Bloom Where Youre Planted Presentation
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The document discusses the importance of local missions based on examples from the early church. It encourages believers to work collaboratively by pooling resources and talents. Opportunities for local missions exist in serving those in need, preaching the gospel, and working together as the body of Christ without division. The needs in cities today are great but God has provided his people to meet those needs through cooperation rather than working alone.
Bloom Where Youre Planted Presentation
- 1. Bloom Where You Are Planted Local Missions in the U.S. Presenter: Naomi Bradley, missions coordinator African American Center for World Mission
- 2. Objectives: To discuss the importance of local missions in the work of the early and present church communities To share collaborative methods for pooling resources and talents in the city To share opportunities for local missions in our areas
- 3. Local Missions in the Early Church “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” Acts 6:1
- 4. To serve and to help Ministration – diakonia Attendance as a servant; aid
- 5. Wait on your ministry? “…or ministry, let us use it in our ministering.” Rom. 12:7 (NIV)
- 6. Work while you’re waiting. “Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture out loud to one another. Spend your time preaching and teaching.” 1 Tim. 4:13 (NIV)
- 7. Work while you’re waiting. “Don't fail to use the gift the Holy Spirit gave you. He gave it to you through a message from God. It was given when the elders placed their hands on you.” 1 Tim. 4:14 (NIV)
- 8. Work while you’re waiting. “Keep on doing those things. Give them your complete attention. Then everyone will see how you are coming along.” 1 Tim. 4:15 (NIV)
- 9. Local Missions in the Early Church “I know thy works (deeds), and charity (love), and service (attendance as a servant, aid), and faith, and thy patience, and thy works: and the last to be more than the first.” Rev. 2:19 “But to do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Heb. 13:16
- 10. Local Missions in the Early Church • Antioch sends relief to Judea (Acts 11:29) • Contributions to poor saints in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:26) • Relief for widows and orphans (Jas. 1:27)
- 11. Born to Serve “Whoever will be great among you shall be your minister. Mk. 10:43” “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mk. 10:45 (To be an attendant, a waiter, a servant)
- 12. The Mission of Christ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Lk. 4:18-19
- 13. What Did Jesus Do? • Preached (declared) the gospel (good tidings) to the poor (beggar or pauper) • Healed (made whole) the brokenhearted (crushed or shattered thoughts or feelings) • Preached deliverance (forgiveness, liberty) to the captives (prisoners of war)
- 14. What Did Jesus Do? • Recovered (restored) sight to the blind (blind physically or mentally) • Set at liberty (delivered) the bruised (crushed) • Preached (proclaimed, published) the acceptable (approved) year of the Lord
- 15. DISCUSSION Local Missions in the U.S.
- 16. USA – A.D. 2005 Population: 278 million (301 million today) 85% Christian (24% Protestant, 24% Independent, 21% Catholic) Missionaries from the U.S. – 60,200 in 631 agencies to 220 countries Missionaries to the U.S. – 1,873 in 139 agencies from 115 countries (Peru, Brazil, Philippines, Mexico, Japan, Kenya) Operation World, 2005
- 17. USA – A.D. 2005 “The USA needs revival.” Biblical holiness – superficiality and materialism Spiritual unity – left and right Christian withdrawal from public life – schools, violence, poverty, etc. Operation World, 2005
- 18. Missionaries in the U.S. • Mission America • World Vision USA • Prison Fellowship • Promise Keepers • Christian Community Development Assn. Operation World, 2005
- 19. A Major Barrier to Local Lack of cooperation between churches, and between church and para-church organizations, resulting in waste of limited resources. “Christian Witness to Large Cities,” Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, 1980
- 20. Definitions “Micro-ministry” “Macro-studies” A vast scope of Dealing with investigation—sociology, individuals and their anthropology, economics, needs in the city. politics, etc. Charles Van Engen, God So Loves the City, Charles Van Engen, God So Loves the pp. 246 City, pp. 246
- 21. Can our cities be saved? “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Tim. 3:1
- 22. The Church at Corinth “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” Acts 18:10
- 23. Greece – A.D. 2005 Population: 11 million 95% Christian (48% Evangelical, 36% Pentecostal) 2% in church on an average Sunday Missionaries in Greece – 36 in 15 agencies (30 in Greece) Missionaries to Greece – 150 in 38 agencies from 12 countries (82 from the U.S.) OperationWorld, 2005
- 25. God’s Urban Mission Strategy: ONE BODY building ONE CHURCH for ONE CITY
- 26. Definitions “Koinonia” “God is faithful, by whom ye were called Communion, unto the fellowship fellowship, sharing in (koinonia) of his Son common Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9
- 27. Definitions “Communion” “Fellowship” The act or an The condition of instance of sharing, sharing similar as of thoughts or interests, ideals, or feelings. experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.
- 28. An Ideal Relationship The ideal relationship for the world Christian community is one of interdependence with a recognized system for shared decision- making and resource allocation. Until that is resolved there will continue to be tensions and resource imbalances. Wilbert Shenk, Changing Frontiers of Mission, pp. 114
- 29. No Schism God gave us a diversity of members so that there would be no schism in the body. (1 Cor. 12:25) Schism comes and the body suffers when we think we can do it alone, that we don’t need our other members to fully function.
- 31. Much people in the city The needs in the city are indeed too big for one person or one congregation or organization. But praise God! He never intended for us to work alone! God is with us AND he has much people in the city.