

rush. There is no reason to hurry.

“Why do this?” you ask. To be professional? To look good? To be dignified? No.

It s OK to look good. But what is really important in baptism is to worship God

and strengthen the faith of those being baptized.

Baptism is an act of worship. So plan it well. Take time to enjoy baptisms and

draw near to God by faith. Bless those who are being baptized. Give glory to

God in baptism.

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

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Baptism #Worship

The Meaning of Baptism

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

As a village church planter, you have a very important function in the worldwide body of Christ. You are the first one to bring the message of Christ to a village which has never before worshipped him.  You are the one who will teach families who never before followed Christ to trust him and obey him.  Because you are the first one to explain the meaning of the Good News of Christ, you have a big responsibility; you must explain everything you do with clarity. You must explain your actions by communicating the truths of the Bible.

Many actions taken by Christians are not easily understood by people who don’t know the Bible and don’t understand the Good News.  Think about the Lord’s Supper. Think about the bread and the juice which represent the body and blood of Jesus. Those symbols must be confusing to people who are just coming to know Christ.  So explain it well.

Baptism can be confusing too.  What does it mean to be baptized?  What is the significance of the water?  What happens when a person is baptized?  How is his or her life different after baptism? In what ways does his or her life remain the same? Why must born again believers be baptized? When should a person be baptized?

Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching obedience to Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that when we are baptized, we are united with Christ in death.  He says in Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Baptism is a physical representation, a physical dramatization of dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ.  Baptism is a physical re-enactment of what has already happened in the spiritual realm.

When a man or woman, boy or girl puts their trust in Christ, God forgives their sins and gives them a new life.  The water of baptism symbolizes being washed from sin and standing clean before God.  Baptism represents physically being lowered into a watery grave, only to rise again to new life.

The symbolism of baptism is a powerful representation of the spiritual truth of the new birth. But this symbolism will be meaningless to all who observe or participate in a baptism unless it is explained.  It is your job as a Village Church Planter to explain the meaning of baptism clearly, and repeatedly. You will do this before new believers are baptized, you continue to explain as you are preparing to enter the water with them. You will repeat your explanation after they have been baptized. Tell the meaning of baptism well! Tell the meaning of baptism often!

Baptism is a symbolic testimony given by the one being baptized.  Baptism testifies of repentance, faith in Christ, commitment to living a new and different life, and hope in Christ.

Your job as a Village Church Planter is to help those being baptized and those observing the baptism to understand these truths in plain, simple ways.  So take your time. Explain baptism well. Explain baptism often. When new believers understand the meaning of baptism and have brought forth fruit in keeping with repentance, baptize them without delay. As you do so, you will be giving powerful testimony to the new life Jesus died to purchase, the new life he rose from the dead to give to all people. So tell the meaning of baptism well! Tell the meaning of baptism often!

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

 

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Baptism #CleansedFromSin

Music and Dance in Worship

 

Hello this is Multiply a word of encouragement for church planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden and today as we follow the theme of Worship. Worship no matter if it’s our personal time with the Lord or in a small group or in a larger corporate worship time we still have the same purpose, to glorify God.

When I pastored I was very focused on the worship of the Lord in the church. I prayed over this part of the service very strongly because of God’s word in John 4 it tells us that the Lord seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. This is important to God and so it was important for me as a pastor and likewise it is important for you as a church planter to be focused on worship. It is important to note that it does not matter how good the music is or whether or not there is dancing in our worship service. What matters is to what purpose are all these things done. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says So then whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of our great God. The purpose in which we do anything must first glorify God in a humble, thankful, spirit that shows the joy of serving the Lord.  If the worship music glorifies God then let it be heard from the mountain tops. If dancing expresses ones love and adoration for the Lord then let it be. I was taught about flexibility in worshipping the Lord is not just in one single form or fashion. How I worship may look different from others and that’s ok because it’s my relationship with the Lord that I want to grow in and that certainly can happen in worship. 

 The important part is worshipping in spirit and truth and if there is any part that draws the attention away from the Lord then that is something that must be taken into consideration. Where is the heart, what is the motive behind what we do. If a person is worshipping in a humble spirit then no attention will be desired to be put upon themselves or what they are doing. The anointing of the Lord in worship does not require the best music or the fervency of our dancing. It will go deep to the heart and the desire to glorify Him in all we do. What a powerful part of our service to the Lord is worship and this can draw people to His presence to be eternally changed for His glory. This can be and is a powerful way to express our love and devotion to Him for all He has done in our lives. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Please share this podcast with others and Lord Bless you.