FAQ


Frequently Asked Questions

 

What Are The Outcomes of the Retool Kit Pathway?

We have already alluded to several goals of this pathway, but we will articulate the outcomes as well:

• Renewed leaders – Your leaders will have a clearer understanding of the biblical role of leaders in the local church and be challenged to continue their personal, spiritual growth while modeling Christian character and mentoring future leaders.

• Renewed congregational community – You will become people who relate to one another biblically, with a communications covenant that will guide you in dealing with differences, conflict and sin and engage you in healthy ways in the ministries of the church.

• Refocused vision – Having a clear understanding of Christ’s purpose for the church, you will have a clearly articulated vision for the next three to five years of your church’s ministry, specifying how the church will impact the community.

• Three-year ministry plan – You will develop well-thought-through goals and strategies that will enable the church to fulfill the new vision.

• Restructured ministry – A systems approach to ministry will enable ministry teams to be developed and led by capable leaders for specific ministry initiatives.

• A new way of thinking – You will develop new perceptions about how to live together in biblical community, train leaders and assess ministry opportunities for future re-visioning.

• New disciples – You will incorporate people who have been reached as a result of the new focus on the community around you.

• New churches – As God directs your process of multiplying disciples, he may lead you to plant new congregations to increase your church’s impact in surrounding communities and other communities around the world.

 

Is This Pathway Biblical?

A number of individuals have been involved in shaping these materials. Their efforts have been based on several shared convictions:

  • Church mobilization is a Christ-saturated endeavor. The Lord Jesus is the head of the body, and he is the one who builds his church. He initiates, sustains and completes his good purposes for the church. Our part is to exalt him as Lord and serve his will in the power of his Spirit (Colossians 1:15-20 and Ephesians 4:7-16).
  • Our ultimate mission is to glorify God among the nations. Our goal in mobilizing healthy, reproducing churches is the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission. Healthy churches exist to bring glory to God by making disciples and multiplying churches among the nations (Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8).
  • Great Commandment passion is our driving motive. It is by loving God and people that we guard the motives that drive the mission. Great Commandment energy must precede and pervade all our Great Commission efforts (Matthew 22:37-40 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
  • The Bible is our guiding text. We are grateful for the wisdom of gifted people. You will find many helpful books and resources referenced in this kit. God’s Word, however, is our primary source and authority. It alone is God-breathed and able to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Much time will be spent studying the leaders and believers of the early church in the Book of Acts.
  • Mobilization is a spiritual and relational process. Methods, programs and other pragmatic considerations are all secondary to what is essentially a spiritual and relational process. Lasting, systemic change is largely a product of prevailing prayer, shared worship, biblical teaching, loving fellowship and the faithful work of ministering to people (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
  • God chooses to work through the prayers of his people. It is impossible to please God without faith that believes he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Prayer is always our first and best option at every phase of the mobilization process (Hebrews 11:6 and Ephesians 6:18).
  • Leading church mobilization is a humbling task. Congregations are complex organizations made up of equally complex individuals. Many factors that influence a church’s health and effectiveness are beyond the control of its leaders. Powerful spiritual forces are also at work behind the flesh-and-blood realities. Spiritual leadership requires humility, patience and an abiding confidence in God’s sovereignty and grace (1 Peter 5:6-11).