THE


FRom ThE EdIToR JohN dAVId SmITh


Maintenance to Multiplication


numbers clearly point to a group of churches that have facilitated church multiplication on international mission fields; however, this same group of churches is sterile in its own country. If we are going to move from


T


Maintenance to Multiplication, there are many things that must take place. In the Missions office we have invested much in developing strategies and systems to flesh out the vision of multiplication. We certainly do not want to be guilty of having a noisy pep-rally with no game plan. Te vision is clear; we must realize in


our associational departments that we exist to facilitate our churches in reproducing themselves. We do not exist to carry on some good activity that makes us look busy and effective. We exist for the purpose of ACTION, not mere activity. Our action must be evidenced in the ministries of our churches as they reproduce.


“We do not exist to carry on some good activity that makes us look busy and effective. We exist for the purpose of ACTION, not mere activity.”


Te missions leadership believes that the strategy for church multiplication has four primary elements: assessment, training, coaching, and partnerships. If you have been listening to the communications of North American Church Planting Director Larry Barker, you are already familiar with this language. Te first step toward church


multiplication is at the foundational/ philosophical level. It is about an attitude of reproduction that comes from the clear mandates of Scripture and a burning passion fostered by the Holy Spirit. Tese things will cause us to question our current


2


he last issue of the Gleaner presented a necessary look at the current status of our association of churches. Te


Volume 56 Issue 1 January/February 2012 www.bmaamissions.org


EdIToR


John David Smith ART dIRECTIoN


Eternity Communications


Published bi-monthly by the Missionary Committee of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, 9219 Sibley Hole Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 Entered as Periodical Rate at Little Rock, Arkansas.


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definitions of church. For us, is church defined scripturally or culturally? Scripturally, the church is defined by its


functions: worship, Bible study, spiritual growth, missions, church planting, etc. Culturally, the church is defined by its forms: styles, personal preferences, self- preservation, and introverted fellowship groups. Scripturally, church multiplication is at the local level. Culturally, we have outsourced that to our denomination, missions agency, or some parachurch group. Scripturally, church multiplication begins with leadership development, discipleship, and evangelism. Culturally, church planting begins with money, buildings, and stuff. We need to understand that our culturally defined churches and methodologies will not allow for church multiplication. Te annual Missions Symposium will be


January 17-18 at the Central Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas. We are literally bringing the “Payne” for the meeting. J.D. Payne, a recognized voice in North American Church Multiplication, will be one of many speakers who will point us in the direction of church multiplication. Please note his article on the topic in this issue of the Gleaner beginning on page 16. We look forward to being with Central Church and pastor Don Chandler. Please make plans to attend this meeting that will be vital in our movement toward church multiplication in the United States. n


theGLEANER n January/February 2012


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mEmoRIALS GIVEN by


Duane & Charlotte Turner Billy & Patty High Jerry & Sue Kidd


Lifeword Ministries Barbara White Hazel Martin Enid Jolly


Bill & Patsy Looney Soda Baptist Church Livingston, TX


IN mEmoRy oF Linda Newsom Linda Newsom Linda Newsom Linda Newsom Linda Newsom Marge Barker Linda Newsom Linda Newsom Frank E. Hood


Mt. Selman Baptist Church WMA Linda Newsom Jacksonville, TX Linda Collins


Linda Newsom


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