F10 Tools in the Fourth Field and Beyond
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F10 Tools in the Fourth Field and Beyond
Experiencers say that when a movement gets going, winning people for Jesus becomes much easier. For the sake of the sustainability of the movement, it is very important to take care of…
4) The fourth field, which is GATHERING.
We need strong communities where incoming disciples of any age have care and space for their growth and also for their own early reproduction. Healthy communities with biblical identity as God’s families then send out small teams to start more and more communities with new people out there.
The basic tool of the fourth field is…
a) Ongoing Discovery, which develops a community of new believers and gradually adds other activities and elements of Biblical identity.
b) Signs of biblical family of God.
Please think with me about the characteristics of a biblical family of God – that is, a local church of any size. A few thoughts:
-A healthy family of God has the Word and living Jesus at its center as highest authority.
-Healthy families of God (or its „members“) share the Good News to unbelievers.
-A healthy family of God baptizes new believers and immediately guides them as disciples of Jesus on their journey of growth.
-The family of God talks with Jesus and listens to Him.
-Worship is naturally accompanied by the remembering Jesus‘ sacrifice („Lord’s Supper“).
-In the family of God there is practical mutual love and service.
-A healthy family of God, according to the Scripture, also recognizes and respects its leaders.
Which of these characteristics do the groups around you have? And which ones can they easily add?
Looking at maturing process of the new communities in the fourth field, I want to single out…
c) A functional connection with broader NETWORK of other families of God.
The penultimate item in our big chart are…
5) The arrows in the middle – i.e. MULTIPLICATION of initiators and leaders.
As one of the prerequisites for leadership in a movement it is good to consider also reaching to new people. How will someone who is not active or effective in reaching out to non-believers be an inspiring leader within the movement?
As key tools of leadership multiplication, I underline:
a) Three-thirds.
We first mentioned them with Discovery, but we use them in discipleship and team meetings as well!
Without tracking the three thirds, we easily drop items like:
– „return“ – we would not ask what the last meeting did to us and how we fulfilled our previous decisions or tasks taken;
-Strengthening the vision – we would only maintain the status quo;
-We can talk without „action plans“ – if it is not clear what will be done, by whom, and by when, probably no one will do anything;
-When we have decided to make a change, „practicing“ on the spot is usually the first step to make the change happen…
To put it bluntly: without these elements, discipleship or even team meetings easily become „toothless“. These elements are very important for multiplication! That’s why we say „never skip them“.
So a) three thirds and…
b) Mentoring.
In mentoring, an experienced mentor serves as a guide. He/she helps to find direction, progress and tools for the development of the work. I am very grateful for several mentors who have personally guided me or continue to guide me in my growth and ministry. Even as a leadership team, we have an experienced outside mentor. He joins us once in a few weeks and, in addition to the three-thirds questions, gives us suggestions and ideas on where to go next…
Have you got your mentor yet? And are you a mentor to anyone?
In the area of multiplication as an important tool I will highlight even more:
c) Teams of leaders.
A lonely leader? This is a big problem in the long run! The ideal is a team of leaders working together on the same work or doing similar ministry, even if each one separately. As a team, they protect each other with accountability, seek to further equip themselves, support each other when things go wrong, and rejoice together and encourage each other when things go right.
Are you part of a team with your ministry?
As far as „tools“ for our contact…
6) With GOD’S HEART,
the essence is abiding in Jesus, which includes our own feeding from God’s Word and our prayers. Actual listening to living Jesus, confessing our wrongs to Him, and personal obedience, even willingness to sacrifice for Him… is also very significant.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You have Your ways and concrete tools to start Your movement here to save thousands of our people.