You Are Our Glory And Joy - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

It is obvious that men and women do not choose to plant churches in villages because they want to grow rich in money or material goods. And those who are seeking fame and renown don’t go to villages to start churches among the unchurched. It’s hard to become famous far from the bright lights of the city.

So what is it that motivates church planters to go to a place that does not know Christ? Why do they work so hard so that the people there will know and trust Jesus? We know the cost of church planting is high. It takes so much time. It is often emotionally draining. There are so many difficulties, so many challenges.

Frankly, I think most church planters are motivated by hope. They go to a new place and preach Christ in hope that some will respond. They pray for the sick and declare the goodness of God in the face of much opposition because they hope that the light of Christ will dawn in darkened minds and in hardened hearts. They preach under a tree in hope that someday the believers in the village will want a roof so much that they will sacrifice to build it. Church planters walk beside the weak who constantly give in to temptation in hope that one day they will grow strong.  Yes, it’s hope that motivates the beginning church planter.

But after a few years of ministry the beginning church planter gains a new motivation. Because after a few years of sewing and reaping, village church planters have more than just hope for motivation.  They have fruit. They see transformed lives; they regularly join in worship of the living God with people who just a few years ago were idolaters. They enjoy a meal with a husband and wife who once almost hated each other. They marvel that they have now found peace in their home and peace in their marriage because of Christ. Church planters’ hearts swell with pride when their disciples lead others to Christ, when they pray with authority, when they teach with deep conviction.

The apostle Paul was just this sort of church planter. He loved his disciples so much! He longed to be with them! He grieved when he could not be by their sides.  Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:17-20, “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”

Why did Paul struggle and suffer and fight in prayer as a church planter? Certainly he was motivated by a deep love for the people he shared the Gospel with. Yes, he shared the good seed of the Gospel in hope. But more than that, Paul had tasted the glorious joy of having spiritual children who were living transformed lives in the power of the Gospel. His heart swelled with joy. He tasted here and now a little bit of the glory that is to come when Christ is revealed and that foretaste of glory kept him moving, kept him preaching, kept him planting churches.  

How about you? What keeps you going when you get discouraged?  If you are motivated by hope, that is good.  But if you can, take a moment to reflect on the grace of God at work in the lives of your disciples. As you do, your heart will feel joy and you will sense just a little bit of the glory that will be revealed when Jesus comes.  

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

Strengthen Those Undergoing Trials - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

I am sure that you have faced plenty of trials during your life as a Christian. In fact, when you think back over your years of walking with Jesus, I’m sure you remember many trials, challenges, and difficulties you have faced. I know I certainly can. My family and I have faced challenges with our physical health, financial challenges, interpersonal challenges in our family and in our ministry, and persecution because of our proclamation of Christ.

When Paul wrote his first letter to the members of the church he planted in Thessalonica, he made a sad but true statement about trials. He said about trials in chapter 3, verse 3 “we are destined for them.”  That’s right, Scripture tells us that we are destined for trials and for persecution. Since we are destined to be persecuted and to face trials, we’d better be prepared to respond when trials and persecution come. Church planter Paul models the way for us. Because he knew that the young church he had started in Thessalonica would face trials and persecution, Paul, Silas and Timothy responded in three ways:

·        First, they repeatedly told the new believers that they would be persecuted.

·        Second, the church planters spent time with those facing trials and persecution.

·        Third, they strengthened and encouraged the faith of the new believers in Thessalonica.

Sometimes when we preach the Gospel, we speak often about the benefits of following Christ. And we should tell about gospel benefits, but we must be truthful and also tell those who consider following Christ that trials will come. We need to be clear about this before and after our hearers put their trust in Jesus.

Then, when trials and persecution come, it is so very important for church planters to be present with those who are suffering. Paul and Timothy were in Athens when they learned that persecution had come to their dear friends in Thessalonica. Athens is about 500 kilometers from Thessalonica. Nevertheless, Paul and Timothy did everything possible to go and be with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. But Satan blocked their way. Scripture does not say how their way was blocked, but finally it was possible to send Timothy alone to Thessalonica to be with the persecuted believers there. So Timothy went by himself to be with them. When he arrived he strengthened and encouraged the faith of the new believers. Our presence has great power in ministry. We need to be with people who suffer, sometimes without saying a word. Do not undervalue being present with those who suffer. It means more than we can imagine.  Then, after spending some time together, strengthen the faith of those who suffer.  Remind them of the goodness of God, the presence of God, and the ultimate victory of Christ and of those he came to save.

Warn of persecution and trials. Be present during persecution and trials. Encourage and build up faith. Point those who suffer to Christ and his love for them. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

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

Principles of Leadership - Get Out of Their Way Part 1

 

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

During 2022, my theme has been “10 Principles of Spiritual Leadership”.  In my previous two podcasts, we took a brief break from this series as I shared some thoughts from Dr. Daryl McCarthy about the Character of a Leader, using 2 Corinthians 4 as his text.  If you missed those, I encourage you to find those podcasts and listen to them.  

Today, we resume this leadership series; our topic is “Get out of their way!”    

Firstly, please allow me to explain what I do not mean by this statement.  I’ve had supervisors who provided little or no guidance or direction.  I felt like they simply left me to figure things out on my own.  They failed to “Share the Vision” (principle #1) or “Define the Expectations” (principle #3).  

I recall a time when I and my fellow church elders were asked to mediate a meeting between our church lead pastor and his staff.  One of the staff spoke up and said, “I am ready to charge a hill; I need to know what hill to charge.”  You see, he did not know his pastor’s vision.  

So, what do I mean by the leadership principle, “Get out of their way”?  There are a couple of points; I’ll address the first one in this podcast. 

Another way of expressing this principle is “Don’t Micro-Manage”!  Effective leaders delegate tasks (and authority, as we learned in principle #6), but they do not give every little detail regarding how to accomplish those tasks.  They do not – literally or figuratively – watch over the shoulder of others to ensure that the task is carried out exactly as they would do or exactly as they instructed.  

Effective leaders allow followers, or subordinates, to determine their best or most effective way of accomplishing the task.  Think of the story found in I Samuel 17:38-39 where David went out to fight the giant, Goliath.  King Saul initially tried to dress David in Saul’s armor.  Think how the story would have turned out differently had David been weighted down by this heavy equipment.  Instead, King Saul allowed David the flexibility, and authority, to decide how best David would fight.  Godly leaders need to take a similar approach.  

An American President, Theodore Roosevelt, is quoted as saying, “The best [leader] is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”  That is good counsel for godly leaders. 

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

Satan Blocked Our Way - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

Welcome to Multiply, a podcast for you, our village church planters, pastors and Christian leaders. I am Daneille Snowden, and may I say, it is a true blessing to share with you today.

We are going to be reading from 1 Thessalonians 2:18 where Paul says; “For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.” [From the Berean Study Bible.]

The parallel scripture comes from Acts 17, I challenge you to read this chapter in its entirety. Paul does visit Thessalonica for three Sabbaths. Here we see he is having great, deep discussions and debates about Jesus. On how our Lord suffered and died, plus rose again so all may know Him and be saved.  This is the Gospel, and this is the message we preach, the message of hope. 

Yet, an OPPOSER arose; and this enemy used those who chose not to believe but decided to persecute the individuals connected to Paul; as we see was shared in our last podcast: ‘Imitators of God’s Churches.’  1 Thessalonians is being written by Paul in Corinth, his heart aches for his fellow believers in Thessalonica. Here we witness a spiritual father, aching to be with his spiritual children. Who is this Satan Paul talks about in this specific passage of scripture? We see he is named Satan at first in Job 1 & 2, as he is opposing another man of whom served God faithfully. We see him in Genesis after he is thrown out of heaven and he tempts Eve to disobey God; by telling her she could be better than her creator. 

He is the one who opposes God’s work and God’s people! 

Yet, God overruled Satan by the power of the Holy Ghost as Paul went onto Berea. Acts 17:11-12 says; “Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.” Note the Bible version I used at the beginning of this podcast as we see that it was from the Berean Study Bible. We see several Bereans who came to Jesus, and grew in their knowledge of the scripture, as Paul ministered in Berea.

Paul had sent Timothy back to Thessalonica without him, and as Timothy was being beckon to return; Paul’s heart still ached for this place and the new church there. 

The enemy knows where to hit us, he knows when and uses situations and people to do this. Today, my mind looks back on the places my husband and I have ministered. I see people, and some geographical areas where we knew God had called us to. God’s love and word was shared through us, but – ‘SATAN BLOCKED THE WAY!’ I can see their faces, and I just cry for them. Like Paul, the Lord moved us on to other people and places, and yes we have seen God really move in His power as many have been saved. 

What are you facing today? How is the enemy opposing the work God has called you to do? Take courage dear one, “God’s Word never returns void!” He doesn’t waste the time and energy of His children who obey and follow through with their call to serve Him. The seed of His word has been planted, the enemy is angry because HE CANNOT STOP the seeds that landed on fertile soil (the fertile soil of men and women’s hearts). 

This has been Multiply, please; share this podcast with others and follow us on our website; vcpencouragement.org, we are also on YouTube and Facebook. 

Press on and fight the good fight of faith!

#persecution #1Thessalonians #spiritualwarfare #churchplanting #encouragementforvillagechurchplanters #MultiplyPodcastPodBean 

Imitators of God's Churches - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

None of us likes to suffer. None of us seeks pain.  But suffering is a part of life on this earth. While we can never call suffering good, we recognize that good things can result from suffering.  The classic example that shows that good can come from suffering are the pains of childbirth that a mother suffers.  I have seen and heard that pain. It is intense, excruciating, and overwhelming.  But the beauty of a new life that comes into the world through its mother’s pain is proof positive that good can come from suffering.

The first century church planter, Paul of Tarsus, was well acquainted with suffering. He told the Corinthians, “I have been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 

Just before Paul planted the church at Thessalonica, he had been imprisoned for his faith in Philippi. When he and Silas got to Thessalonica to start the work there, things were pretty peaceful… at first.  But it didn’t take long for persecution to set in. Religious leaders in Thessalonica were jealous of Paul and Silas, because many people began to follow their teachings about Christ. They couldn’t find Paul and Silas to beat them, so they beat Paul’s friend Jason, a new follower of Christ.

Paul remembered this suffering when he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians.  He said, “For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews.”  You can tell that Paul was proud of the Thessalonian believers.  He was proud of the way they weathered persecution and kept their faith in Christ. He had come to understand that persecution is very normal for new churches. The Jews in Judea persecuted the church at Jerusalem, and every church Paul planted seemed to have some sort of persecution associated with it.

We don’t like persecution and we often pray that God would spare us from being persecuted.  But we need to prepare new believers for persecution. Persecution of new believers is very common. The churches I started in Ecuador faced persecution time and again. Believers were beaten, chased, stoned and insulted. But God gave grace and the churches grew in favor with God and men.  I hate to say it, but persecution is normal for new churches.  That’s why as church planters, we need to prepare new believers to expect persecution, to trust God during persecution, and to follow the example of Christ who chose to bless when he was cursed. Jesus chose to pray for his persecutors saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 

I encourage you to trust God to protect you and strengthen you in the face of persecution. Help your disciples know that they too may be persecuted but that Jesus will never leave them or forsake them.

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

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Persecuted

You Received The Word - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. Have you ever read a passage of Scripture or heard a preacher quote a Bible verse and feel deep conviction that God was speaking to you?  I have. Have you ever read a Bible passage or heard a preacher quote Scripture and really not pay close attention at all?  I have.

Do you know people who hear the word of God over and over again, yet they never respond in faith?  I am sorry to say, “I do.”  You and I have become convinced that the Bible is the word of God. Yet there are many people who just do not believe that. They don’t believe that God will speak to them through the Bible. Some are idolaters, some are Muslims, some are atheists, some even go to church, but don’t really believe in God.  

When we speak God’s word, when we preach or teach or share the Good News with a friend, we never know how that word will be received.  Will it be received with faith or with doubt? Will it be received with an open heart or a closed mind? We just never know what to expect.

When Paul went to proclaim the word of God to the Thessalonians, he did not know how they would respond. Acts 16 tells us that Paul preached in Philippi before going to Thessalonica. In Philippi some, like Lydia, opened their heart to receive the word that Paul spoke. But others rejected his message and had him thrown in jail.  So Paul had no idea how the Thessalonians would receive his message. But he preached it anyway.

He wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:13,  “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you [Thessalonians] accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” 

Why do some people believe the word of God and some do not?  Why do some take action to obey God’s word and some do not?  We just don’t know. But we do know that God’s word is living and active and sharper than a two edged sword. We know that the Gospel is the power for God for salvation.  And so we preach and proclaim, we tell and explain, we broadcast and publish God’s word. We don’t know how any particular person will respond or when they will mix faith with what they hear and put their trust in God. But we know that some will.  And so we preach.  Even when we are tired.  Even when it looks like none wants to respond. Even when some have heard them message before.

We are Christ’s ambassadors, God uses us to make his appeal. So we implore people on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to God.

Sooner or later some people will respond, just as the Thessalonians responded to Paul’s message. When that happens, great rejoicing breaks out and we give thanks to God. Even so, we never know when more people will respond.  So we keep preaching, keep loving, keep explaining, keep telling God’s story.  The word we proclaim is powerful and it will do its work.  Praise the Lord!

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

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #WordOfGod

Encouraging, Comforting, Urging - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

This is Multiply a podcast to encourage village church planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 “For you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you just as a father does in dealing with his own children, guiding you 12 to live lives of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity worthy of the God who saves you and calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

We find the Apostle Paul writing as a father, a superintendent of their spiritual education. He uses three modes of instruction. Village church planters, I believe these modes of instruction will be a very helpful tool to increase the witness of Christ into lives.

Exhortation = Encouragement

When we talked about a podcast for encouragement for village church planters; Dean Davis exhorted my wife and I about Multiply. He believed it could be a great tool to encourage many lives. That empowered us to step out and do what at-that-time, we did not have the knowledge in that area to accomplish what was needed. Encouragement empowers lives to do more than what is presently there.

Comfort = Positive Reinforcement

There are so many challenges in planting churches and also in just everyday living. Positive reinforcement of any type can and will bring comfort. I am comforted in that no matter what, I am not alone in what God wants me to do. This doesn’t mean that I have a group of people going with me everywhere. I know that there is someone out there praying for me; so, I am not alone and of course the Lord is with me. No village church planter, minister, & worker in God’s kingdom should ever feel alone. They hopefully know the power of prayer reinforcement and that will bring comfort deep down.

Urging = charge, challenge, imploring, begging

The combination of encouragement and Reinforcement stirs the heart, but to do what?

v.12 “live your lives of honor, moral courage, personal integrity worthy of God” We are to be true witnesses of God’s love and desire that none should perish. God has called you to be church planters, witnesses of His word, & His salvation. God’s life, being lived-out before them simply by your actions. We can live-out His life through each one of these modes of instruction. These are powerful tools to help us disciple others and impact those around us for God’s kingdom. This has been a word of encouragement who will you pass this along to today? Lord Bless you!

 

 

Holy, Righteous, Blameless - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

I am a trainer. I love training. I love to turn biblical ideas into action. Training is the bridge that connects ideas with action. So I love to receive training and I love to train others. I like training so much that sometimes I’m tempted to think that for any problem in ministry, training is the solution.

But when you examine things closely, training is often just a matter of talking. And talking alone doesn’t solve anything. There is a saying in Spanish, “Entre dicho y hecho, hay gran trecho.”  That means, “There is a long distance between saying it and getting it done.” Talking is easy; action is often difficult.

As I travel and meet village church planters in a variety of African countries, I have found that they too like training. They like to attend training events, and they like to train others.  But what they really appreciated is learning by example. Village church planters are always watching their trainers. Yes, they listen to the trainer’s words, but they pay closer attention to their trainer’s example.

I think the same is true in any church. Everyone loves it when the preacher gives a good sermon. But church members are watching the way their pastor lives his life. They want to know if his words prove to be true when life is tough.

The Apostle Paul knew that his actions would speak louder than words. He knew that disciple making is not just a matter of good teaching, it is a matter of being a good example.  When he wrote to the Thessalonians, he said in chapter 2 verse 10 of his first letter, “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

Did Paul use his words to make disciples?  Yes he did. But for him, his example came first. “You are witnesses” he said, “and so is God of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.” Because the Thessalonians saw his godly example, they paid attention to his words of exhortation.

But how can a church planter live a holy, blameless life? You know the answer to that question takes longer to explain than the few minutes I have on this podcast. But here is the answer in the simplest form I can give. Trust God with your whole life. Let him deliver you from all your fears. Once you are free from fear, you will also be free of anger. You see fear and anger are very closely related. Then trust God to fill you then with his love by a baptism in the Holy Spirit. Let God’s Spirit baptize you with love.  When you do that, you too will live a holy, righteous, blameless life. Perhaps not perfect in every detail, but your life will be a powerful testimony to the truth of the words you preach and the Gospel you proclaim.  Let your good and kind heavenly Father reassure you of his love; let him deliver you from all your fears. Call on him to baptize you with his love.  There is nothing he would rather do for you today.

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

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #BaptismOfLove #LeadByExample

So As Not To Be A Burden - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

Our Multiply podcast is heard in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. It is translated into more than 25 languages. I am so very thankful for each translator who takes time to produce each episode in languages that his or her people can understand. The vast majority of those who listen to the Multiply podcast are bi-vocational church planters.

What does it mean to be bi-vocational?  It means you have two callings, two major responsibilities that God has called you to fulfill. You, like everyone else, have been called to take care of your family, by providing for their material, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs.  That is a full-time job!

But as a bi-vocational church planter, you have another calling, another big responsibility that you have voluntarily accepted.  You have been called to plant healthy, multiplying churches. Wow! In addition to taking care of your family and its needs, you have to take care of people who are far from God. You have accepted the awesome task of helping people who do not know Christ come to know him and to live in fellowship with Him and with other believers.

One of the major themes of the Multiply podcasts is this: “It’s not easy to be a church planter.”  You have heard me say it many times.  I say it because I have planted churches and I know how hard it is.  I say it because I have observed the sacrificial lifestyle of many other church planters. The work is hard and the material rewards are few. 

The Apostle Paul was a bi-vocational church planter. In 1 Thessalonians 2:9, Paul wrote to the young church he and his team had started in Thessalonica.  He said, “Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.”  Toil is work that is so hard it is exhausting.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy worked so hard earning a living to take care of their material needs and so hard preaching the Gospel, they were often exhausted. The work was very hard because they faced so much opposition as they preached the Gospel.  But they persevered because they loved God and they loved the Thessalonians. They spent their time and energy sacrificially to plant a healthy church. 

Why did those three men accept the toil and hardship of a bi-vocational ministry? There are two reasons I think.  The first reason is that they loved lost people very much. They longed for them to be saved.  The second reason is because they believed God would give them power to do his will.  After all, Paul testified in verse 5, “Our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” The two reasons are closely related. We love because Jesus first loved us. As we expend ourselves for others, he fills us with his power and strength.

So be encouraged my brother, be encouraged my sister, though you have chosen a hard path as a bi-vocational church planter, God is with you; he will strengthen you. He delights to fill you with his power to extend love to people who do not know Christ. Will you call on him for a fresh filling with his Spirit today? 

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

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Bivocational #Toil

We Cared For You Because We Loved You So Much - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

In our recent podcast episodes, we have been looking at Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, a letter that he wrote not long after he started a church in their Greek city. The New Testament book of First Thessalonians is a great encouragement to church planters. It tells about a very positive, joyful, and fruitful church planting experience. I hope you will read or listen to the whole book all in one sitting this week.  It will nourish your church planter’s heart.

Listen now as I read the words Paul wrote to describe his church planting experience: “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Wow, those words have always challenged me. I love people. But I am not sure that I live up to the standard of love Paul set.  Listen again to what this man of God said, “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

That’s right, this man of God compared himself to a nursing mother who tenderly, constantly, sacrificially spends time with very young children to help her boys and girls grow up to be strong and wise. Even though I don’t think my love often meets this standard set by church planter Paul, I do think we should strive to have love like that for all people we serve as church planters. 

Paul told the Ephesian Christians that that “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”  You are a village church planter.  It is very likely that you have apostolic gifts, evangelistic gifts and/or pastoral gifts.  Perhaps those with pastoral gifts find it easier to love like Paul did, like a nursing mother caring for her children. Pastors tend to be very people oriented. Apostles, evangelists, and teachers are often much more task oriented than pastors. But regardless of our gifting, we have been given an example of love and we need to use the grace God gives us as we work to share our very lives with the people to whom we give the word of God.

How can you increase the love you feel for your people in order to serve them better?  Here are some actions that help me:

• Remember how much Jesus loves you. He loves them as much as he loves you.

• Remember how much Jesus loves them; he loved them enough to die for them.

• Remember that in spite of their sins and shortcomings, each one is created in the image of God. For that reason they are lovely.

• Remember that each one has potential to achieve greatness because they have been created in the image of God. They might not be great right now, but by God’s grace they can be great men and women of God.

• Forgive quickly; don’t keep an account of every wrongdoing, shortcoming or failure of others.

• Pray much.  Pray like a nursing mother prays for here kids. Pray with compassion. Pray for your church members with the same heart you pray for your own family.

As you do these things your feeling of love will grow. And so will the love you show through your service to the people God has given to you as a church planter. 

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today? 1T-16

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #LoveLikeJesus #LoveYourNeighbor

Principles of Leadership - McCarthy Part 1

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters. During 2022, my theme has been “10 Principles of Spiritual Leadership”. Today and in our next episode we take a brief pause from these principles as I feel led to share some teaching from Dr. Daryl McCarthy who was the keynote speaker for the recent One Mission Society Missionary Council.

During one of our sessions, he spoke on the theme upon which I focused in 2021. The Character of a Leader. His five points were:

1.  Godly leaders are resilient- we don’t give up. 2 Corinthians 4:1

2.  Godly leaders are clear- we specialize in truth and transparency. 2 Corinthians 4:2-4

3. Godly leaders are Christ-focused. We do not promote ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:5

4. Godly leaders are humble - We rely on God’s power because we know we are weak.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 2 Corinthians 2:16

5. Godly leaders are confident in Christ- we have everything we need in Him. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 2 Peter 1:3. Today we will elaborate on his first three points.

Godly leaders are resilient- we don’t give up. 2 Corinthians 4:1 reminds us that “Therefore, since

through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” I think of the impact of Covid around the world – and particularly in Africa – over the past 27 months. Yet, despite the challenges, delays and setbacks, the work of Village Church Planting is advancing. During 2021, we recorded nearly 1200 new worshipping groups, over 100,000 decisions for Christ and nearly 50,000 baptisms. These are numbers to celebrate! And, we celebrate our VCP team, all of those who worked tirelessly to produce this Kingdom harvest.

Godly leaders are clear- we specialize in truth and transparency. 2 Corinthians 4:2 continues,  “ Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God… Godly leaders “correctly handle the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) The Message version says it this way. “Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.”

Godly leaders are Christ-focused. We do not promote ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:5 expresses this thought so well. “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Note the three points here.

 We do not preach ourselves. The world – and, I would suggest, the Church as well - has too

much of this.

 We preach Jesus Christ as Lord. This is the simplicity, and the Power, of the Gospel.

 We are your servants for Jesus’ sake. Godly leaders are servant leaders.

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

Approved by God - Entrusted by the Gospel - 1 Thessalonians Series

 

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

Throughout the ages, Christians have asked a simple question in many different ways in many different places.  This is the question that followers of Christ keep trying to answer: Who is authorized to communicate the Gospel?  Who has authority to communicate the Good News?

Now as you hear that question, you may be asking, “What do you mean Dean? In our church we teach all believers that they can and should share the Gospel of Christ. In fact, we teach all believers to communicate the Good News with their family, friends, and neighbors.  Who can communicate the Gospel? Every believer, everyone who knows the Good News, can share it with others!  Good News is for sharing!”

Of course your answer is a very good answer to the question, “Who has authority to communicate the Gospel?”  But your answer, my fellow church planter, may not be the answer everyone around you would give.  Some people think that only ordained clergy can share the Good News. Some people think that only those who have been formally trained in a theological seminary are authorized to share the message of Christ.  Some people who attend your church may be thinking right now, “I could never share the Gospel, I would not know what to say.” Or, “I might make a mistake if I shared the Gospel; I better leave that job to experts like my pastor.”

The Apostle Paul and his two disciples Timothy and Silas told the new believers in the recently planted church in Thessalonica, “We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel.” As men entrusted with the Gospel, they rejected flattery, deception, and greed. They boldly stated in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or from anyone else…”  

So, how did Paul, Silas, and Timothy know they had been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel? They knew they were approved to share the Gospel because God in has grace had allowed them to hear and understand the Good News. They knew they were approved to share the Good News because by faith they had discovered its incredible worth, its amazing power to change lives.  They knew they were approved to share the Good News because they honored the Gospel as a sacred truth given to them as stewards to pass on to others.  They knew they were entrusted to share the Gospel because they had been commanded by Christ to make disciples of all nations by sharing Good News.

What about your people? Let me encourage you to help your members discover the incredible worth of the Gospel, by teaching, by testimony, and through worship. Remind them that no other message brings salvation; help them to honor the Gospel. Help them to know the story of Jesus and his love very, very well. Remind them that they too have been approved by God. They too have been entrusted with the Gospel to share it with others.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today? 1T-14

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #TheGospel 

#PowerOfGodForSalvation