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 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.”