THE EMERGING CHURCH

[Albert Finch]

John 13:13-15 -- "Jesus said, 'You call me 'Teacher and Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. You also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'"

John 20:21 -- "Just as the Father has sent me forth so I am sending you."

This is certainly a command of Jesus for the Body of Christ to meet the needs (both temporal and spiritual) of new believers so they may indeed advance in the faith.

The humbling service of DISCIPLING a new believer into:

who he/she is in Christ,
his/her right standing with God, and
walking in the Spirit

is the most valuable Christian service someone can minister to someone who has just had the "born again" experience.

OLD THOUGHT PROCESSES

In order for the church to advance into her destiny there are old thought processes that need to be dismantled:

1. The idea that higher spiritual advancement and development is reserved for the clergy.

2. The idea that spiritual training and discipling is the sole responsibility of the pastor and/or elders.

3. The idea that it takes years in the faith to be able to DISCIPLE other believers.

4. The idea that the only thing the laity is to be involved in is Church programs and listening to sermons.

Submitting to DISCIPLESHIP training develops a "personal ministry to others consciousness" in the believer as well as promotes unity and brotherly love in the fellowship of the Body of Christ.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
http://afministry.ning.com/