Understand, Embrace … and Hold On!

More thoughts on NCEM's church planting ministries (from issue #527)

In NCEM our vision is: by faith to establish strong, indigenous, multiplying churches.

When any goal is stated, it raises the question: how is it to be reached? That’s when terms like “strategy” or “action plan” get used, they can sometimes be misunderstood. We trust that the following helps our readers understand our approach to ministry and church planting:

We are not saying: NCEM’s approach is a “program.”

We are saying: NCEM’s approach is essentially a theology of evangelism, discipleship and church planting – a way of understanding evangelism, discipleship and church planting on the basis of Scriptural principles.

It’s not a “canned” approach. The message is the same, the process is the same, but the presentation is different for each situation, depending on the needs, Biblical understanding, and patterns of thinking and decision-making that have been discovered via cultural research.

We are not saying: If we follow the principles emphasized in a certain approach, we are guaranteed positive, lasting results in our ministry of evangelism, discipleship and church planting.

We are saying: We do believe that if we practice an approach in evangelism, discipleship and church planting – as emphasized in Matthew 13:23 (clearly understand); Mark 4:20 (embrace); Luke 8:15 (firmly hold on to) – we will be more likely to see positive and lasting results than if we ignore these principles (Colossians 4:2-6).

We are not saying: We should never talk to a person about Christ if we know we will not be able to have continuing relationship with that person.

We are saying: Evangelism is best practiced within the context of a loving, long-term relationship where the character and teachings of Christ can be exhibited as well as verbalized. This is especially true when our goal is establishing churches. But even in those instances of one-contact encounters, we should discover where people are at in their understanding of God and move them to a greater appreciation of His character and truths.

We are not saying: We should not address “felt needs” such as: broken relationships, addictions, family dysfunction, depression, emotional wounds, physical and financial needs, injustices, etc.

We are saying: We are calling people to transfer their allegiance to God regardless of a change in circumstances. As “partakers of the divine nature” our behaviours are transformed and the ability to live Christ-like is acquired (2 Peter 1:3,4). Addressing felt needs displays the character of God and fulfills His commands to look after the poor and oppressed in keeping with pure religion (James 1:27).

Lorene ChalifouxLorene Chalifoux recently shared her life story for our Tribal Trails TV program. We couldn’t help notice that she clearly lives out the “what-we-are-saying” statement … “an allegiance to God regardless of a change in circumstances.”

Lorene tells of growing up in abusive foster homes. At an early age she learned of Christ’s love. “I knew that no matter what was happening, the things I saw, the things I went through … that Christ loves me,” she says.

She shares honestly of lingering scars and struggles. “I had the feeling (growing up) that I didn’t belong … and I still struggle with that today.

“And it was hard for me to trust for a long time. But one thing that I was always sure of is that Christ was with me no matter what.”

Lorene went on to tell of an abusive marriage. “Taking abuse is very damaging. You know God is there but you don’t really feel loved.

“It’s so easy for me to blame if I want to, but it’s really not about that. We can choose to forgive, live on and just keep choosing to know that God loves us.

“Sometimes we can carry a lot of hurt and anger and we don’t want to let go. We think we have a right to be angry and to give up on life. (Then) I tell myself that I am forgiven and that I need to forgive. Is it easy? No, but it’s a good choice to make.”

Adding to these difficulties, Lorene has gone through multiple cancer surgeries, and has been told that the disease will take her life.

“Then, while going through all the (cancer-related) pain, my husband left us,” she adds. “So, all of a sudden, my kids didn’t have a dad. I remember crying, ‘God, I don’t feel loved.’

“I thought of taking a bottle of morphine. But then I was reassured, ‘You can make it through this by God’s grace. Show your kids that it’s possible … that God is really alive and that we will make it.’ And we did!

“God wants me to share about my life as honestly as I can,” says Lorene. “It’s not always easy. But I know I’m not the only one with pain.”

Lorene says she loves the fellowship and support she receives at Glencairn Alliance Church in Regina, SK.

We believe that church planting ministry should be a lifestyle of being a learner and building redemptive relationships with unbelievers (Colossians 4:2-6) and then helping these people clearly “understand” the Gospel, genuinely “embrace it,” and “firmly hold” on to what they have embraced (Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15).

(from Northern Lights issue #527). Note: some of the locations and involvements of our missionaries may have changed since the original publishing of this article.