Part 1
The Process of Planting a Church
By Danie Vermeulen
Dedication
This publication is dedicated to the people of Africa, a people who will become a
model of church planting, vision and hope.
To a people who face the promise of a new dawn.
Table of Contents
4 B
PREFACE
A BIBLICAL BASIS FOR SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING
5 – 7
THE STRATEGIC VALUE OF SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING
8 – 13
THE CHURCH PLANTING PROCESS
1. Selecting the Soil (Research) People Responsiveness Research Harvest Field and Harvest Force Spiritual Mapping Soweto Map
14 15 16 19 21 29
2. Ploughing the Ground (Prayer) The Purpose of Prayer Prayer Walking
30 31 33
3. Planting the Seed (Planting the Church) The Cell Church Crusades (with the aim of planting churches) Door-to-door evangelism The Jesus Film Church Planting Models
40 41 45 45 45 46
4. Fertilising the Soil Teaching foundational doctrines Discipleship to Leadership Dealing with the Sources of Spiritual Struggle
47 48 48 50
5. Watering the Soil The Working of the Holy Spirit Teaching the solid food of the Word Equipping & Leadership Training God's Training Ground Learning the Language of the Holy Spirit
51 52 52 52 53 54
6. Removing the Weeds Understanding Spiritual Warfare Dealing with Strongholds in a Church Dealing with Strongholds in Relationships
56 57 58 60
7. Preparing for Harvest The Equipping Square Multiplication Becoming a Church Planting Movement
65 66 66 67 E CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHURCH PLANTER Passion for the Lost Kingdom Mentality A Visionary Love for People, Willingness to sacrifice and Family Support Servant Heart, Hard Worker, Integrity and Humility
69 70 70 70 71 72
PITFALLS TO AVOID
73-75
Preface After twenty-two years of pastoral experience and having been involved in 38 church plants during this time, I have been confronted on so many occasions with the question, "How does one go about planting a church"? I have never felt adequately informed to write something in this regard but lately the Lord has burdened my heart to share on this topic from my experience, specifically within an African context. This morning at the breakfast table I was telling my family about the new training manual I am writing on church planting. My twelve-year-old son, Danie Jr. casually remarked, "but Dad, is it really necessary? It is so basic! All you do is get a few people saved and build a building and there you go." Needless to say after we all had a little chuckle I said to him, "You are right son, it is rather basic. It is rather basic for a married couple to have children and if we are the Body of Christ it should be rather basic for this 'body' to reproduce itself." Very proud of himself he said, "So what's the big deal." My explanation satisfied him when I said, "Son, suppose you were unaware of the fact that one day, when you got married, you could reproduce, would you do it? Most churches are unaware that it is actually basic that they should reproduce themselves into many other churches and that is why I feel the urgency of writing this manual." I want every pastor and every church to know that you don't need a special gifting to plant a new church. It is natural! I believe that I will be able to lay a foundation for my conviction from the Scriptures to help you understand that church planting is not a good idea but rather a Biblical basis for the fulfilment of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19. I am not a theologian but I do believe with all my heart that it should be Father's heart and vision that would motivate us and spur us on to complete the work He has given us. If we do not share His heart for the lost we will continue to build churches that are introspective and spend all our resources on the already saved warming our pews and we will spend endless energy 'entertaining' them so that they would come back next Sunday to get more for themselves. In such churches missions and evangelism is what happens outside the church and led by the few that feel called to it but the majority is there for the "show". After having been in 23 countries and having preached in hundreds of churches, I must admit that there are many exceptions to the rule. There are churches and church movements across the world that are multiplying rapidly, planting churches where there were none, some giving their lives in the process, transforming their communities cities and nations. Your church could become one of them! Like Danie Jr. said, "It's pretty basic!" Stay with me for a while and I almost guarantee you that at the end of this chapter you will agree: "It's pretty basic."
DANIE VERMEULEN
A Biblical Basis for Saturation Church Planting
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…'" Genesis 1:28 (KJV) Before we establish a Biblical basis for church planting, we have to answer the question for ourselves "What is Father's vision for the world?" Once we have somewhat of an understanding of Father's heart for a lost world, we will start to appreciate His strategy. ADAM AND EVE'S COMMISSION Adam and Eve, creatures in His image, filled with His glory, reflecting His righteousness, were commissioned with a one-sentence command: "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it…" They were created with a natural fertility according to their kind. It was expected of them to put their fertility into action, so that the replenishment could take place. This was the beginning of an earth filled with a God-kind of people – a human race in constant fellowship with their Creator – a kingdom that would rule over the animal world. God had no intention to grow this race by adding more to it, but chose for them to multiply themselves. This would cause a hereditary multiplication of that which God had created in His image, giving man the pleasure to create with God, through a natural ability placed within him. Until this day, every parent is filled with awe at the birth of a child. The thought that they had a part in this wonderful creation is overwhelming. Father's vision was that the expansion of the human race should result in a replenishment of the earth. The vision was an earth filled with a people expressing the glory of God, living in a state of complete righteousness and enjoying an intimate relationship with Father. However, the sad story is that the first Adam failed through sin and the thus the entire human race fell into a hereditary cycle of sin and death. Did it change Father's heart for the world? No, not at all. From the moment that God declared "And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15), Father put in place a rescue plan and doomed satan to defeat. In an instant, the heavenly announcement echoed through all eternity, declaring the promise of the last Adam who would crush satan's head. THE LAST ADAM'S COMMISSION So, what does this have to do with church planting? Let the last Adam unfold it for us. He took up the commission of the first Adam to restore everything that Father had in mind for us (Acts 3:21). Father's vision is to see all men saved and coming to the knowledge of the truth. Christ, the last Adam, came to redeem us from the bondage of sin and death. He restored righteousness by becoming our righteousness. He came to establish God's Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
'be fruitful…' The commission to the first Adam was, "Be fruitful…" It is written about the last Adam that, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (Col 1:15) "And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead…" (Col 1:18) Jesus is showing His fruitfulness through his body – the church. Just like the first Adam was made fruitful to multiply the human race, so the last Adam is made fruitful to multiply His body (the church) throughout the earth. He said, "…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matt 16:18) The prophet Habakkuk declared Father's vision for the earth when he said, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14) How is Father going to do this unless it is done through His bride, the church? The church is the reflection and carrier of His glory. In Paul's epistle to the Corinthians he says, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor 3:16) '…and multiply' The last Adam is fulfilling Father's vision through multiplying His church throughout the earth. Through this reproduction the earth is receiving the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. As the church is multiplied, it brings the incarnate presence of Christ into a community. If this is true, then church planting should be a natural result of church life, just as reproduction is a natural result of the marriage relationship. Stuart Murray writes, "The practice of church planting may encourage the conclusion that reproduction is as fundamental a feature of the church as it is of biological organisms. A healthy church does not just develop internally and expand in size and social impact, but naturally expresses its life in new forms and structures."1 Ellis and Mitchell say "if a church exists which never thinks about reproducing itself…never expects or anticipates that this is the natural business of growing up, then it is actually sterile.2 Could we go so far and say that churches that do not engage in some form of church planting and remain like that for a number of years, should perhaps be regarded as abnormal? As Stuart Murray says, "Perhaps it would be better to regard reproduction through church planting as normal, and the survival of ecclesiastical structures for more than a couple of generations as abnormal and problematic." 3 CHURCH MULTIPLICATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT If the church is a body then it has all the necessary "DNA" to reproduce after its kind. We can conclude that both Jerusalem and Antioch were "mother" churches. The best example though is the church at Antioch. Through the church planting of Barnabas and more specifically Paul, many churches were reproduced from one local church. The essence of Paul's ministry was the church – his ministry resulted in a church but he undoubtedly expected a multiplication of churches to take place.
1 Murray, Stuart: Church Planting, Laying foundations (Paternoster Press 1998) pp: 57, 58 2 Ellis, Roger & Mitchell Roger: Radical Church Planting (Cambridge: Crossway, 1992) p: 73 3 Murray, Stuart: p 59
He writes to Timothy, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Tim 2:2) It was not only Paul's expectation but in several places it actually happened. It happened in Thessalonica (1Thes 1:8) – Epaphras started the church in Colosse (Col 1:7) and someone else planted a church in Laodicea. (Col 2:1). Jon Haley says, "For Paul, faithfulness to the Great Commission meant more than preaching evangelistic messages here and there. It meant completing a sequence of activities that would result in mature churches. We could say without overstating the case that, for Paul, to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19) required planting churches."4 THE KINGDOM OF GOD GROWS THROUGH CHURCH MULTIPLICATION '…Replenish the earth and subdue it…' Christ, the Last Adam, announced the new Kingdom (Matt 4:17). Father's vision for this people to "replenish the earth and subdue it…" was clearly portrayed in Jesus' words and ministry. There is a literal "replenishment" theology in the following Scriptures: "There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe." (John 1:6) (NIV) "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32) (NIV) "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1Timothy 2:2) (NIV) "And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (ethne) and then the end will come." (Matt 24:13) (NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…" (Matt 28:19) (NIV) "…but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him…" (Rom 16:25) (NIV) Jesus' first sermon was to announce the new Kingdom (Matt 3:2). He said He would build His church and that the gates of Hades would not stand against it. We can therefore conclude that this new Kingdom is made up of churches, that He will subdue the Kingdom of darkness, penetrate it and rescue those in bondage through His church. (Col 1:18, Eph 3:10-11, Rom 5:17). Where the light shines, darkness disappears. When a church is planted within a community, the Kingdom of God arrives in that community – a force directly opposed to the kingdom of darkness, with a vision to fulfil the last Adam's mission, "…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." (1 John 3:8) (NIV) I conclude with the words of Dr. C. Peter Wagner, "The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches."5
4 Haley, Jon: Toward a Biblical Theology of Church Multiplication, p. 5 5 Wagner, C. Peter: Church Planting for a greater harvest, Regal Books p11
The Strategic Value of Saturation Church Planting
WHAT IS SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING? By "saturation" we mean that it is the church's ministry to reach out to "every person," "anyone," and "everyone" as stated in 1 Timothy and 2 Peter. These passages make it clear that God wants every man, woman, and child to hear and understand the Gospel and have the opportunity to believe in and fully obey Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. An important part of the Christian life is being a part of a local church where God's Word is believed and taught. Saturation church planting (SCP) is thoroughly biblical. It is completing the Great Commission through church planting in such a way that every man, woman and child has a chance to accept or reject the Gospel through the witness of a local church. SCP is the vision, strategy, and ministry of filling nations, regions, cities, villages, and neighbourhoods with churches that will take the Gospel to every person in their language and through their culture. CHURCH PLANTING BREAKS THROUGH BARRIERS Show me a denomination in decline and I will show you a denomination without a church planting vision. Show me a country where the Christian population is stagnant or in decline and I will show you the denominations within it, with no church planting vision. It stands to reason. Yet, there are now numerous countries that show major evangelical growth since the denominations and church groups settled on a specific national church planting goal. Examples of these are the Philippines, China, Brazil (in fact most of Latin America) Ghana and Zimbabwe. In every continent of the world there are church planting movements breaking through the barriers of evil resistance, bringing the glory of the Lord, the incarnate presence of Christ into their communities. Jim Montgomery, Founder and President of Dawn Ministries, is possibly the most knowledgeable on this subject. He played a major role in developing a strategy in the Philippines in the early 1970's that would change the face of the Philippine church forever. IN 1974, when about 75 church and mission leaders committed themselves toward the goal of a church in every barrio by AD2000, a movement was born called DAWN – an acronym for Discipling a Whole Nation. For the Philippines, this would mean growing from about 5,000 churches to 50 000 in 26 years!6 In February 2001 they will have their celebration – 50,000 churches planted in 26 years! It has impacted the nation tremendously. Who did it? Who should get the credit? The church, the Kingdom of God in the Philippines! They multiplied themselves over and over. Most denominations showed growth that outshone the growth of their counterparts elsewhere in the world. Why? They had a vision to saturate their nation with churches in every barrangay (neighbourhood).
6 Montgomery, Jim: DAWN 2000, 7 million churches to go, Highland Books – p 34
SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING Saturation Church planting is a vision that aims at mobilizing the whole body of Christ within an area, city, province or country to plant a church within easy access of every person in order to disciple the whole nation. (Matt. 28:19) At this juncture I must point out that Jesus' command to us was not to make disciples in the nations but to make disciples of all nations. This is a whole nation vision. Therefore, the mobilization of the whole body of Christ is so essential. WHY SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING? There are several reasons other than the Biblical basis why saturation church planting is the best method of evangelism. Let's look at some of them. 1. New churches grow faster than old churches Why do newly planted churches grow faster than older churches? Because most often evangelism is their main activity. They break into new households of relatives and friends and if there is a building, something new is more noticeable. Also keep in mind that it is easier to give birth than to raise the dead! 2. Church planting can give new life and vitality to your church A new baby creates great excitement in a household. Kawit Baptist Church in Kawit, Philippines was planted in 1986 and reached a peak attendance of 50. When Pastor Arman Dela Merced arrived in 1993 the church was down to only 8 members! Pastor Arman, knowing that it is easier to give birth than to raise the dead used his dying church to plant a new church. Within 6 months they succeeded in planting a daughter church in Imus with 60 members! There was a great receptivity in Imus. But the amazing thing is that through giving birth, revival came to the church in Kawit. Their membership shot up to an incredible 96! 3. More types of churches are needed Churches are like people and have different personalities. It is often determined by the pastor himself. Theological persuasions also play a major role and often determine the liturgy in the services. God, in His infinite wisdom, created such variety in the expression of church that it actually becomes difficult for someone to say "I can't find a church where I fit in." We just need to continue to plant more types of churches that cater for all homogeneous groups. It is also necessary to mention here that we are in desperate need of churches that will cater for all the needs of our youth. They need an expression where they will be comfortable with the dress code, music and liturgy. It is a well-known fact that the last generation style church will not appeal to the new generation. 4. Church planting develops new leadership Peter Wagner says "Many churches have confirmed the fact that the most important institutional variable for the growth and expansion of the local church is leadership…For the most part, existing churches have unconsciously placed a ceiling on both clergy and lay leadership and, as a result, upward mobility of new people into positions of ministry is difficult. But new churches open wide the doors of leadership and ministry challenges and the entire body of Christ subsequently benefits."7 7 Wagner, C. Peter: Planting churches for a greater harvest, Regal Books – p. 20
5. Church planting helps denominational survival In his book, "Church planting for a greater harvest", Peter Wagner makes this observation, "Without exception, the growing denominations have been those that stress church planting." Many denominations talk about church growth and have intentions to plant churches, but that is as far as it goes. They have neither a plan nor strategy and are often too proud to ask for help. In South Africa, noticeable events have taken place, which I believe will impact this nation greatly. Dr. Isak Burger, Moderator of the Apostolic Faith Mission, is busy mobilizing his denomination to formulate a growth plan through church planting and they are by no means a declining denomination! The Baptist Union also has a definite church planting vision. New Covenant Ministries started as one small charismatic church in Bryanston, South Africa. Today it is ministry with literally hundreds of churches across the world. Church planting has become an ethos which is practiced by every local church in their movement. But these are growing groups. What about those in decline? You can do what the Church of England in the UK did. They embarked on a DAWN project and after a 20year decline they are now showing tremendous growth. 6. Church planting is the best method of evangelism in a nation A study of the church growth in Peru shows a startling discovery. They have set a goal of 50,000 churches by the year 2003. That meant 6 new churches every day! But look at this: In 1989 they had 5,574 churches and it grew to 12,915 by 1995 – an Average Annual Growth Rate of 15.03%. In 1989 they had 750,000 members in their churches, and this figure grew to 2,189,345 by 1995 – an Average Annual Growth Rate of 19.55%! The conclusion derived from this is that membership growth rate is faster when planting churches.
2500000
2 189 000 2 079 000
2000000
1500000
Churches
Members
1000000
750 000
500000
5 574 9 900 12 915
4 years 2 years
1989 1993 1995
I know of no other method of evangelism that can show such an impact on a nation! If the Philippine church did not embark on a DAWN project, they would have planted only 17,778 churches (projected) by the year 2000 instead of 50,000!
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000
Projected Growth Without a DAWN Project
DAWN Project
1974 1984 1987 2000
7. New churches can stimulate existing churches. It is sad to say that in most cases, when a new vibrant church is planted within a community where there are already existing churches, there is often hostility toward the new church. Pastors are afraid to lose members to the new church. My advice to pastors is: Just keep growing green grass in your church and the sheep will not wander. Older churches that have stagnated are often "challenged" by the newer churches into caring for their flock more effectively. New churches raise the level of religious interest. The essential criterion for any community with more than one church is to see each other as part of the team that Jesus has called to "destroy the works of the evil one." (1 John 3:8) Once a pastor can pray for more workers to come to the harvest field where he is laboring, he has truly become a Kingdom minister.
8. Church planting will bring a new awareness and compassion for the lost. It is almost hard to believe that most churches spend 90% or more of all their resource on the already saved. The average church spends at least 90% of its finance on church members who have heard the gospel over and over. The average pastor spends at least 90% of his time on church members who are already saved. So we can go on and on. Churches stagnate when they become introverted in their church life, when are overwhelmed with their own needs and wants. Such churches lose vision and fall into "religiosity" rather than shakers and movers in His kingdom. As a child I often watched the farm workers on a Sunday afternoon gather their dogs together to go rabbit hunting. Whilst there was no rabbit in sight, these dogs would snarl and snap at each other, but the moment they saw a rabbit they forgot about each other and went for the kill. So it is in a church, where there is no vision for the lost, the church members will bite at each other. After my 22 years in the pastorate, I know this to be a true fact.
When a church becomes involved in a church plant, a new passion for the lost will be evident. It is like a mother giving birth to a new baby. 9. Church planting will bring a world vision to your church. Often, Christians hide behind the walls of their church. They are told not to mix with the "world" and sometimes they are discouraged to read secular material such as newspapers. How sad. We need to know what is going on in the world we are living. There are thousands of Christians that know nothing about the unreached peoples of our world, the 10/40 Window or the lostness of Generation X! Churches that become involved in church planting are always looking for the unchurched, unreached and ignored. It is then that their eyes open and they become aware of the harvest. I get so excited when I hear of churches that are planting new churches crossculturally, making an effort to go to the "ends of the earth". Some of the most exciting times in my life as a pastor was when I was involved in planting churches in Malawi among the Yao, an unreached people group 2300 km's away from my church in South Africa. My church members developed a world vision! 10. Church planting often re-emphasizes the principle of sowing and reaping. It is a biblical truth that "whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Gal 6:7 NKJV). If we are talking about "planting" we automatically talk about "reaping". When we invest finances into church plants we need to expect a harvest of finance for the planting church. If we invest people and staff in planting a church, guess what we will reap? THE PRACTICAL PROCESS If a nation is going to embark in saturation church planting, then a DAWN-type strategy is necessary. Jim Montgomery8 outlines 12 ingredients to a DAWN strategy. He says: "It is a strategy that:
1. Is Christ-centered in its emphasis on seeing Him made incarnate in every cluster of 500 to 1,000 people in the world;
2. Is built on the comprehensive plan of God who is not willing that any should perish;
3. Focuses on the systematic occupation of the land;
4. Takes advantage of the practical and emotional values of a whole-country approach;
5. Releases the incredible power of information;
6. Delivers a prophetic message to the Church;
7. Harnesses the vast energies inherent in working towards a measurable, timebound goal;
8. Emphasizes the "best method under heaven;"
9. Helps the body of Christ function effectively as a body; 8 Montgomery, Jim: DAWN 2000, 7 million churches to go, Highland Books – p. 170
10. Releases the great potential of denominations;
11. Encourages parachurch organizations to function truly "alongside" the Church;
12. Provides a frame of reference for national and worldwide strategy for the discipling of the nations Each of these 12 ingredients of DAWN is powerful in itself. When they are put together in a symbiotic relationship, their potential is enormous.
HOW A SATURATION CHURCH PLANTING PROJECT WORKS Dr. Murry Moerman,9 gleaning from Montgomery makes the observation that the details of how a saturation church planting project works, varies from country to country and situation to situation yet some ingredients are necessary: • A person or group of persons earnest for the reaching of their country, as was the reformer, John Knox of Scotland, who cried out to God, "Give me Scotland or I die!" • A national representative working committee that shares the vision and is willing to give of personal and organizational resources to guide this relatively simple process. • The gathering and updating of relevant information regarding the current harvest force and harvest field in the country. From this can be gleaned a "prophetic message", how God sees His Church in the nation and what He is saying to His people. • Periodic national and regional gatherings of the leadership of the Church to consider what God may be saying and how each denomination may best respond for God's purposes to be accomplished. These gatherings are frequently called "congresses", to emphasize the decision-making element of response. Goals will be set and reviewed, progress celebrated, prayer for revival renewed and fresh commitments made. • The commitment to continue the process until Jesus returns: mobilizing prayer, monitoring of harvest force and harvest field progress, dissemination of information in publications and congresses and sharing church planting models and resources.
9 Moerman, Murray: Transforming our Nation, Richmond BC Church Leadership Library Books, 1998 – p. 40
The Church Planting
Process
1. Selecting the Soil - Research -
1. Selecting The Soil - Research 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants
nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984. Since Paul used agricultural terms to explain the birth of the Corinthian church I am going to stay with agricultural terms. It is also user-friendly terms in Africa. We understand the process of farming. 1.1 Look for fertile soil - People responsiveness Any farmer desiring to plant a crop that would yield a good harvest first selects the soil carefully. Certain soil is just not conducive for farming. In the church planting process, it is necessary to first look for people responsiveness. I am not saying that if the people are not responsive that they should be ignored. However, there are seasonal opportunities when a certain village, neighbourhood or people are very responsive for various reasons.
1.2 Research It is important that the soil is researched so that you know what type of crop is conducive for that particular soil. This speaks of research. Research is the process of gathering information, which allows us to assess and measure the task and to establish goals, plans and priorities for planting the new church. It is imperative that the church planter should first do a three-fold research:
Harvest Field The identity, location, description and status of the people, including all the ethnic, linguistic and social groups in every community of the city. Harvest Force The identity, location, description and status of all denominations, local congregations, mission agencies and parachurch organizations. Spiritual Mapping (Demonic Activity) Spiritual Mapping is the researching of a city to discover any inroads Satan has made, which prevent the spread of the gospel and the evangelisation of a city for Christ. We must learn to see the world as it really is, not as it appears to be. Spiritual mapping involves superimposing our understanding of spiritual forces and events in the spiritual domain onto places and circumstances in the material world. It is a means whereby we can see what is beneath the surface of the material world.
RESEARCH DEFINITION It is the process of gathering information, which allows us to assess and measure the task and to establish goals, plans and priorities for completing the Great Commission. THERE IS WISDOM IN BEING INFORMED Solomon also affirmed the incredible value of information and knowledge. The book of Proverbs is filled with convincing statements about the necessity of being informed. Let us look at a few interesting Scripture verses: a) Proverbs 13:16
"Every prudent man acts out of knowledge…" (NIV) b) Proverbs 14:15
"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." (NIV) c) Proverbs 15:14
"The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly." (NIV) d) Proverbs 18:13
"He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame" (NIV) e) Proverbs 24:3-4
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." (NIV)
Research - The Power Of Information
by Roy Wingerd
When all the work of research is completed – that is, all the surveying, interviewing, recording, calculating, analysing and writing – few people, if any, will have been brought to "the knowledge of the TRUTH" and, therefore, saved. Research is not normally an evangelistic activity that directly leads people to faith in Jesus and into responsible membership in His Church. Yet, research and information are of great value to carrying out the Great Commission. A true picture of the vast harvest fields of the world is often the tool God uses to burden His people for the lost. Adequate, accurate and up-to-date information, when interpreted correctly, can impel the Church into effective evangelism and church planting. The importance of research is modelled for us, as the nation of Israel was ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses was commanded by God to send out twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan. These twelve men apparently were adept at the techniques of spying out land, making keen observations, recording information and drawing conclusions. Upon their return, they reported what they saw to Moses. Ten of the spies "made the hearts of the people melt with fear." Their description of the obstacles ahead caused the people to grumble, "If only we had died in Egypt! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?" (Numbers 14:2) But Caleb and Joshua "followed the Lord wholeheartedly" " (Joshua 14:8). They "silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'" (Numbers 13:30) Calling them to faith they said, "do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us." (Numbers 14:9) What made the difference between these two and the others? Was it not the fact that the ten spies relied on themselves, while Caleb and Joshua trusted fully in God? They all saw the giants in the land. The majority found themselves weak and incapable by comparison. Caleb and Joshua, however, never lost confidence because they never lost sight of THE ONE who was greater than all the giants combined. Caleb and Joshua teach us that the power of information lies not so much in the information itself, but in the faith, conviction and character of the one to whom information and knowledge is entrusted. Vision, commitment, courage, self-sacrifice, persistence – the things we see in these men – are an inspiration to anyone who would give his life to complete the Great Commission. The faith of such men determines whether the force unleashed through information will be positive and motivating or destructive and debilitating.
Information about the Harvest Field and the
Harvest Force is helpful to us ONLY if we have faith to believe God's promises and if
we are willing to obey His commands.
God could have told Moses and the Israelites everything there was to know about the challenges they would face in conquering the land. But He chose not to reveal this information to them supernaturally. They needed to see for themselves in order to discover the obstacles and opportunities on their own. This forced them to exercise their trust in God and His promises and to show their obedience to His command to conquer the land. The task of conquering the land of Canaan can be considered an Old Testament parallel to the task of making disciples of all nations. In the same way, the Lord has not told us everything we must know about making disciples of all nations. Today, more than ever before, "spies" must be sent out to discover who all the peoples are, where they are and what they are like. This is no small task. And in the process of studying the Church and the nations we will face many "giants". How will we respond? When men of faith present data on the Harvest Field and the Church of a nation, it can help the body of Christ – church leaders, evangelists, church planters, lay people – get a picture of what God the Spirit has been and is doing. It can challenge them to set goals and make plans for completing the Great commission in their native land. When the same data however, is presented by people who lack faith, it can cause the Church to shrink back from the seemingly impossible task. Men and women who gather and present accurate data with bold faith and indomitable courage unleash the real power of information. Caleb and Joshua, the researchers, never lost sight f the One to whom all power and authority in heaven and on earth has been given. (Mathew 28:18) So, we also must understand and walk in "his incomparably great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-23) Research is a vital part of the DAWN strategy. But the act of gathering vital, accurate, up-to-date and challenging information is no guarantee that the Church will stand up and say, "Let us go and make disciples of all peoples, for we can certainly do it." We must combine such information with faith, "for without faith it is impossible to please God!" (Hebrews 11:6) They eyes of the Lord are searching throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Will He find men of faith who will boldly stand up in the face of opposition and call the Church to move out and "conquer the land?" The Lord Jesus Christ is looking for men from every nation who are neither afraid nor ashamed to say "Let us preach the gospel to everyone and plant churches everywhere: for with the help of the Lord Jesus we can certainly do it!"
Understanding Harvest Field and Harvest Force
HARVEST FIELD
The identity, location, description and status of the people, including all the ethnic, linguistic and social groups in every community of the city. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HARVEST FIELD:
Identity
Who are the people that make up this city or region? What people groups are there and what languages do they speak? What social class divisions are there? Who are the poor and destitute? Location
What are the geographic divisions in the city?
Description
What is the political, economic, social, and religious condition of the city? What is the moral condition? What are "the sins of the fathers"? What are the reasons for these conditions? What are the basic needs of society? What are the types and levels of poverty and oppression?
Status
What is the total population, the urban and rural population, the population of men, women, children, youth and adults of the city. How many households or dwellings are there? What is the population of each language and people group?
HARVEST FORCE The identity, location, description and status of all denominations, local congregations, mission agencies and parachurch organizations. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HARVEST FORCE:
Identity • What denominations, local churches, mission agencies and parachurch organizations make up the Harvest Force in this city? Location • Where are they located? Where are they working in this city? Among which people groups are they working? Description • Which denominations have goals and plans for growth? Which ministries most directly result in churches being established? What methods are most effective for church planting and evangelism? What other supportive ministries are indirectly related to church planting? Status • How many churches, members, pastors and other workers are there in each denomination or local church? How fast are they growing? How many expatriate missionaries are there? How many people are being ministered to by each parachurch organization?
Spiritual Mapping DEFINITION Spiritual Mapping is the researching of a city to discover any inroads Satan has made, which prevent the spread of the gospel and the evangelization of a city for Christ. (Cindy Jacobs) I agree with George Otis Jnr, when he said, "We must learn to see the world as it really is, not as it appears to be". He also coined a term for this new way of seeing - "spiritual mapping". It involves superimposing our understanding of spiritual forces and events in the spiritual domain onto places and circumstances in the material world. Spiritual mapping is a means whereby we can see what is beneath the surface of the material world. TERRITORIAL STRONGHOLDS A BIBLICAL BASE? Many are frightened by the term or even concept of "territorial strongholds" due to the fact that it is an extra-biblical term. Though it is an extra-biblical term it is not an unbiblical concept. Is there Biblical support for territorial strongholds? I believe there is. Let's briefly look at three examples in the Old and New Testament: EXAMPLES OF TERRITORIALITY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. High Places Numbers 33:51-52 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; [52] Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places…" One of the downfalls of Israel was the "high places". Why? These were literal territorial domains of evil spirits from where activity was launched. They defiled the whole nation from there. To break this stronghold over Israel they had to destroy these "high places". God saw this as spiritual adultery. It was one of the causes of the Babylonian captivity. 2. Bel Marduk Jeremiah 50:2,3 "Declare ye among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed; her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed. [3] For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they are fled, they are gone, both man and beast. " The word "Bel" or Baal is a generic name for "Lord" and in this verse it is applied to Marduk, as in Lord Marduk. He was "the state god of Babylon" or the ranking territorial stronghold over that nation.
3. The Prince of Persia (Daniel 10) There was no literal prince over Persia. It was undoubtedly a territorial stronghold. EXAMPLES OF TERRITORIALITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 1. Artemis of the Ephesians Artemis is the Greek name for Diana (Roman) who was the ruling spirit over Ephesus. The leaders of the city of Ephesus became so upset with the ministry of the apostle Paul that they feared the goddess Diana's temple would be despised and her magnificence destroyed. (Acts 19:27) The people called her "Saviour", "Lord" and "Queen of the Cosmos". She wore the signs of the zodiac around her neck and "possessed an authority and power superior to that of astrological fate". -Clinton E. Arnold, Ephesians: Power and Magic p.27 2. The Great Prostitute (Revelation 17) This whole chapter shows this the territoriality of this demonic spirit. NINE PRINCIPLES FOR SPIRITUAL MAPPING 1) It must be based on God's Word and His revelation. 2) Those engaged in spiritual mapping and warfare must ensure they are living in holiness. 3) They must be under spiritual covering, submitted to a local church. 4) Research must be done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not through a scientific process. 5) Reporting must be done without personal or prejudicial opinions. 6) Those involved must keep a positive attitude. 7) Those involved must be in absolute unity. 8) Those involved must not be young or immature Christians. 9) Ultimately the elders of a town must take the lead. CONCLUSION Spiritual mapping is like the intelligence forces of an army. Through it, we go behind enemy lines to understand the enemy's plans and fortifications. As Kjell Sjoberg says, we do "spiritual espionage". A good Biblical example is the spies to the Promised Land sent by Moses and later by Joshua. There are several spiritual parallels that can be drawn from those encounters.
HOW TO DO SPIRITUAL MAPPING Ezekiel 4:1-3 "Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: [2] And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. [3] Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel." There is no set pattern or formula to do spiritual mapping, but let us look at the suggestions of C. Peter Wagner on how to do spiritual mapping on your town. STEP ONE: GATHERING THE INFORMATION Following the lead of contributors such as Harold Caballeros, I am going to divide the information-gathering phase into three parts:
(1) Historical research (2) Physical research (3) Spiritual research. Whether you would want to assign this to three separate teams as Caballeros does is up to you. But it does have some advantages if personnel are available. 1. HISTORICAL RESEARCH I. THE HISTORY OF THE CITY A. The Founding of the City 1. Who were the people who founded the city? 2. What was their personal or corporate reason for founding the city? What were their beliefs and philosophies? What was their vision for the future of the city? 3. What is the significance of the original name of the city? • Has the name been changed? • Are there other names or popular designations for the city? • Do these names have meanings? Are they linked to religion of any sort? Are they demonic or occultic names? Do they signify blessing? Curse? Do they highlight the city's redemptive gift? Do they reflect the character of the people of the city? B. The Later History of the City 1. What role has the city played in the life and character of the nation as a whole? 2. As prominent leaders have emerged in the city, what was their vision for their city? 3. Have any radical changes taken place in the government or political leadership of the city? 4. Have there been significant or sudden changes in the economic life of the city? Famine? Depression? Technology? Industry? Discovery of natural resources? 5. What significant immigration has occurred? Was there ever an imposition of a new language or culture on the city as a whole? 6. How have immigrants or minorities been treated? How have races or ethnic groups related to one another? Have city laws legitimised racism of any kind? 7. Have city leaders broken any treaties, contracts or covenants? 8. Have any wars directly affected the city? Were any battles fought in the city? Was there bloodshed?
9. How has the city treated the poor and oppressed? Has greed characterized city leaders? Is there evidence of corruption among political, economic or religious leaders and institutions? 10. What natural disasters have affected the city? 11. Does the city have a motto or slogan? What is its meaning? 12. What kinds of music do the people listen to? What is the message they receive from that music? 13. What five words would most people in the city use to characterize the positive features of their city today? What five words would they use for the negative features. II. HISTORY OF RELIGION IN THE CITY A. Non-Christian Religion 1. What were the religious views and practices of the people who inhabited the area before the city was founded? 2. Were religious considerations important in the founding of the city? 3. Have any non-Christian religions entered the city in significant proportions? 4. What secret orders (such as Freemasonry) have been present in the city? 5. What witches' covens, Satanist groups or other such cults have operated in the city? B. Christianity 1. When, if ever, did Christianity enter the City? Under what circumstances? 2. Have any of the early or later Christian leaders been Freemasons? 3. What role has the Christian community played in this? 4. Is Christianity in the city growing, plateaued or declining? C. Relationships 1. Has there been conflict between religions in the city? 2. Has there been conflict between Christians? 3. What is the history of the church splits in the city? 2. PHYSICAL RESEARCH 1. Locate different maps of the city, especially the older ones. What changes have taken place in the physical characteristics of the city? 2. Who were the city planners who designed the city? Were any Freemasons? 3. Are there any significant discernible designs of symbols imbedded in the original plan or layout of the city? 4. Is there any significance in the architecture, location or positional relationship of the central buildings, especially those representing the political, economic, educational or religious powers in the city? Did Freemasons lie any of the cornerstones? 5. Has there been any historical significance in the particular plot of land upon which one or more of these buildings are located? Who originally owned this land? 6. What is the background of the city's parks and plazas? Who commissioned and funded them? What significance might their names have? 7. What is the background and possible significance of the statues and monuments of the city? Do any reflect demonic characteristics or glorify the creature rather than the Creator? 8. What other artwork is featured in the city, especially on or in public buildings, museums or theatres? Look especially for sensual or demonic art. 9. Are there any prominent archaeological sites in the city? What meaning might they have?
10. What is the location of highly visible centers of sin such as abortion clinics, pornographic bookstores or theatres, areas of prostitution, gambling, taverns, homosexual activities, etc.? 11. Where are areas that concentrate greed, exploitation, poverty, discrimination, violence, disease or frequent accidents? 12. Where are locations of past or present bloodshed through massacre, war or murder? 13. Does the position of trees, hills, stones or rivers form any apparently significant pattern? 14. Do certain landmarks of the city have names that would not glorify God? 15. What is the highest geographical point in the city and what is built or located there? This can be a statement of authority. 16. Which zones or sectors or neighbourhoods of your city seem to have characteristics of their own? Attempt to discern areas of the city that seem to have different spiritual environments. 3. SPIRITUAL RESEARCH A. Non-Christian 1. What are the names of the principal deities or territorial spirits associated with the city past or present? 2. What are the locations of high places, altars, temples, monuments or buildings associated with witchcraft, occult, fortune-telling, Satanism, Freemasonry, Mormonism, Eastern religions, Jehovah's Witnesses and the like. Do these form any patterns when plotted on a map? 3. What are the sites of pagan worship from the past, even before the city was founded? 4. What are the different cultural centers that might contain art or artefacts connected with pagan worship? 5. Has any city leader knowingly dedicated himself or herself to a pagan god or a principality? 6. Were any known curses placed by the original inhabitants on the land or people who founded the city? B. Christian 1. How have God's messengers been received by the city? 2. Has evangelism been easy or hard? 3. Where are the churches located? Which of them would you see as "life giving churches? 4. What is the health of the churches in the city? 5. Who are the Christian leaders considered as "elders of the city"? 6. Is it easy to pray in all areas of the city? 7. What is the status of unity among Christian leaders across ethnic and denominational lines? 8. What is the view of city leaders toward Christian morality? C. Revelational 1. What are the recognized mature intercessors hearing from God concerning the city? 2. What is the identity of the ranking principalities seemingly in control of the city as a whole or certain area of the city's life or territory?
STEP TWO: ACTING ON THE INFORMATION An advantage of having several contributors in a book such as this is that they provide glimpses of several different approaches to strategic-level different approaches to strategic level spiritual warfare. We have seen Cindy Jacobs lead the pastors of Resistencia in repentance. We have seen Kjell Sjoberg's friend infiltrate a Swedish occultic Organization and observed Harold Caballeros find the strongman's name on a certain page in the Guatemala newspaper. We have seen Bob Beckett drive oak stakes into the ground at the gateways to Hemet. As well, we have seen Victor Lorenzo join in a human cross in the centre of the plaza in La Plata, and Bev Klopp repent in Seattle's underground buildings. All of them found some advantage in the methods they used, but none of them claim that others should do it their way. Through prayer, God will show leaders, city by city, what action is most appropriate for their particular situation. Meanwhile, there are some general rules for ministering to a city the first book in this series, Warfare Prayer, will be familiar with the rules for taking a city, which I explained there. For the benefit of those who have not read it or those who have forgotten, I will simply list the six rules without further explanation: Rule 1: The Area Select a manageable geographical area with discernible spiritual boundaries. Rule 2: The Pastors Secure the unity of the pastors and other Christian leaders in the area and begin to pray together on a regular basis. Rule 3: The Body of Christ Project a clear image that the effort is not an activity simply of Pentecostals and charismatics, but of the whole Body of Christ. Rule 4: The Spiritual Preparation Assure the spiritual preparation of participating leaders and other Christians through repentance, humility and holiness. Rule 5: The Research Research the historical background of the city in order to reveal spiritual forces shaping the city. (This was covered in the first part of this chapter: "Gathering the Information.") Rule 6: The Intercessors Work with intercessors especially gifted and called to strategic-level spiritual warfare, seeking God's revelation of- (a) the redemptive gift or gifts of the city; (b) Satan's strongholds in the city; (c) territorial spirits assigned to the city; (d) corporate sin past and present that needs to be dealt with; and (e) God's plan of attack and timing.
WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE INFORMATION It is very difficult to digest raw data and research information in its written form. It is imperative to plot this information on a map. A map is like a picture that tells a story. To illustrate this I will give you a case study and an example of a map. Soweto – South Africa Soweto has a population of 2 million inhabitants. For us to do any significant church planting it was necessary to research this city. The kind of information mostly needed was:
• Christian Churches – how many are there, where are they and how many people are attending church? We also make a distinction between Evangelical and Mainline churches. This will tell us something about the Harvest Force. • Cult Churches – how many, where are they, and how many people attend these churches? This is part of the Harvest Field research. • Drinking Places (Bars, Taverns etc.) how many are there and where are they? Alcohol abuse is a major stronghold in Africa. These drinking places are also mostly where the prostitutes operate from. The drinking places have a direct influence on AIDS, as well as family breakdowns. This is part of Spiritual Mapping. • Gambling Places – We conduct research about gambling places for the same reasons as above. • Witchdoctors – Africa is still very steeped in the practices of witchdoctors. They have a very strong influence in a community. This is also part of Spiritual Mapping. On page 29 is a simple map of one of the suburbs of Soweto. The startling research findings were:
• Population - 86,000 • Churches - 7 (average size 100) • Cult Churches - 15 • Witchdoctors - 18 • Drinking places - 75 The statistics together with the map paint the following picture:
• The Harvest Force: You can now see the spread of the churches (where they are situated). You can now also determine the size of the Harvest Force. If the average church size is 100 members and there are 7 churches then the size of the Harvest Force is between 700 -1,000 people. • The Harvest Field: If the population is 86,000 and the Harvest Force is 1,000 then the Harvest Field is 85,000. This tells you that you need to set a goal of at least 85 new churches for this area.
• Spiritual Mapping ; The map tells you where these strongholds are situated. As this community is being transformed through the planting of churches, you will be able to notice the decline of drinking places and witchdoctors. This information also helps us in intercession and evangelism. However this information MUST NOT fall into the hands of the wrong person! It can cause a reaction from the very people you want to reach.
MAP
The Church Planting
Process
2. Ploughing the Ground - Prayer -
2. PLOUGHING THE GROUND - PRAYER The very next thing a farmer does, is to plough the ground. The hard soil needs to be opened up and softened for the planting process. Likewise, the community in which you are going to plant a church needs to be opened up and softened for the gospel. This can only be done through prayer. You have now done the research which will give you not only statistics but also actual situations that you can target in your praying.
2.1 PRAYER Without deep intercessory prayer and patience in hearing God's strategy for the church plant, it will not have a lasting effect. I suggest that prayer walking in the neighbourhood or village may be of great value - praying on-site with insight.
Acts 4:23-31 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in
prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord, " they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our
father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together
against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you
anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now,
Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. " 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NIV) THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER 1. Getting God's hand stretched out. They had a deep passion and desire for their community to be touched by God. They understood that prayer was the key. They were more concerned with their community's spiritual needs than with their own safety. They have just been warned by the authorities not to preach the gospel. 2. For the healing of the community They identified with the hurts of their community. Obviously we speak of the whole spectrum of hurts.
- Physically - Spiritually - Emotionally We will never see our community saved unless their hurts become our concern. Until we have a compassion for them. We can never have compassion for our community while we are busy with ourselves and concentrate on our own hurts. It's almost like you get healed while you are healing someone else's wounds.
3. To bring the miraculous into our community. The community will only discover God's power when the church displays it. There is no greater delight for the Christian than to experience miraculous answers to prayer. Can you imagine the organization that takes place in the heavenlies to make your prayer effective? Recently we have seen God's miraculous power in our community when the church prayed for rain. 4. Discovering the power in Jesus' name. Unfortunately we often pray with wrong motives. Often our prayers have an ingredient of self-advantage in it. Our passion must become that people would discover Jesus. Stop trying to persuade people with human reasoning. Let them experience Jesus. DEVELOPING A HEART FOR YOUR CITY 1. The Lord does not only have a heart for individuals but for cities/communities. 2. Before God can use us to reach our cities/towns, we must develop a heart for the place. 3. Nehemiah 1:3-4 4. Matthew 23:37 5. Several prophets were sent to bring prophetic words to cities. 6. The early church evangelism plan started with their city - Acts 1:8 IDENTIFYING WITH THE FELT NEEDS OF YOUR COMMUNITY 1. Unless we are going to be touched by the needs of our community we are only going to pray religious and rhetoric (language designed to impress) prayers. 2. We must be able to pray from the heart. Felt needs versus assumed needs. 3. How do we discover the needs of a community? • Read the paper. • Ask questions - make it your business. I attend an information meeting with the police. • Listen with sanctified ears to the community-talk and then verify it's authenticity. 4. People need miracles. Prayer brings them into contact with a living God who cares for them. • Praying with the mayor this week. 5. You cannot preach to them until you have prayed for them. We pray too much for those who ought to know how to pray and too little with those who do not know how to pray. 6. Hear God's heart beat for your city. I strongly suggest that you engage in prayer walking. It has a lot of benefit for church planting.
PRAYER WALKING (Please note that a handbook entitled: "Praying on Site with Insight" is available from the DAWN Africa office. Please refer to the contact details on page 2 of this training manual.)
Acts 4:29-32 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the
name of your holy servant Jesus. " 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was
shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the
believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they shared everything they had. (NIV) INTRODUCTION • Prayer gives us access into any part of the world, any house in the world and any person in the world. • You can affect your neighbourhood, your city or the world with your prayers. • Prayer has brought communism to its knees, the Berlin wall to its foundations and billions of people to Christ. DEFINITION It is taking the church outside its walls to pray on-site with insight. The Biblical Foundation of Prayer Walking
Genesis 13:14-17 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and
look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth
of the land, for I am giving it to you." (NIV)
Joshua 1:3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. (NIV)
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES HERE? Abraham • God wanted Abraham to physically be on the territory to give him identification through observation. • God wanted him to see it – vision impartation. Joshua • You can also fight a battle without physically being on the ground – enemy identification / territorial spirits. • God's promise was linked to Joshua's feet – reclaiming ground. Lessons to Learn From Joshua
Numbers 13:18-20 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.
19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? Mat kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 2o How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do
your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land. " (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
(NIV)
Strategy #1 - Find out what the land is like • Look for things that can tell you more about the people themselves. • Do you know of any Christians in the area? • Do they keep to themselves or are they open for relationships? • Obtain the names of the people and the approx. age. Strategy #2 - Assess the enemy
Numbers 13:28-29 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev, the Hittites, Jebusites and
Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the
Jordan. " (NIV)
• Determine the sociological problems. - Single parents? - Social interests etc. • Determine which territorial spirits control the area. - You cannot be the sole judge. Must be a group. • Don't over exaggerate the enemy's influence. Don't give the devil exposure by constantly talking about what he is doing. (Descendants of Anak) Strategy #3 - Discover the fruit of the future
Numbers 13:23-25 Men they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there.
25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land. (NIV) • Envision what this area is going to be like in the future. • Trust the Lord for promises, dreams and visions. • Pray prophetically. Prayer Walking - A Preparation for Jesus' Visitation Luke 10:1-20 SIGNIFICANCE OF SENDING 72 MISSIONARIES • I call this "saturation preparation". • The 36 teams went to do specific preparation for Jesus' visitation to these towns. • Jesus gave them a specific strategy to follow. • They were sent like lambs among the wolves. - They will enjoy Divine protection. - They will have a Divine boldness. • It seemed like madness to do this. - It seems like madness for God to use us! • Take no purse, bag or sandals. - Faith venture, keep money out of it. Strategy #1 - Pray • Jesus even told them what to pray. - They were not to only pray for converts but for converts that will become workers. • Locked-up in our community are many people that are still going to be workers in the harvest fields of God. - Pray for their salvation and release. - Like with Joshua, you must see the fruit of the future.
Strategy #2 - Be the agents of peace. • Do not get involved in arguing. Don't waste your time with fruit that is not ready. • "Man of peace" literally means "a man searching for peace and willing to receive it" • This person may be the means whereby you could reach the whole "oikos" (household). Strategy #3 - Identify with your community • Eat and drink what is set before you. Identification. - In many cultures eating and drinking is the sign of your love for them. • Spiritual pride will damage all your efforts. • Do not move around from house to house. - You can fall into the trap of looking for more comfort. Be content. - People must know where to get you. Strategy #4 - Be an agent of healing to your community. • Satan is destroying people. They don't need your judgment. They need your compassion. AN ILLUSTRATION OF KINDNESS Steve Sjogren adapted from the book A Conspiracy of Kindness (Vine Books, 1993, Ann Arbor, Mich.). Steve is pastor of the vineyard Christian Fellowship of Cincinnati North. "Kindness opened one man's heart to God when we were doing free lawn care. We had loaded a couple of mowers and rakes into a truck and drove around until we saw long grass. We approached his house and knocked on the door to tell him what we were up to. Through the screen door this man barked, "What do you want?" We gave him the brief explanation; without even looking up, his response was simply, "Yeah, whatever... " He sat motionless in front of the T.V watching a Reds baseball game. We mowed enthusiastically. We sometimes call it "power mowing" in the Vineyard - and finished in about thirty minutes. We stopped by to tell him we were done and ask if we could pray for any needs in his life. He said he didn't have any needs. As we stepped away from the door, one young man in the group said he was sure this man was in great emotional need and that we ought to insist on praying for him. We turned around and prayed a simple little prayer: "Come, Holy Spirit, and touch this man's pain, whatever it is." The response was instant and surprising - he erupted in deep sobbing, grabbing the nearest person in the circle and wetting his shoulder with tears for some minutes. As the crying died down, he told us his son had been arrested the night before for stealing a car to support a drug habit. That day God's presence and power penetrated this man's pain and isolation in a tangible way ... because we were willing to cut a little grass." • Use the power Jesus gave you to bring healing. It is the best form of spiritual warfare. • Get your hands dirty. REMEMBER 1. Be patient 2. Be persistent 3. Don't try and make things happen.