Sermon Tone Analysis

EQUIPPING: NOT OPTIONAL IN MINISTRY

“Use ‘em or Lose ‘em”

How can you effectively assimilate new people into the church?

If your church is not doing well at assimilation…this can absolutely be traced back to inadequate equipping

If newcomers end up coming back and seem to be ready to stay — that means something good kept them there.

Something positive attracted them

Friendliness, positive and welcoming, worship and preaching that touched them deeply

So why would someone like that end up leaving?

Some people will eventually leave a particular church because they begin to feel unsatisfied or like they don’t fit.

A good church should give special attention to newcomers, doing everything they can to make them feel like part of the family

Where do things begin to break down?

When the “honeymoon” is over there is a risk of taking new members for granted

When we give the new folks responsibilities without consideration for their gifts and passions…this can quickly become frustrating for them

When the new folks don’t feel welcome into various groups or ministries

Here’s the thing: most churches don’t reject or leave out people from groups, activities, or ministries: they just don’t have a focused way to assimilate them in a positive way

The Recurring Scenario

People are attracted to churches / They are initially welcomed and wooed / They find no place to use their gifts / Authentic relationships don’t happen / They are soon taken for granted / Their spiritual growth stagnates / They leave — Dr. Lynn Anderson

People are attracted to churches / They are initially welcomed and wooed / They find no place to use their gifts / Authentic relationships don’t happen / They are soon taken for granted / Their spiritual growth stagnates / They leave — Dr. Lynn Anderson

They are initially welcomed and wooed

Each member must be intentionally equipped

They find no place to use their gifts

Healthy churches develop leadership styles and an organizational infrastructure that effectively supports equipping - Anderson

Authentic relationships don’t happen

Equipping means helping them:

Help them find genuine relationships

Help them discover their gifts

They are soon taken for granted

Help them discover legitimate areas where they can serve passionately

Help them to understand and teach them skills to use their gifts most effectively

Help them to understand and take ownership of the mission of the church

Leaders are Christ’s gift to the church

Apostles / Prophets / Evangelists / Pastor-Teacher — These are the ones that “equip the saints for service”

In order to be effective, equipping churches, we must bring a balance between Bible knowledge and essential skill — as we do, we can begin to truly equip them

Why Equip?

Growth

Numerical, Spiritual, and growth in unity

Philosophy of Equipping

Common sense — match ministries to gifts

Equipping must be on-going and wide-spread in the church

Equip Like Jesus Equipped

Good equippers do it like Jesus did it: recruit twelve, graduate eleven, and focus on three - Anderson

Thousands

Hundreds

Seventy-two

Twelve

Three

One

Jesus didn’t equip by being the president of an organization…delegating tasks from behind a desk — He smelled like sheep because he lived with them

Elders are hands-on Shepherds, not a board of directors

What was Jesus’ “Finished Work”?

He couldn’t have been referring to the work of salvation…that would come with the Cross

He had completed the work of equipping the Disciples

It is no accident that Paul and other apostles followed Jesus’ style of equipping in their own ministries by taking “Interns” with them wherever they traveled - Anderson

Some specific characteristics of how Jesus equipped people

Frequent and long-term contact with those whom He equipped

Jesus and his disciples spent most of three years on the road, walking

Jesus and his disciples spent most of three years on the road, walking

(think of )

How else can we possibly equip people effectively?

One hour a week in a sermon won’t do it.

2. Warm and loving relationships

He traveled with them, ate with them, slept with them, and even washed their feet

We cannot expect real transformation if we only teach a class or direct ministries

3. Honest Exposure of Emotions

Lazarus — Money Changers — Trimuphal Entry

If we follow Jesus’ example of shepherding, we will be vulnerable, expressive and unafraid to reveal our emotions

Discernment and prudence are vital

4. Variety of Shared-Life Experiences

Run your mind across the story line.

Find Jesus with his disciples at the synagogue—on the road—by the sea—by a hillside—on the road—in the temple—by a well—in a boat—at a wedding—on the road—on the mountain—in the garden—in court—at banquets—on the road - Anderson

5. A Life of Integrity

6.

Time Balance Between Problem and Possibility People

Their spiritual growth stagnates

They leave