var g_txt=[
{t:"“I am delighted with this courageous and ",p:1,x:-192,y:29,w:288,h:22},
{t:"balanced book, which helps us toward a more ",p:1,x:-164,y:55,w:317,h:22},
{t:"biblical concept of local churches and ",p:1,x:-216,y:82,w:264,h:22},
{t:"missions for the twenty-first century",p:1,x:-237,y:109,w:247,h:22},
{t:".”",p:1,x:-226,y:109,w:12,h:22},
{t:"Patrick Johnstone",p:1,x:-170,y:150,w:129,h:22},
{t:"WEC International, Author of ",p:1,x:-279,y:170,w:163,h:17},
{t:"Operation W",p:1,x:-217,y:170,w:69,h:17},
{t:"orld ",p:1,x:-185,y:170,w:25,h:17},
{t:"and",p:1,x:-169,y:170,w:19,h:17},
{t:"The Chur",p:1,x:-322,y:186,w:50,h:17},
{t:"ch Is Bigger Than Y",p:1,x:-218,y:186,w:106,h:17},
{t:"ou Think",p:1,x:-170,y:186,w:47,h:17},
{t:"9 781884 543753",p:1,x:-295,y:960,w:125,h:12},
{t:"ISBN 1-884543-75-8",p:1,x:-178,y:874,w:108,h:17},
{t:"Rediscovering ",p:1,x:-606,y:235,w:99,h:19},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-578,y:235,w:25,h:19},
{t:"role God ",p:1,x:-547,y:235,w:67,h:19},
{t:"designed ",p:1,x:-444,y:235,w:65,h:19},
{t:"for ",p:1,x:-420,y:235,w:21,h:19},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-392,y:235,w:25,h:19},
{t:"church ",p:1,x:-341,y:235,w:49,h:19},
{t:"in ",p:1,x:-323,y:235,w:15,h:19},
{t:"mission ",p:1,x:-265,y:235,w:55,h:19},
{t:"is a ",p:1,x:-248,y:235,w:27,h:19},
{t:"critical issue ",p:1,x:-184,y:235,w:80,h:19},
{t:"facin",p:1,x:-701,y:255,w:32,h:19},
{t:"g th",p:1,x:-660,y:255,w:21,h:19},
{t:"e mission",p:1,x:-630,y:255,w:60,h:19},
{t:"s movemen",p:1,x:-561,y:255,w:75,h:19},
{t:"t today . Tha",p:1,x:-481,y:255,w:84,h:19},
{t:"t rol",p:1,x:-392,y:255,w:25,h:19},
{t:"e ",p:1,x:-358,y:255,w:12,h:19},
{t:"i",p:1,x:-349,y:255,w:3,h:19},
{t:"s t",p:1,x:-338,y:255,w:12,h:19},
{t:"o glorif",p:1,x:-317,y:255,w:42,h:19},
{t:"y Go",p:1,x:-267,y:255,w:28,h:19},
{t:"d b",p:1,x:-229,y:255,w:17,h:19},
{t:"y plantin",p:1,x:-205,y:255,w:54,h:19},
{t:"g ",p:1,x:-142,y:255,w:12,h:19},
{t:"churches among every tongue, tribe, and nation.",p:1,x:-383,y:275,w:321,h:19},
{t:"George ",p:1,x:-660,y:738,w:44,h:16},
{t:"Miley",p:1,x:-634,y:738,w:29,h:16},
{t:"spent ",p:1,x:-596,y:739,w:31,h:15},
{t:"20 ",p:1,x:-579,y:739,w:16,h:15},
{t:"years ",p:1,x:-547,y:739,w:31,h:15},
{t:"as ",p:1,x:-532,y:739,w:15,h:15},
{t:"a ",p:1,x:-522,y:739,w:9,h:15},
{t:"missionary ",p:1,x:-463,y:739,w:58,h:15},
{t:"with ",p:1,x:-439,y:739,w:23,h:15},
{t:"Operation ",p:1,x:-384,y:739,w:54,h:15},
{t:"Mobilization—5 ",p:1,x:-301,y:739,w:82,h:15},
{t:"years ",p:1,x:-269,y:739,w:31,h:15},
{t:"in ",p:1,x:-257,y:739,w:12,h:15},
{t:"India ",p:1,x:-228,y:739,w:28,h:15},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-206,y:739,w:22,h:15},
{t:"15 ",p:1,x:-189,y:739,w:16,h:15},
{t:"years ",p:1,x:-158,y:739,w:31,h:15},
{t:"as ",p:1,x:-142,y:739,w:15,h:15},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-685,y:759,w:19,h:15},
{t:"Managing ",p:1,x:-627,y:759,w:54,h:15},
{t:"Director ",p:1,x:-580,y:759,w:44,h:15},
{t:"of ",p:1,x:-564,y:759,w:12,h:15},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-541,y:759,w:19,h:15},
{t:"OM ",p:1,x:-516,y:759,w:22,h:15},
{t:"Ships ",p:1,x:-481,y:759,w:32,h:15},
{t:"LOGOS ",p:1,x:-433,y:759,w:44,h:15},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-407,y:759,w:22,h:15},
{t:"DOULOS. ",p:1,x:-348,y:759,w:55,h:15},
{t:"During ",p:1,x:-308,y:759,w:37,h:15},
{t:"this ",p:1,x:-283,y:759,w:21,h:15},
{t:"period ",p:1,x:-244,y:759,w:35,h:15},
{t:"he ",p:1,x:-225,y:759,w:16,h:15},
{t:"served among ",p:1,x:-184,y:759,w:80,h:15},
{t:"unreached ",p:1,x:-646,y:779,w:58,h:15},
{t:"peoples ",p:1,x:-600,y:779,w:44,h:15},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-575,y:779,w:22,h:15},
{t:"local ",p:1,x:-546,y:779,w:27,h:15},
{t:"churches ",p:1,x:-494,y:779,w:50,h:15},
{t:"in ",p:1,x:-479,y:779,w:12,h:15},
{t:"over 100 ",p:1,x:-452,y:779,w:47,h:15},
{t:"countries ",p:1,x:-375,y:779,w:50,h:15},
{t:"on ",p:1,x:-357,y:779,w:16,h:15},
{t:"five ",p:1,x:-333,y:779,w:21,h:15},
{t:"continents. ",p:1,x:-272,y:779,w:59,h:15},
{t:"He ",p:1,x:-252,y:779,w:18,h:15},
{t:"and his ",p:1,x:-227,y:779,w:38,h:15},
{t:"wife ",p:1,x:-181,y:779,w:23,h:15},
{t:"Hanna ",p:1,x:-142,y:779,w:37,h:15},
{t:"founde",p:1,x:-701,y:799,w:36,h:15},
{t:"d Antioc",p:1,x:-658,y:799,w:40,h:15},
{t:"h Network",p:1,x:-610,y:799,w:50,h:15},
{t:", ",p:1,x:-556,y:799,w:6,h:15},
{t:"a growin",p:1,x:-542,y:799,w:42,h:15},
{t:"g internationa l networ",p:1,x:-493,y:799,w:115,h:15},
{t:"k o",p:1,x:-371,y:799,w:13,h:15},
{t:"f loca l churche",p:1,x:-354,y:799,w:81,h:15},
{t:"s whic",p:1,x:-267,y:799,w:31,h:15},
{t:"h aspir",p:1,x:-229,y:799,w:33,h:15},
{t:"e t",p:1,x:-189,y:799,w:10,h:15},
{t:"o star",p:1,x:-172,y:799,w:27,h:15},
{t:"t ",p:1,x:-142,y:799,w:6,h:15},
{t:"reproducing church movements among unreached peoples.",p:1,x:-396,y:819,w:308,h:15},
{t:"Church & Ministry / Church Life / Missions",p:1,x:-148,y:844,w:185,h:13},
{t:"“As ",p:1,x:-648,y:547,w:30,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:1,x:-635,y:547,w:12,h:22},
{t:"lay ",p:1,x:-611,y:547,w:24,h:22},
{t:"elder",p:1,x:-579,y:547,w:34,h:22},
{t:", I ",p:1,x:-569,y:547,w:21,h:22},
{t:"have come ",p:1,x:-522,y:547,w:80,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:1,x:-464,y:547,w:17,h:22},
{t:"know ",p:1,x:-423,y:547,w:41,h:22},
{t:"firsthand ",p:1,x:-355,y:547,w:67,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-330,y:547,w:25,h:22},
{t:"loving ",p:1,x:-283,y:547,w:46,h:22},
{t:"shepherd's ",p:1,x:-204,y:547,w:78,h:22},
{t:"heart ",p:1,x:-164,y:547,w:40,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:1,x:-660,y:574,w:18,h:22},
{t:"George ",p:1,x:-605,y:574,w:54,h:22},
{t:"Miley",p:1,x:-568,y:574,w:38,h:22},
{t:". ",p:1,x:-558,y:574,w:8,h:22},
{t:"God has ",p:1,x:-524,y:574,w:57,h:22},
{t:"given ",p:1,x:-452,y:574,w:41,h:22},
{t:"George ",p:1,x:-397,y:574,w:54,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:1,x:-384,y:574,w:12,h:22},
{t:"clear ",p:1,x:-344,y:574,w:38,h:22},
{t:"vision ",p:1,x:-298,y:574,w:44,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:1,x:-279,y:574,w:18,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-253,y:574,w:25,h:22},
{t:"Church ",p:1,x:-195,y:574,w:56,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-164,y:574,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Grea",p:1,x:-674,y:601,w:34,h:22},
{t:"t Commissio",p:1,x:-634,y:601,w:85,h:22},
{t:"n fo",p:1,x:-539,y:601,w:22,h:22},
{t:"r th",p:1,x:-510,y:601,w:22,h:22},
{t:"e twenty-firs",p:1,x:-480,y:601,w:83,h:22},
{t:"t century . Thi",p:1,x:-391,y:601,w:98,h:22},
{t:"s boo",p:1,x:-286,y:601,w:33,h:22},
{t:"k shoul",p:1,x:-244,y:601,w:47,h:22},
{t:"d b",p:1,x:-188,y:601,w:16,h:22},
{t:"e ",p:1,x:-164,y:601,w:11,h:22},
{t:"studied ",p:1,x:-625,y:627,w:53,h:22},
{t:"by all ",p:1,x:-604,y:627,w:44,h:22},
{t:"who love the ",p:1,x:-548,y:627,w:84,h:22},
{t:"church ",p:1,x:-434,y:627,w:53,h:22},
{t:"and are ",p:1,x:-403,y:627,w:53,h:22},
{t:"committed ",p:1,x:-299,y:627,w:75,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:1,x:-281,y:627,w:17,h:22},
{t:"her ",p:1,x:-253,y:627,w:27,h:22},
{t:"mission ",p:1,x:-195,y:627,w:56,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-164,y:627,w:30,h:22},
{t:"place in the world.”",p:1,x:-547,y:654,w:135,h:22},
{t:"Mark A. T",p:1,x:-274,y:676,w:76,h:22},
{t:"alamini, M.D.",p:1,x:-170,y:676,w:98,h:22},
{t:"Professor of Sur",p:1,x:-446,y:700,w:86,h:17},
{t:"gery",p:1,x:-425,y:700,w:23,h:17},
{t:", Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine",p:1,x:-172,y:700,w:253,h:17},
{t:"Planting ",p:1,x:-647,y:312,w:58,h:19},
{t:"churches amongst ",p:1,x:-580,y:312,w:125,h:19},
{t:"unreached ",p:1,x:-440,y:312,w:75,h:19},
{t:"peoples ",p:1,x:-381,y:312,w:56,h:19},
{t:"is a ",p:1,x:-365,y:312,w:26,h:19},
{t:"complex process. ",p:1,x:-289,y:312,w:123,h:19},
{t:"It ",p:1,x:-212,y:312,w:12,h:19},
{t:"calls forth ",p:1,x:-177,y:312,w:70,h:19},
{t:"every ",p:1,x:-664,y:332,w:40,h:19},
{t:"ministry ",p:1,x:-607,y:332,w:55,h:19},
{t:"gift ",p:1,x:-582,y:332,w:24,h:19},
{t:"and the ",p:1,x:-552,y:332,w:50,h:19},
{t:"contribution ",p:1,x:-444,y:332,w:81,h:19},
{t:"of ",p:1,x:-426,y:332,w:16,h:19},
{t:"every ",p:1,x:-384,y:332,w:40,h:19},
{t:"believer",p:1,x:-332,y:332,w:52,h:19},
{t:". ",p:1,x:-324,y:332,w:8,h:19},
{t:"Imagine ",p:1,x:-265,y:332,w:57,h:19},
{t:"a ",p:1,x:-252,y:332,w:12,h:19},
{t:"businessman, ",p:1,x:-154,y:332,w:96,h:19},
{t:"a ",p:1,x:-141,y:332,w:12,h:19},
{t:"constructio",p:1,x:-701,y:352,w:73,h:19},
{t:"n worker , ",p:1,x:-618,y:352,w:65,h:19},
{t:"a schoolteacher , an",p:1,x:-544,y:352,w:132,h:19},
{t:"d a",p:1,x:-403,y:352,w:16,h:19},
{t:"n enginee",p:1,x:-378,y:352,w:62,h:19},
{t:"r al l workin",p:1,x:-311,y:352,w:76,h:19},
{t:"g ",p:1,x:-226,y:352,w:12,h:19},
{t:"togethe",p:1,x:-218,y:352,w:50,h:19},
{t:"r t",p:1,x:-162,y:352,w:12,h:19},
{t:"o ",p:1,x:-141,y:352,w:12,h:19},
{t:"support ",p:1,x:-651,y:372,w:54,h:19},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-624,y:372,w:25,h:19},
{t:"development ",p:1,x:-533,y:372,w:90,h:19},
{t:"of a ",p:1,x:-515,y:372,w:26,h:19},
{t:"local ",p:1,x:-465,y:372,w:35,h:19},
{t:"church ",p:1,x:-414,y:372,w:49,h:19},
{t:"amongst ",p:1,x:-351,y:372,w:61,h:19},
{t:"an ",p:1,x:-329,y:372,w:20,h:19},
{t:"unreached ",p:1,x:-252,y:372,w:75,h:19},
{t:"people group ",p:1,x:-202,y:372,w:86,h:19},
{t:"in ",p:1,x:-141,y:372,w:15,h:19},
{t:"another part of the world.",p:1,x:-538,y:392,w:166,h:19},
{t:"Most ",p:1,x:-667,y:428,w:36,h:19},
{t:"Christians ",p:1,x:-596,y:428,w:70,h:19},
{t:"will not ",p:1,x:-571,y:428,w:50,h:19},
{t:"leave home ",p:1,x:-506,y:428,w:83,h:19},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-435,y:428,w:29,h:19},
{t:"go ",p:1,x:-414,y:428,w:20,h:19},
{t:"someplace ",p:1,x:-337,y:428,w:76,h:19},
{t:"else ",p:1,x:-305,y:428,w:31,h:19},
{t:"to ",p:1,x:-289,y:428,w:16,h:19},
{t:"minister",p:1,x:-237,y:428,w:52,h:19},
{t:". ",p:1,x:-229,y:428,w:8,h:19},
{t:"If ",p:1,x:-216,y:428,w:12,h:19},
{t:"they ",p:1,x:-183,y:428,w:32,h:19},
{t:"are ",p:1,x:-158,y:428,w:25,h:19},
{t:"to ",p:1,x:-141,y:428,w:16,h:19},
{t:"participate ",p:1,x:-630,y:448,w:73,h:19},
{t:"in ",p:1,x:-614,y:448,w:15,h:19},
{t:"God's global ",p:1,x:-570,y:448,w:89,h:19},
{t:"mission, ",p:1,x:-464,y:448,w:59,h:19},
{t:"they must ",p:1,x:-431,y:448,w:74,h:19},
{t:"be ",p:1,x:-371,y:448,w:20,h:19},
{t:"af",p:1,x:-358,y:448,w:12,h:19},
{t:"firmed, ",p:1,x:-308,y:448,w:50,h:19},
{t:"developed ",p:1,x:-234,y:448,w:73,h:19},
{t:"and ",p:1,x:-203,y:448,w:29,h:19},
{t:"released ",p:1,x:-141,y:448,w:61,h:19},
{t:"right ",p:1,x:-670,y:468,w:33,h:19},
{t:"where ",p:1,x:-622,y:468,w:45,h:19},
{t:"they live, ",p:1,x:-587,y:468,w:64,h:19},
{t:"in ",p:1,x:-534,y:468,w:15,h:19},
{t:"the ",p:1,x:-506,y:468,w:25,h:19},
{t:"context ",p:1,x:-451,y:468,w:52,h:19},
{t:"of ",p:1,x:-431,y:468,w:16,h:19},
{t:"their local ",p:1,x:-395,y:468,w:73,h:19},
{t:"church. ",p:1,x:-300,y:468,w:53,h:19},
{t:"This ",p:1,x:-265,y:468,w:32,h:19},
{t:"book ",p:1,x:-225,y:468,w:36,h:19},
{t:"shows ",p:1,x:-175,y:468,w:46,h:19},
{t:"how ",p:1,x:-141,y:468,w:31,h:19},
{t:"churche",p:1,x:-700,y:488,w:54,h:19},
{t:"s ca",p:1,x:-637,y:488,w:25,h:19},
{t:"n becom",p:1,x:-604,y:488,w:55,h:19},
{t:"e center",p:1,x:-540,y:488,w:51,h:19},
{t:"s o",p:1,x:-480,y:488,w:17,h:19},
{t:"f missio",p:1,x:-459,y:488,w:52,h:19},
{t:"n visio",p:1,x:-397,y:488,w:39,h:19},
{t:"n an",p:1,x:-349,y:488,w:26,h:19},
{t:"d ",p:1,x:-314,y:488,w:12,h:19},
{t:"implementatio",p:1,x:-305,y:488,w:95,h:19},
{t:"n an",p:1,x:-201,y:488,w:26,h:19},
{t:"d s",p:1,x:-166,y:488,w:16,h:19},
{t:"o ",p:1,x:-141,y:488,w:12,h:19},
{t:"accomplish God's design for the local church.",p:1,x:-402,y:508,w:301,h:19},
{t:"www.authenticbooks.com",p:1,x:-686,y:977,w:118,h:13},
{t:"C",p:1,x:-1064,y:418,w:3,h:6},
{t:"M",p:1,x:-1064,y:443,w:3,h:6},
{t:"Y",p:1,x:-1064,y:468,w:3,h:6},
{t:"CM",p:1,x:-1062,y:493,w:7,h:6},
{t:"MY",p:1,x:-1062,y:518,w:7,h:6},
{t:"CY",p:1,x:-1062,y:543,w:7,h:6},
{t:"CMY",p:1,x:-1061,y:568,w:10,h:6},
{t:"K",p:1,x:-1064,y:593,w:3,h:6},
{t:"LTCBTN_05.pdf   6/1/05   11:37:05 AM",p:1,x:-756,y:-194,w:216,h:10},
{t:"GEORGE MILEY",p:2,x:139,y:826,w:378,h:36},
{t:"Loving the Church . . .  ",p:3,x:138,y:343,w:403,h:36},
{t:"Blessing the Nations",p:3,x:157,y:391,w:344,h:36},
{t:"Pursuing the Role of Local Churches ",p:3,x:172,y:461,w:319,h:18},
{t:"in Global Mission",p:3,x:254,y:485,w:151,h:18},
{t:"George Miley",p:3,x:274,y:557,w:111,h:18},
{t:"Authentic Publishing",p:4,x:90,y:354,w:127,h:13},
{t:"A division of Biblica",p:4,x:90,y:372,w:125,h:13},
{t:"We welcome your questions and comments.",p:4,x:90,y:390,w:263,h:13},
{t:"USA ",p:4,x:90,y:426,w:32,h:13},
{t:"1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921  www.",p:4,x:150,y:426,w:359,h:13},
{t:"authenticbooks.com",p:4,x:150,y:444,w:120,h:13},
{t:"UK ",p:4,x:90,y:462,w:25,h:13},
{t:"9 Holdom Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK1 1QR   ",p:4,x:150,y:462,w:397,h:13},
{t:"www.authenticmedia.co.uk",p:4,x:149,y:480,w:163,h:13},
{t:"India ",p:4,x:89,y:498,w:34,h:13},
{t:"Logos Bhavan, Medchal Road, Jeedimetla Village, Secunderabad 500 ",p:4,x:150,y:498,w:422,h:13},
{t:"055, A.P.",p:4,x:150,y:516,w:54,h:13},
{t:"Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations",p:4,x:90,y:588,w:263,h:13},
{t:"ISBN-10: 1-884543-75-8",p:4,x:90,y:606,w:152,h:13},
{t:"ISBN-13: 978-1-884543-75-3",p:4,x:90,y:624,w:179,h:13},
{t:"Copyright © 2003 by George Miley",p:4,x:90,y:660,w:215,h:13},
{t:"Published in 2003 by Authentic",p:4,x:90,y:696,w:189,h:13},
{t:"All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form ",p:4,x:90,y:714,w:436,h:13},
{t:"without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief ",p:4,x:90,y:732,w:457,h:13},
{t:"quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. ",p:4,x:90,y:750,w:307,h:13},
{t:"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® ",p:4,x:90,y:785,w:480,h:14},
{t:"NIV® © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of ",p:4,x:89,y:803,w:479,h:14},
{t:"Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.",p:4,x:90,y:822,w:254,h:13},
{t:"A catalog record for this book is available through the Library of Congress.",p:4,x:90,y:858,w:452,h:13},
{t:"Cover design: Paul Lewis",p:4,x:90,y:894,w:154,h:13},
{t:"Interior design: Angela Duerksen",p:4,x:90,y:912,w:199,h:13},
{t:"I am delighted with this courageous and balanced book, ",p:5,x:90,y:300,w:451,h:18},
{t:"which helps us toward a more biblical concept of local ",p:5,x:90,y:324,w:442,h:18},
{t:"churches and missions for the twenty-frst century.",p:5,x:90,y:341,w:403,h:26},
{t:"Patrick Johnstone",p:5,x:330,y:372,w:155,h:18},
{t:"WEC International ",p:5,x:330,y:391,w:130,h:15},
{t:"Author of Operation World ",p:5,x:330,y:407,w:186,h:15},
{t:"Here is a biblical, cutting-edge book from a person with ",p:5,x:90,y:453,w:452,h:18},
{t:"decades of global experience. It is flled with nuggets of ",p:5,x:90,y:471,w:452,h:26},
{t:"wisdom. I believe it will greatly bless you and your church.",p:5,x:90,y:501,w:475,h:17},
{t:"George Verwer",p:5,x:330,y:525,w:129,h:18},
{t:"Founder and International ",p:5,x:330,y:544,w:177,h:15},
{t:"Coordinator",p:5,x:330,y:561,w:80,h:15},
{t:"Operation Mobilization",p:5,x:330,y:577,w:156,h:15},
{t:"George Miley is a man with a large irenic spirit and an ",p:5,x:90,y:623,w:441,h:18},
{t:"equally large and unfinching commitment to the local ",p:5,x:90,y:641,w:438,h:26},
{t:"church and its place in world evangelization. A relevant ",p:5,x:90,y:671,w:449,h:18},
{t:"topic I found throughout was apostolic ministry. The book ",p:5,x:90,y:695,w:470,h:18},
{t:"places this gift as central to the missional quest. This book ",p:5,x:90,y:719,w:471,h:18},
{t:"is challenging and instructive.",p:5,x:90,y:743,w:239,h:18},
{t:"Paul McKaughan",p:5,x:330,y:767,w:150,h:18},
{t:"President and CEO",p:5,x:330,y:786,w:127,h:15},
{t:"Evangelical Fellowship of Mission ",p:5,x:330,y:803,w:237,h:15},
{t:"Agencies",p:5,x:330,y:819,w:62,h:15},
{t:"Words of Praise for",p:5,x:222,y:116,w:214,h:21},
{t:"Loving the Church...",p:5,x:217,y:145,w:225,h:21},
{t:"Blessing the Nations",p:5,x:214,y:173,w:230,h:21},
{t:"George, I got home from church this afternoon and started ",p:6,x:90,y:91,w:471,h:18},
{t:"reading Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations. I ",p:6,x:90,y:115,w:435,h:18},
{t:"could not put it down! This book is God ordained and God ",p:6,x:90,y:139,w:474,h:18},
{t:"anointed. I have never heard your heart as clearly as it ",p:6,x:90,y:163,w:437,h:18},
{t:"comes out in these pages.",p:6,x:90,y:187,w:203,h:18},
{t:"Carl Jenks",p:6,x:330,y:203,w:92,h:18},
{t:"Senior Pastor",p:6,x:330,y:222,w:89,h:15},
{t:"New Hope Community Church",p:6,x:330,y:239,w:208,h:15},
{t:"Rochester, N.Y .",p:6,x:330,y:256,w:104,h:15},
{t:"In Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations, George ",p:6,x:90,y:301,w:443,h:18},
{t:"Miley presents the anointed vision of Antioch Network. I ",p:6,x:90,y:325,w:462,h:18},
{t:"urge you to carefully read this book and then keep it as a ",p:6,x:90,y:349,w:457,h:18},
{t:"resource to which you regularly refer. ",p:6,x:90,y:373,w:305,h:18},
{t:"Gregory E. Fritz",p:6,x:330,y:397,w:142,h:18},
{t:"President ",p:6,x:330,y:416,w:66,h:15},
{t:"Caleb Project",p:6,x:330,y:433,w:90,h:15},
{t:"George Miley loves and honors the local church. He sees ",p:6,x:90,y:479,w:461,h:18},
{t:"the awesome power of Christ’s love at work in the church, ",p:6,x:90,y:503,w:472,h:17},
{t:"mobilizing teams of disciples to give birth to church plant-",p:6,x:90,y:527,w:469,h:18},
{t:"ing movements that transcend cultural boundaries. This ",p:6,x:90,y:551,w:448,h:18},
{t:"book chronicles George’s journey of discovery and pro-",p:6,x:90,y:575,w:446,h:18},
{t:"vides patterns of great value to church leaders.",p:6,x:90,y:599,w:372,h:18},
{t:"Dan Davis",p:6,x:330,y:623,w:88,h:18},
{t:"Pastors in Covenant",p:6,x:330,y:642,w:133,h:15},
{t:"Austin, Tex.",p:6,x:330,y:658,w:81,h:15},
{t:"As a lay elder, I have come to know frsthand the loving ",p:6,x:90,y:698,w:453,h:26},
{t:"shepherd’s heart of George Miley. God has given George ",p:6,x:90,y:728,w:461,h:18},
{t:"a clear vision of the church and great commission for the ",p:6,x:90,y:752,w:460,h:18},
{t:"twenty-frst century. This book should be studied by all ",p:6,x:90,y:770,w:446,h:26},
{t:"who love the church and are committed to her mission and ",p:6,x:90,y:800,w:473,h:18},
{t:"place in the world. ",p:6,x:90,y:824,w:153,h:18},
{t:"Mark A. Talamini, M.D. ",p:6,x:330,y:848,w:211,h:18},
{t:"Professor of Surgery ",p:6,x:330,y:867,w:141,h:15},
{t:"Johns Hopkins University ",p:6,x:330,y:884,w:177,h:15},
{t:"School of Medicine",p:6,x:330,y:900,w:131,h:15},
{t:"I fnd Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations rich in ",p:7,x:90,y:83,w:458,h:26},
{t:"theology and missiology. It provides me with a wide per-",p:7,x:90,y:114,w:456,h:18},
{t:"spective on missions and the kind of people God uses for ",p:7,x:90,y:138,w:461,h:18},
{t:"his kingdom. I would like to use it as a mission handbook ",p:7,x:90,y:162,w:466,h:18},
{t:"for crew and staff of the Logos II. ",p:7,x:90,y:186,w:274,h:18},
{t:"Lawrence Tong",p:7,x:330,y:210,w:131,h:18},
{t:"Director, Logos II",p:7,x:330,y:229,w:119,h:15},
{t:"Operation Mobilization Ship Min-",p:7,x:330,y:245,w:229,h:15},
{t:"istry",p:7,x:330,y:262,w:29,h:15},
{t:"I have known George for many years, and this book re-",p:7,x:90,y:304,w:442,h:18},
{t:"fects his life passion. It is a blessing for the church, for ",p:7,x:90,y:321,w:447,h:26},
{t:"the missionaries, and for the nations! It shows step-by-step ",p:7,x:90,y:352,w:475,h:18},
{t:"how the church can regain its privilege of full ownership in ",p:7,x:90,y:376,w:479,h:18},
{t:"world mission.",p:7,x:90,y:400,w:118,h:18},
{t:"Fritz Schuler",p:7,x:330,y:424,w:112,h:18},
{t:"Director, Operation Mobilization ",p:7,x:330,y:443,w:224,h:15},
{t:"Germany",p:7,x:330,y:459,w:62,h:15},
{t:"Chairman, German Association of ",p:7,x:330,y:476,w:231,h:15},
{t:"Evangelical Mission Societies",p:7,x:330,y:493,w:200,h:15},
{t:"George Miley has uniquely, clearly, and powerfully remind-",p:7,x:90,y:538,w:479,h:18},
{t:"ed us of the rightful role of the local church in the comple-",p:7,x:90,y:562,w:468,h:18},
{t:"tion of world evangelism. Our own church planting initia-",p:7,x:90,y:586,w:463,h:18},
{t:"tives in Central Asia have been greatly enhanced by the ",p:7,x:90,y:610,w:448,h:18},
{t:"perspectives and insights contained in Loving the Church . . ",p:7,x:90,y:634,w:482,h:18},
{t:". Blessing the Nations. ",p:7,x:90,y:658,w:184,h:18},
{t:"Rev. Gregg Parris",p:7,x:330,y:682,w:153,h:18},
{t:"Senior Pastor, Union Chapel ",p:7,x:330,y:701,w:194,h:15},
{t:"United Methodist Church",p:7,x:330,y:718,w:170,h:15},
{t:"Muncie, Ind.",p:7,x:330,y:735,w:85,h:15},
{t:"George Miley and Antioch Network are hitting a bull’s ",p:7,x:90,y:780,w:443,h:18},
{t:"eye with their missions approach. George draws on years ",p:7,x:90,y:804,w:461,h:18},
{t:"of missions experience to design a simple and easy-to-im-",p:7,x:90,y:828,w:464,h:18},
{t:"plement methodology to bridge the gap between the local ",p:7,x:90,y:852,w:464,h:18},
{t:"church and the missions movement. This is the most practi-",p:7,x:90,y:876,w:476,h:18},
{t:"cal and biblical model I have seen.",p:7,x:90,y:900,w:277,h:18},
{t:"David Yates",p:7,x:330,y:924,w:100,h:18},
{t:"Former Ironman CEO",p:7,x:330,y:943,w:147,h:15},
{t:"Missions Consultant",p:7,x:330,y:960,w:136,h:15},
{t:"This is the best, most practical mission book I have ever ",p:8,x:90,y:90,w:454,h:18},
{t:"read! George has lovingly wedded and welded the local ",p:8,x:90,y:114,w:450,h:18},
{t:"church with unreached people groups. This is a super-",p:8,x:90,y:138,w:431,h:18},
{t:"strategic book in the Adopt-A-People Movement and will ",p:8,x:90,y:162,w:465,h:18},
{t:"measurably hasten the Great Commission into becoming ",p:8,x:90,y:186,w:458,h:18},
{t:"the Great Completion!",p:8,x:90,y:210,w:179,h:18},
{t:"Dick Bashta",p:8,x:330,y:234,w:103,h:18},
{t:"Director",p:8,x:330,y:253,w:55,h:15},
{t:"Adopt-A-People Clearinghouse",p:8,x:330,y:269,w:210,h:15},
{t:"George Miley is superbly suited to write about the church ",p:8,x:90,y:315,w:466,h:18},
{t:"and reaching the world with the gospel. His mature passion ",p:8,x:90,y:339,w:479,h:18},
{t:"and rich experience are made available to all in a highly ",p:8,x:90,y:363,w:452,h:18},
{t:"readable format that will inspire the reader. This is a vision-",p:8,x:90,y:387,w:477,h:18},
{t:"ary book that will play an important role in reaching the ",p:8,x:90,y:411,w:452,h:18},
{t:"nations.",p:8,x:90,y:435,w:62,h:18},
{t:"Randal L. Bremer",p:8,x:330,y:459,w:155,h:18},
{t:"Senior Pastor ",p:8,x:330,y:478,w:93,h:15},
{t:"St. Giles Presbyterian Church",p:8,x:330,y:495,w:198,h:15},
{t:"Richmond, Va.",p:8,x:330,y:511,w:99,h:15},
{t:"Every pastor wrestles with the question of the church’s ",p:8,x:90,y:557,w:443,h:18},
{t:"apostolic calling. We know we have a destiny greater than ",p:8,x:90,y:581,w:469,h:18},
{t:"our local congregation, but how do we fulfll it? This book ",p:8,x:90,y:599,w:472,h:26},
{t:"addresses that question, and then some. It answers the big ",p:8,x:90,y:629,w:466,h:18},
{t:"questions and inspires vision. I wish I could have read this ",p:8,x:90,y:653,w:472,h:18},
{t:"book thirty-fve years ago—it would have saved me a lot of ",p:8,x:90,y:671,w:481,h:26},
{t:"heartache.",p:8,x:90,y:701,w:81,h:18},
{t:"Floyd McCLung",p:8,x:330,y:725,w:141,h:18},
{t:"Senior Pastor, Metro Christian ",p:8,x:330,y:744,w:207,h:15},
{t:"Fellowship",p:8,x:330,y:761,w:74,h:15},
{t:"Kansas City, Mo. ",p:8,x:330,y:777,w:119,h:15},
{t:"Director, All Nations Leadership ",p:8,x:330,y:794,w:221,h:15},
{t:"Alliance",p:8,x:330,y:811,w:56,h:15},
{t:"Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations is a fresh per-",p:8,x:90,y:856,w:462,h:18},
{t:"spective for the twenty-frst century church. George has a ",p:8,x:90,y:874,w:463,h:26},
{t:"deep understanding of God’s heart. He has a unique gift of ",p:8,x:90,y:904,w:473,h:18},
{t:"balancing deep theological truth with practical suggestions. ",p:8,x:90,y:928,w:479,h:18},
{t:"As our church has partnered with George over the years, ",p:9,x:90,y:90,w:456,h:18},
{t:"the vision articulated here has given direction and focus.",p:9,x:90,y:114,w:451,h:18},
{t:"Ben Abell",p:9,x:330,y:138,w:82,h:18},
{t:"Leader, Senior Leadership Team",p:9,x:330,y:157,w:216,h:15},
{t:"Grace Fellowship Church",p:9,x:330,y:173,w:171,h:15},
{t:"Baltimore, Md.",p:9,x:330,y:190,w:102,h:15},
{t:"George, you have winsomely invited us into your own ",p:9,x:90,y:236,w:439,h:18},
{t:"journey, your love for Christ, and his commission. This is a ",p:9,x:90,y:260,w:479,h:18},
{t:"book I can give to my leaders. The history of mission, the ",p:9,x:90,y:284,w:466,h:18},
{t:"centrality of corporate prayer, and the faithfulness of Jesus ",p:9,x:90,y:308,w:473,h:18},
{t:"to work through his Church with all her shortcomings were ",p:9,x:90,y:332,w:478,h:18},
{t:"enlightening and faith giving.",p:9,x:90,y:356,w:236,h:18},
{t:"Sandy Mason",p:9,x:330,y:380,w:116,h:18},
{t:"Senior Pastor",p:9,x:330,y:399,w:89,h:15},
{t:"Desert View Bible Church",p:9,x:330,y:415,w:175,h:15},
{t:"Scottsdale, Ariz.",p:9,x:330,y:432,w:109,h:15},
{t:"This is, beyond any doubt, the best material I’ve read on ",p:9,x:90,y:478,w:456,h:18},
{t:"the subject of missions and the local church. George’s lov-",p:9,x:90,y:502,w:468,h:17},
{t:"ing approach to and treatment of the subject is so refreshing ",p:9,x:90,y:526,w:483,h:18},
{t:"and encouraging. It is extremely relevant now to a large and ",p:9,x:90,y:550,w:483,h:18},
{t:"growing number of churches both in the United States and ",p:9,x:90,y:574,w:472,h:18},
{t:"Latin America.",p:9,x:90,y:598,w:119,h:18},
{t:"Ramon Bedwell",p:9,x:330,y:622,w:135,h:18},
{t:"Castillo del Rey",p:9,x:330,y:641,w:107,h:15},
{t:"Monterrey, Mexico",p:9,x:330,y:657,w:128,h:15},
{t:"In a powerful and refreshing way, George Miley has cap-",p:9,x:90,y:703,w:457,h:18},
{t:"tured the pulse of the Holy Sprit, releasing rich giftedness ",p:9,x:90,y:727,w:467,h:18},
{t:"stored up in local churches all over the world. That release ",p:9,x:90,y:751,w:472,h:18},
{t:"is the answer to the prayer Jesus instructed us to pray when ",p:9,x:90,y:775,w:478,h:18},
{t:"he said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ",p:9,x:90,y:799,w:462,h:18},
{t:"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers ",p:9,x:90,y:823,w:473,h:18},
{t:"into his harvest feld.” Loving the Church . . . Blessing the ",p:9,x:90,y:841,w:468,h:26},
{t:"Nations is a book to savor and to pass on to friends who ",p:9,x:90,y:871,w:452,h:18},
{t:"want to move with God.",p:9,x:90,y:895,w:193,h:18},
{t:"Dave Hicks ",p:9,x:330,y:919,w:102,h:18},
{t:"President/CEO ",p:9,x:330,y:938,w:104,h:15},
{t:"Bethany Fellowship International ",p:9,x:330,y:955,w:227,h:15},
{t:"Hanna",p:10,x:301,y:419,w:57,h:18},
{t:"You were born Jewish in Hitler’s Germany, escaped the ",p:10,x:89,y:467,w:485,h:18},
{t:"Holocaust as a seven year old, grew up in England where ",p:10,x:89,y:491,w:485,h:18},
{t:"you found your Messiah, met me in Belgium, married me in ",p:10,x:89,y:515,w:485,h:18},
{t:"India, served Christ with me all over the world, and continue ",p:10,x:89,y:539,w:485,h:18},
{t:"to be the joy and inspiration of my life. This book tells our ",p:10,x:89,y:563,w:484,h:18},
{t:"journey together.",p:10,x:89,y:587,w:135,h:18},
{t:"Thank you for saying yes!",p:10,x:89,y:635,w:209,h:18},
{t:"Contents",p:11,x:261,y:90,w:137,h:29},
{t:"Forward ..............................................................................15",p:11,x:90,y:172,w:480,h:18},
{t:"Introduction ........................................................................17",p:11,x:90,y:206,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 1.  Our Passions.................................................................21",p:11,x:90,y:239,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 2.  Every Nation  ...............................................................29",p:11,x:90,y:272,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 3.  Unreached Peoples  ......................................................35",p:11,x:90,y:306,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 4.  Every Believer  ............................................................43",p:11,x:90,y:339,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 5.  Christian Community  ..................................................57",p:11,x:90,y:372,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 6.  The Local Church ........................................................67",p:11,x:90,y:406,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 7.  Serving in Teams ..........................................................75",p:11,x:90,y:439,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 8.  The Church at Antioch .................................................81",p:11,x:90,y:472,w:480,h:18},
{t:" 9.  Identifying Apostolic Leaders ......................................95",p:11,x:90,y:506,w:480,h:17},
{t:"10. The Character of Apostolic Leaders...........................113",p:11,x:90,y:539,w:480,h:18},
{t:"11. Developing Apostolic Leaders ...................................125",p:11,x:90,y:572,w:480,h:18},
{t:"12. Releasing Apostolic Leaders  .....................................135",p:11,x:90,y:606,w:480,h:18},
{t:"13. Apostolic Organizational Structures  .........................141",p:11,x:90,y:639,w:480,h:18},
{t:"14. A Call to Faith ............................................................155",p:11,x:90,y:672,w:480,h:18},
{t:"15. A Call to Corporate Prayer .........................................163",p:11,x:90,y:706,w:480,h:18},
{t:"16. The Moravians ...........................................................175",p:11,x:90,y:739,w:480,h:18},
{t:"17. Ownership ..................................................................183",p:11,x:90,y:772,w:480,h:18},
{t:"18. Strategic Focus ...........................................................195",p:11,x:90,y:806,w:480,h:18},
{t:"19. The Stages ..................................................................205",p:11,x:90,y:839,w:480,h:18},
{t:"20. A Movement ...............................................................217",p:11,x:90,y:872,w:480,h:18},
{t:"15",p:12,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"While Christianity is dichotomized with the ",p:12,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"syndrome of “to be or not to be” regarding the church and ",p:12,x:90,y:399,w:484,h:25},
{t:"parachurch issue, this book by George Miley comes with ",p:12,x:90,y:429,w:485,h:17},
{t:"tremendous clarity. It balances the centrality of the local ",p:12,x:90,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church, “the called out people of God,” and the unquestionable ",p:12,x:90,y:468,w:484,h:25},
{t:"contribution of mission organizations.",p:12,x:90,y:498,w:291,h:17},
{t:"While there are many (some useful and some not so useful) ",p:12,x:119,y:521,w:454,h:17},
{t:"theories and assumptions being written about the local church ",p:12,x:90,y:544,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in mission, George writes very strongly from practices he saw ",p:12,x:90,y:567,w:484,h:17},
{t:"work. Most books go from theories to practice, from abstraction ",p:12,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to realities. Some theories work; others ultimately cause ",p:12,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"disillusionment to many. George speaks from practices he has ",p:12,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"followed in missions coming forth from the churches. There are ",p:12,x:90,y:659,w:484,h:17},
{t:"original insights in this book on the local church in missions, ",p:12,x:90,y:682,w:484,h:17},
{t:"particularly the need for leadership to be spotted, developed, and ",p:12,x:90,y:705,w:484,h:17},
{t:"released into the work. Only thus will the churches be effective ",p:12,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in fulflling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. ",p:12,x:90,y:744,w:461,h:25},
{t:"I have benefted from George’s personal input in my life. ",p:12,x:119,y:767,w:454,h:25},
{t:"He has been a signifcant infuence in getting me to where I am ",p:12,x:90,y:790,w:484,h:25},
{t:"today in spirit, mind, and character, trying to fulfll the Great ",p:12,x:90,y:813,w:484,h:25},
{t:"Commission of the Lord Jesus in my realm. I know in reality ",p:12,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that what he says works. George continues to follow what he ",p:12,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"believes—spotting people with character, training them, and ",p:12,x:90,y:882,w:484,h:25},
{t:"releasing them to be Christian leaders around the world on all ",p:12,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Foreword",p:12,x:257,y:262,w:144,h:29},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:13,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"16",p:13,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"continents in an ongoing process. I am grateful to God for such ",p:13,x:90,y:90,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leaders.",p:13,x:90,y:113,w:59,h:17},
{t:"And Hanna has been the pillar to keep him going where God ",p:13,x:119,y:136,w:454,h:17},
{t:"wanted him to go!",p:13,x:90,y:159,w:140,h:17},
{t:"May God be honored by the outcome of this book in bringing ",p:13,x:119,y:182,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and discipling the nations to Christ. I very strongly recommend ",p:13,x:90,y:205,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that people read and practice its insights.",p:13,x:90,y:229,w:312,h:17},
{t:"K. Rajendran, General Secretary",p:13,x:333,y:241,w:236,h:26},
{t:"India Missions Association  •  Chennai, India",p:13,x:268,y:265,w:301,h:21},
{t:"* ",p:13,x:210,y:311,w:14,h:17},
{t:"* ",p:13,x:269,y:311,w:14,h:17},
{t:"* ",p:13,x:329,y:311,w:14,h:17},
{t:"* ",p:13,x:389,y:311,w:14,h:17},
{t:"* ",p:13,x:449,y:311,w:14,h:17},
{t:"*",p:13,x:509,y:311,w:9,h:17},
{t:"Loving the Church . . . Blessing the Nations is a stimulating ",p:13,x:120,y:334,w:454,h:17},
{t:"book—liberating, compelling, challenging. This is a visionary ",p:13,x:90,y:351,w:484,h:25},
{t:"manifesto, clearly born out of passion, experience, and solitude! ",p:13,x:90,y:380,w:484,h:17},
{t:"From the frst page to the last, George Miley gives us a rare ",p:13,x:90,y:397,w:484,h:25},
{t:"picture of the high calling of the church and the inclusiveness ",p:13,x:90,y:426,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the Great Commission of Christ.",p:13,x:90,y:449,w:270,h:17},
{t:"As an elder involved in setting the spiritual tone of a ",p:13,x:119,y:472,w:455,h:17},
{t:"missions-minded church, I appreciate the holistic outlook that ",p:13,x:90,y:495,w:484,h:17},
{t:"sheds fresh insight on the focus and ownership of a congregation ",p:13,x:90,y:518,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in regards to missions, something so often longed for but too ",p:13,x:90,y:541,w:484,h:17},
{t:"often out of reach.",p:13,x:90,y:564,w:140,h:17},
{t:"As a mission leader, responsible for charting the course ",p:13,x:119,y:587,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of an international, mobile Christian ministry community, I ",p:13,x:90,y:610,w:484,h:17},
{t:"appreciate the call and plea for recognizing the importance of ",p:13,x:90,y:633,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the involvement in “blessing the nations” by the local church at ",p:13,x:90,y:650,w:484,h:25},
{t:"both the leadership and the grassroots level. ",p:13,x:90,y:679,w:340,h:17},
{t:"As a previous co-worker learning from and working with ",p:13,x:119,y:702,w:454,h:17},
{t:"George Miley many years ago, I am excited about the heartbeat of ",p:13,x:90,y:725,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this book. It is concerned with Christ being glorifed, the church ",p:13,x:90,y:742,w:484,h:25},
{t:"discovering and fulflling her calling, and the individual believer ",p:13,x:90,y:765,w:484,h:25},
{t:"growing in character and gifting for the sake of fulflling God’s ",p:13,x:90,y:788,w:484,h:25},
{t:"task.",p:13,x:90,y:817,w:35,h:17},
{t:"This is a book for all who care about the church and her ",p:13,x:119,y:840,w:454,h:17},
{t:"calling, a book for all those who care about “making disciples ",p:13,x:90,y:863,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of every nation,” a book for you! ",p:13,x:90,y:881,w:257,h:25},
{t:"    ",p:13,x:120,y:904,w:20,h:26},
{t:"Bernd Gülker, Managing Director",p:13,x:333,y:911,w:236,h:18},
{t:"Operation Mobilization Ship Ministry •  Mosbach, Germany",p:13,x:166,y:928,w:403,h:21},
{t:"17",p:14,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Books are best written in solitude. The word that ",p:14,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"brings enduring value to the human world comes from God, ",p:14,x:89,y:406,w:484,h:18},
{t:"and God speaks in the clarifying and healing silences. In the ",p:14,x:89,y:430,w:485,h:18},
{t:"place of busyness and noise, his voice is forced to compete ",p:14,x:89,y:454,w:485,h:18},
{t:"and is too often unheard. So he waits.",p:14,x:89,y:478,w:300,h:18},
{t:"My season of life solitude began in 1984 when I was ",p:14,x:120,y:502,w:455,h:17},
{t:"forty-four years old. I did not choose it—I was not that wise. ",p:14,x:90,y:519,w:484,h:26},
{t:"God chose it for me. He alone knew how much I needed it. ",p:14,x:90,y:550,w:484,h:18},
{t:"The choice he left to me was whether I would enter it with ",p:14,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:18},
{t:"grace and faith or anger and bitterness. I chose the latter. He ",p:14,x:90,y:598,w:484,h:18},
{t:"respected my errant decision and stood aside as I reaped the ",p:14,x:90,y:622,w:484,h:18},
{t:"bitter fruit it brought. Then, as I allowed him, he patiently and ",p:14,x:90,y:646,w:485,h:18},
{t:"gently loved me through to healing and restoration.",p:14,x:90,y:670,w:409,h:18},
{t:"In one sense, I have emerged from that season of retreat. ",p:14,x:120,y:694,w:455,h:18},
{t:"In another sense, I can never emerge. Solitude has become ",p:14,x:90,y:718,w:485,h:18},
{t:"my lifeline. I know Jesus waits for me there.",p:14,x:90,y:742,w:355,h:18},
{t:"Books are best written in community. My community for ",p:14,x:120,y:766,w:455,h:18},
{t:"Loving the Church...Blessing the Nations feels especially ",p:14,x:89,y:790,w:484,h:18},
{t:"broad. It begins with my college and seminary professors and ",p:14,x:89,y:814,w:484,h:18},
{t:"fellow students. I write on the foundation they laid. It moves ",p:14,x:89,y:838,w:485,h:18},
{t:"to my co-workers with Operation Mobilization worldwide but ",p:14,x:89,y:862,w:484,h:18},
{t:"especially in India on the ships Logos and Doulos and those ",p:14,x:89,y:886,w:485,h:18},
{t:"of us who pioneered together the OM Ships headquarters ",p:14,x:90,y:910,w:484,h:18},
{t:"Introduction",p:14,x:237,y:262,w:184,h:29},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:15,x:88,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"18",p:15,x:88,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"in Mosbach, Germany. It extends further to the pastors and ",p:15,x:90,y:90,w:485,h:18},
{t:"missionaries I met and served with on fve continents and a ",p:15,x:90,y:107,w:485,h:26},
{t:"hundred countries. They taught me volumes.",p:15,x:90,y:138,w:356,h:18},
{t:"The senior pastors and church leaders who have formed ",p:15,x:120,y:162,w:454,h:18},
{t:"Antioch Network obviously hold a very special place in my ",p:15,x:90,y:186,w:485,h:18},
{t:"experience. And without the staff team with whom I serve ",p:15,x:90,y:210,w:484,h:18},
{t:"Christ’s Church today, this book would have never found its ",p:15,x:90,y:234,w:484,h:18},
{t:"voice. Lincoln Murdoch, you have assumed leadership of ",p:15,x:90,y:258,w:485,h:18},
{t:"the team and ministry in a way that has freed me with full ",p:15,x:90,y:282,w:484,h:18},
{t:"confdence to concentrate on writing. I owe you a huge debt ",p:15,x:90,y:299,w:484,h:26},
{t:"as a friend and co-worker. Thank you for allowing Jesus to ",p:15,x:90,y:330,w:485,h:18},
{t:"continue forming you into a godly man. And Todd Gee, you ",p:15,x:90,y:354,w:484,h:18},
{t:"are a servant of God with keen spiritual insight, a rich and ",p:15,x:90,y:378,w:484,h:18},
{t:"productive mind, and a passion for Jesus that is contagious. ",p:15,x:90,y:402,w:485,h:18},
{t:"Thank you for all the ways you served him and me in fnalizing ",p:15,x:90,y:419,w:484,h:26},
{t:"this project.",p:15,x:90,y:450,w:94,h:18},
{t:"Books are best written out of life experience. Whether ",p:15,x:120,y:474,w:455,h:18},
{t:"every book is foundationally autobiographical, I do not ",p:15,x:90,y:498,w:485,h:18},
{t:"know. This one is. The reader will walk with me through ",p:15,x:90,y:522,w:484,h:18},
{t:"decades of my inner journey and development before God. ",p:15,x:90,y:546,w:485,h:18},
{t:"And the process is ongoing. There have been mountaintops of ",p:15,x:90,y:570,w:485,h:18},
{t:"exhilaration and valleys of despair. Out of them I have been, ",p:15,x:90,y:594,w:484,h:18},
{t:"and am being, forged.",p:15,x:90,y:618,w:174,h:18},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:16,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"20",p:16,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him ",p:16,x:116,y:332,w:400,h:18},
{t:"who sent me and to fnish his work.” (John 4:34)",p:16,x:116,y:349,w:412,h:26},
{t:"The Church,1  as God designed her to be, is stun-",p:16,x:146,y:450,w:356,h:17},
{t:"ningly beautiful. She is the visible body in whom Christ ",p:16,x:116,y:473,w:409,h:16},
{t:"resides, the fullest manifestation of him on earth until he ",p:16,x:116,y:495,w:418,h:16},
{t:"returns in glory (Eph. 1:22–23). She is a bride-to-be, an ",p:16,x:116,y:517,w:416,h:16},
{t:"exquisitely delightful young woman being prepared by ",p:16,x:116,y:539,w:402,h:16},
{t:"the Father for marriage to his Son (Eph. 5:31–32, Rev. ",p:16,x:116,y:561,w:407,h:16},
{t:"21:1–2). Churches are magnifcent. There must be more ",p:16,x:116,y:577,w:413,h:24},
{t:"of them everywhere!",p:16,x:116,y:605,w:148,h:16},
{t:"This book is the pursuit of a fuller understanding of ",p:16,x:146,y:649,w:383,h:16},
{t:"God’s design for that to happen.",p:16,x:116,y:671,w:235,h:16},
{t:"21",p:17,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 1",p:17,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Our Passions",p:17,x:227,y:148,w:204,h:29},
{t:"On March 16, 1987, leaders from seven churches ",p:17,x:150,y:360,w:424,h:17},
{t:"gathered to spend a day together. Our purpose was to explore ",p:17,x:89,y:382,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a vision that was living within us—that our churches would ",p:17,x:89,y:399,w:484,h:24},
{t:"focus on how we might start new churches within a strategically ",p:17,x:89,y:428,w:484,h:17},
{t:"selected unreached people group. Throughout the day we shared ",p:17,x:89,y:451,w:484,h:17},
{t:"our individual journeys, prayed for each other, and learned from ",p:17,x:89,y:474,w:484,h:17},
{t:"one another. ",p:17,x:89,y:496,w:97,h:17},
{t:"We represented a variety of Christian traditions. Some came ",p:17,x:120,y:519,w:454,h:17},
{t:"from denominational churches and others from independent ",p:17,x:90,y:542,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ones. Some were rooted in one theological stream and others in ",p:17,x:90,y:565,w:484,h:17},
{t:"another. But those were not the issues that day. We discovered ",p:17,x:90,y:588,w:484,h:17},
{t:"compelling common ground in worship, prayer, God’s heart ",p:17,x:90,y:610,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for all nations, and a whole set of core convictions. What had ",p:17,x:90,y:633,w:484,h:17},
{t:"brought us together was far more powerful than anything that ",p:17,x:90,y:656,w:484,h:17},
{t:"might separate us. When the day was over, we knew we wanted ",p:17,x:90,y:679,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to meet again. We were unaware of it, but Antioch Network had ",p:17,x:90,y:702,w:484,h:17},
{t:"just been born.",p:17,x:90,y:724,w:112,h:17},
{t:"Antioch Network",p:17,x:260,y:770,w:139,h:17},
{t:"Antioch Network is an expanding fellowship of local churches ",p:17,x:120,y:816,w:454,h:17},
{t:"that are focusing strategically on extending God’s kingdom ",p:17,x:90,y:838,w:484,h:17},
{t:"among unreached peoples. We embrace the biblical imperatives ",p:17,x:90,y:861,w:484,h:17},
{t:"imperfectly articulated in this book, not as accomplishments we ",p:17,x:90,y:884,w:484,h:17},
{t:"claim, but as goals to which we aspire, depending only on God’s ",p:17,x:90,y:907,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:18,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"22",p:18,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"grace to sinners. This book is Antioch Network’s manifesto.",p:18,x:90,y:90,w:455,h:17},
{t:"Its scope, however, must reach far beyond Antioch Network. ",p:18,x:120,y:112,w:454,h:17},
{t:"The only reason for referring to Antioch Network is to establish ",p:18,x:90,y:135,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that the principles here articulated have not been set forth in an ",p:18,x:90,y:158,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ivory tower disconnected from real life. They are being embraced ",p:18,x:90,y:181,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and lived out, albeit imperfectly, by actual churches and their ",p:18,x:90,y:204,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leaders.",p:18,x:349,y:226,w:58,h:17},
{t:"This book is intended to ",p:18,x:390,y:249,w:184,h:17},
{t:"be a call to, and affrmation of, ",p:18,x:350,y:266,w:224,h:24},
{t:"churches everywhere. It is a ",p:18,x:350,y:295,w:224,h:17},
{t:"cry from the heart about Christ, ",p:18,x:350,y:318,w:224,h:17},
{t:"his actual presence among the ",p:18,x:350,y:340,w:224,h:17},
{t:"community of believers, and ",p:18,x:350,y:363,w:224,h:17},
{t:"his astonishingly grace-flled ",p:18,x:350,y:380,w:224,h:24},
{t:"intention to bless every nation ",p:18,x:350,y:409,w:224,h:17},
{t:"on earth. It is the blending of many voices, the distillation of ",p:18,x:90,y:432,w:484,h:17},
{t:"what untold numbers of churches have and are experiencing. ",p:18,x:90,y:454,w:484,h:17},
{t:"My frst mentor in church life and ministry was a church leader ",p:18,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:24},
{t:"in India—Bakht Singh. His infuence has deeply enriched these ",p:18,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:24},
{t:"pages. Remembering him prompts me to gratefully acknowledge ",p:18,x:90,y:523,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that other church leaders in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and ",p:18,x:90,y:546,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Europe have taught me volumes.",p:18,x:90,y:568,w:249,h:17},
{t:"And we are still learning. It feels like we are standing at the ",p:18,x:120,y:591,w:454,h:17},
{t:"entrance to a vast treasure chamber flled with dazzling riches ",p:18,x:90,y:608,w:484,h:24},
{t:"with which Christ is gracing his Church. “To him be glory in the ",p:18,x:90,y:637,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church” (Eph. 3:21). “Declare his glory among the nations” (Ps. ",p:18,x:90,y:654,w:484,h:24},
{t:"96:3).",p:18,x:90,y:682,w:44,h:17},
{t:"A Manifesto",p:18,x:280,y:728,w:98,h:17},
{t:"Manifesto: A public declaration of motives and intentions—",p:18,x:120,y:768,w:450,h:24},
{t:"Webster’s New World Dictionary.",p:18,x:90,y:796,w:252,h:17},
{t:"I write for church leaders who want to make a public ",p:18,x:120,y:819,w:454,h:17},
{t:"declaration of motives and intentions: to proclaim what we ",p:18,x:90,y:842,w:484,h:17},
{t:"understand God has called us to be and do, to speak out our ",p:18,x:90,y:865,w:484,h:17},
{t:"convictions, and to call more churches and their leaders to join ",p:18,x:90,y:888,w:484,h:17},
{t:"together in catalyzing and serving a movement, focused on the ",p:18,x:90,y:910,w:484,h:17},
{t:"This book is intended ",p:18,x:121,y:272,w:193,h:20},
{t:"to be a call to, and ",p:18,x:133,y:294,w:167,h:20},
{t:"affrmation of, ",p:18,x:153,y:316,w:129,h:20},
{t:"churches everywhere.",p:18,x:118,y:338,w:192,h:20},
{t:"OUR PASSIONS",p:19,x:484,y:59,w:85,h:10},
{t:"23",p:19,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Soon after the resurrec-",p:19,x:365,y:624,w:173,h:22},
{t:"tion, churches became ",p:19,x:371,y:646,w:165,h:22},
{t:"bases from which church ",p:19,x:361,y:668,w:185,h:22},
{t:"planting teams were ",p:19,x:377,y:690,w:154,h:22},
{t:"sent out among unevan-",p:19,x:361,y:712,w:179,h:22},
{t:"gelized cultures (the ",p:19,x:377,y:734,w:153,h:22},
{t:"Gentiles).",p:19,x:415,y:756,w:71,h:22},
{t:"fnal frontiers of world evangelization. These passions were ",p:19,x:90,y:84,w:484,h:24},
{t:"originally formalized in August 1996 and revised in January ",p:19,x:90,y:112,w:484,h:17},
{t:"2003.",p:19,x:90,y:135,w:42,h:17},
{t:"We Are Passionate . . .",p:19,x:240,y:181,w:179,h:17},
{t:"1. To see the Lamb worshipped among all peoples. The ",p:19,x:120,y:226,w:454,h:17},
{t:"eighteenth century Moravians, originally a Christian community ",p:19,x:89,y:249,w:484,h:17},
{t:"(church) of around six hundred adults in Central Europe, matured ",p:19,x:89,y:272,w:484,h:17},
{t:"into the most signifcant Protestant missionary movement of their ",p:19,x:89,y:289,w:484,h:24},
{t:"time. They were propelled forward by the conviction that “the ",p:19,x:89,y:318,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Lamb must receive the reward of his suffering.” Jesus is worthy ",p:19,x:89,y:334,w:484,h:24},
{t:"of nothing less than to be proclaimed, loved, worshipped, and ",p:19,x:89,y:363,w:484,h:17},
{t:"obeyed in every cultural context. It is the fnal destination of all ",p:19,x:89,y:380,w:484,h:24},
{t:"human history: “All nations will come and worship before you” ",p:19,x:89,y:403,w:484,h:24},
{t:"(Rev. 15:4).",p:19,x:89,y:432,w:90,h:17},
{t:"2. To see the local church be held in high regard. Scripture ",p:19,x:120,y:454,w:454,h:17},
{t:"describes the Church as “the fullness of him who flls everything ",p:19,x:89,y:471,w:484,h:24},
{t:"in every way” (Eph. 1:23) and says, “through the church the ",p:19,x:89,y:494,w:484,h:24},
{t:"manifold wisdom of God should be made known” (Eph. 3:10). ",p:19,x:89,y:517,w:484,h:24},
{t:"This is exalted language. Christ endows churches with an awesome ",p:19,x:89,y:546,w:484,h:17},
{t:"capacity waiting to be developed and released. Soon after the ",p:19,x:89,y:568,w:484,h:17},
{t:"resurrection, churches became ",p:19,x:89,y:591,w:234,h:17},
{t:"bases from which church ",p:19,x:89,y:614,w:234,h:17},
{t:"planting teams were sent out ",p:19,x:89,y:637,w:234,h:17},
{t:"among unevangelized cultures ",p:19,x:89,y:660,w:236,h:17},
{t:"(the Gentiles). Kingdom ",p:19,x:89,y:682,w:236,h:17},
{t:"blessings are delivered through ",p:19,x:89,y:705,w:236,h:17},
{t:"spiritually vibrant, culturally ",p:19,x:89,y:728,w:236,h:17},
{t:"relevant churches that are being ",p:19,x:89,y:751,w:236,h:17},
{t:"reproduced throughout society. ",p:19,x:89,y:774,w:236,h:17},
{t:"3. To see every believer be ",p:19,x:120,y:796,w:206,h:17},
{t:"esteemed as a gifted minister. ",p:19,x:89,y:819,w:236,h:17},
{t:"Christ through the Holy Spirit has generously distributed a ",p:19,x:89,y:842,w:484,h:17},
{t:"dazzling variety of spiritual gifts among God’s people (Eph. ",p:19,x:89,y:865,w:484,h:17},
{t:"4:7–8, 1 Cor. 12:7–11). And with good reason! Establishing God’s ",p:19,x:89,y:888,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom among every people on earth is a complex process. ",p:19,x:89,y:910,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:20,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"24",p:20,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"It calls forth the spiritual gifts, natural abilities, vocational ",p:20,x:90,y:90,w:484,h:17},
{t:"expertise, and life experiences of every believer. The task is too ",p:20,x:90,y:112,w:484,h:17},
{t:"multi-faceted to be viewed as the exclusive domain of a group ",p:20,x:90,y:135,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of religious professionals, though they are certainly included. ",p:20,x:90,y:158,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They are part of the body too! Every believer is invited to join ",p:20,x:90,y:181,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with the Father in fulflling his mission on earth and is graced ",p:20,x:90,y:198,w:484,h:24},
{t:"with the capacity to play a signifcant and deeply fulflling role. ",p:20,x:90,y:220,w:484,h:24},
{t:"4. To see mission rooted in community. Community is the ",p:20,x:120,y:249,w:454,h:17},
{t:"environment of extended family. It is committed relationships ",p:20,x:89,y:272,w:484,h:17},
{t:"developed over time in the midst of real life, providing nurture, ",p:20,x:89,y:295,w:484,h:17},
{t:"support, accountability, and staying power for the long haul. ",p:20,x:89,y:318,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Most believers will not leave home and move somewhere else to ",p:20,x:89,y:340,w:484,h:17},
{t:"participate in a mission. It is not the Father’s calling for them to ",p:20,x:89,y:363,w:484,h:17},
{t:"do so. If their unique contribution to God’s global purpose is to ",p:20,x:89,y:386,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be made, it will take place right where they are, in the context of ",p:20,x:89,y:409,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Christian community of which they are a part—their church. ",p:20,x:89,y:426,w:484,h:24},
{t:"Church is not a series of religious meetings. It is a way of life.",p:20,x:89,y:454,w:472,h:17},
{t:"5. To commit to the pastoral care of those we send. One ",p:20,x:120,y:477,w:454,h:17},
{t:"fundamental image God uses to identify himself in Scripture ",p:20,x:89,y:500,w:485,h:17},
{t:"is that of a father. His mission on earth can be described as ",p:20,x:89,y:523,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God forming a family for himself from among all peoples. ",p:20,x:89,y:546,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It is unthinkable that he would author approaches to world ",p:20,x:89,y:568,w:485,h:17},
{t:"evangelization that are cavalier about the physical, emotional, ",p:20,x:89,y:591,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and spiritual needs of those he sends. God’s purposes are most ",p:20,x:89,y:614,w:484,h:17},
{t:"effectively carried out by people who do so out of a fullness ",p:20,x:89,y:637,w:484,h:17},
{t:"rooted deeply in the resources of Christ and overfowing with ",p:20,x:89,y:654,w:484,h:24},
{t:"worship, thanksgiving, and joy. Mature churches are rich with ",p:20,x:89,y:682,w:484,h:17},
{t:"those competent to care pastorally.",p:20,x:89,y:705,w:263,h:17},
{t:"6. To view godly character as primary. We live in a ",p:20,x:120,y:728,w:454,h:17},
{t:"compulsive age that tries to hammer us into its image. Voices all ",p:20,x:89,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"around tell us that we should be busy and rushed. We are tempted ",p:20,x:89,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to elevate ability and take action based on it alone. God is slower. ",p:20,x:89,y:796,w:484,h:17},
{t:"His goal is Christ-likeness in the inner person. Accomplishments, ",p:20,x:89,y:819,w:484,h:17},
{t:"even those done in Jesus’ name, that do not come forth from ",p:20,x:89,y:842,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the wellspring of godly character will ultimately implode. Man ",p:20,x:89,y:865,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is looking for better methods. God is looking for purer people. ",p:20,x:89,y:888,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The greatest need in mission is not more activity (although more ",p:20,x:89,y:910,w:484,h:17},
{t:"OUR PASSIONS",p:21,x:484,y:59,w:85,h:10},
{t:"25",p:21,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"The greatest need in ",p:21,x:369,y:113,w:176,h:20},
{t:"mission is not more ",p:21,x:373,y:134,w:167,h:20},
{t:"activity, but more ",p:21,x:382,y:155,w:150,h:20},
{t:"men and women of ",p:21,x:374,y:176,w:165,h:20},
{t:"godly character.",p:21,x:387,y:197,w:135,h:20},
{t:"activity is certainly called for), ",p:21,x:90,y:90,w:244,h:17},
{t:"but more men and women of ",p:21,x:90,y:112,w:244,h:17},
{t:"godly character.",p:21,x:90,y:135,w:121,h:17},
{t:"7. To keep prayer central ",p:21,x:120,y:158,w:214,h:17},
{t:"in all we do. A twenty-four–",p:21,x:89,y:181,w:240,h:17},
{t:"hour prayer chain that endured ",p:21,x:89,y:204,w:244,h:17},
{t:"one hundred years fueled the ",p:21,x:89,y:226,w:244,h:17},
{t:"Moravian missionary advance. ",p:21,x:89,y:249,w:246,h:17},
{t:"Unreached nations are walled off ",p:21,x:89,y:272,w:246,h:17},
{t:"from the kingdom of God by powerful spiritual forces hostile ",p:21,x:89,y:295,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to Christ and his Church. Only the gracious working of God ",p:21,x:89,y:318,w:484,h:17},
{t:"can tear these walls down, and he has chosen to do this work in ",p:21,x:89,y:340,w:484,h:17},
{t:"response to the faithful, faith-flled prayers of his people. As we ",p:21,x:89,y:357,w:484,h:24},
{t:"mature beyond our illusions of what our means can accomplish ",p:21,x:89,y:386,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and grow in our passion to see the hand of God revealed, our joy ",p:21,x:89,y:409,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in and capacity for prayer will deepen appreciably.",p:21,x:89,y:432,w:384,h:17},
{t:"8. To see churches cultivate God-honoring relationships ",p:21,x:120,y:454,w:454,h:17},
{t:"beyond themselves. Each church carries awesome potential, but if ",p:21,x:89,y:477,w:484,h:17},
{t:"any church begins to think itself is suffcient and doesn’t need the ",p:21,x:89,y:494,w:484,h:24},
{t:"rest of the body, that potential is dampened. Jesus’ endowment of ",p:21,x:89,y:523,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gracious strengths does not erase areas of need. As relationships ",p:21,x:89,y:546,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of love and trust are cultivated among the wider body of Christ, ",p:21,x:89,y:568,w:484,h:17},
{t:"strengths can be extended and help received. Churches beneft ",p:21,x:89,y:585,w:484,h:24},
{t:"considerably through ongoing interaction with other churches, ",p:21,x:89,y:614,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mission organizations, and mature leaders who have been ",p:21,x:89,y:637,w:484,h:17},
{t:"entrusted by God with a wider ministry among his people.",p:21,x:89,y:660,w:442,h:17},
{t:"9. To see the body of Christ be united. Jesus is doing new ",p:21,x:120,y:682,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and beautiful things in uniting his people. Churches are fnding ",p:21,x:90,y:699,w:484,h:24},
{t:"one another: denominational churches, independent churches, ",p:21,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"charismatic churches, non-charismatic churches, etc. We are ",p:21,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"discovering that the things we share—worship, prayer, love ",p:21,x:90,y:768,w:484,h:24},
{t:"for our neighbor, a passion for God’s glory among the nations, ",p:21,x:90,y:796,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and, above all else, Christ—far surpass anything that might ",p:21,x:90,y:813,w:484,h:24},
{t:"differentiate us. Churches and mission organizations are learning ",p:21,x:90,y:842,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to honor one another. Racial and cultural barriers are crumbling. ",p:21,x:90,y:865,w:484,h:17},
{t:"We are not talking about organizational sameness but spiritual ",p:21,x:90,y:888,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unity created by Jesus’ residence among us. “Is Christ divided?” ",p:21,x:90,y:904,w:484,h:24},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:22,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"26",p:22,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"(1 Cor. 1:13). Of course not! Antioch Network is intentionally ",p:22,x:90,y:90,w:484,h:17},
{t:"committed to the scriptural injunction to “Make every effort to ",p:22,x:90,y:112,w:484,h:17},
{t:"keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. ",p:22,x:90,y:129,w:484,h:24},
{t:"4:3).",p:22,x:90,y:158,w:35,h:17},
{t:"A note concerning mission organizations: In our ",p:22,x:150,y:181,w:364,h:17},
{t:"passion to champion a high view of the local ",p:22,x:150,y:204,w:364,h:17},
{t:"church, we must be careful to affrm and honor ",p:22,x:150,y:220,w:364,h:24},
{t:"the God-designed role of mission organizations. ",p:22,x:150,y:249,w:364,h:17},
{t:"(You could also use terms such as parachurch ",p:22,x:150,y:272,w:364,h:17},
{t:"organizations, sodalities, apostolic teams, etc.) ",p:22,x:150,y:295,w:364,h:17},
{t:"Throughout the history of the Church in mission, ",p:22,x:150,y:318,w:364,h:17},
{t:"their contribution has been biblical, unmistakable, ",p:22,x:150,y:340,w:364,h:17},
{t:"and profoundly signifcant. The vision of Antioch ",p:22,x:150,y:357,w:364,h:24},
{t:"Network was born in a mission organization ",p:22,x:150,y:386,w:364,h:17},
{t:"and owes its foundations to perspectives gained ",p:22,x:150,y:409,w:364,h:17},
{t:"there. We honor the ministries of our brothers ",p:22,x:150,y:432,w:364,h:17},
{t:"and sisters who are called by Jesus to serve ",p:22,x:150,y:454,w:364,h:17},
{t:"him in mission organizations. Churches need ",p:22,x:150,y:477,w:364,h:17},
{t:"mission organizations. Mission organizations ",p:22,x:150,y:500,w:364,h:17},
{t:"need churches. We all need one another!",p:22,x:150,y:523,w:306,h:17},
{t:"10. To see mission initiatives be strategically focused. Our ",p:22,x:120,y:546,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God-designed fniteness limits what any one of us can effectively ",p:22,x:89,y:562,w:484,h:24},
{t:"undertake. Therefore, our mission initiatives need to be strategic ",p:22,x:89,y:591,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in order to bring maximum glory to Christ. Traditionally many ",p:22,x:89,y:614,w:484,h:17},
{t:"churches have developed mission commitments without strategic ",p:22,x:89,y:637,w:484,h:17},
{t:"integration. Predominately churches have left the formation of ",p:22,x:89,y:660,w:484,h:17},
{t:"strategy to agencies and have just sent people apart from under-",p:22,x:89,y:682,w:479,h:17},
{t:"standing the strategic ",p:22,x:89,y:705,w:181,h:17},
{t:"needs and opportunities ",p:22,x:89,y:728,w:181,h:17},
{t:"in the world. Respond-",p:22,x:89,y:751,w:176,h:17},
{t:"ing to opportunities as ",p:22,x:89,y:774,w:181,h:17},
{t:"they come up might ",p:22,x:89,y:796,w:181,h:17},
{t:"seem right at frst, but ",p:22,x:89,y:813,w:181,h:24},
{t:"the end result will be a ",p:22,x:89,y:842,w:181,h:17},
{t:"shotgun-like effect to ",p:22,x:89,y:865,w:181,h:17},
{t:"which our people will ",p:22,x:89,y:888,w:181,h:17},
{t:"be less and less able to ",p:22,x:89,y:910,w:181,h:17},
{t:"Predominately churches ",p:22,x:318,y:744,w:215,h:20},
{t:"have left the formation ",p:22,x:324,y:766,w:203,h:20},
{t:"of strategy to agencies ",p:22,x:324,y:788,w:203,h:20},
{t:"and have just sent people ",p:22,x:310,y:810,w:231,h:20},
{t:"apart from understanding ",p:22,x:310,y:832,w:232,h:20},
{t:"the strategic needs and ",p:22,x:320,y:854,w:211,h:20},
{t:"opportunities in the world.",p:22,x:308,y:876,w:230,h:20},
{t:"OUR PASSIONS",p:23,x:484,y:59,w:85,h:10},
{t:"27",p:23,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"1In this book I have followed Patrick Johnstone’s lead in his excellent ",p:23,x:91,y:805,w:482,h:18},
{t:"book The Church Is Bigger Than You Think (p. 12). Church with a capital ",p:23,x:89,y:829,w:484,h:15},
{t:"C refers to (1) all believers of all time, (2) the whole company of the ",p:23,x:89,y:849,w:484,h:15},
{t:"redeemed on earth at the present time, or (3) the whole visible Church on ",p:23,x:89,y:869,w:484,h:15},
{t:"earth including all who call themselves Christian. Church with a lowercase ",p:23,x:89,y:889,w:484,h:15},
{t:"c is used when I am referring to a local church or congregation of believers.",p:23,x:89,y:909,w:480,h:15},
{t:"meaningfully engage. The central questions become “What does ",p:23,x:90,y:90,w:484,h:17},
{t:"it mean to complete God’s purpose among all nations?” “What ",p:23,x:90,y:106,w:484,h:24},
{t:"strategic opportunities remain?” “In which one(s) is God call-",p:23,x:90,y:129,w:479,h:24},
{t:"ing our church to be his channel of blessing?” That is where we ",p:23,x:90,y:152,w:484,h:24},
{t:"focus. ",p:23,x:90,y:181,w:50,h:17},
{t:"These are our passions. Pastors, business people, church ",p:23,x:120,y:204,w:454,h:17},
{t:"planters, laborers, engineers, students, mothers, administrators, ",p:23,x:90,y:226,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and artists, let’s join together in living them out!",p:23,x:90,y:249,w:366,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:24,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"28",p:24,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"All nations will come and worship before you.",p:24,x:135,y:212,w:389,h:18},
{t:"(Rev. 15:4)",p:24,x:283,y:229,w:92,h:26},
{t:"The human heart cries out for personal signifcance. ",p:24,x:146,y:325,w:389,h:24},
{t:"We were created that way. We have a visceral need for ",p:24,x:116,y:353,w:402,h:16},
{t:"our lives to have meaning. When this need remains ",p:24,x:116,y:375,w:378,h:16},
{t:"unmet, an almost unbearable soul-destroying emptiness ",p:24,x:116,y:397,w:413,h:16},
{t:"engulfs us. It fosters compulsivity and addictions of many ",p:24,x:116,y:419,w:425,h:16},
{t:"kinds.",p:24,x:116,y:441,w:43,h:16},
{t:"Our Creator is a person of purpose. He is on the ",p:24,x:146,y:485,w:360,h:16},
{t:"move, carrying out his grace-flled, compassionate inten-",p:24,x:116,y:501,w:419,h:24},
{t:"tions for humanity. He designed us to participate with him ",p:24,x:116,y:529,w:431,h:16},
{t:"in fulflling his mission on earth. Herein lies the ultimate ",p:24,x:116,y:545,w:419,h:24},
{t:"purpose for which each of us individually was designed ",p:24,x:116,y:573,w:411,h:16},
{t:"and created.",p:24,x:116,y:595,w:90,h:16},
{t:"God’s global purposes are not the sole domain of ",p:24,x:146,y:639,w:365,h:16},
{t:"“missionaries” or “clergy” or “full-time Christian work-",p:24,x:116,y:661,w:423,h:16},
{t:"ers.” No! But that discussion is for later chapters. To be ",p:24,x:116,y:683,w:416,h:16},
{t:"able to make the decisions that will release our personal, ",p:24,x:116,y:705,w:423,h:16},
{t:"God-ordained role in carrying out God’s global mission, ",p:24,x:116,y:727,w:419,h:16},
{t:"we need to have a working understanding of a vital ques-",p:24,x:116,y:749,w:420,h:16},
{t:"tion: what is God’s mission on earth?",p:24,x:116,y:773,w:274,h:16},
{t:"29",p:25,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 2",p:25,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Every Nation",p:25,x:233,y:148,w:193,h:29},
{t:"What precisely is God’s mission on earth? We need ",p:25,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"to know. When we do, we can be about getting it done. We can ",p:25,x:89,y:405,w:484,h:16},
{t:"avoid investing energy and resources in activities that may be well ",p:25,x:89,y:428,w:484,h:16},
{t:"intentioned but inadequately conceptualized. We need to know ",p:25,x:89,y:451,w:484,h:16},
{t:"from Scripture what the mission is. Much has already been written ",p:25,x:89,y:473,w:484,h:16},
{t:"on this subject that is excellent and need not be repeated here. In ",p:25,x:89,y:496,w:484,h:16},
{t:"this chapter, we intend only to pause long enough to establish the ",p:25,x:89,y:518,w:484,h:16},
{t:"fnal goal on earth toward which God is taking us. Thy kingdom ",p:25,x:89,y:535,w:484,h:24},
{t:"come, on earth! This is the foundation on which we build. This ",p:25,x:89,y:564,w:484,h:16},
{t:"book could not begin anywhere else.",p:25,x:89,y:586,w:276,h:16},
{t:"There is more than one way to articulate God’s declared ",p:25,x:120,y:609,w:454,h:16},
{t:"purpose on earth, but none is better than the words of Genesis 12 ",p:25,x:90,y:631,w:484,h:16},
{t:"where God records his covenant with Abraham. The culminating ",p:25,x:90,y:654,w:484,h:16},
{t:"result that was to come from their relationship is recorded in verse ",p:25,x:90,y:677,w:484,h:16},
{t:"3: “All peoples [nations] on earth shall be blessed.” ",p:25,x:90,y:693,w:392,h:24},
{t:"When I was in school, the color of India on the world map in ",p:25,x:120,y:722,w:454,h:16},
{t:"front of the classroom was orange. Pakistan was green, China was ",p:25,x:90,y:744,w:484,h:16},
{t:"yellow, and Nepal was purple. In those days, India to me was a ",p:25,x:90,y:767,w:484,h:16},
{t:"single concept, a country or a nation in the way we use the term ",p:25,x:90,y:790,w:484,h:16},
{t:"United Nations.",p:25,x:90,y:812,w:119,h:16},
{t:"I went to India when I was twenty-six. My port of entry was ",p:25,x:120,y:835,w:454,h:16},
{t:"the city of Mumbai. Soon I was with others distributing tracks ",p:25,x:90,y:857,w:484,h:16},
{t:"on the streets. We had tracks in English because many of the ",p:25,x:90,y:880,w:484,h:16},
{t:"business and professional people speak English. Marathi is the ",p:25,x:90,y:903,w:484,h:16},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:26,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"30",p:26,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"main language of the state where Mumbai is located, so we had ",p:26,x:90,y:90,w:484,h:16},
{t:"Marathi tracks. Hindi is the national language of India, and many ",p:26,x:90,y:112,w:484,h:16},
{t:"people in Mumbai speak Hindi. We also needed Urdu for when we ",p:26,x:90,y:135,w:484,h:16},
{t:"met Muslim people. There are also many in Mumbai from Kerala ",p:26,x:90,y:157,w:484,h:16},
{t:"down in the south, and they speak Malayalam. Others from time ",p:26,x:90,y:180,w:484,h:16},
{t:"to time would ask if we had tracks in their languages—Tamil, ",p:26,x:90,y:197,w:484,h:24},
{t:"Telegu, Gujarati, Bengali, etc. Wow! India was more complex ",p:26,x:90,y:225,w:484,h:16},
{t:"than I had at frst understood. Somehow to represent all this, it ",p:26,x:90,y:242,w:484,h:24},
{t:"seemed we needed more than one color.",p:26,x:90,y:270,w:300,h:16},
{t:"Things became even more fascinating. Parsees, Zoroastrians ",p:26,x:120,y:293,w:454,h:16},
{t:"who originally came from Iran before the arrival of Islam, owned ",p:26,x:90,y:316,w:484,h:16},
{t:"the restaurant Seven Heavens where we often ate. We met ",p:26,x:90,y:338,w:484,h:16},
{t:"Brahmins, who were the highest cast among the Hindus. There ",p:26,x:90,y:361,w:484,h:16},
{t:"are tens of millions of them—more than the population of most ",p:26,x:90,y:377,w:484,h:24},
{t:"countries. The Dhobis are one of the scheduled castes or Dalits. ",p:26,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:16},
{t:"They would come, collect our clothes, and take them to the river ",p:26,x:90,y:429,w:484,h:16},
{t:"for washing, beating them on the rocks. India was transitioning ",p:26,x:90,y:451,w:484,h:16},
{t:"in my experience from a single entity to a breathtakingly glorious ",p:26,x:90,y:474,w:484,h:16},
{t:"mosaic of cultural groups.",p:26,x:90,y:496,w:196,h:16},
{t:"This is precisely what our English Bibles refer to by the terms ",p:26,x:120,y:519,w:454,h:16},
{t:"nations or peoples or Gentiles. They are all the same word in the ",p:26,x:90,y:542,w:484,h:16},
{t:"original Hebrew and Greek. They describe how God sees the ",p:26,x:89,y:564,w:484,h:16},
{t:"world—as an exquisitely fabulous quilt of cultural groups. India ",p:26,x:89,y:581,w:484,h:24},
{t:"is not one nation but a subcontinent containing many nations or ",p:26,x:89,y:609,w:484,h:16},
{t:"peoples. And it is in these terms that God describes his purpose ",p:26,x:89,y:632,w:484,h:16},
{t:"or mission on earth: to bless all peoples, nations, or cultural ",p:26,x:89,y:655,w:484,h:16},
{t:"groupings.",p:26,x:89,y:677,w:80,h:16},
{t:"The Biblical Mandate for Global Mission ",p:26,x:165,y:722,w:334,h:16},
{t:"God’s commitment to this global purpose is repeated in ",p:26,x:120,y:768,w:454,h:16},
{t:"hundreds of passages throughout Scripture. The following ",p:26,x:89,y:790,w:484,h:16},
{t:"references are only representative.",p:26,x:89,y:813,w:258,h:16},
{t:"The time of the patriarchs. God established his covenant ",p:26,x:120,y:835,w:454,h:16},
{t:"with Abraham and his descendents (Israel) during the time of the ",p:26,x:89,y:858,w:484,h:16},
{t:"patriarchs. God’s ultimate purpose was to make Abraham’s people ",p:26,x:89,y:881,w:484,h:16},
{t:"a channel of blessing to all the peoples on earth. The “all nations” ",p:26,x:89,y:897,w:484,h:24},
{t:"EVERY NATION",p:27,x:481,y:59,w:88,h:10},
{t:"31",p:27,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"dimension of this covenant was reaffrmed with Abraham’s son, ",p:27,x:90,y:84,w:484,h:24},
{t:"Isaac, and grandson, Jacob.",p:27,x:90,y:112,w:206,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 12:3 ",p:27,x:90,y:135,w:102,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 22:18 ",p:27,x:258,y:135,w:111,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 28:14",p:27,x:423,y:135,w:107,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 18:18 ",p:27,x:90,y:157,w:111,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 26:4",p:27,x:258,y:157,w:97,h:16},
{t:"Old Testament historical sections. We notice this pattern ",p:27,x:120,y:180,w:454,h:16},
{t:"in the historical sections of the Old Testament: God repeatedly ",p:27,x:89,y:203,w:484,h:16},
{t:"thrusts his people into redemptive contact with other peoples (the ",p:27,x:89,y:225,w:484,h:16},
{t:"Gentiles).",p:27,x:89,y:248,w:73,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 41:57 ",p:27,x:90,y:270,w:111,h:16},
{t:"Ruth 1:16 ",p:27,x:258,y:270,w:79,h:16},
{t:"1 Kings 10:1,6-9",p:27,x:423,y:270,w:127,h:16},
{t:"Exodus 9:16 ",p:27,x:90,y:293,w:99,h:16},
{t:"1 Samuel 17:46 ",p:27,x:258,y:293,w:122,h:16},
{t:"Daniel 6:25–28",p:27,x:423,y:293,w:116,h:16},
{t:"Exodus 12:38 ",p:27,x:90,y:316,w:108,h:16},
{t:"1 Kings 8:43,60 ",p:27,x:258,y:316,w:125,h:16},
{t:"Jonah 1:1–2",p:27,x:423,y:316,w:91,h:16},
{t:"Joshua 4:24",p:27,x:90,y:338,w:89,h:16},
{t:"The book of Psalms. Representing the books of poetry, the ",p:27,x:120,y:361,w:454,h:16},
{t:"book of Psalms contains over one hundred references to the scope ",p:27,x:90,y:383,w:484,h:16},
{t:"of God’s intentions being global.",p:27,x:90,y:406,w:247,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 2:8 ",p:27,x:90,y:429,w:79,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 57:5,9,11 ",p:27,x:258,y:429,w:125,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 98:1–9",p:27,x:423,y:429,w:103,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 9:11 ",p:27,x:90,y:451,w:88,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 66:1–8 ",p:27,x:258,y:451,w:107,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 99:1–3",p:27,x:423,y:451,w:103,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 18:49 ",p:27,x:90,y:474,w:98,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 67:1–7 ",p:27,x:258,y:474,w:107,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 105:1",p:27,x:423,y:474,w:93,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 22:27–28 ",p:27,x:90,y:496,w:126,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 72:8–11 ",p:27,x:258,y:496,w:116,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 108:1–5",p:27,x:423,y:496,w:112,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 45:17 ",p:27,x:90,y:519,w:98,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 77:13–14 ",p:27,x:258,y:519,w:126,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 113:3–4",p:27,x:423,y:519,w:111,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 46:10 ",p:27,x:90,y:542,w:98,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 86:9 ",p:27,x:258,y:542,w:88,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 126:2",p:27,x:423,y:542,w:93,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 47:1–2,7–9 ",p:27,x:90,y:564,w:140,h:16},
{t:"Psalm 96:1–3,7–10",p:27,x:258,y:564,w:145,h:16},
{t:"The Prophets. In the book of the prophets, we see that they ",p:27,x:120,y:587,w:454,h:16},
{t:"foresaw the time when the ways of God would be known not just ",p:27,x:89,y:609,w:484,h:16},
{t:"by Israel but throughout the whole earth.",p:27,x:89,y:632,w:307,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 2:1–4 ",p:27,x:90,y:655,w:97,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 42:6,10,12 ",p:27,x:258,y:655,w:134,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 66:18-19",p:27,x:423,y:655,w:117,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 6:3 ",p:27,x:90,y:677,w:78,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 45:22 ",p:27,x:258,y:677,w:97,h:16},
{t:"Jeremiah 1:5",p:27,x:423,y:677,w:96,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 9:1–2 ",p:27,x:90,y:700,w:97,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 49:6 ",p:27,x:258,y:700,w:87,h:16},
{t:"Jeremiah 4:2",p:27,x:423,y:700,w:96,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 11:9–10 ",p:27,x:90,y:722,w:115,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 52:10 ",p:27,x:258,y:722,w:97,h:16},
{t:"Jeremiah 16:19",p:27,x:423,y:722,w:115,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 12:4–5 ",p:27,x:90,y:745,w:106,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 54:5 ",p:27,x:258,y:745,w:87,h:16},
{t:"Jeremiah 33:19",p:27,x:423,y:745,w:115,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 18:1–2,7 ",p:27,x:90,y:768,w:120,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 56:6–7 ",p:27,x:258,y:768,w:106,h:16},
{t:"Jeremiah 46:1-2,13",p:27,x:423,y:768,w:145,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 19:21,24–25 ",p:27,x:90,y:790,w:149,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 60:1-3 ",p:27,x:258,y:790,w:103,h:16},
{t:"Jeremiah 47:1",p:27,x:423,y:790,w:106,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 25:6–9 ",p:27,x:90,y:813,w:106,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 61:11   ",p:27,x:258,y:813,w:106,h:16},
{t:"Ezekiel 20:9,14,22,41",p:27,x:423,y:813,w:146,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 42:1 ",p:27,x:90,y:835,w:87,h:16},
{t:"Isaiah 62:1-2 ",p:27,x:258,y:835,w:103,h:16},
{t:"Ezekiel 36:19-23",p:27,x:423,y:835,w:129,h:16},
{t:"Daniel 4:1 ",p:27,x:90,y:858,w:83,h:16},
{t:"Micah 5:4 ",p:27,x:258,y:858,w:81,h:16},
{t:"Zechariah 2:11",p:27,x:423,y:858,w:112,h:16},
{t:"Hosea 2:23 ",p:27,x:90,y:881,w:89,h:16},
{t:"Habakkuk 2:14 ",p:27,x:258,y:881,w:120,h:16},
{t:"Zechariah 8:22-23",p:27,x:423,y:881,w:138,h:16},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:28,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"32",p:28,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Joel 2:28,32 ",p:28,x:90,y:90,w:96,h:16},
{t:"Zephaniah 3:9 ",p:28,x:258,y:90,w:112,h:16},
{t:"Zechariah 14:9",p:28,x:446,y:90,w:113,h:16},
{t:"Micah 4:1-3 ",p:28,x:90,y:112,w:97,h:16},
{t:"Haggai 2:7 ",p:28,x:258,y:112,w:87,h:16},
{t:"Malachi 1:11,14",p:28,x:446,y:112,w:122,h:16},
{t:"The Gospels. Although Jesus focused on Israel, his ultimate ",p:28,x:120,y:135,w:454,h:16},
{t:"strategic purpose was that his invitation to life in the kingdom of ",p:28,x:89,y:157,w:484,h:16},
{t:"God be extended to all peoples, both Jews and Gentiles.",p:28,x:89,y:180,w:421,h:16},
{t:"Matthew 2:1–2 ",p:28,x:90,y:203,w:119,h:16},
{t:"Mark 11:17 ",p:28,x:258,y:203,w:92,h:16},
{t:"John 4:39–42",p:28,x:446,y:203,w:102,h:16},
{t:"Matthew 4:12–16,24–25 Mark 16:15 ",p:28,x:90,y:225,w:261,h:16},
{t:"John 12:20–21",p:28,x:446,y:225,w:111,h:16},
{t:"Matthew 8:10–12 ",p:28,x:90,y:248,w:138,h:16},
{t:"Luke 2:28–32 ",p:28,x:258,y:248,w:109,h:16},
{t:"John 12:32",p:28,x:446,y:248,w:83,h:16},
{t:"Matthew 12:17–21 ",p:28,x:90,y:270,w:147,h:16},
{t:"Luke 4:24–28 ",p:28,x:258,y:270,w:109,h:16},
{t:"John 17:18,20",p:28,x:446,y:270,w:106,h:16},
{t:"Matthew 24:14 ",p:28,x:90,y:293,w:119,h:16},
{t:"Luke 24:44–47 ",p:28,x:258,y:293,w:119,h:16},
{t:"John 20:21",p:28,x:446,y:293,w:83,h:16},
{t:"Matthew 28:19 ",p:28,x:90,y:316,w:119,h:16},
{t:"John 3:16–19",p:28,x:258,y:316,w:102,h:16},
{t:"The book of Acts. The fulfllment of this purpose is recorded ",p:28,x:120,y:332,w:454,h:24},
{t:"in the book of Acts. The community of God’s redeemed (the ",p:28,x:89,y:361,w:484,h:16},
{t:"Church) now includes anyone who relies on Jesus whether from ",p:28,x:89,y:383,w:484,h:16},
{t:"Israel or any other nation.",p:28,x:89,y:406,w:194,h:16},
{t:"Acts 1:8 ",p:28,x:90,y:429,w:68,h:16},
{t:"Acts 9:15–16 ",p:28,x:258,y:429,w:105,h:16},
{t:"Acts 11:19–21",p:28,x:446,y:429,w:109,h:16},
{t:"Acts 2:5 ",p:28,x:90,y:451,w:68,h:16},
{t:"Acts 10:1,17,28 ",p:28,x:258,y:451,w:124,h:16},
{t:"Acts 13:46–47",p:28,x:446,y:451,w:110,h:16},
{t:"Acts 3:25 ",p:28,x:90,y:474,w:77,h:16},
{t:"Acts 10:34–36 ",p:28,x:258,y:474,w:115,h:16},
{t:"Acts 14:23,27",p:28,x:446,y:474,w:105,h:16},
{t:"Acts 8:4,14,25 ",p:28,x:90,y:496,w:115,h:16},
{t:"Acts 11:2–3,18 ",p:28,x:258,y:496,w:119,h:16},
{t:"Acts 15:14–19",p:28,x:446,y:496,w:110,h:16},
{t:"The Epistles. These letters that make up much of the New ",p:28,x:120,y:519,w:454,h:16},
{t:"Testament celebrate and describe individuals from every people ",p:28,x:89,y:542,w:484,h:16},
{t:"being embraced in the Church.",p:28,x:89,y:564,w:231,h:16},
{t:"Romans 1:5 ",p:28,x:90,y:587,w:95,h:16},
{t:"Romans 15:16–17 ",p:28,x:258,y:587,w:142,h:16},
{t:"Ephesians 3:1",p:28,x:446,y:587,w:105,h:16},
{t:"Romans 9:16–17 ",p:28,x:90,y:609,w:132,h:16},
{t:"Romans 15:23–24 ",p:28,x:258,y:609,w:142,h:16},
{t:"Ephesians 3:6",p:28,x:446,y:609,w:105,h:16},
{t:"Romans 9:24–26 ",p:28,x:90,y:632,w:132,h:16},
{t:"Romans 16:25–26 ",p:28,x:258,y:632,w:142,h:16},
{t:"Ephesians 3:8",p:28,x:446,y:632,w:105,h:16},
{t:"Romans 10:18–21 ",p:28,x:90,y:655,w:142,h:16},
{t:"1 Corinthians 9:21–23 ",p:28,x:258,y:655,w:173,h:16},
{t:"Colossians 1:27",p:28,x:446,y:655,w:119,h:16},
{t:"Romans 11:25 ",p:28,x:90,y:677,w:113,h:16},
{t:"Ephesians 3:1,6,8 ",p:28,x:258,y:677,w:138,h:16},
{t:"Colossians 3:8",p:28,x:446,y:677,w:110,h:16},
{t:"Romans 15:8–12 ",p:28,x:90,y:700,w:132,h:16},
{t:"2 Timothy 4:17 ",p:28,x:258,y:700,w:120,h:16},
{t:"Colossians 3:14",p:28,x:446,y:700,w:119,h:16},
{t:"The book of Revelation pictures the final fulfillment of ",p:28,x:120,y:722,w:454,h:16},
{t:"Genesis 12:3. “After this I looked and there before me was a ",p:28,x:89,y:745,w:484,h:16},
{t:"great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, ",p:28,x:89,y:768,w:484,h:16},
{t:"people and language, standing before the throne and in front of ",p:28,x:89,y:790,w:484,h:16},
{t:"the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).",p:28,x:89,y:807,w:164,h:24},
{t:"Revelation 5:9–10 ",p:28,x:90,y:835,w:143,h:16},
{t:"Revelation 15:4 ",p:28,x:258,y:835,w:124,h:16},
{t:"Revelation 22:17 ",p:28,x:431,y:835,w:133,h:16},
{t:"Revelation 7:9–10 ",p:28,x:90,y:858,w:143,h:16},
{t:"Revelation 22:2",p:28,x:258,y:858,w:119,h:16},
{t:"EVERY NATION",p:29,x:481,y:59,w:88,h:10},
{t:"33",p:29,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"God’s Mission",p:29,x:272,y:89,w:114,h:16},
{t:"God states his mission on the earth in unmistakably clear ",p:29,x:120,y:135,w:454,h:16},
{t:"terms: all nations will be blessed. When you look for it, it is hard ",p:29,x:89,y:157,w:484,h:16},
{t:"to miss. God did not want us to be unclear about this. There is a ",p:29,x:89,y:180,w:484,h:16},
{t:"focus: nations or cultural groups.",p:29,x:89,y:202,w:248,h:16},
{t:"The process of carrying out God’s mission among all nations ",p:29,x:120,y:225,w:454,h:16},
{t:"has been going on for some time now. We are no longer at the ",p:29,x:90,y:248,w:484,h:16},
{t:"beginning of the process. If we were to allow ourselves to ",p:29,x:90,y:270,w:484,h:16},
{t:"strategize seriously about how we might complete this task, how ",p:29,x:90,y:293,w:484,h:16},
{t:"might our thoughts go?",p:29,x:90,y:309,w:175,h:24},
{t:"For starters, what if we had a list of nations that have already ",p:29,x:120,y:338,w:454,h:16},
{t:"been blessed? (A fuller discussion of what it means for a nation ",p:29,x:90,y:354,w:484,h:24},
{t:"to be blessed will be taken up in subsequent chapters.) In that ",p:29,x:90,y:383,w:484,h:16},
{t:"case, we could safely remove these blessed nations from our list ",p:29,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:16},
{t:"of candidates for pioneering kingdom initiation (although crucial ",p:29,x:90,y:428,w:484,h:16},
{t:"kingdom ministry would still need to continue among them). Next, ",p:29,x:90,y:451,w:484,h:16},
{t:"we could focus new energies and resources on nations that have ",p:29,x:90,y:474,w:484,h:16},
{t:"not yet been blessed.",p:29,x:90,y:496,w:156,h:16},
{t:"How might we defne a nation that has not yet been blessed?",p:29,x:120,y:513,w:450,h:24},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:30,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"34",p:30,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"It has always been my ambition to preach the gos-",p:30,x:117,y:188,w:425,h:18},
{t:"pel where Christ was not known. (Rom. 15:20)",p:30,x:132,y:205,w:395,h:26},
{t:"In Scripture, God uses more than one image to ",p:30,x:146,y:259,w:346,h:16},
{t:"express what he is up to. He tells us he is extending his ",p:30,x:116,y:281,w:406,h:16},
{t:"kingdom, growing a family, and working righteousness ",p:30,x:116,y:303,w:407,h:16},
{t:"in individuals and society as a whole. In each of these ",p:30,x:116,y:325,w:400,h:16},
{t:"pictures, God’s activities are global.",p:30,x:116,y:347,w:265,h:16},
{t:"We have chosen to work with the wording of Genesis ",p:30,x:146,y:391,w:390,h:16},
{t:"12:3, “All peoples on earth will be blessed.” This ",p:30,x:116,y:413,w:369,h:16},
{t:"terminology is not inherently better than others, but it ",p:30,x:116,y:435,w:398,h:16},
{t:"includes them and seems more helpful for developing ",p:30,x:116,y:457,w:394,h:16},
{t:"effective strategies for mission. Notice how this works: ",p:30,x:116,y:479,w:405,h:16},
{t:"God is extending his kingdom among all peoples on earth ",p:30,x:116,y:501,w:427,h:16},
{t:"or God is growing a family from among all peoples on ",p:30,x:116,y:523,w:403,h:16},
{t:"earth or God is bringing righteousness among all peoples ",p:30,x:116,y:545,w:429,h:16},
{t:"on earth.",p:30,x:116,y:567,w:66,h:16},
{t:"When God is at work in a culture, that people is in ",p:30,x:146,y:611,w:374,h:16},
{t:"the process of being blessed. The terms that are used in ",p:30,x:116,y:633,w:410,h:16},
{t:"referring to blessed and yet-to-be-blessed peoples are ",p:30,x:116,y:655,w:398,h:16},
{t:"reached and unreached. Look how far we will advance in ",p:30,x:116,y:677,w:424,h:16},
{t:"global strategy development if we can accurately defne ",p:30,x:116,y:693,w:413,h:24},
{t:"them:",p:30,x:116,y:721,w:41,h:16},
{t:"All peoples minus all reached peoples leaves all ",p:30,x:146,y:765,w:356,h:16},
{t:"unreached peoples, or the task remaining.",p:30,x:116,y:789,w:307,h:16},
{t:"35",p:31,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 3",p:31,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Unreached Peoples",p:31,x:183,y:148,w:293,h:29},
{t:"“All peoples on earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). ",p:31,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"What an awesome statement about God! Who is he? He is a ",p:31,x:89,y:405,w:484,h:17},
{t:"person whose greatest delight and eternal purpose is to bless—a ",p:31,x:89,y:428,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God of compassion, grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. ",p:31,x:89,y:451,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Nothing in his character enjoys judgment. For him judgment is ",p:31,x:89,y:474,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the last resort when all offers of blessing have been rejected. God ",p:31,x:89,y:497,w:484,h:17},
{t:"does not choose judgment, men do.",p:31,x:89,y:519,w:268,h:17},
{t:"Getting Sight of the Target",p:31,x:221,y:565,w:216,h:17},
{t:"When I was seventeen years old, I entered the army. Part of ",p:31,x:120,y:611,w:454,h:17},
{t:"basic infantry training was qualifying in the use of the M-1 rife. ",p:31,x:90,y:622,w:484,h:32},
{t:"There were three levels of achievement: marksman, sharpshooter, ",p:31,x:90,y:656,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and expert. I wanted very badly to qualify as expert.",p:31,x:90,y:679,w:396,h:17},
{t:"We began by fring at stationary targets on an open range. I ",p:31,x:120,y:691,w:454,h:32},
{t:"did well. We then moved to a wooded area where we were to fre ",p:31,x:90,y:713,w:484,h:32},
{t:"at silhouettes, representing enemy solders, that would suddenly ",p:31,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:17},
{t:"pop up. Time and again, I heard the soldiers to my right and left ",p:31,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fre. But I hesitated; I could not see the targets!",p:31,x:90,y:782,w:356,h:32},
{t:"It turned out that there was a slight bump in the terrain where ",p:31,x:120,y:816,w:454,h:17},
{t:"I had been assigned. It hid the targets from me, especially when I ",p:31,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was in a kneeling or prone position. I failed to hit enough targets ",p:31,x:90,y:861,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to qualify as expert. But in the process, I learned a valuable lesson: ",p:31,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:32,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"36",p:32,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"it is hard to hit targets you cannot see. The clearer the target, the ",p:32,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"better your chance to hit it.",p:32,x:90,y:114,w:204,h:17},
{t:"If God ’s purpose on ",p:32,x:389,y:136,w:184,h:17},
{t:"earth is that “all nations on ",p:32,x:350,y:159,w:224,h:17},
{t:"earth shall be blessed,” ",p:32,x:351,y:182,w:223,h:17},
{t:"then it triggers some further ",p:32,x:351,y:205,w:223,h:17},
{t:"questions. These are worthy ",p:32,x:351,y:228,w:223,h:17},
{t:"of careful consideration and ",p:32,x:351,y:250,w:223,h:17},
{t:"precise defnitions.",p:32,x:351,y:262,w:143,h:32},
{t:"What Is a People (or Nation)?",p:32,x:209,y:319,w:241,h:17},
{t:"people: a group of individuals; i.e., the people of London.",p:32,x:120,y:353,w:438,h:32},
{t:"a people: a people group (a cultural concept); i.e., the Navajo ",p:32,x:120,y:376,w:454,h:32},
{t:"people (nation).",p:32,x:89,y:410,w:120,h:17},
{t:"country: a political, geographical entity (a geographical ",p:32,x:120,y:433,w:454,h:17},
{t:"concept); i.e., the country of India.",p:32,x:89,y:444,w:263,h:32},
{t:"nation (popular usage): a country; i.e., The United Nations. ",p:32,x:120,y:467,w:454,h:32},
{t:"The concept of country as a geopolitical unit did not fully develop ",p:32,x:89,y:501,w:484,h:17},
{t:"until the dawn of the modern era in ffteenth century Europe ",p:32,x:89,y:513,w:484,h:32},
{t:"with countries like England, France, and Spain. Throughout ",p:32,x:89,y:536,w:484,h:32},
{t:"most of history, including biblical times, there were frst peoples ",p:32,x:89,y:558,w:484,h:32},
{t:"(Gen. 11), then empires (Dan. 6:25–26), and later cities (Acts ",p:32,x:89,y:592,w:484,h:17},
{t:"22:25–29).",p:32,x:89,y:615,w:82,h:17},
{t:"nation (biblical usage): a people or people group; i.e., the ",p:32,x:120,y:627,w:454,h:32},
{t:"nations of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, ",p:32,x:89,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and Jebusites (Jud. 3:1–5). Today we might speak of the German ",p:32,x:89,y:684,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nation as opposed to the country of Germany. Individuals from the ",p:32,x:89,y:706,w:484,h:17},
{t:"German nation also live in Poland, Russia, etc., and individuals ",p:32,x:89,y:729,w:484,h:17},
{t:"from other nations live in Germany, such as Turks, Arabs, etc.",p:32,x:89,y:752,w:470,h:17},
{t:"people group: A signifcantly large sociological grouping of ",p:32,x:120,y:764,w:454,h:32},
{t:"individuals who perceive themselves to have a common affnity ",p:32,x:89,y:786,w:484,h:32},
{t:"with one another. From the viewpoint of evangelization, this ",p:32,x:89,y:820,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is the largest possible group in which the gospel can be spread ",p:32,x:89,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance.2  ",p:32,x:89,y:865,w:484,h:18},
{t:"Usually more than one people group is found in each country. ",p:32,x:90,y:878,w:484,h:32},
{t:"In the country of Afghanistan, there are Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, ",p:32,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"When forming ",p:32,x:155,y:162,w:125,h:20},
{t:"strategies to complete ",p:32,x:122,y:183,w:192,h:20},
{t:"God’s mission on ",p:32,x:141,y:205,w:153,h:20},
{t:"earth, it is crucial to be ",p:32,x:117,y:227,w:202,h:20},
{t:"able to see our targets.",p:32,x:117,y:248,w:196,h:20},
{t:"UNREACHED PEOPLES",p:33,x:438,y:59,w:131,h:10},
{t:"37",p:33,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Uzbek, etc. And often a people group is found in more than one ",p:33,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"country. Uzbeks live in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, ",p:33,x:90,y:102,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Kyrgyzstan, Russia, etc. These realities, and biblical terminology, ",p:33,x:90,y:125,w:484,h:32},
{t:"encourage us to strategize in terms of people groups rather than ",p:33,x:90,y:159,w:484,h:17},
{t:"countries.",p:33,x:90,y:182,w:74,h:17},
{t:"How Many Peoples Are in the World?",p:33,x:176,y:228,w:306,h:17},
{t:"In this book, we will use the Joshua Project II list of peoples. ",p:33,x:120,y:273,w:454,h:17},
{t:"This list identifes 17,081 people groups and considers what today ",p:33,x:90,y:285,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are known as “ethno-cultural” groups, corresponding to a biblical ",p:33,x:90,y:319,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nation or people.3  ",p:33,x:90,y:341,w:139,h:18},
{t:"How Does God Bless a People?",p:33,x:205,y:387,w:249,h:17},
{t:"Certainly we can only begin to imagine the full dimensions ",p:33,x:120,y:433,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of all God has in mind when he says he will bless a people. But ",p:33,x:90,y:444,w:484,h:32},
{t:"we do know some things with reasonable certainty.",p:33,x:90,y:478,w:388,h:17},
{t:"It is Jesus who will bless the people. He began his public ",p:33,x:120,y:501,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministry by announcing, “The kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. ",p:33,x:89,y:524,w:484,h:17},
{t:"4:17). The kingdom of heaven is simply the sphere in which ",p:33,x:89,y:536,w:484,h:32},
{t:"God’s rule is uncontested. Living in this sphere yields fullness ",p:33,x:89,y:558,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of blessing to humans. Jesus is the door, the entryway into this ",p:33,x:89,y:592,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom (John 14:6).",p:33,x:89,y:615,w:164,h:17},
{t:"His reign (affectionately carrying out his will and his ways) ",p:33,x:120,y:638,w:454,h:17},
{t:"will increasingly permeate society. What he did and taught while ",p:33,x:90,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he was on earth suggests something of what this might look like:",p:33,x:90,y:684,w:480,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:33,x:150,y:718,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The good news of the kingdom will be preached ",p:33,x:164,y:718,w:372,h:32},
{t:"extensively.",p:33,x:165,y:752,w:90,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:33,x:150,y:764,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Growing numbers will respond and become his dis-",p:33,x:164,y:764,w:393,h:32},
{t:"ciples.",p:33,x:164,y:798,w:49,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:33,x:150,y:809,w:11,h:32},
{t:"These disciples will mature to be like him from the ",p:33,x:164,y:809,w:392,h:32},
{t:"inside out.",p:33,x:165,y:843,w:79,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:33,x:150,y:855,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They will welcome the rejected and abandoned.",p:33,x:164,y:855,w:363,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:33,x:150,y:878,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They will be channels of God’s provision to the poor.",p:33,x:164,y:878,w:404,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:33,x:150,y:900,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The meek will be elevated to positions of infuence.",p:33,x:164,y:900,w:393,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:34,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"38",p:34,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:80,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The sick will be healed.",p:34,x:164,y:80,w:180,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:102,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The power of evil spiritual forces will be broken.",p:34,x:164,y:102,w:373,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:125,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Godly business leaders will turn commercial enter-",p:34,x:164,y:125,w:387,h:32},
{t:"prises into vehicles of kingdom extension.",p:34,x:164,y:159,w:320,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:171,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Godly government leaders will make government an ",p:34,x:164,y:171,w:404,h:32},
{t:"instrument of righteousness.",p:34,x:165,y:205,w:214,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:216,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Opposition to Christ and his Church will increase.",p:34,x:164,y:216,w:381,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:239,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Times of persecution will be shortened.",p:34,x:164,y:239,w:300,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:262,w:11,h:32},
{t:"When Jesus returns, God’s kingdom will fll the ",p:34,x:164,y:262,w:367,h:32},
{t:"earth.",p:34,x:165,y:296,w:42,h:17},
{t:"Jesus has called us to join him in this work. “Therefore go and ",p:34,x:120,y:342,w:454,h:17},
{t:"make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). The last recorded ",p:34,x:89,y:353,w:484,h:32},
{t:"words of Jesus are, “But you will receive power when the Holy ",p:34,x:89,y:376,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, ",p:34,x:89,y:399,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts ",p:34,x:89,y:422,w:484,h:32},
{t:"1:8).",p:34,x:89,y:444,w:35,h:32},
{t:"Jesus will bless the people through his body, the Church. ",p:34,x:120,y:478,w:454,h:17},
{t:"During Jesus’ earthly life, he lived and ministered through his ",p:34,x:89,y:501,w:484,h:17},
{t:"physical body. Since his resurrection, he has lived and ministered ",p:34,x:89,y:513,w:484,h:32},
{t:"on earth through his new body. “Now you are the body of Christ, ",p:34,x:89,y:547,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). Churches that ",p:34,x:89,y:558,w:484,h:32},
{t:"effectively extend Christ’s body and kingdom throughout a people ",p:34,x:89,y:592,w:484,h:17},
{t:"share these four characteristics: ",p:34,x:89,y:615,w:244,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:650,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They are personal (relational) in nature rather than ",p:34,x:164,y:650,w:388,h:32},
{t:"institutional.",p:34,x:165,y:684,w:95,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:695,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They are spiritually vibrant.",p:34,x:164,y:695,w:212,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:718,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They are culturally relevant—received by and ",p:34,x:164,y:718,w:354,h:32},
{t:"effective within their own culture.",p:34,x:165,y:752,w:258,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:34,x:150,y:764,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They are reproducing throughout their culture and ",p:34,x:164,y:764,w:385,h:32},
{t:"among other cultures. They are outwardly rather than ",p:34,x:165,y:798,w:409,h:17},
{t:"inwardly oriented.",p:34,x:165,y:820,w:139,h:17},
{t:"Hanna and I were married in India. You could fnd churches ",p:34,x:120,y:855,w:454,h:32},
{t:"in some parts of India whose buildings looked like they were ",p:34,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"UNREACHED PEOPLES",p:35,x:438,y:59,w:131,h:10},
{t:"39",p:35,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"shipped in from Europe. Once inside, you noticed Western-style ",p:35,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"pews, pulpits, and even boards for stating the attendance and ",p:35,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"offering. The entire scene looked out-of-place. After all, this was ",p:35,x:90,y:136,w:484,h:17},
{t:"India.",p:35,x:90,y:159,w:43,h:17},
{t:"The church where we were married was Indian, but not only ",p:35,x:120,y:182,w:454,h:17},
{t:"in location. The building had a roof, but the sides were open ",p:35,x:89,y:205,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with bamboo shades that could be drawn up and down. When ",p:35,x:89,y:228,w:484,h:17},
{t:"you entered, you took your shoes off, just as you would when ",p:35,x:89,y:250,w:484,h:17},
{t:"entering an Indian home. Men sat on one side and women on ",p:35,x:89,y:273,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the other, refecting the modesty of Indian ways. People sat on ",p:35,x:89,y:285,w:484,h:32},
{t:"grass mats on the foor, like people generally do in India. In our ",p:35,x:89,y:308,w:484,h:32},
{t:"wedding ceremony, there were no fowers. In Western culture, ",p:35,x:89,y:330,w:484,h:32},
{t:"fowers are celebratory and beautiful. In the context of Hinduism, ",p:35,x:89,y:353,w:484,h:32},
{t:"fowers speak of the worship of idols. We gladly submitted to the ",p:35,x:89,y:376,w:484,h:32},
{t:"sensitivities of our Indian brothers and sisters in this. We wanted ",p:35,x:89,y:410,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to do things their way. After all, this was India.",p:35,x:89,y:433,w:356,h:17},
{t:"Meetings of the believers on Sunday morning did not revolve ",p:35,x:120,y:444,w:454,h:32},
{t:"around the clock. That is a Western idea. But they would last for ",p:35,x:90,y:467,w:484,h:32},
{t:"hours. The meetings were flled with worship, prayer, teaching, ",p:35,x:90,y:490,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the Lord’s Supper, and fellowship. They were powerful. And ",p:35,x:90,y:513,w:484,h:32},
{t:"many were being attracted to faith in Christ through the vitality ",p:35,x:90,y:547,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of his presence in their midst.",p:35,x:90,y:570,w:224,h:17},
{t:"In India, churches with buildings and services rooted in ",p:35,x:120,y:592,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Western practices were drying. Often there were only a handful of ",p:35,x:90,y:604,w:484,h:32},
{t:"people in a large building. The churches (meetings of believers) ",p:35,x:90,y:638,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that were part of the church movement in which we were married, ",p:35,x:90,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"were growing rapidly. They included many from a Hindu or ",p:35,x:90,y:684,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Muslim background who had come to a life-changing personal ",p:35,x:90,y:706,w:484,h:17},
{t:"knowledge of God through Jesus. Such churches were channels ",p:35,x:90,y:718,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of God’s blessings throughout the various cultures of India.",p:35,x:90,y:752,w:451,h:17},
{t:"Local churches need to respond by planting churches among ",p:35,x:120,y:775,w:454,h:17},
{t:"unreached peoples. Our most straightforward and comprehensive ",p:35,x:89,y:798,w:484,h:17},
{t:"goal in blessing a people is to establish a grassroots movement ",p:35,x:89,y:820,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of spiritually vibrant, culturally relevant churches spreading ",p:35,x:89,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"throughout the people. ",p:35,x:89,y:866,w:176,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:36,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"40",p:36,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Are There Peoples That Have Been Blessed?",p:36,x:150,y:91,w:358,h:17},
{t:"Missiologists, those who study missions and missions ",p:36,x:120,y:136,w:454,h:17},
{t:"strategies, have defned two broad categories of peoples: ",p:36,x:90,y:148,w:434,h:32},
{t:"reached people: A people that already has a viable indigenous ",p:36,x:120,y:182,w:454,h:17},
{t:"community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and ",p:36,x:89,y:205,w:484,h:17},
{t:"resources to evangelize their own people without outside, or ",p:36,x:89,y:228,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cross-cultural, assistance. Mission initiatives from other regions ",p:36,x:89,y:250,w:484,h:17},
{t:"can therefore safely be ",p:36,x:379,y:273,w:194,h:17},
{t:"terminated.",p:36,x:379,y:296,w:86,h:17},
{t:"unreached people: A ",p:36,x:390,y:319,w:184,h:17},
{t:"people that does not ",p:36,x:379,y:342,w:194,h:17},
{t:"have a viable indigenous ",p:36,x:379,y:364,w:194,h:17},
{t:"community of believing ",p:36,x:379,y:387,w:194,h:17},
{t:"Christians with adequate ",p:36,x:379,y:410,w:194,h:17},
{t:"numbers and resources ",p:36,x:379,y:433,w:194,h:17},
{t:"to evangelize their own ",p:36,x:379,y:456,w:194,h:17},
{t:"people without outside, ",p:36,x:379,y:478,w:194,h:17},
{t:"o r ",p:36,x:379,y:501,w:27,h:17},
{t:"c r o s s - c u l t u r a l , ",p:36,x:416,y:501,w:158,h:17},
{t:"assistance.4 ",p:36,x:379,y:523,w:89,h:18},
{t:"A ",p:36,x:389,y:547,w:19,h:17},
{t:"reached people, ",p:36,x:416,y:547,w:158,h:17},
{t:"therefore, is a biblical ",p:36,x:380,y:570,w:194,h:17},
{t:"nation among which our most straightforward and comprehensive ",p:36,x:90,y:592,w:484,h:17},
{t:"goal in blessing a people has been met. This is not to say that ",p:36,x:90,y:615,w:484,h:17},
{t:"there is no more work to do among them. There most certainly ",p:36,x:90,y:638,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is! It is to say that the primary agent for doing this work is now ",p:36,x:90,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in place. It is Christ himself, present in his churches, to an extent ",p:36,x:90,y:684,w:484,h:17},
{t:"where the churches are able to minister to their own culture. As ",p:36,x:90,y:706,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we develop new initiatives focused on completing Jesus’ “all ",p:36,x:90,y:729,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nations” commission, such peoples can be safely dropped from ",p:36,x:90,y:752,w:484,h:17},
{t:"our list of targets.",p:36,x:90,y:775,w:133,h:17},
{t:"Can We Identify Peoples Yet to Be Blessed?",p:36,x:154,y:820,w:350,h:17},
{t:"An unreached people, on the contrary, is a biblical nation ",p:36,x:120,y:866,w:454,h:17},
{t:"among whom our most straightforward and comprehensive goal ",p:36,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in blessing a people has not yet been met. Therefore, to focus ",p:36,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"An unreached people is ",p:36,x:126,y:305,w:211,h:20},
{t:"a biblical nation among ",p:36,x:127,y:327,w:210,h:20},
{t:"which our most straight-",p:36,x:122,y:349,w:213,h:20},
{t:"forward and comprehen-",p:36,x:121,y:371,w:217,h:20},
{t:"sive goal in blessing a ",p:36,x:132,y:393,w:199,h:20},
{t:"people has not yet been ",p:36,x:125,y:415,w:213,h:20},
{t:"met. Therefore, to focus ",p:36,x:127,y:437,w:210,h:20},
{t:"on starting churches ",p:36,x:140,y:459,w:184,h:20},
{t:"among them is our most ",p:36,x:124,y:481,w:215,h:20},
{t:"urgent priority.",p:36,x:164,y:503,w:130,h:20},
{t:"UNREACHED PEOPLES",p:37,x:438,y:59,w:131,h:10},
{t:"41",p:37,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"2Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, Operation World (Waynesboro, ",p:37,x:90,y:809,w:479,h:15},
{t:"Ga.: Gabriel, 2001), p. 757.",p:37,x:90,y:830,w:183,h:15},
{t:"3Data available through Joshua Project II. Contact JoshuaProject.net ",p:37,x:91,y:849,w:447,h:15},
{t:"or write P.O. Box 64080, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80962, for more ",p:37,x:90,y:860,w:443,h:28},
{t:"information.",p:37,x:90,y:890,w:81,h:15},
{t:"4Johnstone and Mandryk, Operation World, p. 759. ",p:37,x:90,y:900,w:344,h:28},
{t:"our energies on starting churches among them is our most urgent ",p:37,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"priority. The Joshua Project II list of peoples identifes 6,599 ",p:37,x:90,y:102,w:484,h:32},
{t:"“least-reached” people groups.",p:37,x:90,y:136,w:233,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:38,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"42",p:38,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Now the body is not made up of one part but of ",p:38,x:129,y:332,w:406,h:18},
{t:"many.",p:38,x:304,y:356,w:51,h:18},
{t:"(1 Cor. 12:14)",p:38,x:271,y:373,w:116,h:26},
{t:"Establishing spiritually vibrant, culturally relevant, ",p:38,x:146,y:451,w:382,h:16},
{t:"reproducing communities of Jesus’ disciples, or churches, ",p:38,x:116,y:473,w:427,h:16},
{t:"among every people on earth can seem a daunting task. ",p:38,x:116,y:495,w:412,h:16},
{t:"Is this realistically doable? How? Our awesome Father, ",p:38,x:116,y:517,w:415,h:16},
{t:"who is abounding in grace, intelligence, and ability, has ",p:38,x:116,y:539,w:416,h:16},
{t:"not left us without a design. He has masterfully arranged ",p:38,x:116,y:561,w:423,h:16},
{t:"for everything we need to be provided. Resources are ",p:38,x:116,y:583,w:394,h:16},
{t:"there in glorious abundance.",p:38,x:116,y:605,w:211,h:16},
{t:"Let’s talk about the resource of manpower. Where do ",p:38,x:146,y:649,w:389,h:16},
{t:"we fnd the people who can do this? This chapter is about ",p:38,x:116,y:662,w:426,h:29},
{t:"the awesome potential of each individual",p:38,x:116,y:695,w:300,h:16},
{t:"43",p:39,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 4",p:39,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Every Believer",p:39,x:220,y:148,w:218,h:29},
{t:"In the last several decades, some good-hearted missions ",p:39,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"enthusiasts have promoted the idea that if a Christian really loves ",p:39,x:89,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Lord he or she will become a missionary. This reinforces ",p:39,x:89,y:417,w:484,h:32},
{t:"two unhelpful, unbiblical ideas. The frst is that God’s people ",p:39,x:89,y:440,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are found in two categories: religious professionals (pastors, ",p:39,x:89,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missionaries, etc.) and everybody else. The second is that there ",p:39,x:89,y:498,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is a pecking order of spirituality with missionaries on top.",p:39,x:89,y:521,w:442,h:17},
{t:"In Loving the Church...Blessing the Nations, I have taken ",p:39,x:120,y:544,w:454,h:17},
{t:"every opportunity to use the word mission rather than missions. ",p:39,x:90,y:567,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Often when I am speaking in churches about completing world ",p:39,x:90,y:578,w:484,h:32},
{t:"evangelization, I will ask the congregation to tell me what ",p:39,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"words come to their minds when they hear the word missions ",p:39,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"or missionary. The results are not encouraging.",p:39,x:90,y:659,w:360,h:17},
{t:"People often begin with words they feel they are supposed ",p:39,x:119,y:682,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to associate with missions. “Dedicated” is a common one. ",p:39,x:90,y:705,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“Committed” is another. Some will say, “a life of faith.” Some ",p:39,x:89,y:716,w:484,h:32},
{t:"words are humorous, like “lions and tigers,” “snakes,” “pith ",p:39,x:89,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"helmets,” or “slides of sunsets.”",p:39,x:89,y:774,w:244,h:17},
{t:"When I let the group keep going, I fnd people become ",p:39,x:119,y:785,w:454,h:32},
{t:"more transparent. I begin to hear phrases like “no money,” “old ",p:39,x:90,y:820,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cars,” “out-of-date neckties,” and words like “suffering” or even ",p:39,x:90,y:843,w:485,h:17},
{t:"“martyrdom.” When words like “guilty” begin to surface, I know ",p:39,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I have hit core honesty. The meanings triggered in many minds ",p:39,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and emotions by missions and missionary are not appealing.",p:39,x:90,y:912,w:460,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:40,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"44",p:40,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Mission on the other hand, correctly understood, carries ",p:40,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"powerful attraction. It speaks to us of purpose—God’s purpose. ",p:40,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God is a God with a mission, and participating with him in ",p:40,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"completing his mission is an invitation offered to every believer. ",p:40,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Mission offers a God-sized challenge in which our lives can be ",p:40,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meaningfully and joyously invested. It provides for our God-",p:40,x:90,y:206,w:480,h:17},
{t:"given need for signifcance. It can absorb all of our creativity. ",p:40,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Missionary or non-missionary, it doesn’t matter. Everyone has ",p:40,x:90,y:241,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a place at the table.",p:40,x:90,y:275,w:147,h:17},
{t:"Misunderstandings here keep most Christians from ",p:40,x:120,y:298,w:454,h:17},
{t:"meaningful participation in God’s purpose among all nations. ",p:40,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"We look inside ourselves, at the real person God made us to ",p:40,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be, and we have no sense that we are to become a vocational ",p:40,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missionary. If mission is the exclusive domain of missionaries, ",p:40,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"there is no meaningful way for us to become involved. Missions ",p:40,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"becomes a spectator sport in which most of us can only sit and ",p:40,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"watch the “religious professionals” perform. After a while, we ",p:40,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"lose interest.",p:40,x:90,y:482,w:96,h:17},
{t:"I frst met Ray when I was teaching a series on mission in ",p:40,x:119,y:494,w:454,h:32},
{t:"his church. He came to several voluntary meetings, obviously ",p:40,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"interested. I suggested we have lunch together. As I started on ",p:40,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"my salad, I asked him to tell me his story.",p:40,x:90,y:574,w:318,h:17},
{t:"Ray had made a number of genuine attempts at more ",p:40,x:120,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"traditional kinds of Christian service. “I used to be a deacon in ",p:40,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a Baptist church,” I remember him saying. “They asked us to ",p:40,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"do visitation, so I would go every week. They said people were ",p:40,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"just waiting to receive Christ.” He paused, “Well, I never found ",p:40,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"anyone just waiting to receive Christ when I visited them. All ",p:40,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"they were waiting for was for me to leave.” Ray had obviously ",p:40,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"not been gifted as an evangelist. But, wait, how had God gifted ",p:40,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"my brother?",p:40,x:90,y:781,w:93,h:17},
{t:"I asked him about his work. “I am an engineer,” he continued. ",p:40,x:119,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"“Growing up, I always wondered why people brought me things ",p:40,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to fx rather than fxing them themselves. I slowly realized that ",p:40,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"fxing things is easier for me than for most people. I studied civil ",p:40,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"engineering at a university and went to work for a frm. My boss ",p:40,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"EVERY  BELIEVER",p:41,x:463,y:59,w:106,h:10},
{t:"45",p:41,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"was taking under-the-table payments from city offcials to get ",p:41,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"contracts. I told him that I was a Christian and could not do that. ",p:41,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"So I left. Since I was unemployed, I thought I would just go into ",p:41,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"practice on my own. That was a few years ago. I now own my ",p:41,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"own company with one hundred and twenty employees.”",p:41,x:90,y:183,w:436,h:17},
{t:"He said it so matter-of-factly. The last thing he was trying to ",p:41,x:119,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"do was impress me. Here was a brother who loved Jesus, who ",p:41,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had left a good-paying job to follow him, and who was sincerely ",p:41,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trying to understand how he could serve. Boy, was Ray gifted! He ",p:41,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"was gifted to initiate, to lead, and to problem-solve. But, sadly, ",p:41,x:90,y:287,w:484,h:32},
{t:"he was only fnding expression for his gifting in the business ",p:41,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"world. I knew how desperately God’s mission needed the kinds ",p:41,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of gifts Ray had. But he was fnding no outlet for them in the ",p:41,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"context of that mission. I grieved.",p:41,x:90,y:390,w:258,h:17},
{t:"How profoundly tragic! Less than 0.1 percent of us have ",p:41,x:119,y:402,w:454,h:32},
{t:"become foreign missionaries. If mission is the exclusive domain ",p:41,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of vocational missionaries, where does that leave the other 99-",p:41,x:90,y:459,w:479,h:17},
{t:"plus percent of us?",p:41,x:90,y:482,w:144,h:17},
{t:"God’s gracious design is precisely the opposite. He includes ",p:41,x:119,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"everyone! He has created and endowed each person for true ",p:41,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"signifcance. Each of us is unique, with our own personal ",p:41,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"portfolio of natural abilities, spiritual gifts, and vocational ",p:41,x:90,y:574,w:485,h:17},
{t:"expertise. God has fashioned every individual for a role in his ",p:41,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom that nobody else can fulfll and has placed us in an ",p:41,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"environment to count in ways no one else can.",p:41,x:90,y:643,w:355,h:17},
{t:"We don’t have to try to become somebody else, somebody ",p:41,x:119,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"we are not. Such attempts are incredibly counterproductive, even ",p:41,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"destructive. They show ",p:41,x:90,y:712,w:179,h:17},
{t:"we are unable to trust ",p:41,x:90,y:735,w:179,h:17},
{t:"that God really knew ",p:41,x:90,y:758,w:179,h:17},
{t:"what he was doing and ",p:41,x:90,y:781,w:179,h:17},
{t:"had our very best in ",p:41,x:90,y:804,w:179,h:17},
{t:"mind when he made ",p:41,x:90,y:827,w:179,h:17},
{t:"us the way we are. The ",p:41,x:90,y:850,w:179,h:17},
{t:"person he designed ",p:41,x:90,y:873,w:178,h:17},
{t:"each of us to be is just ",p:41,x:90,y:896,w:178,h:17},
{t:"To creatively express ",p:41,x:330,y:742,w:188,h:20},
{t:"ourselves—the person we ",p:41,x:310,y:763,w:228,h:20},
{t:"really are—in the context of ",p:41,x:302,y:785,w:244,h:20},
{t:"God’s worldwide purpose ",p:41,x:310,y:807,w:228,h:20},
{t:"is the most fulflling ",p:41,x:336,y:829,w:176,h:20},
{t:"experience imaginable. It is ",p:41,x:303,y:851,w:242,h:20},
{t:"the reason we are on earth!",p:41,x:302,y:872,w:240,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:42,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"46",p:42,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"right. To creatively express ourselves—the person we really ",p:42,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are—in the context of God’s worldwide purpose is the most ",p:42,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fulflling experience imaginable. It is the reason we are on earth!",p:42,x:90,y:126,w:479,h:32},
{t:"God doesn’t buy in to clergy versus laity distinctions among ",p:42,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Christians. This was never his idea! He designed one category ",p:42,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of believers in Jesus: disciples. And it is disciples, with our ",p:42,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"breathtakingly gorgeous mosaic of God-given capacities, who ",p:42,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"form his manpower source for blessing the nations.",p:42,x:90,y:252,w:392,h:17},
{t:"Having established that, it is important to clarify that ",p:42,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"vocational missionaries are absolutely included! One of them ",p:42,x:90,y:287,w:484,h:32},
{t:"is writing these words. We are called to be disciples too. We are ",p:42,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"an essential part, a crucial part, of kingdom extension. But we ",p:42,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are only a part, one part.",p:42,x:90,y:367,w:186,h:17},
{t:"The question will be asked, ",p:42,x:119,y:390,w:254,h:17},
{t:"“Don ’t we need more ",p:42,x:377,y:390,w:196,h:17},
{t:"missionaries?” Absolutely. I would prefer, rather than to call ",p:42,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"forth individuals as missionaries, to call every believer (1) to ",p:42,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"embrace God’s mission and (2) to fulfll the role God designed ",p:42,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"for him or her, indicated by his gracious calling and gifting. This ",p:42,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of course includes all who are called to serve cross-culturally, ",p:42,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"but it goes way beyond that.",p:42,x:90,y:528,w:216,h:17},
{t:"It is a way of gently affrming each person. It avoids the dan-",p:42,x:119,y:540,w:450,h:32},
{t:"ger of setting one above the other. It steers us clear of language ",p:42,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that can unintentionally be intrusive and ma-nipulative. It will ",p:42,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"result in missionaries stepping forward, far more I think than ",p:42,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"otherwise, and will en-",p:42,x:90,y:643,w:173,h:17},
{t:"rich the mission with ",p:42,x:90,y:666,w:178,h:17},
{t:"the human resources ",p:42,x:90,y:689,w:178,h:17},
{t:"it most certainly de-",p:42,x:90,y:712,w:171,h:17},
{t:"serves and urgently ",p:42,x:90,y:735,w:176,h:17},
{t:"needs.",p:42,x:90,y:758,w:48,h:17},
{t:"S t a r t i n g ",p:42,x:119,y:770,w:92,h:32},
{t:"new ",p:42,x:222,y:770,w:43,h:32},
{t:"churches ",p:42,x:90,y:804,w:97,h:17},
{t:"among ",p:42,x:197,y:804,w:69,h:17},
{t:"unreached peoples ",p:42,x:90,y:827,w:176,h:17},
{t:"is a comprehensive ",p:42,x:90,y:850,w:176,h:17},
{t:"process, a process that beckons the contribution of every believer. ",p:42,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I would prefer, rather than ",p:42,x:307,y:666,w:238,h:20},
{t:"seeking to call forth indi-",p:42,x:315,y:688,w:216,h:20},
{t:"viduals as missionaries, to ",p:42,x:306,y:710,w:240,h:20},
{t:"call forth every believer (1) ",p:42,x:308,y:732,w:236,h:20},
{t:"into God’s mission and (2) ",p:42,x:309,y:754,w:234,h:20},
{t:"into the role God designed ",p:42,x:308,y:776,w:235,h:20},
{t:"for him or her.",p:42,x:361,y:798,w:123,h:20},
{t:"EVERY  BELIEVER",p:43,x:463,y:59,w:106,h:10},
{t:"47",p:43,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"If the only participants are missionaries, the mission will be ",p:43,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"severely deprived.",p:43,x:90,y:114,w:140,h:17},
{t:"Maximizing the Mission Role of Every Believer",p:43,x:137,y:160,w:385,h:17},
{t:"Every believer is called by God into ministry (Eph. 4:11–12). ",p:43,x:120,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"“Some,” not “all,” are given to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, ",p:43,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"pastors, and teachers. Their task is to prepare God’s people (all ",p:43,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of them!) for works of service. It is the fellowship of believers ",p:43,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"collectively that ministers. See the local church as the minister.",p:43,x:90,y:287,w:480,h:32},
{t:"My twenty years of cross-cultural missionary service was ",p:43,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"divided into two main parts. First came fve years in India, ",p:43,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"followed by ffteen years as the pioneer managing director of ",p:43,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the two mission ships Logos and Doulos. These ships are part ",p:43,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the mission organization Operation Mobilization.",p:43,x:90,y:402,w:398,h:32},
{t:"When God gave us the Logos toward the end of 1970, we ",p:43,x:119,y:425,w:454,h:32},
{t:"had been asking him for a ship for world evangelization for ",p:43,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"some six years. But oh how little we fully realized what we had ",p:43,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"been asking! Operating a ship, with a full program of outreach ",p:43,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and Christian discipleship, requires so much more than a group ",p:43,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of enthusiastic, God-hungry Christian young people. It takes a ",p:43,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"captain, engineers, navigating offcers, deck crew, electricians, ",p:43,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"carpenters, cooks, secretaries, managers, teachers, people skilled ",p:43,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in communications, and lots and lots of willing and available ",p:43,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hearts and hands.",p:43,x:90,y:643,w:132,h:17},
{t:"During those years, the crew and staff with whom I had the ",p:43,x:119,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"privilege of serving enriched my life in unimaginable ways. ",p:43,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They came from dozens of different countries and backgrounds. ",p:43,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They taught me about God. They taught me that the Holy Spirit ",p:43,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"gifts each member of the body to serve God’s purposes with ",p:43,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fruitfulness and joy. They taught me about the church.",p:43,x:90,y:781,w:414,h:17},
{t:"They taught me the principles of this chapter. I saw Jesus in ",p:43,x:119,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"them, up close and frsthand. In eternity I expect him to confer ",p:43,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"great honor on these unnamed, faithful servants.",p:43,x:90,y:850,w:369,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:44,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"48",p:44,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Every believer is gifted by God for the ministry to which ",p:44,x:150,y:91,w:424,h:17},
{t:"God has called him or her (1 Cor. 12:1). The idea that “every ",p:44,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"believer is called by God into ministry” can be frightening, ",p:44,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"especially for those who have had others try to get them to serve ",p:44,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God through various ",p:44,x:395,y:183,w:179,h:17},
{t:"forms of coercion and ",p:44,x:395,y:206,w:179,h:17},
{t:"guilt.",p:44,x:395,y:229,w:39,h:17},
{t:"Our gracious ",p:44,x:450,y:241,w:124,h:32},
{t:"Father has not called us ",p:44,x:393,y:275,w:181,h:17},
{t:"to do anything he has ",p:44,x:393,y:298,w:181,h:17},
{t:"not prepared and gifted ",p:44,x:393,y:321,w:181,h:17},
{t:"us to do. And when we ",p:44,x:393,y:344,w:181,h:17},
{t:"function in the gifts ",p:44,x:393,y:367,w:181,h:17},
{t:"Christ has chosen for ",p:44,x:393,y:390,w:181,h:17},
{t:"us, our experience is ",p:44,x:393,y:413,w:181,h:17},
{t:"awesomely rich, fulflling, and joyful. In fact, one of the ways ",p:44,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"we recognize how God is gifting us is by how fulflled we feel ",p:44,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"when we are doing the things for which we have been gifted!",p:44,x:90,y:482,w:468,h:17},
{t:"Ebbo joined the Logos team even before God gave us the ",p:44,x:119,y:494,w:454,h:32},
{t:"ship. He is from Holland, where he worked as a welder in a Dutch ",p:44,x:89,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"shipyard. When we took possession of the vessel, he joined the ",p:44,x:89,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"deck crew. It was soon clear that God had not only given Ebbo ",p:44,x:89,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"work skills but also leadership qualities and practical wisdom.",p:44,x:89,y:597,w:476,h:17},
{t:"One of the positions on Logos that we had diffculty flling ",p:44,x:119,y:609,w:454,h:32},
{t:"was that of chief steward. The chief steward is responsible for ",p:44,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all the food and accommodation functions on board. The job on ",p:44,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Logos was different in some important ways from being chief ",p:44,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"steward on a regular ship. Yes, we needed management and ",p:44,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"discipline and excellence. But we also needed understanding and ",p:44,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"grace and a set of values and policies that honored and served ",p:44,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Christian community.",p:44,x:90,y:781,w:165,h:17},
{t:"We took a risk the day we signed Ebbo on ship’s articles ",p:44,x:119,y:793,w:454,h:32},
{t:"as chief steward. But he was God’s choice, and God came ",p:44,x:90,y:816,w:485,h:32},
{t:"through. He had gifted and prepared his servant well. Under ",p:44,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Ebbo’s leadership, the community on Logos enjoyed a season ",p:44,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of refreshment, stability, and peace. Ebbo grew and developed ",p:44,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"The idea that “every ",p:44,x:147,y:219,w:183,h:20},
{t:"believer is called by God ",p:44,x:128,y:241,w:220,h:20},
{t:"into ministry” can be ",p:44,x:145,y:263,w:187,h:20},
{t:"frightening, especially for ",p:44,x:125,y:285,w:227,h:20},
{t:"those who have had others ",p:44,x:117,y:307,w:243,h:20},
{t:"try to get them to serve ",p:44,x:135,y:329,w:206,h:20},
{t:"through coercion and guilt.",p:44,x:119,y:351,w:233,h:20},
{t:"EVERY  BELIEVER",p:45,x:463,y:59,w:106,h:10},
{t:"49",p:45,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"in this role. He became part of the team who pioneered the ",p:45,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"second ship, Doulos, and then he moved with us to Germany to ",p:45,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"start the OM Ships headquarters where he oversaw the steward ",p:45,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"departments on both ships.",p:45,x:90,y:160,w:205,h:17},
{t:"There is a diversity of gifts and ministries (1 Cor. 12:14). ",p:45,x:120,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"The well-intended idea that “everybody should be a missionary” ",p:45,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"violates this truth. God in his wisdom made generous provision ",p:45,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the Church for a rich diversity of natural abilities, spiritual ",p:45,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gifts, and learned expertise. Trying to make everybody the same ",p:45,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"disregards Christ’s headship of the Church. He is the author of ",p:45,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"diversity. He chooses what role each one is to play. Otherwise, ",p:45,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"we have our design, not his. ",p:45,x:90,y:344,w:219,h:17},
{t:"Recognizing and celebrating diversity affirms and ",p:45,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"liberates God’s people. God’s leaders are responsible to (1) ",p:45,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"recognize the ways in ",p:45,x:394,y:413,w:179,h:17},
{t:"which in-dividuals are ",p:45,x:394,y:436,w:179,h:17},
{t:"being gifted, (2) affrm ",p:45,x:394,y:448,w:179,h:32},
{t:"them in these gifts, (3) ",p:45,x:393,y:482,w:181,h:17},
{t:"develop their capacity ",p:45,x:393,y:505,w:181,h:17},
{t:"to effectively express ",p:45,x:393,y:528,w:181,h:17},
{t:"their gifts, and (4) ",p:45,x:393,y:551,w:181,h:17},
{t:"structure opportunities ",p:45,x:393,y:574,w:181,h:17},
{t:"that allow these gifts to be deployed.",p:45,x:90,y:597,w:281,h:17},
{t:"Beth is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is from Indiana. ",p:45,x:119,y:609,w:454,h:32},
{t:"I don’t know how much time she ever spent outside the state ",p:45,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"before her church began to focus on church planting among an ",p:45,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unreached people group in Central Asia. She and her husband ",p:45,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Terry, a heating and air conditioning engineer, became involved ",p:45,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the church’s process early on. They helped in the screening of ",p:45,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"applicants for the church’s long-term church planting team. They ",p:45,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"took part in short-term teams the church sent to the target people ",p:45,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"group each summer to teach English as a second language.",p:45,x:90,y:793,w:450,h:32},
{t:"Once the long-term church planting team was in place, Beth ",p:45,x:119,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"and Terry became part of a group of coaches for the team. The ",p:45,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church wisely put in place a coaching visit every six months for ",p:45,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"encouragement and pastoral care. Hanna and I were asked to be ",p:45,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God is the author of ",p:45,x:149,y:437,w:179,h:20},
{t:"diversity. He chooses what ",p:45,x:117,y:459,w:243,h:20},
{t:"role each one is to play. ",p:45,x:132,y:481,w:213,h:20},
{t:"Otherwise, we have our ",p:45,x:131,y:503,w:214,h:20},
{t:"design, not his.",p:45,x:169,y:525,w:134,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:46,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"50",p:46,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"part of this group of coaches. We traveled to Central Asia with ",p:46,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Beth and Terry and watched them in action.",p:46,x:90,y:103,w:334,h:32},
{t:"We saw God’s hand on them. Leadership and cross-cultural ",p:46,x:119,y:126,w:454,h:32},
{t:"gifting in Beth, in some aspects dormant and unseen in Indiana, ",p:46,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"emerged and fourished. The day came when Hanna and I told ",p:46,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the church there was no longer a need for us to coach the team. ",p:46,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"We would coach the coaches. People like Beth knew far more ",p:46,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"than they thought they knew. God had gifted them for this ",p:46,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"work, and their gifts had been honed and developed through a ",p:46,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church planting initiative born within their church. God, you are ",p:46,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"awesome!",p:46,x:90,y:321,w:77,h:17},
{t:"Planting churches among unreached peoples is a complex ",p:46,x:120,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"process. It calls forth every gift. It woos the contribution of every ",p:46,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"believer. Apostolic-type church planting teams, which will be ",p:46,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"raised up and sent forth to unreached peoples, are merely the tip ",p:46,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the iceberg. Visualize an overall process of initiation, strategy ",p:46,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"development, implementation, management, pastoral support, ",p:46,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and funding, and you will begin to see a wide range of roles, ",p:46,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"each of which is a channel for involvement.",p:46,x:90,y:505,w:335,h:17},
{t:"Ted is a businessman in Beth’s church. God hasn’t called ",p:46,x:119,y:517,w:454,h:32},
{t:"him to go to Central Asia. He has called him to be a businessman ",p:46,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in Indiana. What role could a businessman in Indiana play in a ",p:46,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church planting initiative in Central Asia?",p:46,x:90,y:597,w:320,h:17},
{t:"As the church studied the needs of the people group to whom ",p:46,x:119,y:620,w:454,h:17},
{t:"they had been called, comparing them with the individuals who ",p:46,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"were interested in the long-term team, they decided to design ",p:46,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"their initial approach around medical work. They formed a ",p:46,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"separate 501(c)(3) organization to facilitate and serve this ",p:46,x:90,y:701,w:485,h:32},
{t:"approach. Later in this book, we discuss viewing this kind of ",p:46,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"organization as an apostolic structure.",p:46,x:90,y:758,w:289,h:17},
{t:"Here Ted found his role. His business experience and role ",p:46,x:119,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"in the church ideally prepared him to serve as the chairman of ",p:46,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the board of this organization. The organization has proven to ",p:46,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be essential to the success of this initiative. Now, several years ",p:46,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"later, a small group of believers has been born in Central Asia, ",p:46,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and the work is still growing. Other churches have joined the ",p:46,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"EVERY  BELIEVER",p:47,x:463,y:59,w:106,h:10},
{t:"51",p:47,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"initiative. Ted’s role in the facilitating organization, and the roles ",p:47,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of other board members, has been as much a part of the birth of ",p:47,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this new church as the role of those who went to Central Asia. ",p:47,x:90,y:137,w:480,h:17},
{t:"Most Christians will not leave home and go someplace else ",p:47,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to minister. In most cases, if God’s people are to meaningfully ",p:47,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"participate in God’s global mission, they must be affrmed, ",p:47,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"developed, and released in their ministry gifting right where they ",p:47,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"live, in the context of the community of believers of which they ",p:47,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are a part. We must view churches as centers of mission vision ",p:47,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and implementation. Indeed, there is a sense in which each local ",p:47,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"community of faith is to mature into a mission fellowship. Only ",p:47,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in this way can we even begin to realize the total mobilization ",p:47,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of God’s people into God’s purposes. ",p:47,x:90,y:367,w:290,h:17},
{t:"Russ is an attorney. He is one of the managing partners of a ",p:47,x:120,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"law frm. He is also an elder in his church. He is a graduate of ",p:47,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the Naval Academy and spent time as a naval offcer before ",p:47,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"beginning to practice ",p:47,x:405,y:459,w:169,h:17},
{t:"law. The world is ",p:47,x:405,y:482,w:169,h:17},
{t:"a familiar place for ",p:47,x:405,y:505,w:169,h:17},
{t:"him, and he has a keen ",p:47,x:405,y:528,w:169,h:17},
{t:"interest in missions.",p:47,x:405,y:551,w:152,h:17},
{t:"His church has ",p:47,x:450,y:574,w:124,h:17},
{t:"focused on church ",p:47,x:405,y:597,w:169,h:17},
{t:"planting among an ",p:47,x:405,y:620,w:169,h:17},
{t:"unreached people ",p:47,x:405,y:643,w:169,h:17},
{t:"group in Indonesia. ",p:47,x:405,y:666,w:169,h:17},
{t:"Throughout the process, Russ has played a key role of support ",p:47,x:89,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and encouragement. He has worked with other leaders in the ",p:47,x:89,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church to oversee this initiative, to solve problems, and to ",p:47,x:89,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"develop strategy. He has made several visits to the team in ",p:47,x:89,y:758,w:485,h:17},
{t:"Indonesia for the purpose of encouragement and pastoral care.",p:47,x:89,y:781,w:477,h:17},
{t:"Now the church is beginning to develop a second church-",p:47,x:119,y:804,w:449,h:17},
{t:"planting focus on an unreached people group in Central Asia. ",p:47,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Hanna and I had the privilege of going on a prayer and survey ",p:47,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trip to Central Asia with Russ and the other elders. The vital role ",p:47,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Russ and these elders are playing in church planting initiatives in ",p:47,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"We must view churches ",p:47,x:136,y:476,w:213,h:20},
{t:"as centers of mission ",p:47,x:147,y:498,w:190,h:20},
{t:"vision and implementation. ",p:47,x:121,y:520,w:242,h:20},
{t:"Indeed, there is a sense in ",p:47,x:123,y:542,w:237,h:20},
{t:"which each local community ",p:47,x:116,y:564,w:252,h:20},
{t:"of faith is to mature into a ",p:47,x:126,y:586,w:232,h:20},
{t:"mission fellowship.",p:47,x:155,y:608,w:168,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:48,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"52",p:48,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"two countries and two unreached people groups is made possible ",p:48,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"only because these initiatives are rooted in the fellowship of their ",p:48,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church.",p:48,x:90,y:137,w:56,h:17},
{t:"Most Christians are called and gifted by God not for going ",p:48,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"but for sending or support. Examples of gifts and ministries ",p:48,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"needed in the process of support are",p:48,x:90,y:206,w:275,h:17},
{t:"serving ",p:48,x:119,y:229,w:61,h:17},
{t:"showing mercy ",p:48,x:269,y:229,w:122,h:17},
{t:"healing",p:48,x:419,y:229,w:56,h:17},
{t:"teaching ",p:48,x:119,y:252,w:69,h:17},
{t:"words of wisdom ",p:48,x:269,y:252,w:137,h:17},
{t:"helping",p:48,x:419,y:252,w:57,h:17},
{t:"encouraging ",p:48,x:119,y:275,w:99,h:17},
{t:"faith ",p:48,x:269,y:275,w:39,h:17},
{t:"administration",p:48,x:419,y:275,w:110,h:17},
{t:"giving ",p:48,x:119,y:298,w:53,h:17},
{t:"prophecy ",p:48,x:269,y:298,w:76,h:17},
{t:"pastoring",p:48,x:419,y:298,w:71,h:17},
{t:"leading ",p:48,x:119,y:321,w:61,h:17},
{t:"intercession",p:48,x:269,y:321,w:91,h:17},
{t:"Many unevangelized cultures are effectively entered for a ",p:48,x:119,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"long-term basis through secular roles. Here are a few examples ",p:48,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of viable roles in unreached societies:",p:48,x:90,y:390,w:289,h:17},
{t:"student ",p:48,x:119,y:413,w:60,h:17},
{t:"teacher ",p:48,x:269,y:413,w:60,h:17},
{t:"health professional",p:48,x:419,y:413,w:145,h:17},
{t:"engineer ",p:48,x:119,y:436,w:70,h:17},
{t:"consultant ",p:48,x:269,y:436,w:83,h:17},
{t:"business person",p:48,x:419,y:436,w:120,h:17},
{t:"social scientist ",p:48,x:119,y:459,w:117,h:17},
{t:"lawyer ",p:48,x:269,y:459,w:56,h:17},
{t:"investor",p:48,x:419,y:459,w:61,h:17},
{t:"retired person ",p:48,x:119,y:482,w:110,h:17},
{t:"researcher ",p:48,x:269,y:482,w:83,h:17},
{t:"travel agent",p:48,x:419,y:482,w:89,h:17},
{t:"Where would we go to fnd believers profcient in such ",p:48,x:119,y:517,w:454,h:32},
{t:"vocational roles?",p:48,x:90,y:551,w:130,h:17},
{t:"Most believers will only fnd fulfllment in ministry when ",p:48,x:120,y:564,w:454,h:31},
{t:"they are integrated into a group. A vast majority of Christians ",p:48,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are frustrated in the area of ministry. They fnd no outlet to ",p:48,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"meaningfully express how they are gifted. The individualism that ",p:48,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has deeply formed the perspective of Western cultures infuences ",p:48,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"us to think almost entirely of ourselves. We think in terms of “my” ",p:48,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gifts or “my” ministry. ",p:48,x:90,y:712,w:184,h:17},
{t:"But most spiritual gifts ",p:48,x:90,y:724,w:184,h:32},
{t:"and ministries cannot ",p:48,x:90,y:758,w:184,h:17},
{t:"function alone. They ",p:48,x:90,y:781,w:184,h:17},
{t:"are not designed that ",p:48,x:90,y:804,w:184,h:17},
{t:"way. Each gift, each ",p:48,x:90,y:816,w:184,h:32},
{t:"ministry, and each ",p:48,x:90,y:850,w:184,h:17},
{t:"person is to minister in ",p:48,x:90,y:873,w:184,h:17},
{t:"relationship with other ",p:48,x:90,y:896,w:184,h:17},
{t:"The individualism in ",p:48,x:337,y:739,w:177,h:20},
{t:"Western cultures infuences ",p:48,x:306,y:760,w:239,h:20},
{t:"us to think almost entirely ",p:48,x:313,y:781,w:226,h:20},
{t:"of ourselves. But most ",p:48,x:330,y:803,w:192,h:20},
{t:"spiritual gifts and ministries ",p:48,x:304,y:824,w:243,h:20},
{t:"cannot function alone. They ",p:48,x:306,y:845,w:238,h:20},
{t:"are not designed that way.",p:48,x:309,y:866,w:228,h:20},
{t:"EVERY  BELIEVER",p:49,x:463,y:59,w:106,h:10},
{t:"53",p:49,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"gifts, ministries, and people. Their potential will only be brought ",p:49,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to full effectiveness when they are integrated into a ministering ",p:49,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"group, a mission community.",p:49,x:90,y:137,w:222,h:17},
{t:"One Woman’s Story",p:49,x:247,y:183,w:165,h:17},
{t:"One evening after speaking to a group about the challenge of ",p:49,x:119,y:218,w:454,h:32},
{t:"unreached peoples, several individuals had questions. I noticed ",p:49,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"one woman with a troubled expression, waiting off to the side ",p:49,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"until the others were through.",p:49,x:90,y:298,w:226,h:17},
{t:"When we had a chance to talk, she expressed how deeply she ",p:49,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"desired to minister among unreached peoples. But she did not ",p:49,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"know how to go about it. I asked her to tell me how she sensed ",p:49,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God had gifted her. She said she believed she had the gift of ",p:49,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"helping. I then felt led to ask her about her family situation. She ",p:49,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"said she was a single mother of two.",p:49,x:90,y:436,w:277,h:17},
{t:"Then she said something that made me so very sad. She said, ",p:49,x:119,y:448,w:454,h:32},
{t:"“I have been to Bible school, and I feel guilty that I am not using ",p:49,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"my Bible school training for the Lord.”",p:49,x:90,y:494,w:300,h:32},
{t:"How does a single mother of two, gifted by Jesus with the ",p:49,x:119,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"gift of helping, minister effectively among unreached peoples? ",p:49,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"One thing is for sure; she can’t do it by herself. God’s design for ",p:49,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"her, and for the rest of us, is to be integrated into a group that ",p:49,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is ministering among unreached peoples. It is in the context of ",p:49,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the ministering group that her gift of helping will be maximized. ",p:49,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"And for this woman, and for most of us, that ministering group ",p:49,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"will almost certainly be her home church.",p:49,x:90,y:689,w:318,h:17},
{t:"Both sending and going are best done in groups. The New ",p:49,x:119,y:701,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Testament describes for us two groups within the body of Christ: ",p:49,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a local church is an example of a sending group, and a team is an ",p:49,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"example of a going group. We will look more closely at groups ",p:49,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the next three chapters.",p:49,x:90,y:804,w:197,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:50,x:88,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"54",p:50,x:88,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Conclusion",p:50,x:284,y:91,w:91,h:17},
{t:"During the reformation of the church in sixteenth century ",p:50,x:120,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Europe, one of the passions of the reformers was to make the ",p:50,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Word of God accessible to every believer. We now live in a time ",p:50,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"when God’s leaders are increasingly recognizing that we must ",p:50,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"make the work of God accessible to every believer.",p:50,x:90,y:229,w:390,h:17},
{t:"As the potential contribution of each believer is recognized, ",p:50,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"affrmed, developed, and released, a groundswell of joyful ",p:50,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"service will move across the earth, and Jesus will be proclaimed, ",p:50,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"known, worshipped, and loved among all nations. ",p:50,x:90,y:321,w:386,h:17},
{t:"After this I looked and there before me was a great ",p:50,x:119,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"multitude that no one could ",p:50,x:358,y:367,w:216,h:17},
{t:"count, from every nation, ",p:50,x:358,y:390,w:216,h:17},
{t:"tribe, people and language, ",p:50,x:358,y:413,w:216,h:17},
{t:"standing before the throne ",p:50,x:358,y:436,w:216,h:17},
{t:"and in front of the Lamb. . . ",p:50,x:358,y:448,w:216,h:32},
{t:". And they cried out in a loud ",p:50,x:358,y:482,w:216,h:17},
{t:"voice: “Salvation belongs ",p:50,x:358,y:494,w:216,h:32},
{t:"to our God, who sits on the ",p:50,x:358,y:528,w:216,h:17},
{t:"throne, and to the Lamb” ",p:50,x:358,y:540,w:216,h:32},
{t:"(Rev. 7:9–10).",p:50,x:358,y:563,w:110,h:32},
{t:"In God’s design, the ",p:50,x:389,y:597,w:184,h:17},
{t:"manpower for global mission ",p:50,x:358,y:620,w:216,h:17},
{t:"comes not from one small ",p:50,x:358,y:643,w:216,h:17},
{t:"group of Christian disciples ",p:50,x:358,y:666,w:216,h:17},
{t:"(vocational missionaries) ",p:50,x:358,y:689,w:216,h:17},
{t:"but from every believer. In this chapter we have considered the ",p:50,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"individual. We now turn our attention to the interplay between ",p:50,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the individual and the group.",p:50,x:90,y:758,w:220,h:17},
{t:"During the reformation ",p:50,x:120,y:396,w:203,h:20},
{t:"of the church, the ",p:50,x:143,y:418,w:157,h:20},
{t:"reformers wanted to ",p:50,x:130,y:440,w:183,h:20},
{t:"make the Word of God ",p:50,x:121,y:462,w:201,h:20},
{t:"accessible to every ",p:50,x:136,y:484,w:170,h:20},
{t:"believer. We now live ",p:50,x:126,y:506,w:190,h:20},
{t:"in a time when God’s ",p:50,x:126,y:528,w:192,h:20},
{t:"leaders recognize that ",p:50,x:122,y:550,w:199,h:20},
{t:"we must make the ",p:50,x:138,y:572,w:167,h:20},
{t:"work of God accessible ",p:50,x:118,y:594,w:207,h:20},
{t:"to every believer.",p:50,x:144,y:616,w:148,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:51,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"56",p:51,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"All the believers were together and had every-",p:51,x:134,y:188,w:391,h:18},
{t:"thing in common. (Acts 2:44)",p:51,x:206,y:212,w:247,h:18},
{t:"To God, each individual has awesome signifcance. ",p:51,x:146,y:292,w:379,h:29},
{t:"He calls and gifts us individually. He woos us toward ",p:51,x:116,y:323,w:395,h:16},
{t:"vital participation with him in his global purpose. But ",p:51,x:116,y:345,w:400,h:16},
{t:"there is a sickness that is associated with focusing on the ",p:51,x:116,y:367,w:421,h:16},
{t:"individual that does not come from God—individualism.",p:51,x:116,y:389,w:412,h:16},
{t:"In modern, Western cultures individualism pervades ",p:51,x:146,y:433,w:386,h:16},
{t:"and molds our thought patterns. What will I as an indi-",p:51,x:116,y:455,w:404,h:16},
{t:"vidual choose to do in terms of my schooling, my career, ",p:51,x:116,y:477,w:417,h:16},
{t:"my residence, my money, my discretionary time, and my ",p:51,x:116,y:499,w:413,h:16},
{t:"retirement? We view these choices as the rightful domain ",p:51,x:116,y:521,w:422,h:16},
{t:"of the individual.",p:51,x:116,y:543,w:124,h:16},
{t:"We bring this perspective into our understanding of ",p:51,x:146,y:587,w:382,h:16},
{t:"how to live the Christian life. We view following Christ as ",p:51,x:116,y:609,w:428,h:16},
{t:"an individual matter. I choose a church to attend based ",p:51,x:116,y:631,w:408,h:16},
{t:"on which one best meets my needs and refects my prefer-",p:51,x:116,y:644,w:419,h:29},
{t:"ences. I focus on how I personally can grow, what speak-",p:51,x:116,y:675,w:418,h:16},
{t:"ers I like, and what books minister to me. In deciding how ",p:51,x:116,y:697,w:429,h:16},
{t:"I will minister, I follow personal inclinations.",p:51,x:116,y:719,w:331,h:16},
{t:"What is the biblical balance to individualism?",p:51,x:146,y:763,w:338,h:16},
{t:"57",p:52,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 5",p:52,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Christian Community",p:52,x:169,y:148,w:320,h:29},
{t:"In the last chapter, we concentrated on the individual. ",p:52,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"We discovered awesome truths about God’s delight in, call upon, ",p:52,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and gifting of each person. But we also found that the individual ",p:52,x:90,y:417,w:484,h:32},
{t:"alone is incomplete. Focusing on the individual introduces us ",p:52,x:90,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"inextricably to the indispensable role of the group.",p:52,x:90,y:475,w:386,h:17},
{t:"God Places Us in Groups",p:52,x:227,y:521,w:204,h:17},
{t:"When individualism dominates our thought patterns, it leaves ",p:52,x:119,y:567,w:454,h:17},
{t:"us largely unaware of the reality of the group. And this impacts ",p:52,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"our well being in some very negative ways. For example, God has ",p:52,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"placed each of us in a family. How we relate with other members ",p:52,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of this family will impact us deeply. When we are unaware of ",p:52,x:90,y:659,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this, or treat it lightly, we open ourselves up to real damage.",p:52,x:90,y:682,w:458,h:17},
{t:"God has also placed each individual believer in his family—",p:52,x:119,y:705,w:449,h:17},
{t:"the body of Christ. There are crucial dimensions of our life with ",p:52,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Jesus that can only be lived out in the context of this group. If ",p:52,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we do not realize this, and take the necessary initiatives in light ",p:52,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of it, we will never fully mature as Christians. No, that is not ",p:52,x:90,y:797,w:484,h:17},
{t:"overstated. Yes, what we are talking about here is that crucial.",p:52,x:90,y:820,w:473,h:17},
{t:"If we never fully mature as Christians, we will not be ",p:52,x:119,y:843,w:454,h:17},
{t:"effective in expressing our role in God’s plan as he expands his ",p:52,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom. Healthy understanding of and participation in Christian ",p:52,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"community is crucial to effective mission.",p:52,x:90,y:912,w:322,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:53,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"58",p:53,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"In the New Testament, as indicated in the last chapter, we ",p:53,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"are presented with two foundational groups within the body of ",p:53,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Christ: local churches and ministry teams. We will consider each ",p:53,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of these more deeply in the following two chapters, but frst, let’s ",p:53,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"examine some characteristics that make Christian communities ",p:53,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"so powerful, especially in extending God’s kingdom among all ",p:53,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nations.",p:53,x:90,y:229,w:60,h:17},
{t:"For the moment, we will investigate Christian community ",p:53,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"as a condition, a state shared by a group of individual believers.",p:53,x:90,y:275,w:480,h:17},
{t:"Why Is Christian Community So Powerful? ",p:53,x:150,y:321,w:363,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for powerful ",p:53,x:120,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"corporate worship. And worship is at the very heart of mission. ",p:53,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"In fact, God’s mission can be articulated in terms of worship: ",p:53,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“All nations will come and worship before you” (Rev. 15:4).",p:53,x:90,y:436,w:464,h:17},
{t:"Worship is a crucial occupation for us as we go about the ",p:53,x:119,y:459,w:454,h:17},
{t:"work of global kingdom proclamation. Christ’s commission is ",p:53,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"yet to be completed because of the existence of opposing spiritual ",p:53,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"forces. God has an enemy, and although this enemy is a defeated ",p:53,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"foe, he is committed to causing as much evil and destruction as ",p:53,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he can before his end comes. Against this enemy we battle. We ",p:53,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fght in the realm of the spirit, and worship is a key component in ",p:53,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"this fght. During an aggressive evangelistic and church planting ",p:53,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"campaign, battling powers of evil arrayed against them, Paul ",p:53,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and Silas engaged in prayer and worship—activities designed to ",p:53,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"counter the spiritual opposition they were facing (Acts 16:25).",p:53,x:90,y:689,w:477,h:17},
{t:"Groups allow for spiritual dimensions in worship that ",p:53,x:119,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"are unavailable to individuals. God inhabits the praises of his ",p:53,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people. Worship creates ",p:53,x:90,y:758,w:181,h:17},
{t:"space for God. It drives ",p:53,x:90,y:781,w:181,h:17},
{t:"back the presence and ",p:53,x:90,y:804,w:181,h:17},
{t:"power of evil. It is a ",p:53,x:90,y:827,w:181,h:17},
{t:"vital activity in the ",p:53,x:90,y:850,w:181,h:17},
{t:"proclamation of the ",p:53,x:90,y:873,w:179,h:17},
{t:"kingdom throughout ",p:53,x:90,y:896,w:179,h:17},
{t:"For many, worship might ",p:53,x:313,y:795,w:225,h:20},
{t:"be the most important role ",p:53,x:308,y:817,w:235,h:20},
{t:"they play in the purposes ",p:53,x:312,y:839,w:228,h:20},
{t:"of God.",p:53,x:392,y:861,w:62,h:20},
{t:"CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY",p:54,x:424,y:59,w:146,h:10},
{t:"59",p:54,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"the earth. Every believer is invited to this banquet. For many, it ",p:54,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"might be the most important role they play in the purposes of ",p:54,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God (Acts 4:23–31).",p:54,x:90,y:137,w:158,h:17},
{t:"The point here is certainly not to minimize the value of ",p:54,x:119,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"individual worship. Absolutely not! It is to underline the special ",p:54,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nature and power available in united group worship and to ",p:54,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"strategize for its use in activities of kingdom extension.",p:54,x:90,y:229,w:424,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for vitality and ",p:54,x:120,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"sustainability in prayer. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them ",p:54,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to pray. He did so not just by giving talks about prayer but also ",p:54,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"by demonstrating the practice of prayer. He did this almost ",p:54,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"exclusively in group settings. He allowed them to observe his ",p:54,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"own prayer life. In the garden of Gethsemane, the hour of his ",p:54,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"greatest need, he took a group with him into prayer.",p:54,x:90,y:390,w:395,h:17},
{t:"We learn much about prayer from one another, especially ",p:54,x:119,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"from those more experienced than we are. As we pray together, ",p:54,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we experience God’s answers together. This deepens our bonding ",p:54,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with God and with one another. We share a common experience ",p:54,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of God. Our faith is strengthened. Our knowledge of him and ",p:54,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"his ways deepens.",p:54,x:90,y:528,w:137,h:17},
{t:"Group prayer also provides for sustainability. For most ",p:54,x:119,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"people, extended times of prayer are much more doable in the ",p:54,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"context of a group than alone. We fnd encouragement from one ",p:54,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"another. Prayer, like worship, is central to how we combat the ",p:54,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"forces of evil against God and the advance of his kingdom. It ",p:54,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is crucial to learn how to enter effectively into this sanctuary of ",p:54,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the spirit and to remain for extended times.",p:54,x:90,y:689,w:330,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for complementing ",p:54,x:120,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"each other’s gifts. The truth that God has gifted me has a ",p:54,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"corollary: there are crucial areas where I have not been gifted. ",p:54,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"In these areas I am vulnerable and needy. Christ has gifted me ",p:54,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"not for my own beneft but for the beneft of others. Spiritual ",p:54,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"gifts work by love. That is why 1 Corinthians 13, one of the most ",p:54,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"exalted biblical statements on love, is placed in the midst of an ",p:54,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"extended discussion of spiritual gifts. I have been gifted for the ",p:54,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"purpose of practically loving others and using my gifts to meet ",p:54,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"their needs.",p:54,x:90,y:919,w:88,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:55,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"60",p:55,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Then how are my needs to be met? They are met through the ",p:55,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"gifts of others. I am dependent on my brothers and sisters to meet ",p:55,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"my needs, and they depend on me to help meet their needs. This ",p:55,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is how Jesus designed his church. But if I have not been grafted ",p:55,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"into a group of Christians, my needs will not be met fully, and I ",p:55,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"will be frustrated in ministry. I will fnd no meaningful way to ",p:55,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"express the gifts Christ has given me.",p:55,x:90,y:229,w:286,h:17},
{t:"I spent the frst twenty years of my missionary career with ",p:55,x:119,y:241,w:454,h:32},
{t:"all my focus on the task. I didn’t believe in days off or vacations! ",p:55,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"People were lost and time was short. And God, in his astounding ",p:55,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"grace, brought about some beautiful fruit through my ministry. ",p:55,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Just because God is using us doesn’t mean everything is right!",p:55,x:90,y:344,w:477,h:17},
{t:"When I was forty-five years old, I hit the wall. I was ",p:55,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"emotionally and spiritually exhausted, disoriented, angry, and ",p:55,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hurt. I entered a season where I was of little use to anyone. ",p:55,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Nothing was working anymore, and I did not know why that ",p:55,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was so or what I should do.",p:55,x:90,y:459,w:210,h:17},
{t:"God brought me into close relationship with a church rich in ",p:55,x:119,y:482,w:454,h:17},
{t:"pastoral gifts. There were brothers and sisters there who loved ",p:55,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"me, and through areas of gifting (and maturity) that I did not ",p:55,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"have, they ministered to me in profound ways. God used them ",p:55,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in healing, correction, encouragement, and blessing. Any fruit ",p:55,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that the Holy Spirit is bearing through my gifts now carries in it ",p:55,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a contribution from these pastorally gifted brothers and sisters. ",p:55,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The fact that they lacked in areas of my strengths only makes ",p:55,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this truth all the more beautiful.",p:55,x:90,y:666,w:242,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for nurture and ",p:55,x:120,y:689,w:454,h:17},
{t:"support. Mission tends to attract people who are oriented toward ",p:55,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a task, who want to get the job done, and who are not primarily ",p:55,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"concerned with, or even aware of, their own needs. There is part ",p:55,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of this that is wonderful. Jesus was not primarily oriented toward ",p:55,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meeting his own needs either. He came to lay down his life for ",p:55,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"others.",p:55,x:90,y:827,w:51,h:17},
{t:"But God, in his great wisdom and mercy, knows how easily ",p:55,x:119,y:839,w:454,h:32},
{t:"we can get out of balance. He created us human, with human ",p:55,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"needs and limitations. He expects these to be respected. He has ",p:55,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY",p:56,x:424,y:59,w:146,h:10},
{t:"61",p:56,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"placed among us brothers and sisters whose calling and gifting ",p:56,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is to care.",p:56,x:90,y:114,w:73,h:17},
{t:"People with a strong pastoral gifting may not be the frst ",p:56,x:119,y:126,w:454,h:32},
{t:"to respond to a radical challenge to mission, to a call to be ",p:56,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missionaries. But watch them come forward when they see God’s ",p:56,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"servants wounded and needy! There are casualties in this battle, ",p:56,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and God has placed among us those gifted by the Holy Spirit to ",p:56,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"minister healing to the wounded. Jesus has graciously distributed ",p:56,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"among us gifts of healing, caring, discernment, and mercy to ",p:56,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"keep us going in health for the long haul. The diversity in the ",p:56,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church is designed to bring a godly balance between radically ",p:56,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"forsaking all and the appropriate care of individuals.",p:56,x:90,y:344,w:401,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for maturing ",p:56,x:120,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"character. All of the different traits the New Testament tells us ",p:56,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are components of Christ’s character, and hence the character ",p:56,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the maturing disciple, come together in love. Mature in love, ",p:56,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and everything else will fall into place. Jesus told us that the Law ",p:56,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and the Prophets are fulflled by loving God with all our hearts ",p:56,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:35–40). The ",p:56,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"epistles teach that virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, ",p:56,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gentleness, patience, bearing with each other, and forgiving one ",p:56,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"another are all bound together in love (Col. 3:12–14).",p:56,x:90,y:574,w:409,h:17},
{t:"Love is a relational activity. It can only be learned and ",p:56,x:119,y:586,w:455,h:32},
{t:"expressed as we relate to other people, to God, and to other ",p:56,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"human beings. We can neither love nor learn to love by ourselves. ",p:56,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"By the time a Christian comes to understand that love is supreme, ",p:56,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"he has been formed by the habits of thought, emotion, and action ",p:56,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that sabotage love. The Christian must become aware of these ",p:56,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"patterns and replace them with patterns of relating to others that ",p:56,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"refect the person of Christ. This takes place in the context of a ",p:56,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"community. We cannot fully mature when we are isolated.",p:56,x:90,y:781,w:446,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for hearing God. God ",p:56,x:120,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"speaks in a number of ways—through the Scriptures, through ",p:56,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"nature, through the Holy Spirit, etc. He also speaks through our ",p:56,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"other brothers and sisters. When we are alone, there is a greater ",p:56,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"danger of not hearing him correctly. Many cults have been ",p:56,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:57,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"62",p:57,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"formed by people ",p:57,x:395,y:91,w:179,h:17},
{t:"who were convinced ",p:57,x:395,y:114,w:179,h:17},
{t:"they had gained a new ",p:57,x:395,y:137,w:179,h:17},
{t:"understanding of the ",p:57,x:395,y:160,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Scriptures but were ",p:57,x:395,y:172,w:179,h:32},
{t:"in fact in error. Others ",p:57,x:395,y:195,w:179,h:32},
{t:"have been convinced ",p:57,x:395,y:229,w:179,h:17},
{t:"that they heard the ",p:57,x:395,y:252,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Ho ly ",p:57,x:395,y:264,w:56,h:32},
{t:"Sp i r i t ",p:57,x:461,y:264,w:67,h:32},
{t:"bu t ",p:57,x:538,y:264,w:35,h:32},
{t:"arrived at inaccurate ",p:57,x:395,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"interpretations of what ",p:57,x:395,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"they heard.",p:57,x:395,y:344,w:85,h:17},
{t:"What protection do we have from being deceived? The ",p:57,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"group! When we believe we hear God speak, we are to look for ",p:57,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"confrmation from other godly men and women who walk with ",p:57,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"him and hear him too. In no less an issue than the timing of ",p:57,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the release of God’s chosen apostle to the Gentiles, God spoke ",p:57,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through a group of prophets and teachers who were waiting ",p:57,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"upon him in worship (Acts 13:2). Some ten years earlier, in ",p:57,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Acts 9:15–16, God had made it clear that Paul’s calling was “to ",p:57,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before ",p:57,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the people of Israel.” What was not yet clear was God’s timing ",p:57,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for this to begin. The answer came not to the individual Paul but ",p:57,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to the group of leaders gathered in community.",p:57,x:90,y:620,w:358,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context where seekers can ",p:57,x:120,y:643,w:454,h:17},
{t:"meet Jesus in his community. A beautiful scriptural picture of ",p:57,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the power of the groups is found in Acts 2:42–47. This is what ",p:57,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the life of Jesus looks like when it is spontaneously expressed. ",p:57,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"These folks had been to no conferences, read no books, and had ",p:57,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"no churches that they were using as models. The Holy Spirit ",p:57,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"simply fell and flled those who believed. They did what came ",p:57,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"naturally.",p:57,x:90,y:804,w:71,h:17},
{t:"There was humility—a hunger to learn more about this new ",p:57,x:119,y:827,w:454,h:17},
{t:"truth that had transformed them. There was personal caring. ",p:57,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There was worship and the breaking of bread. There was ",p:57,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"communion with God and unhurried delight in prayer. There was ",p:57,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The Christian must be ",p:57,x:139,y:113,w:199,h:20},
{t:"aware of the patterns that ",p:57,x:121,y:135,w:235,h:20},
{t:"sabotage love and replace ",p:57,x:121,y:157,w:234,h:20},
{t:"them with patterns that ",p:57,x:132,y:179,w:213,h:20},
{t:"refect Christ. This takes ",p:57,x:128,y:201,w:220,h:20},
{t:"place in the context of a ",p:57,x:132,y:223,w:213,h:20},
{t:"community. We cannot ",p:57,x:136,y:245,w:204,h:20},
{t:"fully mature when we are ",p:57,x:122,y:267,w:232,h:20},
{t:"isolated.",p:57,x:198,y:289,w:74,h:20},
{t:"CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY",p:58,x:424,y:59,w:146,h:10},
{t:"63",p:58,x:558,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"the sharing of material possessions. Desire to be together was ",p:58,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"strong enough to cause them to congregate daily. Their shared ",p:58,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"life extended into their homes. The neighbors noticed all this ",p:58,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and found it very attractive. Who wouldn’t want to be part of ",p:58,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"something like this?",p:58,x:90,y:183,w:154,h:17},
{t:"Luke adds, “And the Lord added to their number daily ",p:58,x:119,y:195,w:454,h:32},
{t:"those who were being saved.” What a gentle, natural, gracious ",p:58,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"description! Adding new believers to the group was something ",p:58,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Lord was doing. It sounds almost spontaneous. We read of ",p:58,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"no great evangelists here, no human striving or massive effort. ",p:58,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Those without encountered Christ living in the midst of the ",p:58,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"group, and they were powerfully and redemptively drawn in. ",p:58,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Many times the most powerful agent of evangelism is simply ",p:58,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the life of Jesus lived out in the group.",p:58,x:90,y:390,w:294,h:17},
{t:"Christian community creates a context for motivation to be ",p:58,x:120,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"sustained. It was not long before the infant Church encountered ",p:58,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"opposition. Peter and John were put in jail overnight then brought ",p:58,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"before the authorities and commanded not to speak any more in ",p:58,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Jesus’ name.",p:58,x:90,y:505,w:96,h:17},
{t:"It is a serious thing to be committed to the proclamation of ",p:58,x:119,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Christ’s gospel among all peoples. God’s enemy is not happy ",p:58,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with such commitments and opposes those who make them. ",p:58,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Many have begun in mission full of enthusiasm and hope only ",p:58,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to be quickly brought up short. It is one thing to commit oneself ",p:58,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to completing Christ’s “all nations” mandate. It is quite another ",p:58,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to sustain that commitment over time in personal victory and ",p:58,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ministry fruitfulness.",p:58,x:90,y:689,w:160,h:17},
{t:"Peter and John, having refused to bend before their ",p:58,x:119,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"opponents, returned to the fellowship of the church (Acts ",p:58,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"4:23–31). There they found others who shared their purpose, ",p:58,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fellowship in worship and prayer, and a common experience of ",p:58,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the encouragement and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This ",p:58,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"is not to suggest that the Lord does not meet the needs of the ",p:58,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"individual. He most certainly does! It is to highlight the resources ",p:58,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"provided by the group and to show how vital it is for us to see ",p:58,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God’s design. Powerful mission fows forth from community.",p:58,x:90,y:885,w:470,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:59,x:88,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"64",p:59,x:88,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Christian Community Holds the Key to the ",p:59,x:153,y:114,w:357,h:17},
{t:"Mobilization of the Church",p:59,x:218,y:137,w:222,h:17},
{t:"In recent decades, there has been a growing recognition that ",p:59,x:120,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"in our strategies for completing world evangelization it is key ",p:59,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for us to mobilize others. In keeping with our individualistic ",p:59,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"orientation, we have thought predominately in terms of ",p:59,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mobilizing individuals.",p:59,x:90,y:275,w:177,h:17},
{t:"I was part of a mission organization that followed this ",p:59,x:119,y:298,w:454,h:17},
{t:"approach, and large portions of my time and energy for twenty ",p:59,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"years were spent ",p:59,x:90,y:344,w:179,h:17},
{t:"mobilizing individuals. ",p:59,x:90,y:367,w:181,h:17},
{t:"There is much in this ",p:59,x:90,y:390,w:181,h:17},
{t:"that is very good and ",p:59,x:90,y:413,w:181,h:17},
{t:"appropriate and that ",p:59,x:90,y:436,w:181,h:17},
{t:"God uses wonderfully ",p:59,x:90,y:459,w:181,h:17},
{t:"for his glory.",p:59,x:90,y:482,w:98,h:17},
{t:"Recognizing the ",p:59,x:119,y:505,w:151,h:17},
{t:"power of groups will ",p:59,x:90,y:528,w:181,h:17},
{t:"suggest a paradigm ",p:59,x:90,y:551,w:181,h:17},
{t:"shift to the missions ",p:59,x:90,y:574,w:181,h:17},
{t:"m o b",p:59,x:90,y:597,w:48,h:17},
{t:"i",p:59,x:145,y:597,w:5,h:17},
{t:"l",p:59,x:158,y:597,w:5,h:17},
{t:"i",p:59,x:170,y:597,w:5,h:17},
{t:"z a",p:59,x:183,y:597,w:24,h:17},
{t:"t",p:59,x:215,y:597,w:5,h:17},
{t:"i",p:59,x:227,y:597,w:5,h:17},
{t:"o",p:59,x:240,y:597,w:9,h:17},
{t:"n ",p:59,x:257,y:597,w:14,h:17},
{t:"movement. What if rather than focusing on individuals, we ",p:59,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"were to mobilize entire churches? This would pave the way ",p:59,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for exponentially greater results than those possible by merely ",p:59,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mobilizing individuals.",p:59,x:90,y:689,w:177,h:17},
{t:"Recognizing the power ",p:59,x:325,y:364,w:202,h:20},
{t:"of groups will suggest ",p:59,x:327,y:386,w:197,h:20},
{t:"a paradigm shift to the ",p:59,x:323,y:408,w:205,h:20},
{t:"missions mobilization ",p:59,x:329,y:430,w:194,h:20},
{t:"movement. What if ",p:59,x:341,y:452,w:169,h:20},
{t:"rather than focusing on ",p:59,x:321,y:474,w:210,h:20},
{t:"individuals, we were to ",p:59,x:321,y:496,w:210,h:20},
{t:"seek to mobilize entire ",p:59,x:326,y:518,w:200,h:20},
{t:"churches?",p:59,x:379,y:540,w:88,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:60,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"66",p:60,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"To him be glory in the church. (Eph. 3:21)",p:60,x:151,y:140,w:357,h:18},
{t:"This book will strike many as primarily a statement ",p:60,x:146,y:231,w:381,h:16},
{t:"about mission. There are actually two pillars to its ",p:60,x:116,y:253,w:374,h:16},
{t:"foundation. The frst is a call for the proclamation of the ",p:60,x:116,y:266,w:417,h:29},
{t:"kingdom of God among all nations. The second is an ",p:60,x:116,y:297,w:391,h:16},
{t:"appeal for a high view of the local church. Remove either ",p:60,x:116,y:319,w:425,h:16},
{t:"one of those and you dismember the core message.",p:60,x:116,y:341,w:371,h:16},
{t:"It is not as though these two are unrelated. As we ",p:60,x:146,y:385,w:364,h:16},
{t:"enter the third millennium of the Christian era, there is ",p:60,x:116,y:407,w:407,h:16},
{t:"widespread awareness that the energy and capacity of ",p:60,x:116,y:429,w:401,h:16},
{t:"the mission movement would be appreciably enhanced ",p:60,x:116,y:451,w:404,h:16},
{t:"if we could bring more local churches into meaningful ",p:60,x:116,y:473,w:402,h:16},
{t:"participation.",p:60,x:116,y:495,w:100,h:16},
{t:"To say that the church is an awesome resource is still ",p:60,x:146,y:539,w:394,h:16},
{t:"an understatement, possibly somewhat condescending. ",p:60,x:116,y:561,w:405,h:16},
{t:"She is more than that. She is a God-designed central ",p:60,x:116,y:583,w:389,h:16},
{t:"player, a full partner. The vast majority of all the ",p:60,x:116,y:605,w:361,h:16},
{t:"resources God has entrusted to his people—spiritual ",p:60,x:116,y:627,w:390,h:16},
{t:"gifts, vocational expertise, life experience, capacity for ",p:60,x:116,y:649,w:407,h:16},
{t:"spiritual warfare, fnancial reserves, etc.—he has placed ",p:60,x:116,y:662,w:419,h:29},
{t:"in local churches.",p:60,x:116,y:693,w:130,h:16},
{t:"To understand how to meaningfully incorporate local ",p:60,x:146,y:737,w:396,h:16},
{t:"churches into global missions, we have to understand ",p:60,x:116,y:759,w:397,h:16},
{t:"something more fundamental and important. We have to ",p:60,x:116,y:781,w:415,h:16},
{t:"understand the church.",p:60,x:116,y:805,w:168,h:16},
{t:"67",p:61,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 6",p:61,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"The Local Church",p:61,x:196,y:148,w:267,h:29},
{t:"Studying the characteristics of churches as they exist ",p:61,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"in one geographical area or social grouping can yield valuable ",p:61,x:89,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"information. But we must be careful with this approach. It ",p:61,x:89,y:417,w:485,h:32},
{t:"can also lead us down some errant paths. The real issue is not, ",p:61,x:89,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"What are churches like in this particular area or among this ",p:61,x:89,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"defned group? More important is the question, What are the ",p:61,x:89,y:486,w:484,h:32},
{t:"characteristics of the church as God designed her?",p:61,x:89,y:521,w:384,h:17},
{t:"Characteristics of the Church ",p:61,x:208,y:567,w:247,h:17},
{t:"God designed the church to be Christ’s earthly body. The ",p:61,x:120,y:613,w:454,h:17},
{t:"miracle of the Incarnation is that God came to earth as a human ",p:61,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"being. For thirty-three years Jesus lived on earth bodily. He still ",p:61,x:90,y:659,w:484,h:17},
{t:"does. He lives in the church. Do you want to see Christ? Look ",p:61,x:90,y:670,w:484,h:32},
{t:"at the church. The church is a person. The church is Jesus.",p:61,x:90,y:705,w:445,h:17},
{t:"“Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s ",p:61,x:119,y:716,w:454,h:32},
{t:"disciples...He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ",p:61,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:1,4).",p:61,x:90,y:762,w:414,h:32},
{t:"God designed the church to be a bride. The church is a person ",p:61,x:120,y:797,w:454,h:17},
{t:"who is not yet fully mature. She is a beautiful, teen-age woman. ",p:61,x:90,y:808,w:484,h:32},
{t:"There are, at this stage in her development, faws, imperfections, ",p:61,x:90,y:831,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and immaturities. She is being prepared for marriage to God’s ",p:61,x:90,y:854,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Son. Before Jesus returns to earth, the gospel must be preached ",p:61,x:90,y:877,w:484,h:32},
{t:"to all nations, and the bride must be fully prepared (matured) for ",p:61,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:62,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"68",p:62,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"the wedding (Rev. 19:9). In a missions context, when we ask, ",p:62,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“How can we mobilize the church?” it will be critically important ",p:62,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for us to understand that the church is a bride—a woman. We ",p:62,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"must approach her differently than we would a man.",p:62,x:90,y:160,w:400,h:17},
{t:"To mobilize a man, we might be rough and pushy. With a ",p:62,x:119,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"woman it is better to be gentle. With a man we might challenge. ",p:62,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"With a woman it is more appropriate and effective to woo. ",p:62,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"With a man we might demand a quick response. We will honor ",p:62,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a woman by being patient. With a man we might give orders. ",p:62,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"With a woman we will need to, with integrity and tenderness, ",p:62,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cultivate response.",p:62,x:90,y:321,w:142,h:17},
{t:"We mobilize the church for mission by honoring her and ",p:62,x:119,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"affrming her beauty, wooing her gently, and giving her time to ",p:62,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"process our advances and arrive at her own conclusions. This ",p:62,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"will set the stage for her to be able to give herself fully to Christ. ",p:62,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"She is his bride, not ours. She is to give herself to him, not to ",p:62,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"our self-designed program. When the Church makes her own ",p:62,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"decision to give herself to Christ, the bridegroom, we have pure ",p:62,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"motivation for mission.",p:62,x:90,y:505,w:179,h:17},
{t:"God designed churches to be families. He is receiving ",p:62,x:120,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and adopting new members into his family from among all ",p:62,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nations. Here individuals fnd forgiveness and acceptance by ",p:62,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"God and one another. The church is an agent of inner healing ",p:62,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and transformation as her members live out, in humility and ",p:62,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"obedience, the teachings of Jesus who lives among them. The ",p:62,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church is the earthly receptacle for God’s purity, a light on a hill ",p:62,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that cannot be hidden and that shines brilliantly into the darkness ",p:62,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in which humanity is engulfed. The church is a community of ",p:62,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"being.",p:62,x:90,y:735,w:47,h:17},
{t:"God designed churches to be agents of mission. They are ",p:62,x:119,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"made up of many members whom Jesus has graced with a rich ",p:62,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"diversity of gifts. As churches are nurtured toward maturity, Jesus ",p:62,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"flls them with the capacity to minister and endows them with ",p:62,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"spiritual authority and power. The gates of hell cannot prevail ",p:62,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"against them. Churches can grow into centers of ministry, with ",p:62,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom vision flling their members’ hearts as Christ’s life is ",p:62,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"THE LOCAL CHURCH",p:63,x:446,y:59,w:123,h:10},
{t:"69",p:63,x:560,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"shared among them. Churches can start new churches in their ",p:63,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"own localities and become staging points for kingdom initiatives ",p:63,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"focused on yet-to-be-blessed nations. The church is a community ",p:63,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of doing. ",p:63,x:90,y:160,w:72,h:17},
{t:"God designed churches to be unique in culture and style. ",p:63,x:120,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Each one is to authentically express Christ’s call through ",p:63,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the natural abilities, spiritual gifts, and life experiences of ",p:63,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"its members. The church’s leaders violate it when they try to ",p:63,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"impose generalities from without, even if these come from other ",p:63,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wonderful churches! The church is a unique, living organism, ",p:63,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"belonging only to Christ. His life is released in it by the free, ",p:63,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"creative expression of who it is in the sum of its members. It is ",p:63,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"as damaging to compare churches with one another as it is to ",p:63,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"compare individuals with each other. Inevitably, one appears ",p:63,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"better. This wounds the body. It is untrue. One is not better than ",p:63,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the other, just different.",p:63,x:90,y:436,w:179,h:17},
{t:"God’s design for each church is to authentically express ",p:63,x:119,y:459,w:455,h:17},
{t:"the culture in which it is rooted. This is far more foundational ",p:63,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"than a strategy for church growth. It is the church’s essence. ",p:63,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Jesus came to earth as God incarnate. He is still incarnate in the ",p:63,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"social context in which he is found. Christ ministers throughout ",p:63,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a culture from the position of belonging in that culture.",p:63,x:90,y:574,w:421,h:17},
{t:"God designed churches to share one essence. Each church ",p:63,x:120,y:586,w:454,h:32},
{t:"authentically expresses God’s design for all churches. Churches ",p:63,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are beautiful, the fullest manifestation of Jesus on earth until he ",p:63,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"returns. Churches are gifted, richly equipped with a diversity of ",p:63,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual gifts. Churches are families endowed with resources to ",p:63,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nurture and heal. Churches are agents of mission designed to ",p:63,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"herald the message of God’s dear Son in their own locality and ",p:63,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"among all peoples.",p:63,x:90,y:758,w:144,h:17},
{t:"Present Imperfections",p:63,x:239,y:804,w:180,h:17},
{t:"Many will hear these words as far too idealistic and out of ",p:63,x:119,y:850,w:454,h:17},
{t:"touch with reality. To be sure, the churches with whom we are ",p:63,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all familiar embody various levels of imperfection. When a ",p:63,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"believer chooses to sin, he not only brings damage to himself ",p:63,x:90,y:919,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:64,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"70",p:64,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"but also harms the body. The church’s leaders can mislead, ",p:64,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and its teachers can teach falsely. This causes further damage. ",p:64,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Fellowship can be rendered lifeless when we try to make ",p:64,x:90,y:137,w:485,h:17},
{t:"the church a corporation or an institution—structural forms ",p:64,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"antithetical to God’s pattern.",p:64,x:90,y:183,w:218,h:17},
{t:"None of this alters the magnifcence of God’s original ",p:64,x:119,y:195,w:454,h:32},
{t:"design. On the contrary, it provides a backdrop that highlights the ",p:64,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"breathtaking dimensions ",p:64,x:90,y:252,w:178,h:17},
{t:"of God’s grace in the face ",p:64,x:90,y:275,w:178,h:17},
{t:"of human waywardness. ",p:64,x:90,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"God will perfect his ",p:64,x:90,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Church. The bride will ",p:64,x:90,y:344,w:179,h:17},
{t:"be ready when the time ",p:64,x:90,y:367,w:179,h:17},
{t:"for her wedding has ",p:64,x:90,y:390,w:179,h:17},
{t:"come. God is calling ",p:64,x:90,y:413,w:179,h:17},
{t:"forth an army of leaders ",p:64,x:90,y:436,w:179,h:17},
{t:"who will love, nurture, teach, and lead local churches into the ",p:64,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"exalted role he has ordained for them.",p:64,x:90,y:482,w:290,h:17},
{t:"Churches Reproducing ",p:64,x:235,y:528,w:194,h:17},
{t:"New Churches",p:64,x:270,y:551,w:119,h:17},
{t:"It is reasonable to conceptualize churches as centers that ",p:64,x:119,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"initiate church planting among unreached peoples. Why? ",p:64,x:90,y:620,w:441,h:17},
{t:"Each member of the church can participate in the mission. ",p:64,x:119,y:643,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Most believers are not going to quit their jobs, complete ",p:64,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"theological education, raise fnancial support, sell their homes, ",p:64,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"take their children out of schools, and move somewhere else in ",p:64,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"order to take part in God’s purposes. It is not their Father’s will ",p:64,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for them to do so. If their contribution is to be made, it will be ",p:64,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"right where they live in the context of their church.",p:64,x:90,y:781,w:390,h:17},
{t:"Each spiritual gift, natural talent, and vocational skill ",p:64,x:120,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"in the church are available to the mission. When mission ",p:64,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"implementation is anchored in churches, the rich diversity of ",p:64,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual gifts, natural skills, and life expertise among all God’s ",p:64,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people becomes available to the task. ",p:64,x:90,y:896,w:290,h:17},
{t:"God is calling forth an ",p:64,x:326,y:266,w:199,h:20},
{t:"army of leaders who will ",p:64,x:314,y:288,w:223,h:20},
{t:"love, nurture, teach, and ",p:64,x:316,y:310,w:220,h:20},
{t:"lead local churches into ",p:64,x:320,y:332,w:211,h:20},
{t:"the exalted role he has ",p:64,x:323,y:354,w:205,h:20},
{t:"ordained for them.",p:64,x:342,y:376,w:162,h:20},
{t:"THE LOCAL CHURCH",p:65,x:446,y:59,w:123,h:10},
{t:"71",p:65,x:560,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Christians who work in secular careers are naturally ",p:65,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"linked with opportunities among the target people group. Many ",p:65,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unreached societies can only be effectively engaged through ",p:65,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"secular employment. When a fellowship of believers together ",p:65,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"owns a common mission, individuals within the fellowship ",p:65,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"will begin to think about how they might use their vocations ",p:65,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to advance the common purpose. Ownership is a powerful ",p:65,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"motivator.",p:65,x:90,y:252,w:78,h:17},
{t:"Those who work cross-culturally are connected with people ",p:65,x:120,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"gifted in pastoral care. Healthy churches are blessed with ",p:65,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"effective shepherds. This is God’s provision for his people. The ",p:65,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"process of leaving one’s home culture and being transplanted ",p:65,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"into another is quite stressful, for an individual or for a family. ",p:65,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"People focused on the task can be unaware of inner needs in ",p:65,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"themselves, much less in their families and co-workers. Not ",p:65,x:90,y:413,w:485,h:17},
{t:"understanding how to minister to personal issues has caused ",p:65,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"many committed cross-cultural witnesses to suffer unnecessary ",p:65,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"pain and failure. God has made provisions within churches for ",p:65,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the nurture of his servants.",p:65,x:90,y:505,w:203,h:17},
{t:"Mission is carried out in a context that provides resources ",p:65,x:120,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"for character development. Over time, godly character is the ",p:65,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"single most important issue in the effectiveness of those sent to ",p:65,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"start churches among unreached peoples. It is the most important ",p:65,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"area of training for cross-cultural service. It is far too crucial to ",p:65,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be minimized. Without it, we will fail. Character grows over ",p:65,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"time in the context of committed, transparent relationships. In ",p:65,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this environment, what is inside us comes to the surface, and we ",p:65,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"can receive ministry in grace and truth.",p:65,x:90,y:712,w:299,h:17},
{t:"The church develops a grassroots ownership of the mission. ",p:65,x:120,y:735,w:454,h:17},
{t:"This paves the way for a groundswell of investment. Over time, ",p:65,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"most believers fnd it hard to identify with what someone else is ",p:65,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"doing thousands of miles away, regardless of how signifcant and ",p:65,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"well intended it is. We can own the things we are doing much ",p:65,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more easily than we can own what someone else is doing. And ",p:65,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with ownership comes investment. The key to mobilization is ",p:65,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ownership. Who owns the mission? Those who feel ownership ",p:65,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:66,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"72",p:66,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"of it will be motivated ",p:66,x:393,y:91,w:181,h:17},
{t:"to invest themselves in ",p:66,x:393,y:114,w:181,h:17},
{t:"it.",p:66,x:393,y:137,w:15,h:17},
{t:"Mission teams ",p:66,x:450,y:160,w:124,h:17},
{t:"are mentored in the ",p:66,x:395,y:183,w:179,h:17},
{t:"principles of church ",p:66,x:395,y:206,w:179,h:17},
{t:"life. This is powerful ",p:66,x:395,y:229,w:179,h:17},
{t:"preparation for starting ",p:66,x:395,y:252,w:179,h:17},
{t:"strong, healthy churches. If new churches are to be the end ",p:66,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"product, to start them, let’s send people who have proven ",p:66,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"themselves in the whole range of church life. The dynamics ",p:66,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of a local church are different in some important aspects from ",p:66,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"those of a parachurch organization. Healthy churches are ideal ",p:66,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"environments for emerging leaders to be mentored and trained ",p:66,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"by older, proven leaders.",p:66,x:90,y:413,w:189,h:17},
{t:"Those gifted to innovate and problem solve are able to ",p:66,x:119,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"participate. The complexities of reaching the still unreached ",p:66,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"require new strategies. I was recently in a fairly new church ",p:66,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"flled with university professors, health professionals, and design ",p:66,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"engineers with the Ford Motor Company. In urging them to ",p:66,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"consider choosing an unreached people group for church planting, ",p:66,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I said to them, “If you can fgure out how to design, produce, ",p:66,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and market a ",p:66,x:90,y:597,w:133,h:17},
{t:"top-",p:66,x:228,y:597,w:36,h:17},
{t:"performing car, you ",p:66,x:90,y:620,w:179,h:17},
{t:"can fgure out how to ",p:66,x:90,y:632,w:179,h:32},
{t:"plant churches among ",p:66,x:90,y:666,w:179,h:17},
{t:"one unreached people ",p:66,x:90,y:689,w:179,h:17},
{t:"group! ” Innovative ",p:66,x:90,y:712,w:179,h:17},
{t:"sk i l l s ",p:66,x:90,y:735,w:63,h:17},
{t:"deve loped ",p:66,x:162,y:735,w:107,h:17},
{t:"and matured in the ",p:66,x:90,y:758,w:179,h:17},
{t:"marketplace have an ",p:66,x:90,y:781,w:179,h:17},
{t:"awesome potential ",p:66,x:90,y:804,w:179,h:17},
{t:"w",p:66,x:336,y:804,w:13,h:17},
{t:"h",p:66,x:367,y:804,w:9,h:17},
{t:"e",p:66,x:394,y:804,w:8,h:17},
{t:"n ",p:66,x:420,y:804,w:14,h:17},
{t:"applied to ",p:66,x:495,y:804,w:79,h:17},
{t:"the challenge of expanding God’s kingdom among unreached ",p:66,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"peoples. Such skills are one of the resources of the local church.",p:66,x:90,y:839,w:479,h:32},
{t:"There is a base for developing a common ministry philosophy ",p:66,x:119,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and establishing personal bonding. Weakness in the areas of ",p:66,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"When missionaries hit the ",p:66,x:309,y:624,w:233,h:20},
{t:"wall in their personal lives, ",p:66,x:304,y:646,w:243,h:20},
{t:"to whom do they turn? Ide-",p:66,x:305,y:668,w:236,h:20},
{t:"ally they return to a send-",p:66,x:309,y:690,w:228,h:20},
{t:"ing community—a local ",p:66,x:321,y:712,w:209,h:20},
{t:"church.",p:66,x:391,y:734,w:64,h:20},
{t:"The key to mobilization ",p:66,x:134,y:113,w:208,h:20},
{t:"is ownership. Those who ",p:66,x:126,y:135,w:224,h:20},
{t:"feel ownership of it will be ",p:66,x:120,y:157,w:236,h:20},
{t:"motivated to invest them-",p:66,x:125,y:179,w:221,h:20},
{t:"selves in it.",p:66,x:186,y:201,w:99,h:20},
{t:"THE LOCAL CHURCH",p:67,x:446,y:59,w:123,h:10},
{t:"73",p:67,x:560,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"ministry philosophy and personal bonding has wrecked many ",p:67,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"teams. An effective team is made up of many people who happen ",p:67,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to be in the same location, which is made possible if a team ",p:67,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"comes from the same church. The members share relational ",p:67,x:90,y:160,w:485,h:17},
{t:"bonds and a common sense of purpose. These take time and ",p:67,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"personal investment with one another to establish, but once they ",p:67,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are present, they take teams through the rough spots that cause ",p:67,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"individuals on their own to stumble.",p:67,x:90,y:252,w:276,h:17},
{t:"The sending constituency is more effectively involved. ",p:67,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Contrast two hundred names on a prayer letter list with two ",p:67,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hundred friends who share their lives and are bonded with a ",p:67,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"team in vision and relationship. I once met with a wonderful ",p:67,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missionary family who had ministered among an unreached ",p:67,x:90,y:367,w:485,h:17},
{t:"people for ffteen years. Although their commitment to the Lord ",p:67,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and the lost was beyond question, they were in deep personal ",p:67,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trauma. When I asked them to tell me about their home church, ",p:67,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"they looked at me with blank expressions. They had no home ",p:67,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church! Their sending constituency was a list of names and ",p:67,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"addresses on a mailing list rather than a community of people ",p:67,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"who loved them, felt committed to them, and were positioned ",p:67,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to respond to their needs.",p:67,x:90,y:551,w:193,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:68,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"74",p:68,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"He appointed twelve . . . that they might be with ",p:68,x:125,y:236,w:413,h:18},
{t:"him and that he might send them out to preach. ",p:68,x:127,y:260,w:410,h:18},
{t:"(Mark 3:14)",p:68,x:278,y:284,w:103,h:18},
{t:"We see two foundational groups in the New ",p:68,x:146,y:377,w:321,h:16},
{t:"Testament. One is the local church. The local church’s ",p:68,x:116,y:399,w:401,h:16},
{t:"primary function is one of nurture, although it also ",p:68,x:116,y:421,w:378,h:16},
{t:"has a missional component. The end result of nurture ",p:68,x:116,y:443,w:394,h:16},
{t:"without mission (purpose or task are both synonymous) is ",p:68,x:116,y:465,w:427,h:16},
{t:"ingrownness. It is not nurture at all because its fruits are ",p:68,x:116,y:487,w:420,h:16},
{t:"selfshness and entrenched immaturity. ",p:68,x:116,y:503,w:288,h:24},
{t:"The second New Testament group is the team. The ",p:68,x:146,y:553,w:371,h:16},
{t:"team’s primarily function is one of mission (or purpose or ",p:68,x:116,y:575,w:428,h:16},
{t:"task), although it has a nurture component. The end result ",p:68,x:116,y:597,w:430,h:16},
{t:"of mission without nurture is burnout. It is not mission ",p:68,x:116,y:619,w:403,h:16},
{t:"at all because its fruits are failure and the wounding of ",p:68,x:116,y:641,w:407,h:16},
{t:"people.",p:68,x:116,y:663,w:53,h:16},
{t:"How can we better understand these biblical ",p:68,x:146,y:707,w:332,h:16},
{t:"structures?",p:68,x:116,y:731,w:81,h:16},
{t:"75",p:69,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 7",p:69,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Serving in Teams",p:69,x:200,y:148,w:259,h:29},
{t:"In developing strategies to reproduce churches among ",p:69,x:150,y:359,w:425,h:48},
{t:"unreached peoples, it is crucial that teams are central in any ",p:69,x:89,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"approach. The unmistakable pattern of the book of Acts is that ",p:69,x:89,y:429,w:484,h:17},
{t:"apostolic teams went forth to proclaim the kingdom and to plant ",p:69,x:89,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"new churches. In the area of support, teams are also vital.",p:69,x:89,y:475,w:440,h:17},
{t:"What Is a Team?",p:69,x:260,y:521,w:138,h:17},
{t:"Perhaps we should begin with a working defnition. A team is ",p:69,x:120,y:555,w:455,h:32},
{t:"a relatively small group of people who share a common purpose, ",p:69,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a relational bonding, and effective leadership. The wording is ",p:69,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"intentionally fexible.",p:69,x:90,y:624,w:163,h:32},
{t:"A team is something living and organic, rather than rigid ",p:69,x:119,y:659,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and predictable. We could think, in the frst instance, of two to ",p:69,x:90,y:670,w:484,h:32},
{t:"thirteen people. Jesus said that where two or three are gathered ",p:69,x:90,y:705,w:484,h:17},
{t:"together, he is in their midst. Certainly a married couple is meant ",p:69,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to be a team. And on the high end, Jesus called together a team ",p:69,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of thirteen, composed of Jesus as leader and twelve disciples.",p:69,x:90,y:774,w:470,h:17},
{t:"Are these numbers rigid? No. Can there be teams of fourteen? ",p:69,x:119,y:797,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Sure. At one point I led a team of three hundred from thirty ",p:69,x:90,y:808,w:484,h:32},
{t:"different countries. But the larger teams become, the more they ",p:69,x:90,y:831,w:484,h:32},
{t:"tend to break down into subteams. Even among the twelve, there ",p:69,x:90,y:854,w:484,h:32},
{t:"seemed to be a subgroup of Peter, James, and John. A team of ",p:69,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"twenty will almost certainly be composed in reality of two to ",p:69,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:70,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"76",p:70,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"three subteams.",p:70,x:90,y:91,w:119,h:17},
{t:"Teams have purpose. They do things. They produce results. ",p:70,x:120,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"They are task-oriented. Purpose brings teams together and serves ",p:70,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"as a powerful incentive for them to stay together. The apostle Paul ",p:70,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and his teams shared a ",p:70,x:90,y:183,w:179,h:17},
{t:"compelling purpose: ",p:70,x:90,y:206,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to make Christ known ",p:70,x:90,y:229,w:179,h:17},
{t:"among the nations.",p:70,x:90,y:252,w:145,h:17},
{t:"Te a m s",p:70,x:120,y:275,w:68,h:17},
{t:"h a v e ",p:70,x:213,y:275,w:56,h:17},
{t:"relational bonding. ",p:70,x:90,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Purpose alone will not ",p:70,x:90,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"build strong teams. ",p:70,x:90,y:344,w:179,h:17},
{t:"People also need ",p:70,x:90,y:367,w:179,h:17},
{t:"relationship. A soulless focus on task without being responsive ",p:70,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and committed to others will not endure. This is especially true ",p:70,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"among believers who share a kingdom purpose. It is impossible ",p:70,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to be committed to God’s purpose without being committed to ",p:70,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people. God’s purpose is people.",p:70,x:90,y:482,w:250,h:17},
{t:"Teams have effective leadership. A great strength of teams ",p:70,x:120,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"is the ability to apply diverse spiritual gifts and practical skills ",p:70,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to a common task. One might ask if there is a list of spiritual ",p:70,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"gifts that should be represented on an ideal church-planting ",p:70,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"team among an unreached people. Our experience is that God ",p:70,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"always surprises us in the array of gifts he brings together. We ",p:70,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are unable to formulate any universal pattern except to say that ",p:70,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"teams form around leaders and are motivated and kept together ",p:70,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"by them. Godly leadership is not bossy or controlling but caring ",p:70,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and serving. Team members are often more capable and gifted ",p:70,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in their areas of strength than the leader. The leader’s area of ",p:70,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"strength is the capacity to keep high-energy people working ",p:70,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"together in health and unity toward a shared purpose.",p:70,x:90,y:781,w:407,h:17},
{t:"Why Is Team Ministry Preferable?",p:70,x:187,y:827,w:285,h:17},
{t:"The team format is the model we fnd in the New Testament. ",p:70,x:120,y:863,w:454,h:31},
{t:"Jesus formed his disciples into a team. He sent them out in ",p:70,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It is impossible to be ",p:70,x:334,y:216,w:184,h:20},
{t:"committed to God’s ",p:70,x:339,y:238,w:173,h:20},
{t:"purpose without being ",p:70,x:326,y:260,w:200,h:20},
{t:"committed to people. God’s ",p:70,x:305,y:282,w:241,h:20},
{t:"purpose is people.",p:70,x:344,y:304,w:158,h:20},
{t:"SERVING IN TEAMS",p:71,x:457,y:59,w:112,h:10},
{t:"77",p:71,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"teams. Paul carried out his apostolic church-planting ministry ",p:71,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"among unreached peoples through teams. These are powerful, ",p:71,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"inescapable models. What do they say to us today?",p:71,x:90,y:137,w:389,h:17},
{t:"Teams allow a diversity of gifts to be applied to a common ",p:71,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"purpose. Think of what we expect of today’s missionary who ",p:71,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"serves among an unreached people. He or she is expected to be",p:71,x:90,y:206,w:480,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:71,x:150,y:241,w:11,h:32},
{t:"theologically trained.",p:71,x:165,y:241,w:162,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:71,x:150,y:264,w:11,h:32},
{t:"an effective communicator to the culture of his or ",p:71,x:165,y:264,w:384,h:32},
{t:"her supporters.",p:71,x:165,y:298,w:113,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:71,x:150,y:310,w:11,h:32},
{t:"fuent in at least one foreign language.",p:71,x:165,y:310,w:293,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:71,x:150,y:333,w:11,h:32},
{t:"effective in living in and communicating with ",p:71,x:165,y:333,w:355,h:32},
{t:"another culture. ",p:71,x:165,y:367,w:125,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:71,x:150,y:379,w:11,h:32},
{t:"able to meet family and personal needs in high stress ",p:71,x:165,y:379,w:409,h:32},
{t:"situations.",p:71,x:165,y:413,w:78,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:71,x:150,y:425,w:11,h:32},
{t:"competent to work in another vocational feld.",p:71,x:165,y:425,w:354,h:32},
{t:"Is all this best achieved by one individual working alone or ",p:71,x:119,y:482,w:454,h:17},
{t:"by a team of people sharing responsibilities and encouraging ",p:71,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"each other?",p:71,x:90,y:528,w:87,h:17},
{t:"Teams carry an enhanced capacity to engage in spiritual ",p:71,x:120,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"warfare. The daily work of kingdom proclamation triggers ",p:71,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"daily counter responses from the enemy. He intends to stop the ",p:71,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ministry and bring harm to the messengers. Through corporate ",p:71,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"worship and intercession, we enter into God’s protected place and ",p:71,x:90,y:643,w:485,h:17},
{t:"address the opposition we are facing. Those doing this work as ",p:71,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"individuals alone are unnecessarily exposed to increased danger.",p:71,x:90,y:689,w:479,h:17},
{t:"Teams can provide nurture and pastoral care for its members. ",p:71,x:120,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Team members are able to give each other a crucial ingredient ",p:71,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for long-term effectiveness—the love and affrmation of God ",p:71,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"expressed through his people. Individuals working alone cannot ",p:71,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"give this to themselves. How does this correlate to the high rate ",p:71,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of missionary dropout that so concerns observers? Increasingly, ",p:71,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cross-cultural teams are discovering the beneft of having a team ",p:71,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"member or couple whose primary role is pastoral care.",p:71,x:90,y:873,w:417,h:17},
{t:"Team life fosters character growth. Even in local churches, ",p:71,x:120,y:885,w:454,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:72,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"78",p:72,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"especially larger ones, ",p:72,x:90,y:91,w:179,h:17},
{t:"it is possible to hide. ",p:72,x:90,y:114,w:179,h:17},
{t:"This is much more ",p:72,x:90,y:137,w:179,h:17},
{t:"difficult on a team. ",p:72,x:90,y:160,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Unhealthy habits of ",p:72,x:90,y:172,w:179,h:32},
{t:"behaving and relating ",p:72,x:90,y:206,w:179,h:17},
{t:"will surface. When ",p:72,x:90,y:229,w:179,h:17},
{t:"they do, a context of ",p:72,x:90,y:252,w:179,h:17},
{t:"caring commitment and ",p:72,x:90,y:275,w:179,h:17},
{t:"pastoral competence ",p:72,x:90,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"can open the way for ",p:72,x:90,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"personal growth. Many have looked back on their experience ",p:72,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"on a team as being one that was diffcult but also very fruitful ",p:72,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"for their own maturity. Team life can be an awesome preparation ",p:72,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for marriage.",p:72,x:90,y:413,w:100,h:17},
{t:"Healthy teams are small communities, and Christian ",p:72,x:120,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"community is one of the most powerful agents for evangelism. ",p:72,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"A team is often the frst chance a person has to encounter Christ ",p:72,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"as he lives among his people. Two of the most fruitful church ",p:72,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"planting movements in history were in essence the kingdom of ",p:72,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God spreading through small Christian communities. Following ",p:72,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the New Testament era, the gospel permeated the Roman Empire ",p:72,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in the midst of severe persecution. This phenomenon was not ",p:72,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"generally catalyzed or led by well-known or especially endowed ",p:72,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Christian evangelists and leaders. The kingdom spread as a ",p:72,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"grassroots movement of small, believing communities. It was ",p:72,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"said of Christians, “See how they love one another.” In modern ",p:72,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"times we have seen this same phenomenon in China.",p:72,x:90,y:712,w:404,h:17},
{t:"The ship Doulos frst visited Buenos Aires, Argentina, in ",p:72,x:119,y:724,w:454,h:32},
{t:"June 1979. She carried a mobile Christian community—a team ",p:72,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of over three hundred believers from more than thirty countries. ",p:72,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"My wife Hanna and I were among them. Hanna had fve frst ",p:72,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"cousins living in Buenos Aires. They were all Jewish. They ",p:72,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"came on board, with their spouses, children, and, in some cases, ",p:72,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"grandchildren. What a family reunion!",p:72,x:90,y:873,w:295,h:17},
{t:"One day, several of them were visiting with us in our cabin. ",p:72,x:119,y:885,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Team members are able to ",p:72,x:307,y:113,w:238,h:20},
{t:"give each other a crucial ",p:72,x:317,y:135,w:218,h:20},
{t:"ingredient for long-term ",p:72,x:321,y:157,w:210,h:20},
{t:"effectiveness—the love ",p:72,x:324,y:179,w:204,h:20},
{t:"and affrmation of God ",p:72,x:324,y:201,w:204,h:20},
{t:"expressed through his ",p:72,x:326,y:223,w:200,h:20},
{t:"people.",p:72,x:392,y:245,w:62,h:20},
{t:"SERVING IN TEAMS",p:73,x:457,y:59,w:112,h:10},
{t:"79",p:73,x:559,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"All of a sudden one said, “There is a peace on this ship. Where ",p:73,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"does that peace come from?”",p:73,x:90,y:114,w:222,h:17},
{t:"Peace? It felt like excessive activity, noise, people, and stress ",p:73,x:119,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to us. But what was our daily reality, so normal that we hardly ",p:73,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"noticed it, was very unusual and attractive to these sensitive ",p:73,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"non-Christians. They were meeting Jesus for the frst time as ",p:73,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"he lived in the midst of his community.",p:73,x:90,y:229,w:300,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:74,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"80",p:74,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ",p:74,x:128,y:140,w:407,h:18},
{t:"and . . . he brought him to Antioch. (Acts 11:25–",p:74,x:126,y:164,w:407,h:18},
{t:"26)",p:74,x:316,y:188,w:26,h:18},
{t:"Through the centuries, initiatives to complete Christ’s ",p:74,x:146,y:255,w:398,h:16},
{t:"“all nations” mandate have yielded mixed results. On ",p:74,x:116,y:277,w:400,h:16},
{t:"the one hand, we must celebrate the progress made these ",p:74,x:116,y:299,w:421,h:16},
{t:"two thousand years. On the other hand, it has been two ",p:74,x:116,y:321,w:409,h:16},
{t:"thousand years! Thousands of nations still don’t have ",p:74,x:116,y:343,w:396,h:16},
{t:"the good news of the kingdom readily accessible to them. ",p:74,x:116,y:365,w:422,h:16},
{t:"Entire areas of the earth, such as the 10/40 Window, are ",p:74,x:116,y:387,w:415,h:16},
{t:"home to people groups designated as unreached. Why is ",p:74,x:116,y:409,w:416,h:16},
{t:"this?",p:74,x:116,y:431,w:35,h:16},
{t:"To offer quick, simplistic solutions would be insensi-",p:74,x:146,y:475,w:384,h:16},
{t:"tive, naïve, and unhelpful. Questions continue to burn in ",p:74,x:116,y:497,w:417,h:16},
{t:"our minds and hearts: Why has progress been so slow? Is ",p:74,x:116,y:519,w:426,h:16},
{t:"it only a matter of the spiritual opposition? Are we just to ",p:74,x:116,y:541,w:425,h:16},
{t:"keep going and try harder? Or are there critical factors ",p:74,x:116,y:563,w:412,h:16},
{t:"that we have not yet understood?",p:74,x:116,y:585,w:242,h:16},
{t:"In addition to an “all nations” mandate, has God ",p:74,x:146,y:629,w:368,h:16},
{t:"given us an “all nations” design as to how it is to be ",p:74,x:116,y:651,w:390,h:16},
{t:"implemented?",p:74,x:116,y:673,w:102,h:16},
{t:"When it comes to God’s purposes among the nations, ",p:74,x:146,y:717,w:392,h:16},
{t:"one fgure stands head and shoulders above all others. ",p:74,x:116,y:730,w:404,h:29},
{t:"Saul of Tarsus, later renamed Paul, was God’s specially ",p:74,x:116,y:761,w:414,h:16},
{t:"chosen apostle for blazing the trail in this great endeavor. ",p:74,x:116,y:783,w:428,h:16},
{t:"When we look carefully at God’s ways with Paul, do we ",p:74,x:116,y:805,w:411,h:16},
{t:"see components of his design for blessing the nations?",p:74,x:116,y:827,w:398,h:16},
{t:"81",p:75,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 8",p:75,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"The Church at Antioch",p:75,x:160,y:148,w:338,h:29},
{t:"Obviously we must be careful here. God is a God ",p:75,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"of broad principle and gracious framework. Legalistic formulas ",p:75,x:89,y:394,w:484,h:32},
{t:"cannot contain him. His ways allow for differences in people, ",p:75,x:89,y:429,w:484,h:17},
{t:"circumstances, and history. He leaves many decisions to us, ",p:75,x:89,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and then honors them himself. In many areas, he may be more ",p:75,x:89,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fexible than we are! But God’s ways do stand in clear contrast ",p:75,x:89,y:486,w:484,h:32},
{t:"to the ways of man. His ways yield fruitfulness and blessing. ",p:75,x:89,y:521,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Ignoring them brings damage and dysfunction.",p:75,x:89,y:544,w:358,h:17},
{t:"The context of Paul’s release into the mature phase of his ",p:75,x:119,y:567,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministry life is described in Acts 13:1–3. This is an important ",p:75,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"passage of Scripture, a seam in the fabric of New Testament ",p:75,x:90,y:601,w:484,h:32},
{t:"history. Up to this point, although God’s heart for the Gentiles ",p:75,x:90,y:624,w:484,h:32},
{t:"has been clearly and repeatedly articulated, the focus of action ",p:75,x:90,y:659,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has been on Israel. This focus is now about to shift.",p:75,x:90,y:682,w:393,h:17},
{t:"I want to carefully suggest some design components in ",p:75,x:119,y:705,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God’s approach to blessing the nations. This treatment will ",p:75,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"certainly not be exhaustive, and I do not mean to suggest that ",p:75,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God is always obligated to work this way. I do not believe he ",p:75,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is. God is God—free and creative, responding personally and ",p:75,x:90,y:797,w:484,h:17},
{t:"always valuing issues of the heart above external methodology. ",p:75,x:90,y:820,w:484,h:17},
{t:"But my experience tells me that there is scriptural direction and ",p:75,x:90,y:831,w:484,h:32},
{t:"spiritual power when we design mission initiatives around these ",p:75,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"components.",p:75,x:90,y:889,w:97,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:76,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"82",p:76,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Components in God’s Design",p:76,x:211,y:91,w:237,h:17},
{t:"When we look more closely at the words of Acts 13:1–3, ",p:76,x:119,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"what do we actually discover in the text?",p:76,x:90,y:160,w:313,h:17},
{t:"We discover a church. “In the church at Antioch” (Acts 13:1). ",p:76,x:120,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God took the leader he personally chose to bear his name before ",p:76,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Gentiles and located him in the midst of a local fellowship ",p:76,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of believers (Acts 9:15).",p:76,x:90,y:252,w:186,h:17},
{t:"Paul was brought to Antioch in a ministry role, but this ",p:76,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"must have been a season of further preparation for him as well. ",p:76,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"He would have been familiar with the life and practices of the ",p:76,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Jewish synagogue, but we have little record of him gaining such ",p:76,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"experience of the body of Christ. The work to which God was ",p:76,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"calling Paul involved ",p:76,x:90,y:390,w:188,h:17},
{t:"planting new churches ",p:76,x:90,y:413,w:188,h:17},
{t:"among unreached ",p:76,x:90,y:436,w:188,h:17},
{t:"peoples. This required ",p:76,x:90,y:459,w:188,h:17},
{t:"experience and training ",p:76,x:90,y:482,w:188,h:17},
{t:"in church ",p:76,x:90,y:505,w:99,h:17},
{t:"life and ",p:76,x:196,y:505,w:81,h:17},
{t:"ministry. The church at ",p:76,x:90,y:528,w:188,h:17},
{t:"Antioch provided this ",p:76,x:90,y:551,w:188,h:17},
{t:"for him.",p:76,x:90,y:574,w:61,h:17},
{t:"It was in a church ",p:76,x:119,y:597,w:158,h:17},
{t:"that Paul",p:76,x:90,y:620,w:67,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:655,w:11,h:32},
{t:"spent his fnal season of preparation.",p:76,x:165,y:655,w:280,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:678,w:11,h:32},
{t:"had God’s call confrmed by other spiritually mature ",p:76,x:165,y:678,w:406,h:32},
{t:"leaders.",p:76,x:165,y:712,w:59,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:724,w:11,h:32},
{t:"heard God’s timing for his release.",p:76,x:165,y:724,w:265,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:747,w:11,h:32},
{t:"saw his frst apostolic team come together.",p:76,x:165,y:747,w:325,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:770,w:11,h:32},
{t:"received spiritual covering in prayer.",p:76,x:165,y:770,w:281,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:793,w:11,h:32},
{t:"launched his frst initiative among the Gentiles.",p:76,x:165,y:793,w:362,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:76,x:150,y:816,w:11,h:32},
{t:"found refuge to refuel for future initiatives (Acts ",p:76,x:165,y:816,w:376,h:32},
{t:"14:26–28).",p:76,x:165,y:839,w:83,h:32},
{t:"And it was new churches that were the mature fruit of his ",p:76,x:119,y:896,w:454,h:17},
{t:"The work to which God ",p:76,x:325,y:407,w:208,h:20},
{t:"was calling Paul involved ",p:76,x:316,y:429,w:228,h:20},
{t:"planting new churches ",p:76,x:327,y:451,w:204,h:20},
{t:"among unreached peo-",p:76,x:327,y:473,w:199,h:20},
{t:"ples. This required ex-",p:76,x:330,y:495,w:193,h:20},
{t:"perience and training in ",p:76,x:323,y:517,w:214,h:20},
{t:"church life and ministry.",p:76,x:320,y:539,w:214,h:20},
{t:"THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH",p:77,x:415,y:59,w:154,h:10},
{t:"83",p:77,x:556,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"activities.",p:77,x:90,y:91,w:74,h:17},
{t:"We discover prophets and teachers. “There were prophets ",p:77,x:119,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and teachers” (Acts 13:1). We could call them leaders in a church, ",p:77,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"but the words Luke chooses here, guided by the Holy Spirit, are ",p:77,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"more precise: prophets and teachers. He subsequently identifes ",p:77,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"two of them, Barnabas and Paul, as apostles (Acts 14:14). How ",p:77,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are we to understand these terms?",p:77,x:90,y:229,w:259,h:17},
{t:"I write keenly sensitive that signifcant portions of the Church ",p:77,x:119,y:241,w:454,h:32},
{t:"hold the view that the ministry of the apostle and prophet ended ",p:77,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with the New Testament era. I hold the churches and their leaders ",p:77,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"who take this view in high regard. I want to exercise every ",p:77,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"caution in what I write not to cause further division in Christ’s ",p:77,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"body. I write as a learner desiring to understand more and sure ",p:77,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that I have much more to learn. I do not write to offer rigid, fnal, ",p:77,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"controversial answers. I am very aware that Scripture warns that ",p:77,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"those of us who teach must be responsible for the consequences ",p:77,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of what we teach (James 3:1). I invite the reader to journey with ",p:77,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"me as a partner, friend, and co-learner.",p:77,x:90,y:482,w:294,h:17},
{t:"I have spent over thirty-fve years in missions, searching ",p:77,x:119,y:494,w:454,h:32},
{t:"for keys to the completion of world evangelization. Along the ",p:77,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"way, I have become more and more convinced that one critical ",p:77,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"key is leadership; more precisely, a certain kind of leadership.",p:77,x:90,y:563,w:474,h:32},
{t:"Leaders called by God, gifted by him to initiate kingdom ",p:77,x:119,y:586,w:454,h:32},
{t:"breakthroughs and empowered by the Holy Spirit, make ",p:77,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"kingdom expansion happen. When these leaders are not present, ",p:77,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"godly people who sincerely desire the right things can become ",p:77,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"frustrated and defeated. Nothing is happening! Why? Is it because ",p:77,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"those who carry God’s call and gifts to make it happen are not ",p:77,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"part of the equation? ",p:77,x:90,y:735,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Is a crucial part of ",p:77,x:90,y:758,w:179,h:17},
{t:"God’s design not being ",p:77,x:90,y:781,w:179,h:17},
{t:"followed?",p:77,x:90,y:804,w:76,h:17},
{t:"For God’s kingdom ",p:77,x:119,y:827,w:149,h:17},
{t:"to penetrate new spaces ",p:77,x:90,y:850,w:179,h:17},
{t:"in the human mosaic, it ",p:77,x:90,y:873,w:179,h:17},
{t:"will require more than ",p:77,x:90,y:896,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Leaders called by God, ",p:77,x:322,y:766,w:207,h:20},
{t:"gifted by him to initiate ",p:77,x:322,y:788,w:208,h:20},
{t:"kingdom breakthroughs, ",p:77,x:316,y:810,w:220,h:20},
{t:"and empowered by the ",p:77,x:322,y:832,w:207,h:20},
{t:"Holy Spirit make kingdom ",p:77,x:309,y:854,w:233,h:20},
{t:"expansion happen.",p:77,x:340,y:876,w:166,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:78,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"84",p:78,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"man’s will power, plans, programs, and formulas. My life’s work ",p:78,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has become responding to churches when they ask, “How can our ",p:78,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church initiate church planting among an unreached people?” I ",p:78,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cannot give them a complete answer without saying, “A crucial ",p:78,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"component is to have the right leader. If you don’t have God’s ",p:78,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leader, it is not yet God’s time for you to do this.”",p:78,x:90,y:206,w:380,h:17},
{t:"The leaders we refer to have an unshakable sense of God’s ",p:78,x:119,y:229,w:454,h:17},
{t:"call upon them. They are visionaries, but the vision they carry ",p:78,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is God given and not from man. They are big-picture thinkers. ",p:78,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They carry God’s message and are gifted by him to initiate ",p:78,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"new works, to lay foundations for these works, and to identify, ",p:78,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"develop, and release new leaders for these works. None of this ",p:78,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"contradicts what was said earlier about teams. Every leader needs ",p:78,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a team. Every team needs a leader.",p:78,x:90,y:379,w:265,h:32},
{t:"What shall we call these leaders? Many terms are available ",p:78,x:119,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"from the secular world. But if these leaders are essential to God’s ",p:78,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"global purpose, surely they are found in the New Testament! ",p:78,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"What term(s) does the New Testament use to identify them? What ",p:78,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"characteristics describe them? I don’t believe God is hung up on ",p:78,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"terminology, but if the New Testament has a word for something ",p:78,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are we not on safer ground to use it?",p:78,x:90,y:551,w:278,h:17},
{t:"My life journey in God’s work has placed me among ",p:78,x:119,y:574,w:454,h:17},
{t:"mission organizations and local churches on fve continents ",p:78,x:90,y:586,w:485,h:32},
{t:"in some one hundred countries. It has brought me to a place ",p:78,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"where I cannot avoid the conviction that the ministry roles of ",p:78,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Ephesians 4:11–13—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, ",p:78,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and teachers—are operating among us today. God’s grace must ",p:78,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"pour through these chosen and God-gifted ministers if God’s ",p:78,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom is to fow into new societies. To be sure, there have ",p:78,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"been abuses and mis-applications of these incredibly precious ",p:78,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"callings. We must address and correct those abuses. Foundations ",p:78,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"here are in need of repair.",p:78,x:90,y:804,w:195,h:17},
{t:"A ",p:78,x:119,y:827,w:22,h:17},
{t:"n o t e",p:78,x:158,y:827,w:48,h:17},
{t:"o f ",p:78,x:233,y:827,w:26,h:17},
{t:"clarification may be ",p:78,x:90,y:850,w:169,h:17},
{t:"in order at this point. ",p:78,x:90,y:873,w:169,h:17},
{t:"Jesus Christ is the ",p:78,x:90,y:896,w:169,h:17},
{t:"Every leader needs a team. ",p:78,x:297,y:855,w:246,h:20},
{t:"Every team needs a leader.",p:78,x:297,y:877,w:241,h:20},
{t:"THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH",p:79,x:415,y:59,w:154,h:10},
{t:"85",p:79,x:556,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Worship brings joy to the ",p:79,x:314,y:669,w:224,h:20},
{t:"heart of God and delight, ",p:79,x:313,y:691,w:225,h:20},
{t:"comfort, energy, and ",p:79,x:333,y:713,w:186,h:20},
{t:"healing to the heart of the ",p:79,x:311,y:735,w:231,h:20},
{t:"worshippers.",p:79,x:366,y:757,w:114,h:20},
{t:"foundation of the church. There can be no other (1 Cor. 3:11). He ",p:79,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"included the original twelve apostles and the prophets in laying ",p:79,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that foundation (Eph. 2:20). This included the completion of the ",p:79,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"New Testament cannon. The original foundation of the church ",p:79,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has been laid, and New Testament revelation is complete.",p:79,x:90,y:183,w:440,h:17},
{t:"That said, every new work of God—every church, charity, ",p:79,x:119,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"school, hospital, mission organization, etc.—requires the laying ",p:79,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of foundations. These foundations must be laid upon and judged ",p:79,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"by the original foundation laid by Christ, the apostles, and ",p:79,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prophets.",p:79,x:90,y:298,w:70,h:17},
{t:"It is beyond the scope of this book to consider each of the ",p:79,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Ephesians 4 ministry roles in depth. It is my understanding ",p:79,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"that leaders called to initiate present-day works of God are the ",p:79,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"same kind of leaders who fulflled an apostolic role in the New ",p:79,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Testament. There are those, in addition to the twelve, whom the ",p:79,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Scripture designates apostles. Because of its crucial role, we will ",p:79,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"pursue an understanding of apostolic ministry more thoroughly ",p:79,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the next chapter.",p:79,x:90,y:482,w:145,h:17},
{t:"We discover worship. “They were worshipping the Lord” ",p:79,x:119,y:494,w:454,h:32},
{t:"(Acts 13:2). We get the impression that worship was a lifestyle ",p:79,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for the leaders in the church at Antioch. Worship brings joy to ",p:79,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the heart of God and delight, comfort, energy, and healing to ",p:79,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the heart of the worshippers. It gradually introduces us to more ",p:79,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and more of God’s glory and leaves us passionate to see him ",p:79,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"worshipped in all the ",p:79,x:90,y:643,w:179,h:17},
{t:"earth. Nothing less is ",p:79,x:90,y:666,w:179,h:17},
{t:"acceptable. It deepens ",p:79,x:90,y:689,w:179,h:17},
{t:"our intimacy with him ",p:79,x:90,y:712,w:179,h:17},
{t:"and conditions us to ",p:79,x:90,y:735,w:179,h:17},
{t:"feel more of his heart. ",p:79,x:90,y:758,w:179,h:17},
{t:"It prepares us to hear ",p:79,x:90,y:781,w:179,h:17},
{t:"him when he is ready ",p:79,x:90,y:804,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to speak and to hear him more accurately. It demonstrates to ",p:79,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"him that we love being with him even when we do not hear him ",p:79,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"speaking.",p:79,x:90,y:873,w:72,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:80,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"86",p:80,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"There is spiritual authority in worship. It creates space for ",p:80,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God. He inhabits the praises of his people. Worship drives back ",p:80,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual forces arrayed against Christ and his Church, and it ",p:80,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"creates spiritual space for new works of God to be born. Worship ",p:80,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"plays a primary role in kingdom extension.",p:80,x:90,y:183,w:329,h:17},
{t:"We discover fasting. “And fasting, . . .” (Acts 13:2). When ",p:80,x:120,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"we look at men and women who have walked with God in the ",p:80,x:89,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Old Testament, the New Testament, and down through Church ",p:80,x:89,y:241,w:484,h:32},
{t:"history, we meet the practice of fasting. It is pervasive among ",p:80,x:89,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"those who have known God intimately.",p:80,x:89,y:298,w:300,h:17},
{t:"Fasting is an outer expression of an inner decision to ",p:80,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"hunger after God and learn his ways. It is a practical aid that ",p:80,x:89,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"brings clarity and focus to the soul. It muffes other voices and ",p:80,x:89,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"distracting impulses. It softens the heart and humbles the spirit ",p:80,x:89,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"before the Creator.",p:80,x:89,y:413,w:143,h:17},
{t:"Hearing God is a process. It is not that God is playing hard ",p:80,x:119,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to get. In order to hear and correctly interpret what he has to say, ",p:80,x:89,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we must listen and focus. God is eager to speak, but he seldom ",p:80,x:89,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wastes words on unhearing or distracted ears.",p:80,x:89,y:505,w:348,h:17},
{t:"Fasting is representative of a cluster of activities that ",p:80,x:119,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"have been known and practiced since Old Testament times by ",p:80,x:89,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"individuals in pursuit of God. These have been called spiritual ",p:80,x:89,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"disciplines. Jesus practiced and taught them. Examples include ",p:80,x:89,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"solitude, silence, fasting, chastity, study, worship, prayer, and ",p:80,x:89,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fellowship. They have absolutely no merit in and of themselves. ",p:80,x:89,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"But, when practiced freely and graciously with the right ",p:80,x:89,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"understanding and motives, they have power to train the inner ",p:80,x:89,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"person in the ways of God.",p:80,x:89,y:712,w:206,h:17},
{t:"Absolutely nothing is more critical to the completion ",p:80,x:119,y:735,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of God",p:80,x:89,y:758,w:69,h:17},
{t:"’ s ",p:80,x:161,y:758,w:22,h:17},
{t:"purpose ",p:80,x:190,y:758,w:79,h:17},
{t:"on earth ",p:80,x:89,y:781,w:88,h:17},
{t:"than ",p:80,x:184,y:781,w:46,h:17},
{t:"the ",p:80,x:237,y:781,w:32,h:17},
{t:"formation of the inner ",p:80,x:89,y:804,w:179,h:17},
{t:"person before God. No ",p:80,x:89,y:827,w:179,h:17},
{t:"human enthusiasm, will ",p:80,x:89,y:850,w:179,h:17},
{t:"power, or strategy can ",p:80,x:89,y:873,w:179,h:17},
{t:"substitute. Think for a ",p:80,x:89,y:896,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Absolutely nothing is more ",p:80,x:307,y:782,w:238,h:20},
{t:"critical to the completion ",p:80,x:317,y:804,w:217,h:20},
{t:"of God’s purpose on earth ",p:80,x:310,y:826,w:232,h:20},
{t:"than the formation of the ",p:80,x:315,y:848,w:222,h:20},
{t:"inner person before God.",p:80,x:315,y:870,w:216,h:20},
{t:"THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH",p:81,x:415,y:59,w:154,h:10},
{t:"87",p:81,x:556,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"moment—we leaders have sent thousands into the world with the ",p:81,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gospel who have returned wounded, disillusioned, and defeated. ",p:81,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Many were unprepared in the inner person. Let’s not do that ",p:81,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"anymore. It is not God’s design.",p:81,x:90,y:160,w:245,h:17},
{t:"We discover the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit said, . . .” (Acts ",p:81,x:119,y:172,w:454,h:32},
{t:"13:2). God’s strategy for Paul did not come from a planning ",p:81,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"session. It came from the Holy Spirit who spoke to God’s leaders ",p:81,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"as they worshipped and fasted.",p:81,x:90,y:252,w:235,h:17},
{t:"This is not at all to dishonor the process of planning. ",p:81,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Planning, in its proper place, is responsible activity. It shows ",p:81,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trustworthiness. It brings human experience, knowledge, and ",p:81,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wisdom to bear in appropriate ways in carrying out God’s work. ",p:81,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It has many biblical applications. God works in partnership with ",p:81,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"humans.",p:81,x:90,y:390,w:64,h:17},
{t:"But human planning must fnd its proper place and order. It ",p:81,x:119,y:402,w:454,h:32},
{t:"doesn’t come frst. God comes frst. It is his call, his instructions, ",p:81,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"his confrmation, his timing, and his empowering. This is his ",p:81,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"work. It is so natural for us to turn frst to our own ideas, wisdom, ",p:81,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and convictions as to how things ought to be done! Then we ask ",p:81,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God to bless them.",p:81,x:90,y:528,w:143,h:17},
{t:"God speaks to those who wait and listen. Waiting and ",p:81,x:119,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"listening come frst, mingled generously with patience. God’s ",p:81,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"voice comes next. Once God has fnished saying what he has ",p:81,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"to say, the God-given human capacity to plan can kick in, not ",p:81,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"before. God sets the parameters. Human beings—prayerfully, ",p:81,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"sensitively, and humbly—fll in the blanks.",p:81,x:90,y:655,w:329,h:32},
{t:"Once human plans are set, God retains the right to override ",p:81,x:119,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"them. Paul and his team had this experience with their plans ",p:81,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to preach the Word in the province of Asia. The Holy Spirit ",p:81,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"prevented them. They then planned to go to Bithynia. The Holy ",p:81,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Spirit would not allow them. Then he led them to Macedonia. ",p:81,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"The gospel entered Europe. Much fruit ensued (Acts 16:6–10).",p:81,x:90,y:793,w:479,h:32},
{t:"The Holy Spirit is everywhere present. God’s kingdom ",p:81,x:119,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"is at frst unseen, although the more it expands, the more it is ",p:81,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"manifested in the visible world. Advancing this kingdom is a ",p:81,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"process of living connected with and directed by the Holy Spirit.",p:81,x:90,y:885,w:480,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:82,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"88",p:82,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"We discover being set apart. “Set apart for me” (Acts ",p:82,x:120,y:80,w:454,h:32},
{t:"13:2). One of the most important issues relating to a local ",p:82,x:90,y:103,w:484,h:32},
{t:"church launching church plants among unreached peoples is ",p:82,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the relationship between the apostolic leader and team and the ",p:82,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church. This relationship can become awkward and stress flled. ",p:82,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Why?",p:82,x:90,y:206,w:45,h:17},
{t:"One obvious factor is immaturity in character. Apostolic ",p:82,x:120,y:218,w:454,h:32},
{t:"leaders, while they are still maturing, can be self-willed, prideful, ",p:82,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and non-submissive. On the other hand, church leaders can be ",p:82,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"authoritative, controlling, and narrow-minded. This creates ",p:82,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"problems.",p:82,x:90,y:321,w:76,h:17},
{t:"Another reason the relationship can become awkward is ",p:82,x:120,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"that local churches often have leaders who are gifted in very ",p:82,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"different ways from leaders who are gifted apostolically. Gifts ",p:82,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of teaching, pastoring, and administrating may predominate. It ",p:82,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is crucial that each leader understands his or her own gifting, ",p:82,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the gifting of other leaders with whom he or she relates, and ",p:82,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"how they complement each other. This complementing must ",p:82,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be lived out in love, esteeming one another better than oneself ",p:82,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"(Phil. 2:3). Church leaders may be unsure how to relate with and ",p:82,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"release leaders among those who are called and gifted by God ",p:82,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to initiate new works. ",p:82,x:90,y:574,w:170,h:17},
{t:"A third reason is that leaders in a local church often feel ",p:82,x:120,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"different motivations and priorities than apostolic-type leaders.",p:82,x:90,y:620,w:479,h:17},
{t:"Church leaders ",p:82,x:120,y:643,w:120,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:678,w:11,h:32},
{t:"are motivated to nurture the saints.",p:82,x:165,y:678,w:266,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:701,w:11,h:32},
{t:"are focused on stability.",p:82,x:165,y:701,w:181,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:724,w:11,h:32},
{t:"invest in building consensus.",p:82,x:165,y:724,w:221,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:747,w:11,h:32},
{t:"have schedules already full to overfowing.",p:82,x:165,y:747,w:330,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:770,w:11,h:32},
{t:"tend to avoid risks.",p:82,x:165,y:770,w:145,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:793,w:11,h:32},
{t:"work for gradual change.",p:82,x:165,y:793,w:192,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic leaders",p:82,x:119,y:850,w:133,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:885,w:11,h:32},
{t:"are motivated to initiate new works.",p:82,x:165,y:885,w:275,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:82,x:150,y:908,w:11,h:32},
{t:"are focused on change.",p:82,x:165,y:908,w:175,h:32},
{t:"THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH",p:83,x:415,y:59,w:154,h:10},
{t:"89",p:83,x:556,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"• ",p:83,x:150,y:80,w:11,h:32},
{t:"invest in blazing a trail for others to follow.",p:83,x:165,y:80,w:332,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:83,x:150,y:103,w:11,h:32},
{t:"are often chafng at the bit to get on with the new ",p:83,x:165,y:103,w:381,h:32},
{t:"vision.",p:83,x:165,y:137,w:51,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:83,x:150,y:149,w:11,h:32},
{t:"tend to embrace risks.",p:83,x:165,y:149,w:168,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:83,x:150,y:172,w:11,h:32},
{t:"ask God for dynamic breakthroughs.",p:83,x:165,y:172,w:280,h:32},
{t:"It is so valuable for the apostolic leader to spend time ",p:83,x:119,y:229,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministering in the local church. It will grace him with ",p:83,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"understanding in many crucial areas.",p:83,x:90,y:275,w:281,h:17},
{t:"A fourth reason is that those of us who cherish a high view ",p:83,x:119,y:298,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of the local church can underestimate the role and importance ",p:83,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the apostolic structure. By apostolic structure, we mean ",p:83,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the organizational form that supports and facilitates apostolic ",p:83,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"outreach. We could also use the terms parachurch organization, ",p:83,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mission agency, sodality, etc. Apostolic ministry is released ",p:83,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through apostolic structures. We will look at this concept ",p:83,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in more depth in Chapter 12, Apostolic Release. When an ",p:83,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"appropriate structure is ",p:83,x:90,y:482,w:179,h:17},
{t:"not in place, apostolic ",p:83,x:90,y:505,w:179,h:17},
{t:"ministry and its leaders ",p:83,x:90,y:528,w:179,h:17},
{t:"will be frustrated.",p:83,x:90,y:551,w:135,h:17},
{t:"Before Acts 13:1–",p:83,x:119,y:563,w:144,h:32},
{t:"3, Paul and Barnabas ",p:83,x:90,y:586,w:179,h:32},
{t:"were ministering within the structure of the local fellowship. We ",p:83,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"might think of them as being members of the church or even on ",p:83,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"staff.",p:83,x:90,y:666,w:38,h:17},
{t:"But that relationship was about to change. They were to be ",p:83,x:119,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"“set apart.” What does that mean? It means they were leaving. ",p:83,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"What were they leaving? They were leaving their old work ",p:83,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"(ministry) of teaching great numbers of people in Antioch. Why? ",p:83,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It was time for them to be released into the new work to which ",p:83,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God had called them, to carry his name before the Gentiles. This ",p:83,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"new work could not be done in the church at Antioch. It was ",p:83,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"beyond the church at Antioch. It was a different kind of ministry ",p:83,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that required a different kind of structure. From then on, they ",p:83,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"were the members or staff of an apostolic team.",p:83,x:90,y:896,w:364,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic ministry is ",p:83,x:335,y:504,w:182,h:20},
{t:"released through apostolic ",p:83,x:308,y:526,w:236,h:20},
{t:"structures.",p:83,x:376,y:548,w:93,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:84,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"90",p:84,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"There is more for us to say about apostolic structures. We ",p:84,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"will explore this matter further in a following chapter.",p:84,x:90,y:114,w:412,h:17},
{t:"We discover a team. “Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 13:2). ",p:84,x:120,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Again, it is crucial to establish that God’s design for Paul, this ",p:84,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"groundbreaking, trend-setting, initiating apostolic leader, was ",p:84,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to serve in the context of a team. The team formed and served ",p:84,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"as the apostolic structure.",p:84,x:90,y:229,w:194,h:17},
{t:"We discover a work. “For the work to which I have called ",p:84,x:120,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"them” (Acts 13:2). The work to which God called Paul was “to ",p:84,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the ",p:84,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). The end results of Paul’s efforts ",p:84,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"were churches (Acts 14:23). In today’s terminology, the work ",p:84,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to which Paul was called was church planting among unreached ",p:84,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"peoples.",p:84,x:90,y:390,w:63,h:17},
{t:"We discover prayer. “So after they had fasted and prayed” ",p:84,x:120,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"(Acts 13:3). Prayer is mentioned subsequent to the group hearing ",p:84,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God’s direction to set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work. ",p:84,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Why was more prayer ",p:84,x:90,y:482,w:179,h:17},
{t:"needed?",p:84,x:90,y:505,w:62,h:17},
{t:"It is one thing to ",p:84,x:119,y:528,w:149,h:17},
{t:"know that we have ",p:84,x:90,y:551,w:179,h:17},
{t:"heard God. It is another ",p:84,x:90,y:574,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to have heard him ",p:84,x:90,y:597,w:179,h:17},
{t:"accurately. How easily ",p:84,x:90,y:620,w:179,h:17},
{t:"our human imperfections can distort what he has said. Wise is ",p:84,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the person and the group who invests time in God’s presence, ",p:84,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"waiting for God’s confrmation of what he has said.",p:84,x:90,y:678,w:394,h:32},
{t:"God’s general direction had been given. And that raised many ",p:84,x:119,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"further questions: How should God’s instructions concerning ",p:84,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Barnabas and Saul be communicated to the rest of the church? ",p:84,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"What would be the actual date of the team’s departure? Where ",p:84,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"should they go first? What should they take along? What ",p:84,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"should their strategy be for preaching the gospel? How should ",p:84,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"communication with the church in Antioch be set up? Should ",p:84,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"they return? When? Should others go with them?",p:84,x:90,y:862,w:376,h:32},
{t:"In today’s terminology, the ",p:84,x:306,y:500,w:239,h:20},
{t:"work to which Paul was ",p:84,x:317,y:522,w:217,h:20},
{t:"called was church planting ",p:84,x:305,y:544,w:242,h:20},
{t:"among unreached peoples.",p:84,x:306,y:566,w:235,h:20},
{t:"THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH",p:85,x:415,y:59,w:154,h:10},
{t:"91",p:85,x:556,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Carrying the name of the God of Israel before the Gentiles ",p:85,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and their kings and before the people of Israel must have sounded ",p:85,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"intimidating. This was no easy assignment! The Gentiles had ",p:85,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"their own gods and Israel had its own entrenched views, often ",p:85,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unbiblical, of what God required. This work would require ",p:85,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"powerful anointing. We can imagine much time and energy ",p:85,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"invested in prayer before the team went out.",p:85,x:90,y:229,w:337,h:17},
{t:"We discover the laying on of hands. “They placed their ",p:85,x:120,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"hands on them” (Acts 13:3). Today when church leaders lay ",p:85,x:89,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hands on someone for the same purpose they did here, we call ",p:85,x:89,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"it ordination. Those who do the ordaining recognize God’s call ",p:85,x:89,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"on the individual for a specifc ministry role and are publicly ",p:85,x:89,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"identifying themselves with the person and his or her ministry. ",p:85,x:89,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There is a sense of shared responsibility between those doing ",p:85,x:89,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the ordaining and the person being ordained.",p:85,x:89,y:413,w:342,h:17},
{t:"Whose responsibility is it to see the nations blessed? Each ",p:85,x:119,y:425,w:454,h:32},
{t:"person is to fulfll the role God has chosen for him or her. It is ",p:85,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"far too common for mission teams to go among the unreached ",p:85,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"without the broadly shared participation the mission requires for ",p:85,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"success. When a sense of ownership of the team and the work ",p:85,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is cultivated among the church, the mission has a much higher ",p:85,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"possibility of producing fruit.",p:85,x:90,y:574,w:225,h:17},
{t:"Summary of Recommended Components ",p:85,x:162,y:620,w:340,h:17},
{t:"for Mission Initiatives",p:85,x:240,y:643,w:179,h:17},
{t:"The church. Intentionally root mission initiatives in the life of ",p:85,x:120,y:689,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Jesus as it is resident in local Christian communities (churches). ",p:85,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Let the initiative come forth from this base.",p:85,x:90,y:724,w:333,h:32},
{t:"The ministry roles of Ephesians 4:11–13. Select leadership ",p:85,x:120,y:747,w:454,h:32},
{t:"for the initiative that is apostolic in nature, and give that ",p:85,x:89,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leadership the appropriate freedom to form and lead the initiative.",p:85,x:89,y:804,w:480,h:17},
{t:"Worship. Ensure that vital worship is part of the lifestyle of ",p:85,x:120,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"all participants. External programs, no matter how much they ",p:85,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"have to recommend them, void of spiritual power will not result ",p:85,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in kingdom breakthroughs.",p:85,x:90,y:896,w:207,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:86,x:88,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"92",p:86,x:88,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Fasting. Learn and teach the biblical process of spiritual ",p:86,x:120,y:80,w:454,h:32},
{t:"formation of the inner person in the character of Christ. Develop ",p:86,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a mature use of spiritual disciplines, including fasting.",p:86,x:90,y:137,w:415,h:17},
{t:"The Holy Spirit. Intentionally and unhurriedly seek God. ",p:86,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Look for and depend upon the leading of the Holy Spirit—",p:86,x:90,y:172,w:479,h:32},
{t:"his call, direction, timing, leaders, and instruction—before ",p:86,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"proceeding. Remain responsive to his course corrections.",p:86,x:90,y:229,w:437,h:17},
{t:"Setting apart. Identify or establish the apostolic structure ",p:86,x:120,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"through which the apostolic initiative is to be carried out. ",p:86,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Ensure that the people who minister in the apostolic structure ",p:86,x:90,y:287,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are authentically integrated into the fellowship of a local church.",p:86,x:90,y:321,w:480,h:17},
{t:"Team. Carry out all of the functions of the initiative in teams.",p:86,x:120,y:344,w:450,h:17},
{t:"The work. Expect the Holy Spirit to lead so that the work is ",p:86,x:120,y:356,w:454,h:32},
{t:"relevant and strategic in light of the present world situation and ",p:86,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the progress of world evangelization. How is the work connected ",p:86,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to establishing God’s rule among unreached peoples?",p:86,x:90,y:436,w:408,h:17},
{t:"Prayer. Ensure that all activities are generously permeated ",p:86,x:120,y:448,w:454,h:32},
{t:"with prayer.",p:86,x:90,y:482,w:91,h:17},
{t:"Laying on of hands. Invest the energy required to cultivate ",p:86,x:120,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"a meaningful level of ownership of the mission and team ",p:86,x:89,y:528,w:485,h:17},
{t:"throughout the church fellowship.",p:86,x:89,y:551,w:259,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:87,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"94",p:87,x:89,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"There is no more place for me to work in ",p:87,x:156,y:212,w:352,h:18},
{t:"these regions. (Rom. 15:23)",p:87,x:214,y:236,w:231,h:18},
{t:"In 1 Corinthians 12:28, we fnd an intriguing state-",p:87,x:146,y:318,w:376,h:29},
{t:"ment about apostolic ministry: “And in the church God ",p:87,x:116,y:349,w:410,h:16},
{t:"has appointed frst of all apostles.” What does this mean? ",p:87,x:116,y:362,w:429,h:29},
{t:"In what sense are apostles frst? Lest we think they are ",p:87,x:116,y:384,w:404,h:29},
{t:"to be above everybody else, Paul has already instructed ",p:87,x:116,y:415,w:413,h:16},
{t:"us in the same letter, “For it seems to me that God has ",p:87,x:116,y:437,w:404,h:16},
{t:"put us apostles on display at the end of the procession” ",p:87,x:116,y:459,w:410,h:16},
{t:"(1 Cor. 4:9). In one sense, apostles are frst. In another ",p:87,x:116,y:472,w:407,h:29},
{t:"sense, they are last.",p:87,x:116,y:503,w:143,h:16},
{t:"My understanding is that God has designed apostolic ",p:87,x:146,y:547,w:396,h:16},
{t:"leaders to go frst in sequence. They are to blaze the trail, ",p:87,x:116,y:560,w:427,h:29},
{t:"to pioneer, to initiate kingdom breakthroughs into new ",p:87,x:116,y:591,w:402,h:16},
{t:"areas, and to lay foundations on which others can build. ",p:87,x:116,y:613,w:417,h:16},
{t:"When it comes to extending the reign of God on earth, ",p:87,x:116,y:635,w:401,h:16},
{t:"they have to go frst.",p:87,x:116,y:648,w:149,h:29},
{t:"If this is true, it makes it pretty important to know ",p:87,x:146,y:701,w:368,h:16},
{t:"who they are. How can we identify them? What char-",p:87,x:116,y:723,w:390,h:16},
{t:"acteristics does the New Testament assign to those who ",p:87,x:116,y:745,w:409,h:16},
{t:"carry this designation? In developing younger people, ",p:87,x:116,y:767,w:402,h:16},
{t:"how can we look for those who may have this calling and ",p:87,x:116,y:789,w:424,h:16},
{t:"gift?",p:87,x:116,y:813,w:33,h:16},
{t:"95",p:88,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 9",p:88,x:278,y:110,w:103,h:32},
{t:"Identifying Apostolic ",p:88,x:174,y:148,w:320,h:29},
{t:"Leaders",p:88,x:269,y:186,w:121,h:29},
{t:"Fairly early in my missionary experience, the Lord ",p:88,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"strongly instructed me, through the words of 2 Timothy 2:24, ",p:88,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"saying, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he ",p:88,x:90,y:417,w:484,h:32},
{t:"must be kind to everyone.” I remember times when I have ",p:88,x:90,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"quarreled with my brothers and sisters over points of doctrine. ",p:88,x:90,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I am so sorry for having done that. It did not honor my Lord or ",p:88,x:90,y:486,w:484,h:32},
{t:"further his purposes. I never want to do that again.",p:88,x:90,y:521,w:385,h:17},
{t:"In the last chapter, I mentioned that I am very aware that ",p:88,x:119,y:544,w:454,h:17},
{t:"signifcant portions of the Church today hold the view that the ",p:88,x:90,y:555,w:484,h:32},
{t:"ministry of the apostles ceased with the death of the twelve. I ",p:88,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"have deep respect for the churches and their leaders who carry ",p:88,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this conviction, but must we all have the same understanding ",p:88,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of apostolic ministry? I don’t think so. Should different views ",p:88,x:90,y:647,w:484,h:32},
{t:"prevent us from sharing loving fellowship and fruitful service? I ",p:88,x:90,y:682,w:484,h:17},
{t:"don’t believe they should. Let’s walk this road together, learning ",p:88,x:90,y:693,w:484,h:32},
{t:"from the Lord and from one another. I know that I need and ",p:88,x:90,y:716,w:484,h:32},
{t:"desire much more understanding here. As God’s people sincerely ",p:88,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"grappling with the question, How do we complete world ",p:88,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"evangelization? let’s treat ",p:88,x:90,y:797,w:214,h:17},
{t:"each other in the spirit of ",p:88,x:90,y:820,w:214,h:17},
{t:"Philippians 2:3: “In humility ",p:88,x:90,y:843,w:214,h:17},
{t:"consider others better than ",p:88,x:90,y:866,w:216,h:17},
{t:"yourselves.” Being Christ-",p:88,x:90,y:877,w:211,h:32},
{t:"like is more important than ",p:88,x:90,y:912,w:216,h:17},
{t:"Being Christ-like is ",p:88,x:357,y:827,w:171,h:20},
{t:"more important than ",p:88,x:350,y:849,w:184,h:20},
{t:"being “right.”",p:88,x:382,y:871,w:115,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:89,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"96",p:89,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"being “right.” ",p:89,x:90,y:91,w:110,h:17},
{t:"Words are important. They carry concepts. Concepts need ",p:89,x:119,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to be clearly and accurately defned. What a word means to one ",p:89,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"person can be very different from what it means to another. This ",p:89,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is no doubt true of the word apostle.",p:89,x:90,y:183,w:277,h:17},
{t:"The word apostle might trigger more concern in some ",p:89,x:119,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"than the word apostolic or even the compound apostolic-type. ",p:89,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Notice the difference between saying, “He is an apostle,” “He ",p:89,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is an apostolic leader,” or, “He is an apostolic-type leader.” ",p:89,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Similarly we can speak of apostolic ministry or even apostolic-",p:89,x:90,y:287,w:480,h:32},
{t:"type ministry. If we have hesitations about the role of the apostle ",p:89,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"today, using the adjective might give us more freedom to talk ",p:89,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"openly about this subject.",p:89,x:90,y:367,w:195,h:17},
{t:"Where do we go from here? First, let’s seek to allow the New ",p:89,x:119,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Testament to defne apostolic leaders for us. What distinguished ",p:89,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"them from others? That is the focus of this chapter. Then, in ",p:89,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"subsequent chapters, it will be important to examine what the ",p:89,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"New Testament teaches us about the character of apostolic ",p:89,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leaders and to begin to explore the process of developing and ",p:89,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"releasing them. ",p:89,x:90,y:528,w:121,h:17},
{t:"New Testament Characteristics of Apostolic Leaders ",p:89,x:116,y:574,w:431,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are called by God. “Paul, an apostle—",p:89,x:120,y:620,w:449,h:17},
{t:"sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the ",p:89,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Father” (Gal. 1:1).",p:89,x:90,y:666,w:141,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are called by God to initiate kingdom ",p:89,x:119,y:689,w:454,h:17},
{t:"advances. It is lonely work. Other people, even Christians, will ",p:89,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"often not understand what motivates them. Satan will oppose. ",p:89,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"There will be deep valleys. There will be times when God’s ",p:89,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"apostolic leader will say, “Father, I don’t want this. I didn’t ask ",p:89,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for this. This is too hard. I want out.”",p:89,x:90,y:804,w:284,h:17},
{t:"Jesus reached this place in the Garden of Gethsemane. ",p:89,x:119,y:827,w:454,h:17},
{t:"“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my ",p:89,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him ",p:89,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and strengthened him” (Luke 22:42–43). At times like this, on ",p:89,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:90,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"97",p:90,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"As we contemplate the ",p:90,x:328,y:364,w:204,h:20},
{t:"word apostle, we feel ",p:90,x:334,y:386,w:193,h:20},
{t:"movement, delegated ",p:90,x:334,y:408,w:192,h:20},
{t:"authority, and the risks ",p:90,x:324,y:430,w:212,h:20},
{t:"inherent in carrying a ",p:90,x:333,y:452,w:195,h:20},
{t:"lot of responsibility in ",p:90,x:333,y:474,w:193,h:20},
{t:"unfamiliar and even ",p:90,x:339,y:496,w:182,h:20},
{t:"unfriendly circumstances.",p:90,x:314,y:518,w:226,h:20},
{t:"a level in his own soul that is deeper than his pain, God’s leader ",p:90,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"will remember experiences with God that he simply cannot deny. ",p:90,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"He will know that God has led him to do this.",p:90,x:90,y:137,w:349,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are sent by God. “Again Jesus said, ‘. . . As ",p:90,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed ",p:90,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:21–22). ",p:90,x:90,y:195,w:482,h:32},
{t:"The Greek work apostolos, translated apostle, means literally ",p:90,x:119,y:229,w:454,h:17},
{t:"“one sent forth.” It can carry the meaning of someone sent on a ",p:90,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"special assignment, like an ambassador, or someone sent with ",p:90,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"an important message, representing the one who sent him. As ",p:90,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we contemplate the word apostle, we feel movement, delegated ",p:90,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"authority, and the risks ",p:90,x:90,y:344,w:188,h:17},
{t:"inherent in carrying ",p:90,x:90,y:367,w:188,h:17},
{t:"a lot of responsibility ",p:90,x:90,y:390,w:188,h:17},
{t:"in unfamiliar and ",p:90,x:90,y:413,w:188,h:17},
{t:"even ",p:90,x:90,y:436,w:56,h:17},
{t:"un f r i e n d l y ",p:90,x:158,y:436,w:119,h:17},
{t:"circumstances.",p:90,x:90,y:459,w:113,h:17},
{t:"In God’s design, ",p:90,x:149,y:482,w:128,h:17},
{t:"he gave the church in ",p:90,x:90,y:505,w:188,h:17},
{t:"Antioch a beautiful, ",p:90,x:90,y:528,w:188,h:17},
{t:"grace-flled role in the ",p:90,x:90,y:540,w:188,h:32},
{t:"sending out of Barnabas ",p:90,x:90,y:563,w:188,h:32},
{t:"and Saul. But, as though to make sure we do not miss a crucial ",p:90,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"point, the Holy Spirit added in Acts 13:4, “The two of them, sent ",p:90,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"on their way by the Holy Spirit.”",p:90,x:90,y:632,w:251,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are entrusted by God with a specifc ",p:90,x:150,y:656,w:424,h:31},
{t:"area of infuence. “They saw that I had been entrusted with the ",p:90,x:90,y:679,w:484,h:31},
{t:"task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had ",p:90,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"been to the Jews” (Gal. 2:7).",p:90,x:90,y:724,w:218,h:32},
{t:"Paul and Peter had been given different assignments. Some ",p:90,x:119,y:747,w:454,h:32},
{t:"are called to a certain geographic area, others to a specifc cultural ",p:90,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"or social group, and still others to the business, professional, ",p:90,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"or academic worlds. It is important for the apostolic leader to ",p:90,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"discern and honor the arena to which God has sent him. ",p:90,x:90,y:850,w:431,h:17},
{t:"Two hours before writing these words, I heard about a group ",p:90,x:120,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of Christian businessmen committed to extending God’s kingdom ",p:90,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:91,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"98",p:91,x:90,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"internationally. Their calling is to do this from within the business ",p:91,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"world. They have initiated various business enterprises for the ",p:91,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"purpose of funding mission initiatives, and they have established ",p:91,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"an impressive track record in doing so. They have just taken ",p:91,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a month to seek the Lord for future direction. The leadership ",p:91,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"roles they are playing in the advance of the gospel speak to me ",p:91,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of apostolic calling and gifting that is being expressed in the ",p:91,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"marketplace. I encounter a growing number of examples like ",p:91,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this. Such business people should rightly be honored for their ",p:91,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"service to Christ and his church. They are as crucial as anyone ",p:91,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"else in the ongoing advance of the gospel.",p:91,x:90,y:321,w:321,h:17},
{t:"The focus of this book is completing Christ’s purpose ",p:91,x:119,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"among all nations. We looked at the role of apostolic leaders ",p:91,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the context of unreached peoples, but it is certainly true that ",p:91,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this calling is operating in cultures where the church is already ",p:91,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"established.",p:91,x:90,y:436,w:89,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are gifted by God for the role that he has ",p:91,x:120,y:459,w:454,h:17},
{t:"called them to. “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not ",p:91,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"want you to be ignorant...And in the church God has appointed...",p:91,x:90,y:505,w:480,h:17},
{t:"apostles ” (1 Cor. 12:1, 28).",p:91,x:90,y:517,w:211,h:32},
{t:"Initiating new works of God is a spiritual undertaking. It calls ",p:91,x:119,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"for a deep knowledge of God and his ways. It is also demanding. ",p:91,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It requires a wide range of skills. It is dependent on God’s gifting.",p:91,x:90,y:597,w:479,h:17},
{t:"What might be the relationship between terms like calling, ",p:91,x:119,y:620,w:454,h:17},
{t:"gifting, character, anointing and mature ministry in the realm ",p:91,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of apostolic ministry or other ministry areas? Let me offer some ",p:91,x:89,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"working defnitions. I don’t mean for these to be rigid, but I fnd ",p:91,x:89,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"them to be a helpful framework when working with individuals ",p:91,x:89,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and churches. They are to be used loosely, with a lot of fexibility ",p:91,x:89,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and grace. We stand on holy ground here. Only God has the exact ",p:91,x:89,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"specifcations:",p:91,x:89,y:770,w:109,h:32},
{t:"Calling is, in the frst instance, God summoning a person to ",p:91,x:120,y:793,w:454,h:32},
{t:"play a specifc role in the work of his kingdom. Once the person ",p:91,x:89,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"matures into that role, the role itself becomes his or her calling. ",p:91,x:89,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The unique calling God has chosen for each individual is the ",p:91,x:89,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"most gracious, wise, and fulflling experience imaginable for ",p:91,x:89,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:92,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"99",p:92,x:557,y:946,w:12,h:10},
{t:"God never calls us to do ",p:92,x:126,y:484,w:216,h:20},
{t:"something he does not gift ",p:92,x:116,y:506,w:235,h:20},
{t:"us to do.",p:92,x:194,y:528,w:75,h:20},
{t:"that person.",p:92,x:90,y:91,w:89,h:17},
{t:"Gifting is the capacity, given to us by the Holy Spirit, which ",p:92,x:120,y:103,w:454,h:32},
{t:"is required to fulfll God’s calling. God never calls us to do ",p:92,x:89,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"something he does not gift us to do. I am using the term gifting ",p:92,x:89,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in a broad sense to include natural abilities and learned skills, ",p:92,x:89,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all of which are gifts of God’s grace to us.",p:92,x:89,y:206,w:322,h:17},
{t:"When working with individual people, I can’t, in every ",p:92,x:119,y:229,w:454,h:17},
{t:"situation, differentiate precisely between spiritual gifts, natural ",p:92,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"abilities, God-given personality traits, and learned skills. In some ",p:92,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"instances the lines of demarcation seem very clear. In others, all ",p:92,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"seem to work together in one unique, indivisible, irreplaceable ",p:92,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"person.",p:92,x:90,y:344,w:55,h:17},
{t:"In the apostolic leader, this gifting will often surface early. ",p:92,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Sadly, gifting does not always mature into fully effective ministry. ",p:92,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"The heart choices of the individual who carries it are crucial ",p:92,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"because they form character. God’s gifting can only be expressed ",p:92,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"effectively when it is ",p:92,x:381,y:459,w:193,h:17},
{t:"rooted in and nurtured by ",p:92,x:381,y:482,w:193,h:17},
{t:"godly character.",p:92,x:381,y:505,w:122,h:17},
{t:"Character as we ",p:92,x:450,y:528,w:124,h:17},
{t:"are using it here refers ",p:92,x:380,y:551,w:194,h:17},
{t:"to godly character. It is ",p:92,x:380,y:574,w:194,h:17},
{t:"Christ-likeness in the inner person. This too is the work of ",p:92,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Holy Spirit, but it is always in harmony with, and never in ",p:92,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"violation of, heart decisions made by the person. God forms ",p:92,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Christ in us through choices and practices that we embrace.5 ",p:92,x:90,y:665,w:463,h:18},
{t:"Anointing is empowering by the Holy Spirit for ministry. ",p:92,x:120,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Character is God’s work in us. The process of its formation is ",p:92,x:89,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"largely unseen. Anointing is God’s hand upon us. Its presence ",p:92,x:89,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is clearly seen by the spiritually sensitive and mature person.",p:92,x:89,y:758,w:466,h:17},
{t:"Mature ministry is the expression of a person’s calling ",p:92,x:120,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and gifting, rooted in and nurtured by Christ-like character, ",p:92,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and empowered by God’s anointing upon the person. When ",p:92,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"it comes to the apostolic leader, we could express it this way: ",p:92,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic calling and gifting plus Christ-like character plus ",p:92,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God’s anointing plus God’s circumstances and timing equals ",p:92,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:93,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"100",p:93,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"mature apostolic ministry.",p:93,x:90,y:91,w:199,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders carry vision given to them by God. “After ",p:93,x:120,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for ",p:93,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Macedonia, ",p:93,x:90,y:160,w:104,h:17},
{t:"concluding that God had ",p:93,x:381,y:160,w:193,h:17},
{t:"called us to preach the ",p:93,x:381,y:183,w:192,h:17},
{t:"gospel to them” (Acts ",p:93,x:381,y:206,w:193,h:17},
{t:"16:10). ",p:93,x:381,y:218,w:59,h:32},
{t:"This is not the same ",p:93,x:390,y:252,w:184,h:17},
{t:"thing we refer to in ",p:93,x:381,y:275,w:193,h:17},
{t:"secular life as being a ",p:93,x:381,y:298,w:193,h:17},
{t:"visionary leader. The ",p:93,x:381,y:321,w:193,h:17},
{t:"vision does not come ",p:93,x:381,y:344,w:193,h:17},
{t:"from the personality or ",p:93,x:379,y:367,w:194,h:17},
{t:"social context of the leader. It is vision given by God for his ",p:93,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"purposes. It might, in fact, be contrary to the personality of the ",p:93,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leader or his social context.",p:93,x:90,y:436,w:210,h:17},
{t:"Initiating leaders see things, and they often see them long ",p:93,x:119,y:459,w:454,h:17},
{t:"before others do. At frst they can seem out of step with the ",p:93,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"majority around them. More practical minds may receive the ",p:93,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"vision as unrealistic, even irresponsible. But when it has come ",p:93,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"from God, he will bring it to fulfllment in his time.",p:93,x:90,y:540,w:394,h:32},
{t:"Vision from God comes initially in the invisible realm. It ",p:93,x:119,y:574,w:454,h:17},
{t:"must be received there by faith. There it is also tested, sometimes ",p:93,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"severely. The one who has received the vision will have to wait ",p:93,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in faith, holding the vision in the invisible realm, sometimes for ",p:93,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"years.",p:93,x:90,y:666,w:45,h:17},
{t:"As God honors his vision and the person who has faithfully ",p:93,x:119,y:689,w:454,h:17},
{t:"carried it, the vision becomes more and more tangible. The more ",p:93,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the vision is transferred into physical reality, the more people ",p:93,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"understand, own, and celebrate it. Not every vision is from God. ",p:93,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"And every vision from him will be tested, refned, and matured. ",p:93,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"A vision may cost the leader everything, but it will also yield ",p:93,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual treasures beyond description.",p:93,x:90,y:827,w:291,h:17},
{t:"I first saw a vision of global mission coming from a ",p:93,x:120,y:850,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Christian community while the ship Doulos was visiting Rosario, ",p:93,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Argentina, in July 1979. It was our frst visit to Latin America. ",p:93,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic calling and gift-",p:93,x:121,y:197,w:220,h:20},
{t:"ing + Christ-like character ",p:93,x:118,y:219,w:232,h:20},
{t:"+ God’s anointing + God’s ",p:93,x:118,y:241,w:232,h:20},
{t:"circumstances and timing ",p:93,x:119,y:263,w:230,h:20},
{t:"= mature apostolic minis-",p:93,x:121,y:285,w:220,h:20},
{t:"try.",p:93,x:217,y:307,w:30,h:20},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:94,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"101",p:94,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"The scene is still indelibly etched in my memory. We had pleasant ",p:94,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"surroundings for a berth. You came down the ship’s gangway ",p:94,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and walked across a green park to the city center that lay just ",p:94,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"beyond.",p:94,x:90,y:160,w:61,h:17},
{t:"One day I was walking along the riverbank, seeking God ",p:94,x:119,y:172,w:454,h:32},
{t:"about the future. We now had two ships, and an expanding team ",p:94,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of us had invested many intensive years serving God together. ",p:94,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The testing we had weathered together had made our personal ",p:94,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"bonds very deep. What God had given us in shared experiences ",p:94,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and in each other was far too precious to lose. But I knew ",p:94,x:90,y:287,w:484,h:32},
{t:"people could not remain forever on the ships. What was the way ",p:94,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"forward?",p:94,x:90,y:344,w:69,h:17},
{t:"As I was praying, I saw a picture of a group of people. I ",p:94,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"don’t know how many—maybe several hundred. They were ",p:94,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"worshipping together. They were praying together. Their shared ",p:94,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"life in Christ formed a spiritual center that glowed like embers ",p:94,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"at the core of a bonfre. People were being drawn into this core ",p:94,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"for ministry and healing. And people were being sent out into ",p:94,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all the world with the gospel.",p:94,x:90,y:505,w:223,h:17},
{t:"That picture has never left me. It found its frst expression in ",p:94,x:119,y:517,w:454,h:32},
{t:"the founding of OM Ships headquarters in Mosbach, Germany. ",p:94,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"That headquarters is more than just an operational base. It is ",p:94,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a community of people providing a home for a worldwide ",p:94,x:90,y:597,w:485,h:17},
{t:"outreach. The vision found its next expression in the forming of ",p:94,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Antioch Network. This vision has brought me the severest tests ",p:94,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of my life—tests that have brought me to utter despair on more ",p:94,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"than one occasion. But those are other stories for other times.",p:94,x:90,y:678,w:469,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic leaders see the big picture. “But now that there ",p:94,x:120,y:701,w:454,h:32},
{t:"is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I ",p:94,x:89,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"have been longing for many years to see you [in Rome], I plan ",p:94,x:89,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to do so when I go to Spain....Now, however, I am on my way ",p:94,x:89,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"to Jerusalem....For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make ",p:94,x:89,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a contribution” (Rom. 15:23–26).",p:94,x:89,y:827,w:259,h:17},
{t:"How many believers fnd it a challenge to think beyond ",p:94,x:119,y:839,w:454,h:32},
{t:"their neighborhood? Look at the breadth of this man’s vision! ",p:94,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Paul’s “neighborhood” stretched from Israel to Spain. It all ",p:94,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:95,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"102",p:95,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"felt like his territory to ",p:95,x:381,y:91,w:193,h:17},
{t:"him. Relevant, strategic ",p:95,x:381,y:114,w:192,h:17},
{t:"vision begins with the big ",p:95,x:381,y:137,w:193,h:17},
{t:"picture. It works from the ",p:95,x:381,y:160,w:193,h:17},
{t:"general to the specifc. It ",p:95,x:381,y:172,w:193,h:32},
{t:"sees the basic issues that ",p:95,x:383,y:206,w:191,h:17},
{t:"must be addressed. It is ",p:95,x:383,y:229,w:191,h:17},
{t:"in touch with its environment and the trends within it.",p:95,x:90,y:252,w:412,h:17},
{t:"This is so relevant to forming mission strategy. We ",p:95,x:149,y:275,w:424,h:17},
{t:"begin with Christ’s “all nations” commission. We next identify ",p:95,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nations that have not yet been discipled. We then seek God to ",p:95,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hear whether he is leading us to one of these groups. Once we ",p:95,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"have heard his directions, we are ready to develop strategies.",p:95,x:90,y:367,w:465,h:17},
{t:"Big picture visionaries need managers, engineers, and ",p:95,x:119,y:379,w:454,h:32},
{t:"administrators to complete the work they begin. Here is another ",p:95,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"picture of how vital teams are. But it is crucial that we get the ",p:95,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"order right. Managers must work for visionaries, not the other ",p:95,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"way around. Managers can unintentionally stife leaders if they ",p:95,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are senior to them for too long. God’s trailblazers must come frst ",p:95,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"once their character has matured to where God can trust them ",p:95,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with this role. The consolidators will follow and work with them ",p:95,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for God’s glory.",p:95,x:90,y:574,w:121,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders have faith for things beyond themselves. ",p:95,x:120,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the ",p:95,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall ",p:95,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"your offspring be’” (Rom. 4:18).",p:95,x:90,y:655,w:250,h:32},
{t:"Faith is something every believer has. But there is a faith that ",p:95,x:119,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"goes beyond an individual trusting God for his own salvation, ",p:95,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"personal needs, and circumstances. It is the faith that becomes ",p:95,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a channel for kingdom extension and the penetration of the ",p:95,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"kingdom of darkness (see Heb. 11:32–38). We could call it ",p:95,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"“initiating faith.” It would seem that the apostolic gift, almost by ",p:95,x:90,y:804,w:485,h:17},
{t:"defnition, must be accompanied by the gift of faith. This kind ",p:95,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of faith translates into a fairly simple and straightforward view ",p:95,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of reality:",p:95,x:90,y:873,w:75,h:17},
{t:"Relevant, strategic vi-",p:95,x:137,y:113,w:189,h:20},
{t:"sion begins with the big ",p:95,x:127,y:135,w:214,h:20},
{t:"picture. It works from the ",p:95,x:121,y:157,w:226,h:20},
{t:"general to the specifc.",p:95,x:133,y:179,w:196,h:20},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:96,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"103",p:96,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Since ",p:96,x:119,y:80,w:47,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:96,x:150,y:126,w:11,h:32},
{t:"There is a God,",p:96,x:165,y:126,w:118,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:96,x:150,y:149,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He created all things and has all power, and",p:96,x:165,y:149,w:333,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:96,x:150,y:172,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He has promised and is faithful to his promises;",p:96,x:165,y:172,w:366,h:32},
{t:"Therefore,",p:96,x:119,y:229,w:80,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:96,x:150,y:264,w:11,h:32},
{t:"No matter how impossible something looks or what ",p:96,x:165,y:264,w:401,h:32},
{t:"other people say or think, nothing is impossible for ",p:96,x:165,y:298,w:396,h:17},
{t:"God.",p:96,x:165,y:321,w:37,h:17},
{t:"“He faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since ",p:96,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was ",p:96,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the ",p:96,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory ",p:96,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to God, being fully persuaded that God has power to do what he ",p:96,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had promised” (Rom. 4:19–21).",p:96,x:90,y:482,w:246,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders initiate new works of God. “But now that ",p:96,x:120,y:494,w:454,h:32},
{t:"there is no more place for me to work in these regions” (Rom. ",p:96,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"15:23).",p:96,x:90,y:551,w:55,h:17},
{t:"Leaders who carry a strong pastoral gifting take a lot longer ",p:96,x:119,y:563,w:454,h:32},
{t:"to get to this place, if they ever do. I can just hear one of them ",p:96,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"saying to Paul, “Nowhere else to work? Look at the needs all ",p:96,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"around us! Marriages are under attack. Believers are struggling ",p:96,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"with addictive behaviors from their former lives. Even our church ",p:96,x:90,y:655,w:485,h:32},
{t:"leaders are experiencing stress in their relationships. There is ",p:96,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more work to do here than we could do in several lifetimes.”",p:96,x:90,y:712,w:465,h:17},
{t:"But Paul would have looked at these same issues from a ",p:96,x:119,y:724,w:454,h:32},
{t:"different perspective—the perspective of his calling and gifting. ",p:96,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"He had entered the territory, proclaimed the gospel, seen people ",p:96,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"respond, laid the foundations, and raised up elders who were ",p:96,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"now responsible to address these needs. His work as an apostle ",p:96,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was done. He was thinking about the needs of those in Rome, ",p:96,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:97,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"104",p:97,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"in Spain, and in other areas where the church was yet to be ",p:97,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"established. He was a pioneer, a trailblazer. It was time to move ",p:97,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"on.",p:97,x:90,y:137,w:23,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders lay foundations for these new works. “By ",p:97,x:120,y:149,w:454,h:32},
{t:"the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert ",p:97,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"builder, and someone else is building on it” (1 Cor. 3:10).",p:97,x:90,y:195,w:440,h:32},
{t:"Every time a new work of God is formed, foundations are ",p:97,x:119,y:218,w:454,h:32},
{t:"laid. These foundations ",p:97,x:90,y:252,w:188,h:17},
{t:"must be laid upon the ",p:97,x:90,y:275,w:188,h:17},
{t:"original foundation of ",p:97,x:90,y:298,w:188,h:17},
{t:"the church laid by Christ ",p:97,x:90,y:321,w:188,h:17},
{t:"and the New Testament ",p:97,x:90,y:344,w:188,h:17},
{t:"apostles and prophets (1 ",p:97,x:90,y:367,w:188,h:17},
{t:"Cor. 3:11, Eph. 2:20). The God-given ability to lay foundations ",p:97,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"carries the ability to repair them.",p:97,x:90,y:413,w:250,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders identify, develop, and establish new ",p:97,x:150,y:436,w:424,h:17},
{t:"leaders for these new works. “Paul and Barnabas appointed ",p:97,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"elders for them in each church” (Acts 14:23). ",p:97,x:90,y:482,w:351,h:17},
{t:"Here is a crucial element in pioneering ministry: unless new ",p:97,x:120,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"leaders are developed and put in place, the process of initiating ",p:97,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"new works will quickly come to a halt. What has been initiated ",p:97,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"will implode.",p:97,x:90,y:574,w:102,h:17},
{t:"This calls for seasoned maturity in the apostolic leader. It ",p:97,x:119,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"tests and reveals character. Moving on to the next challenge ",p:97,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"often appears more appealing than nurturing the current work ",p:97,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to self-sustainability. This requires faith, patience, humility, and, ",p:97,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"above all else, love. The next generation of leaders must be in ",p:97,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"place and prepared for the heavy responsibility they will carry. ",p:97,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"If a leader has not demonstrated that he can raise up the next ",p:97,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"generation of leaders, he is not ready to continue initiating. ",p:97,x:90,y:758,w:456,h:17},
{t:"When a work is beginning, there is a season of excitement. ",p:97,x:119,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"There are new people, a new facility, and a new environment. ",p:97,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Even having to improvise in lots of areas can be fun—for a while. ",p:97,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Then what used to be exciting gets to be routine, and eventually ",p:97,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unappealing. Relationships go deeper and begin to be tested. ",p:97,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The God-given ability to ",p:97,x:324,y:270,w:213,h:20},
{t:"lay foundations carries ",p:97,x:326,y:292,w:208,h:20},
{t:"the ability to repair them.",p:97,x:317,y:314,w:221,h:20},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:98,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"105",p:98,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Criticism surfaces. Neighbors misunderstand. People in whom ",p:98,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we have invested the most become angry and bitter. (As has ",p:98,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"been said, “Sheep bite!”) Potential leaders we are depending on ",p:98,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"prove to be untrustworthy. And we think, “Let’s go somewhere ",p:98,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"else and start over.”",p:98,x:90,y:183,w:151,h:17},
{t:"I was meeting recently with a seasoned Latin American ",p:98,x:119,y:195,w:454,h:32},
{t:"church planter. God had used him to start four churches, all of ",p:98,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"which are doing well, at least on the outside. He has a strong ",p:98,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"team working with him. Invitations are coming from other ",p:98,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"needy areas, asking for him to come and start new churches. As ",p:98,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we discussed this, he made it clear that at this point he did not ",p:98,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"feel free to start new works. Two of the four churches were still ",p:98,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"dependent on him and his team for their leadership and stability. ",p:98,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"To start a new work would stretch them all too thin and jeopardize ",p:98,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"what had already been initiated and was still immature. This is ",p:98,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the sign of a mature apostolic leader.",p:98,x:90,y:436,w:281,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are often sought to provide apostolic ",p:98,x:120,y:459,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministry to works they were not involved in starting. “I planned ",p:98,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing ",p:98,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, ",p:98,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"just as I have had among the other Gentiles” (Rom. 1:13).",p:98,x:90,y:551,w:442,h:17},
{t:"For a host of reasons, it is often the case that churches and ",p:98,x:119,y:574,w:454,h:17},
{t:"other works of God do not have apostolic leaders available to ",p:98,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"them. They suffer under this lack, just as they would if a pastoral ",p:98,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"or teaching ministry were unavailable. The full design of Christ ",p:98,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for his Church is not present. More and more these churches and ",p:98,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"other works are recognizing this need and approaching those who ",p:98,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are gifted with apostolic-type ministry. As powerful relationships ",p:98,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of trust and service are cultivated, the life-giving ministry of the ",p:98,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"apostle can nourish and strengthen these works. ",p:98,x:90,y:758,w:370,h:17},
{t:"I remember the frst time a church approached me specifcally ",p:98,x:119,y:770,w:454,h:32},
{t:"in these terms. I had known the church and senior pastor for many ",p:98,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"years. They had been active participants in Antioch Network. ",p:98,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They carried a beautiful heart for church planting among ",p:98,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unreached peoples and to expand God’s kingdom in their local ",p:98,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:99,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"106",p:99,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"area. I had ministered among them a number of times. This was ",p:99,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"one of the many churches among whom, whenever I was with ",p:99,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"them, it felt like coming home again.",p:99,x:90,y:137,w:283,h:17},
{t:"But there were dimensions in which the church and its ",p:99,x:119,y:149,w:454,h:32},
{t:"leadership were not bearing the fruit they desired. They came ",p:99,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to realize that they had leadership and oversight needs that ",p:99,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"their leaders or congregation members could not meet. They ",p:99,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"approached another leader and myself, asking us to serve them ",p:99,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in an apostolic oversight role, and asked another brother, called ",p:99,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and graced of the Lord, to serve them in prophetic ministry.",p:99,x:90,y:287,w:456,h:32},
{t:"The three of us now meet with the church and its leadership ",p:99,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"periodically. At each meeting, there is the sense of God’s ",p:99,x:90,y:344,w:485,h:17},
{t:"graciousness working to impart his wisdom through us. We ",p:99,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leave them stronger than they were when we arrived. This is all ",p:99,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God’s grace, carried out in the context of trusting relationships. ",p:99,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There is no authoritarian role here, except the kind of authority ",p:99,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that comes when others recognize God’s calling and gifting upon ",p:99,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"another and submit to the benefts thereof.",p:99,x:90,y:471,w:323,h:32},
{t:"I find many younger church leaders looking for more ",p:99,x:119,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"experienced leaders to whom they can turn in the challenges and ",p:99,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unknowns they face. One morning at breakfast with a younger ",p:99,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"senior pastor, two-thirds of the way through our time together, ",p:99,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he paused and slowly asked, “You know, George, I do not have ",p:99,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a spiritual father in my life. Is Antioch Network a place where ",p:99,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I could fnd that?”",p:99,x:90,y:632,w:138,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic leaders have strong personalities that enable them ",p:99,x:120,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to overcome huge obstacles. “I have worked much harder, been ",p:99,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in prison more frequently, been fogged more severely, and been ",p:99,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"exposed to death again and again” (2 Cor. 11:23).",p:99,x:90,y:735,w:379,h:17},
{t:"Remember, these leaders are designed by God to penetrate ",p:99,x:119,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the kingdom of darkness. They lead the frontal attack and ",p:99,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"establish the beachhead. Think of the strongholds Satan has over ",p:99,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"individuals, families, neighborhoods, cultures, and countries. ",p:99,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God is in the business of tearing down these strongholds, and ",p:99,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"apostolic leaders are the ones he has chosen to lead the way. ",p:99,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They need to be strong personalities!",p:99,x:90,y:896,w:283,h:17},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:100,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"107",p:100,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"It is precisely because they are strong personalities that ",p:100,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"character maturity is such a crucial issue. Leaders with strong ",p:100,x:90,y:103,w:484,h:32},
{t:"personalities who lack humility, patience, sensitivity, and love ",p:100,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"can do real damage to themselves and others. But it is incredibly ",p:100,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"powerful when they are able to work together. The process ",p:100,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"matures them more ",p:100,x:401,y:206,w:173,h:17},
{t:"deeply in the attributes ",p:100,x:401,y:229,w:173,h:17},
{t:"of Jesus, and these ",p:100,x:401,y:252,w:173,h:17},
{t:"attributes are in turn ",p:100,x:401,y:275,w:173,h:17},
{t:"lived out in the midst ",p:100,x:401,y:298,w:173,h:17},
{t:"of those they lead.",p:100,x:401,y:321,w:140,h:17},
{t:"A p o s",p:100,x:450,y:344,w:56,h:17},
{t:"t",p:100,x:512,y:344,w:5,h:17},
{t:"o",p:100,x:523,y:344,w:9,h:17},
{t:"l",p:100,x:538,y:344,w:5,h:17},
{t:"i",p:100,x:550,y:344,w:5,h:17},
{t:"c ",p:100,x:561,y:344,w:13,h:17},
{t:"leaders are tested. ",p:100,x:401,y:367,w:173,h:17},
{t:"“This is my gospel, for ",p:100,x:401,y:390,w:173,h:17},
{t:"which I am suffering ",p:100,x:403,y:413,w:171,h:17},
{t:"even to the point of ",p:100,x:403,y:436,w:171,h:17},
{t:"being chained like a ",p:100,x:403,y:459,w:171,h:17},
{t:"criminal. But God’s ",p:100,x:403,y:471,w:171,h:32},
{t:"word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake ",p:100,x:89,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the elect” (2 Tim. 2:8–10).",p:100,x:89,y:517,w:224,h:32},
{t:"Their calling is tested. The vision is tested. Some co-workers ",p:100,x:120,y:540,w:454,h:32},
{t:"they have relied on prove unfaithful. Satan’s opposition is ",p:100,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"relentless. Testing even comes from their own unwise and ",p:100,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"immature decisions, and they must often carry the painful ",p:100,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"consequences for years. In the midst of it all, God’s grace is ",p:100,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"greater, his forgiveness sweeter, and the spiritual benefts of ",p:100,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"suffering in faith and love more wonderful.",p:100,x:90,y:689,w:331,h:17},
{t:"Antioch Network began unintentionally. In 1987 we invited ",p:100,x:120,y:701,w:454,h:32},
{t:"a number of churches to spend a day together discussing and ",p:100,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"praying around the idea of our churches launching a church ",p:100,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"planting initiative to unreached people groups. Subsequent ",p:100,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"meetings of churches like this came to be known as Gatherings ",p:100,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of Churches. The work grew.",p:100,x:90,y:827,w:223,h:17},
{t:"In 1994 we convened a Gathering in Los Angeles. It was an ",p:100,x:119,y:839,w:454,h:32},
{t:"absolute disaster. I remember returning home afterwards. I was ",p:100,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in a black hole. I had carried this vision in embryo for ffteen ",p:100,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Think of the strongholds ",p:100,x:133,y:238,w:218,h:20},
{t:"Satan has over individuals, ",p:100,x:119,y:260,w:247,h:20},
{t:"families, neighborhoods, ",p:100,x:132,y:282,w:220,h:20},
{t:"cultures, and countries. ",p:100,x:136,y:304,w:211,h:20},
{t:"God is in the business ",p:100,x:142,y:326,w:200,h:20},
{t:"of tearing down these ",p:100,x:144,y:348,w:196,h:20},
{t:"strongholds, and apostolic ",p:100,x:124,y:370,w:236,h:20},
{t:"leaders are the ones he has ",p:100,x:118,y:392,w:249,h:20},
{t:"chosen to lead the way.",p:100,x:135,y:414,w:209,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:101,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"108",p:101,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"years. I thought that churches would fock to it. They didn’t. ",p:101,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"It was uphill all the way. My colleagues in the mission world ",p:101,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"thought I had lost my bearings. I had nothing left—no energy, ",p:101,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"no vision, no faith, no heart.",p:101,x:90,y:160,w:216,h:17},
{t:"The only thing I could do for days was retreat into the guest ",p:101,x:119,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"bedroom in our home with my Bible, sit on the foor with my ",p:101,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"back against the bed, and stare out the window. I was at the end. ",p:101,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I had reached a place where all I had was God.",p:101,x:90,y:252,w:358,h:17},
{t:"God was enough. He was in that room. He restored me, ",p:101,x:119,y:275,w:455,h:17},
{t:"gradually, tenderly, competently, and at a pace I could endure. ",p:101,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"He is faithful to his servants. He receives and graces human ",p:101,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"weakness, even in leaders, perhaps especially in leaders. After ",p:101,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all, human weakness is all he really has to work with.",p:101,x:90,y:367,w:409,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders carry a keen awareness of personal ",p:101,x:120,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"weakness. “My grace is suffcient for you, for my power is made ",p:101,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).",p:101,x:90,y:436,w:267,h:17},
{t:"Severe testing brings God’s leader to a place of weakness. ",p:101,x:119,y:448,w:454,h:32},
{t:"This weakness is not feigned. It is very real both to the leader ",p:101,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and to those who observe him or her. It is a weakness that cuts ",p:101,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to the very root of all ambition, self-confdence, and pride. It is ",p:101,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a weakness that fuels the forging of godly humility and genuine ",p:101,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual authority.",p:101,x:90,y:574,w:140,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are channels through whom God performs ",p:101,x:120,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the miraculous. ",p:101,x:90,y:620,w:133,h:17},
{t:"“The things that mark an apostle—signs, ",p:101,x:226,y:620,w:348,h:17},
{t:"wonders and miracles—were done among you with great ",p:101,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"perseverance” (2 Cor. 12:12).",p:101,x:90,y:666,w:226,h:17},
{t:"Proclaiming the kingdom of God involves being an agent for ",p:101,x:119,y:689,w:454,h:17},
{t:"manifesting that kingdom. God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. ",p:101,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Initially it is invisible. But as God works, the presence and power ",p:101,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of his kingdom becomes apparent in physical, material ways. ",p:101,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“Thy kingdom come” involves evidence in the physical world ",p:101,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that confrms the feeling, “This is the hand of God!”",p:101,x:90,y:793,w:400,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic leaders are holy in character. “We work hard ",p:101,x:120,y:827,w:454,h:17},
{t:"with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we ",p:101,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer ",p:101,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, ",p:101,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:102,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"109",p:102,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"the refuse of the world” (1 Cor. 4:12–13).",p:102,x:90,y:91,w:318,h:17},
{t:"Without holiness in character, we do not have biblical ",p:102,x:119,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"apostolic ministry. Any idea that the two are not inextricably ",p:102,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"linked is an offense to the holiness of God and a violation of ",p:102,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the highest order of ",p:102,x:90,y:183,w:178,h:17},
{t:"apostolic ministry. We ",p:102,x:90,y:206,w:178,h:17},
{t:"will explore this in ",p:102,x:90,y:229,w:178,h:17},
{t:"more detail in the next ",p:102,x:90,y:252,w:178,h:17},
{t:"chapter.",p:102,x:90,y:275,w:60,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders ",p:102,x:120,y:298,w:148,h:17},
{t:"are spiritual fathers. ",p:102,x:90,y:321,w:178,h:17},
{t:"“Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do ",p:102,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father ",p:102,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:15).",p:102,x:90,y:390,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Giving birth to new works of God, and developing leaders ",p:102,x:120,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"for those works, is fatherly activity. It is one of God’s leaders’ ",p:102,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"greatest rewards. It is foundational to the human condition to ",p:102,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"need fathering. The need among the saints is pervasive.",p:102,x:90,y:482,w:424,h:17},
{t:"Can women be called and gifted by God to serve in an ",p:102,x:119,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"apostolic role? It is my understanding that no New Testament ",p:102,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual gift is gender specifc. Any spiritual gift, given by God, ",p:102,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"as character matures, will be expressed. Apostolic gifting will ",p:102,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ultimately express itself in apostolic ministry. In Romans 16:7, ",p:102,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Paul introduces us to Junias, a feminine name, and designates ",p:102,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"her as “outstanding among the apostles.” An excellent book that ",p:102,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"provides careful teaching on the role of women in the work of ",p:102,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God is Why Not Women: A Biblical Study of Women in Missions, ",p:102,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Ministry, and Leadership by Loren Cunningham and David Joel ",p:102,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Hamilton.",p:102,x:90,y:735,w:77,h:17},
{t:"Identifying Potential Apostolic Leaders",p:102,x:170,y:781,w:319,h:17},
{t:"If God provides apostolic leaders for the purpose of ",p:102,x:120,y:827,w:454,h:17},
{t:"extending of his kingdom, we can be certain he places them ",p:102,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"among us. How can we know who they are? What do they look ",p:102,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"like in our context?",p:102,x:90,y:896,w:148,h:17},
{t:"Without holiness in ",p:102,x:339,y:215,w:173,h:20},
{t:"character, we do not have ",p:102,x:309,y:237,w:233,h:20},
{t:"biblical apostolic ministry.",p:102,x:309,y:259,w:228,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:103,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"110",p:103,x:90,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"For many, the term apostle or apostolic leader conjures up ",p:103,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"images of a very unusual person. That might set us off in the ",p:103,x:89,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wrong direction. Think for a moment of how much initiating ",p:103,x:89,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"energy is still needed to fll the earth “with the knowledge of ",p:103,x:89,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). ",p:103,x:89,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"We need to initiate among the nations, within our own countries, ",p:103,x:89,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cities, neighborhoods, and churches. Let’s anticipate that there ",p:103,x:89,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are far more of these called-and-gifted-by-God leaders than we ",p:103,x:89,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"might initially imagine.",p:103,x:89,y:275,w:180,h:17},
{t:"There is holy mystery in God’s ways of choosing, gifting, ",p:103,x:119,y:298,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and empowering people. Precise formulas can’t capture the ",p:103,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"essence. But there are indications we can watch for, especially ",p:103,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in younger leaders and potential leaders. These indications do ",p:103,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"not prove that spiritual gifting is present, but older leaders would ",p:103,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"do well to observe carefully those who display these traits. ",p:103,x:90,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"I was recently invited to minister among a group of churches ",p:103,x:119,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"who excel in this area. Having started with a single church, they ",p:103,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"have now planted a couple dozen congregations in their city and ",p:103,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"have sent church planters to other parts of the country and to ",p:103,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"other countries. How did they do it?",p:103,x:90,y:528,w:276,h:17},
{t:"Whenever I am there, I am aware of being surrounded by ",p:103,x:119,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"developing leaders. Younger leaders are being attracted like ",p:103,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"bees to honey. The older leaders watch for signs of leadership ",p:103,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in younger men and women. When they see it, they encourage it ",p:103,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and give it a place to express itself within appropriate safeguards. ",p:103,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Younger leaders are thoroughly discipled. Then, as they prove ",p:103,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"themselves, they are freed to broader levels of leadership and ",p:103,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mentored by more seasoned leaders.  In time, new works are ",p:103,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"born.",p:103,x:90,y:735,w:39,h:17},
{t:"A note to senior pastors and church leaders: Many of these ",p:103,x:119,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"folks are in our churches! We will get the frst chance to discern ",p:103,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"God’s purpose for them and to enter into the fulflling role of ",p:103,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"contributing to their future development and maturity.",p:103,x:90,y:827,w:413,h:17},
{t:"IDENTIFYING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:104,x:362,y:59,w:207,h:10},
{t:"111",p:104,x:551,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"5The process of character formation is beyond the scope of this book. ",p:104,x:90,y:849,w:465,h:15},
{t:"Three recommendations for further reading are The Cost of Disciple-",p:104,x:90,y:870,w:459,h:15},
{t:"ship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and The Divine Conspiracy and Renova-",p:104,x:89,y:890,w:462,h:15},
{t:"tion of the Heart by Dallas Willard.",p:104,x:89,y:910,w:236,h:15},
{t:"Traits to look for:",p:104,x:119,y:114,w:135,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:149,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They want to take on new initiatives.",p:104,x:165,y:149,w:283,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:172,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They have their own ideas of what they want to do.",p:104,x:165,y:172,w:393,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:195,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They infuence people easily and gain a following.",p:104,x:165,y:195,w:387,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:218,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They do not ft the mold. They color “outside the ",p:104,x:165,y:218,w:380,h:32},
{t:"lines.”",p:104,x:165,y:252,w:49,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:264,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They have a genuine hunger for a deeper ",p:104,x:165,y:264,w:318,h:32},
{t:"relationship with God.",p:104,x:165,y:298,w:171,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:310,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They show impressive spiritual insight.",p:104,x:165,y:310,w:301,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:333,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They have noticeable areas of character immaturity.",p:104,x:165,y:333,w:397,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:356,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They are broad in their horizons and think beyond ",p:104,x:165,y:356,w:389,h:32},
{t:"“our” church.",p:104,x:165,y:390,w:104,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:402,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They thrive on doing things that are challenging and ",p:104,x:165,y:402,w:406,h:32},
{t:"risky.",p:104,x:165,y:436,w:41,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:448,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They claim loyalty to “our” church yet seem critical ",p:104,x:165,y:448,w:404,h:32},
{t:"and impatient.",p:104,x:165,y:482,w:109,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:494,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They tend to become overextended in their ",p:104,x:165,y:494,w:333,h:32},
{t:"commitments.",p:104,x:165,y:528,w:109,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:104,x:150,y:540,w:11,h:32},
{t:"We see real potential in them but are unsure how far ",p:104,x:165,y:540,w:404,h:32},
{t:"we can trust them.",p:104,x:165,y:574,w:140,h:17},
{t:"Once we identify them, how do we go about developing their ",p:104,x:119,y:609,w:454,h:32},
{t:"capacity and releasing them into the work God has for them? ",p:104,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Let’s consider that by looking more closely at Paul’s process of ",p:104,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"development. But frst, we need to address an issue that is even ",p:104,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"more crucial. ",p:104,x:90,y:711,w:106,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:105,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"112",p:105,x:89,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"Therefore, holy brothers, . . . fx your thoughts on ",p:105,x:119,y:200,w:425,h:34},
{t:"Jesus, the apostle . . . whom we confess. (Heb. 3:1)",p:105,x:117,y:236,w:424,h:18},
{t:"In recent years apostle has become for me one of the ",p:105,x:146,y:307,w:390,h:16},
{t:"most beautiful words in the English language. That is why ",p:105,x:116,y:329,w:430,h:16},
{t:"it hurts so much to hear it misused. We have seen that ",p:105,x:116,y:351,w:398,h:16},
{t:"one function of the New Testament apostle was to repair ",p:105,x:116,y:373,w:416,h:16},
{t:"foundations. These days it feels like our understanding of ",p:105,x:116,y:395,w:424,h:16},
{t:"apostle needs some repair.",p:105,x:116,y:417,w:193,h:16},
{t:"Where are repairs needed? A critical area is our view ",p:105,x:146,y:461,w:397,h:16},
{t:"of the character of apostolic leaders. Apostolic leaders ",p:105,x:116,y:483,w:407,h:16},
{t:"have been entrusted with such an important role in the ",p:105,x:116,y:505,w:404,h:16},
{t:"design of God’s kingdom that a corresponding depth of ",p:105,x:116,y:527,w:407,h:16},
{t:"godly character is absolutely essential for this role to ",p:105,x:116,y:549,w:396,h:16},
{t:"be carried out responsibly and fruitfully. Character was ",p:105,x:116,y:571,w:414,h:16},
{t:"central to all that was taught and modeled by Jesus, ",p:105,x:116,y:593,w:386,h:16},
{t:"Paul, and others who carried this designation in the ",p:105,x:116,y:615,w:387,h:16},
{t:"New Testament. How could we miss it? How could we ",p:105,x:116,y:637,w:400,h:16},
{t:"countenance the idea that apostolic ministry can be ",p:105,x:116,y:659,w:382,h:16},
{t:"decoupled from godly character?",p:105,x:116,y:681,w:244,h:16},
{t:"Apostolic claims without apostolic character produce ",p:105,x:146,y:725,w:397,h:16},
{t:"apostolic catastrophe.",p:105,x:116,y:747,w:162,h:16},
{t:"113",p:106,x:551,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 10",p:106,x:271,y:110,w:116,h:32},
{t:"The Character of ",p:106,x:204,y:148,w:260,h:29},
{t:"Apostolic Leaders",p:106,x:192,y:186,w:274,h:29},
{t:"I do not intend, in emphasizing the role of character ",p:106,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"in the apostolic leader, to suggest for one moment that Christ-",p:106,x:89,y:406,w:480,h:17},
{t:"likeness is not God’s graciously intended gift for every believer. ",p:106,x:89,y:429,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It most certainly is! We are seeking to address the spoken or ",p:106,x:89,y:452,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unspoken concerns so many of God’s people seem to carry—that ",p:106,x:89,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"any idea that apostolic-type ministry has existed throughout ",p:106,x:89,y:498,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church history will release permission for all sorts of ungodly ",p:106,x:89,y:521,w:484,h:17},
{t:"behavior such as arrogance, ambition, greed, lust, domination, ",p:106,x:89,y:544,w:484,h:17},
{t:"etc.",p:106,x:89,y:567,w:27,h:17},
{t:"How do we go about describing apostolic character? The ",p:106,x:119,y:590,w:454,h:17},
{t:"New Testament pulsates with it—the life and teachings of Jesus, ",p:106,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the life of Paul and the other apostles in Acts, and character ",p:106,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"passages in the epistles of Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude. ",p:106,x:90,y:659,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Since Jesus is specifcally designated as an apostle in the New ",p:106,x:90,y:670,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Testament, and since we could certainly fnd no better model to ",p:106,x:90,y:693,w:484,h:32},
{t:"follow, let’s look at six ",p:106,x:394,y:728,w:179,h:17},
{t:"character qualities we ",p:106,x:394,y:751,w:179,h:17},
{t:"see in him. We will also ",p:106,x:394,y:774,w:179,h:17},
{t:"look at a passage for ",p:106,x:394,y:797,w:179,h:17},
{t:"each that demonstrates ",p:106,x:394,y:820,w:179,h:17},
{t:"this quality in Paul. ",p:106,x:394,y:843,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Then I would like to close this chapter by referring to a leader ",p:106,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in church history, one of a great number, whom I view as having ",p:106,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"followed Jesus and Paul in this role.",p:106,x:90,y:912,w:276,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic claims without ",p:106,x:129,y:741,w:218,h:20},
{t:"apostolic character pro-",p:106,x:133,y:763,w:204,h:20},
{t:"duce apostolic catastrophe.",p:106,x:116,y:785,w:239,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:107,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"114",p:107,x:90,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"Qualities of Apostolic Character in the Ministry of Jesus",p:107,x:100,y:91,w:459,h:17},
{t:"The apostolic leader is like Jesus. “Fix your thoughts on ",p:107,x:120,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (Heb. 3:1).",p:107,x:90,y:160,w:479,h:17},
{t:"New Testament authors do not view being like Jesus as ",p:107,x:119,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"something rare or unattainable. On the contrary, it is the norm ",p:107,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of the Christian life, the standard. This does not mean we are ",p:107,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"perfect. At any moment we can and do fail. But it does mean ",p:107,x:90,y:241,w:484,h:32},
{t:"that our Christian walk is characterized by joy, spiritual power, ",p:107,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fruitfulness, and victory. ",p:107,x:90,y:298,w:191,h:17},
{t:"We become like Jesus through being discipled by him. Jesus ",p:107,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"is the master of how to live in the kingdom of God. Discipleship ",p:107,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is being with Jesus, learning from Jesus, and living like Jesus. ",p:107,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The idea of actually being like Jesus seems so unattainable in ",p:107,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"our day because the idea of being discipled by him is so rare.",p:107,x:90,y:413,w:467,h:17},
{t:"I repeat that Christ-likeness is God’s gracious intention for ",p:107,x:119,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"every believer. And Jesus taught us that the more we grow to ",p:107,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be like him, the less we are aware that this is true of us. The left ",p:107,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hand does not know what the right hand is doing. It is not about ",p:107,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"achieving the correct external behavior through huge amounts ",p:107,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of human effort. It is about the inner person being transformed ",p:107,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through his training and the gentle and powerful activity of the ",p:107,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Holy Spirit. Thus our outward behavior simply comes to express ",p:107,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the Christ-like beauty of the inner person. It is so natural, joyful, ",p:107,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and restful. It is like a good tree bearing good fruit.",p:107,x:90,y:643,w:391,h:17},
{t:"“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” ",p:107,x:119,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"(1 Cor. 11:1).",p:107,x:90,y:689,w:111,h:17},
{t:"The apostolic leader is a servant. “A dispute arose among ",p:107,x:120,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"them as to which was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to ",p:107,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them...But you are ",p:107,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"not to be like that....I am among you as one who serves’” (Luke ",p:107,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"22:24–27).",p:107,x:90,y:793,w:83,h:32},
{t:"Servanthood is about a heart focus on other people. It is not ",p:107,x:119,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"about ourselves. Apostolic leadership is about God and others, ",p:107,x:89,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"never about the apostolic leader. If it becomes evident that the ",p:107,x:89,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leader is seeking something for himself or herself through this ",p:107,x:89,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"THE CHARACTER OF APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:108,x:319,y:59,w:250,h:10},
{t:"115",p:108,x:551,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"Apostolic leadership is ",p:108,x:324,y:194,w:203,h:20},
{t:"about God and others, ",p:108,x:325,y:216,w:202,h:20},
{t:"never about the apos-",p:108,x:328,y:238,w:190,h:20},
{t:"tolic leader. If it becomes ",p:108,x:315,y:260,w:222,h:20},
{t:"evident that the leader ",p:108,x:324,y:282,w:204,h:20},
{t:"is seeking something for ",p:108,x:317,y:304,w:218,h:20},
{t:"himself or herself through ",p:108,x:311,y:326,w:230,h:20},
{t:"this role, we do not have ",p:108,x:315,y:348,w:221,h:20},
{t:"New Testament apostolic ",p:108,x:313,y:370,w:225,h:20},
{t:"leadership.",p:108,x:374,y:392,w:98,h:20},
{t:"role, we do not have New Testament apostolic leadership.",p:108,x:90,y:91,w:442,h:17},
{t:"It is unacceptable to seek personal advancement, fame, ",p:108,x:119,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and prosperity in Christian ministry. Personal ambition is ",p:108,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“earthly, unspiritual, of ",p:108,x:90,y:160,w:174,h:17},
{t:"the devil.” It generates ",p:108,x:90,y:183,w:174,h:17},
{t:"“disorder and every ",p:108,x:90,y:206,w:174,h:17},
{t:"evil practice” among ",p:108,x:90,y:229,w:174,h:17},
{t:"God’s people (James ",p:108,x:90,y:252,w:174,h:17},
{t:"3:14–15). It is not like ",p:108,x:90,y:275,w:176,h:17},
{t:"Jesus.",p:108,x:90,y:298,w:45,h:17},
{t:"“Paul, a servant of ",p:108,x:119,y:321,w:146,h:17},
{t:"Christ Jesus, called to ",p:108,x:90,y:344,w:176,h:17},
{t:"be an apostle…(Rom. ",p:108,x:90,y:367,w:176,h:17},
{t:"1:1).",p:108,x:90,y:390,w:35,h:17},
{t:"The apos to l ic ",p:108,x:120,y:413,w:148,h:17},
{t:"leader renounces his ",p:108,x:90,y:436,w:178,h:17},
{t:"life. “If anyone would ",p:108,x:90,y:459,w:178,h:17},
{t:"come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and ",p:108,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but ",p:108,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"whoever loses his life for me will fnd it” (Matt. 16:24–25).",p:108,x:90,y:517,w:455,h:32},
{t:"There is a foundational principle of life with God that ",p:108,x:119,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"permeates the biographical accounts of Scripture and church ",p:108,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"history: hold on to your life and reap what can only be described ",p:108,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"as death; release your life and reap life that is eternal in length ",p:108,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and quality.",p:108,x:90,y:643,w:89,h:17},
{t:"The self-denial Jesus spoke of is not asceticism or self-",p:108,x:119,y:666,w:450,h:17},
{t:"mortifcation. These are actually flled with self! It is a beautiful ",p:108,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"yielding, a surrender of faith, a letting go, an exchanging of what ",p:108,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is proven to be bankrupt for that which is flled with meaning, ",p:108,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"joy, fruitfulness, and power. As we grow in the inner person ",p:108,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with Jesus to where we increasingly release our life to him, his ",p:108,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"life fows into us and through us to others. This is at the core of ",p:108,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Christian ministry. We become channels of his life and grace. ",p:108,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Death works in us, and life works in others.",p:108,x:90,y:850,w:334,h:17},
{t:"“For we who are alive are always being given over to death ",p:108,x:119,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal ",p:108,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:109,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"116",p:109,x:90,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you” ",p:109,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"(2 Cor. 7:11–12).",p:109,x:90,y:103,w:136,h:32},
{t:"The apostolic leader walks in humility. “Your attitude should ",p:109,x:120,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"be the same as that of Christ Jesus: . . . he humbled himself” ",p:109,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"(Phil. 2:5, 8).",p:109,x:90,y:172,w:101,h:32},
{t:"What does it look like for a leader to walk in humility?",p:109,x:119,y:206,w:421,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:109,x:150,y:241,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He does not desire attention for himself. He genu-",p:109,x:165,y:241,w:383,h:32},
{t:"inely wants Christ and others to get the credit.",p:109,x:164,y:275,w:352,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:109,x:150,y:287,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He is motivated to serve and to love. He serves by ",p:109,x:165,y:287,w:389,h:32},
{t:"offering others the leadership they need even when ",p:109,x:165,y:321,w:395,h:17},
{t:"it is costly to him.",p:109,x:165,y:344,w:137,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:109,x:150,y:356,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He does not defend himself when circumstances ",p:109,x:165,y:356,w:375,h:32},
{t:"put him in a bad light or others criticize. These are ",p:109,x:165,y:390,w:391,h:17},
{t:"God’s gifts for his maturing.",p:109,x:165,y:413,w:217,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:109,x:150,y:425,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He accepts the losses inherent in his role in submis-",p:109,x:165,y:425,w:396,h:32},
{t:"sion and faith. He makes room for God to defend ",p:109,x:164,y:459,w:381,h:17},
{t:"him and care for him.",p:109,x:164,y:482,w:165,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:109,x:150,y:494,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He is fulflled when other leaders take over his re-",p:109,x:165,y:494,w:383,h:32},
{t:"sponsibilities and do them better than he can. It frees ",p:109,x:164,y:528,w:409,h:17},
{t:"him to serve elsewhere.",p:109,x:164,y:551,w:180,h:17},
{t:"During the third year of the Logos’ ship ministry, we visited ",p:109,x:119,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"a country the Logos had never been to. As part of our program ",p:109,x:89,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"there, a local committee organized four evenings of evangelistic ",p:109,x:89,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meetings in an auditorium that seated thousands of people. ",p:109,x:89,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Since I was the ship director and overall leader, the committee ",p:109,x:89,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"wanted me to be the preacher. They were very concerned that ",p:109,x:89,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the messages be good.",p:109,x:89,y:735,w:171,h:17},
{t:"I wanted to walk in humility, so I insisted that we worked ",p:109,x:119,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"as a leadership team. I also insisted that my colleague, Frank, ",p:109,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was a good speaker and that he preach two of the evenings. The ",p:109,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"committee was skeptical. They wanted me to preach the frst and ",p:109,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"fnal evenings because it was especially important that they were ",p:109,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"done well. But they reluctantly agreed to let Frank preach the ",p:109,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"second and third evenings.",p:109,x:90,y:896,w:204,h:17},
{t:"THE CHARACTER OF APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:110,x:319,y:59,w:250,h:10},
{t:"117",p:110,x:551,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"I preached the frst evening. I thought it was a pretty good ",p:110,x:119,y:80,w:454,h:32},
{t:"message, and many people came forward to receive Christ. Frank ",p:110,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"preached the second and third evenings. On the morning before ",p:110,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the fourth meeting, the committee came to me. They wanted ",p:110,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Frank to preach that evening. They felt that his preaching was ",p:110,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"better than mine.",p:110,x:90,y:206,w:129,h:17},
{t:"That really hurt! Inside I went through all kinds of emotional ",p:110,x:119,y:229,w:454,h:17},
{t:"gyrations. I had been announced as the fnal speaker in posters, ",p:110,x:90,y:241,w:484,h:32},
{t:"leafets, etc. I felt publicly exposed and humiliated. I was the ",p:110,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"one who insisted that Frank be included as a speaker in the frst ",p:110,x:90,y:287,w:484,h:32},
{t:"place—maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut! Frank was ",p:110,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"very gracious and insisted that I preach. But the more I sorted ",p:110,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"this through in my heart before the Lord, the more it seemed I ",p:110,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"began to understand what God was doing. Frank and I had been ",p:110,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"teaching in many contexts about leadership character. Perhaps ",p:110,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God was setting a very public stage for us to live out what we ",p:110,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had been talking about.",p:110,x:90,y:459,w:178,h:17},
{t:"I went to the fnal meeting and introduced Frank to the ",p:110,x:119,y:471,w:454,h:32},
{t:"crowd as our fnal preacher. Since that evening, there have been ",p:110,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"hundreds of meetings, but what took place inside of me may have ",p:110,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"been more important in God’s kingdom than any message could ",p:110,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ever be. That evening I did not reach a state of humility. But ",p:110,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"through the decision of my heart, in response to circumstances ",p:110,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God presented to me, I took one more step down the life-long ",p:110,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"road of Christ being formed within me.",p:110,x:90,y:643,w:300,h:17},
{t:"“For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display ",p:110,x:120,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the ",p:110,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to ",p:110,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ” (1 Cor. 4:9–10).",p:110,x:90,y:724,w:480,h:32},
{t:"The apostolic leader carries spiritual authority with gracious ",p:110,x:120,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"restraint. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. ",p:110,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. ",p:110,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke ",p:110,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"22:31–32). ",p:110,x:90,y:850,w:88,h:17},
{t:"How do we picture Paul’s authority being exercised among ",p:110,x:119,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the growing movement of New Testament churches? Many ",p:110,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:111,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"118",p:111,x:90,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"looked to him as their founder, but others (namely the church ",p:111,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in Rome) did not. Yet they still recognized his authority and ",p:111,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"benefted from his ministry.",p:111,x:90,y:126,w:211,h:32},
{t:"Some have seen Paul’s authority, and that of other apostles, ",p:111,x:119,y:149,w:454,h:32},
{t:"being exercised through organizational-type associations with ",p:111,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"churches and their leaders. The apostle would issue instructions ",p:111,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and carry out discipline similar to the person at the top of an ",p:111,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"organizational chart.",p:111,x:90,y:252,w:157,h:17},
{t:"I view the role of the apostle differently. It corresponds to ",p:111,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the role of the loving, sensitive father and mentor. There is real ",p:111,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"authority, but it is spiritual and relational in nature. Its origin is ",p:111,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God’s anointing upon the apostolic leader, rooted in godliness ",p:111,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of life. It is exercised in love as churches and their leaders seek ",p:111,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"out the ministry of the apostle and receive it gladly. It is spiritual ",p:111,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and relational infuence rather than organizational power.",p:111,x:90,y:402,w:437,h:32},
{t:"What happens when churches and their leaders will ",p:111,x:119,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"not receive the ministry of the apostle? They must bear the ",p:111,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"responsibility for their decision before God. This is absolutely ",p:111,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"central to how God relates to his church. He has created us human ",p:111,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and, therefore, free. He honors that freedom, even when it is ",p:111,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"exercised wrongfully and sinfully. We reap the consequences ",p:111,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of our wrong and evil decisions. God hurts with us in the pain ",p:111,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that ensues, but he does not violate our freedom. ",p:111,x:90,y:597,w:376,h:17},
{t:"I am thinking about a small church that began meeting in ",p:111,x:120,y:620,w:454,h:17},
{t:"homes a number of ",p:111,x:395,y:643,w:179,h:17},
{t:"years ago. There was ",p:111,x:395,y:666,w:179,h:17},
{t:"so much that was good ",p:111,x:395,y:689,w:179,h:17},
{t:"and right and pleasing ",p:111,x:395,y:712,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to the Lord, and it grew. ",p:111,x:395,y:724,w:179,h:32},
{t:"The church started ",p:111,x:395,y:758,w:179,h:17},
{t:"meeting in a school ",p:111,x:395,y:781,w:179,h:17},
{t:"and continued to grow. ",p:111,x:395,y:804,w:179,h:17},
{t:"It was not long before ",p:111,x:395,y:827,w:179,h:17},
{t:"they had their own ",p:111,x:395,y:850,w:179,h:17},
{t:"facility. The growth ",p:111,x:395,y:873,w:179,h:17},
{t:"continued. Eventually Sunday morning attendance passed one ",p:111,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"It is exercised in love as ",p:111,x:131,y:679,w:215,h:20},
{t:"churches and their leaders ",p:111,x:118,y:701,w:240,h:20},
{t:"seek out the ministry of ",p:111,x:133,y:723,w:211,h:20},
{t:"the apostle and receive it ",p:111,x:126,y:745,w:225,h:20},
{t:"gladly. It is spiritual and ",p:111,x:128,y:767,w:221,h:20},
{t:"relational infuence rather ",p:111,x:122,y:789,w:232,h:20},
{t:"than organizational power.",p:111,x:117,y:811,w:236,h:20},
{t:"THE CHARACTER OF APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:112,x:319,y:59,w:250,h:10},
{t:"119",p:112,x:551,y:946,w:18,h:10},
{t:"thousand and then two thousand. People continued to come.",p:112,x:90,y:91,w:459,h:17},
{t:"The pastors and elders found that providing leadership for ",p:112,x:119,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"a larger congregation was far more challenging than it had been ",p:112,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"when they were smaller. Personal misunderstandings began to ",p:112,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"emerge within the leadership. There were other challenges the ",p:112,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"pastors and elders were unsure how to handle. As often happens, ",p:112,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the church had grown beyond the experience of its leaders in ",p:112,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"some crucial areas.",p:112,x:90,y:252,w:146,h:17},
{t:"The pastors and elders, motivated by godly wisdom, turned ",p:112,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to apostolic leaders in their circle of friendships. They had come ",p:112,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to trust these men years earlier. All was not immediately put to ",p:112,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"rest, and a painful process of working through issues followed. ",p:112,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"But the church found the help it needed. The pastors and elders ",p:112,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"grew in their own lives and ministry through the experience. ",p:112,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"A crucial role was played in the health of the church and the ",p:112,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"development and mentoring of its leaders by apostolic leaders ",p:112,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"who were not part of the congregation. The church leaders could ",p:112,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trust them.",p:112,x:90,y:482,w:81,h:17},
{t:"My own non-scientifc survey of the situation in churches ",p:112,x:119,y:494,w:454,h:32},
{t:"today is that this example is more the exception than the rule. ",p:112,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Church leaders, in most cases, need more experienced leaders ",p:112,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in their circle of whom they turn to when the crises hit. And ",p:112,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the crises will come! The enemy is out to destroy the church—",p:112,x:90,y:597,w:479,h:17},
{t:"nothing new there. And God has made provision. It needs to be ",p:112,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"accessed.",p:112,x:90,y:643,w:71,h:17},
{t:"The essence of spiritual authority is seen when God places ",p:112,x:119,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"his authority upon his minister of proven character. This authority ",p:112,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is exercised relationally in love. It has no power to force, only ",p:112,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to entreat. When it is dishonored, the offender is committed into ",p:112,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the hands of God.",p:112,x:90,y:758,w:136,h:17},
{t:"“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you ",p:112,x:119,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of ",p:112,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ ",p:112,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Jesus—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus” (Philem. 8–10).",p:112,x:90,y:839,w:465,h:32},
{t:"The apostolic leader models the life of love. “My command ",p:112,x:120,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has ",p:112,x:89,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:113,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"120",p:113,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You ",p:113,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:12–14).",p:113,x:90,y:114,w:462,h:17},
{t:"Everything we have written in this chapter is an expression ",p:113,x:119,y:126,w:454,h:32},
{t:"of, and only made possible by, love. “If I have the gift of ",p:113,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and ",p:113,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I ",p:113,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2).",p:113,x:90,y:229,w:209,h:17},
{t:"The following four passages from 1 and 2 Corinthians are ",p:113,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"autobiographical in nature and set character traits in the context ",p:113,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the rigorous demands of apostolic life and service. They ",p:113,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"contain powerful demonstrations of apostolic character.",p:113,x:90,y:321,w:425,h:17},
{t:"1 Corinthians 4:9–21 ",p:113,x:123,y:356,w:166,h:32},
{t:"2 Corinthians 6:3–10",p:113,x:356,y:356,w:161,h:32},
{t:"2 Corinthians 4:7–12 ",p:113,x:123,y:379,w:166,h:32},
{t:"2 Corinthians 11:22–12:10",p:113,x:356,y:379,w:204,h:32},
{t:"Let’s close this chapter by looking at an apostolic leader from ",p:113,x:119,y:425,w:454,h:32},
{t:"church history. My love for the nations and the church has made ",p:113,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the history of Celtic Christianity especially dear and inspirational ",p:113,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to me. A strong Celtic church was established in what is now ",p:113,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Ireland, beginning in the ffth century, and it overfowed in ",p:113,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"passion to take the gospel and root the kingdom in what is now ",p:113,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Scotland and parts of northern England and continental Europe.",p:113,x:90,y:563,w:479,h:32},
{t:"The father of this movement is Patrick (389–461). He was a ",p:113,x:119,y:586,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Briton, originally from what is now England, who spent years in ",p:113,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Ireland as a slave. Having escaped and returned to England, God ",p:113,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"sent him back to Ireland, where he traveled widely, evangelized ",p:113,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"tirelessly, and founded churches and monasteries throughout the ",p:113,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"country. He was fearless in his commitment to destroy paganism ",p:113,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and to exalt the name of the Triune God. He was a warrior for ",p:113,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God in a time and place where fulflling such a role could be ",p:113,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"life threatening.",p:113,x:90,y:781,w:121,h:17},
{t:"“Patrick’s Breastplate” is a statement that has come down ",p:113,x:119,y:793,w:454,h:32},
{t:"through the centuries to us via the Celtic church. We cannot ",p:113,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be sure it originated from him, certainly not in the form I am ",p:113,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"including below. Patrick did not speak the English of today. But ",p:113,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the heart and spirit expressed in it have been identifed with him ",p:113,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"THE CHARACTER OF APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:114,x:319,y:59,w:250,h:10},
{t:"121",p:114,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"for centuries and have inspired generations, including our own. I ",p:114,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"include a portion of it as a statement that has become a personal ",p:114,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"treasure, and it serves as a ftting close to a discussion on the ",p:114,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"character of apostolic leaders.",p:114,x:90,y:160,w:228,h:17},
{t:"St. Patrick’s Breastplate",p:114,x:150,y:206,w:198,h:17},
{t:"I bind myself today",p:114,x:150,y:252,w:149,h:17},
{t:"The strong name of the Trinity",p:114,x:149,y:275,w:234,h:17},
{t:"By invocation of the same,",p:114,x:149,y:287,w:206,h:32},
{t:"The Three in One and One in Three",p:114,x:149,y:310,w:273,h:32},
{t:"I bind this day to me forever,",p:114,x:149,y:367,w:222,h:17},
{t:"By power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation,",p:114,x:149,y:379,w:301,h:32},
{t:"His baptism in the Jordan River;",p:114,x:149,y:402,w:248,h:32},
{t:"His death on Cross for my salvation;",p:114,x:149,y:425,w:281,h:32},
{t:"His bursting from the spiced tomb;",p:114,x:149,y:448,w:267,h:32},
{t:"His riding up the heavenly way;",p:114,x:149,y:471,w:245,h:32},
{t:"His coming at the day of doom;",p:114,x:149,y:494,w:242,h:32},
{t:"I bind unto myself today.",p:114,x:149,y:528,w:191,h:17},
{t:"I bind unto myself the power",p:114,x:149,y:574,w:221,h:17},
{t:"Of the great love of the Cherubim;",p:114,x:149,y:586,w:265,h:32},
{t:"The sweet “Well done” in judgment hour;",p:114,x:149,y:609,w:319,h:32},
{t:"The service of the Seraphim,",p:114,x:149,y:632,w:220,h:32},
{t:"Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,",p:114,x:149,y:666,w:259,h:17},
{t:"The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls,",p:114,x:149,y:689,w:346,h:17},
{t:"All good deeds done unto the Lord,",p:114,x:149,y:701,w:272,h:32},
{t:"And purity of virgin souls.",p:114,x:149,y:735,w:203,h:17},
{t:"I bind unto myself today",p:114,x:149,y:781,w:188,h:17},
{t:"The power of God to hold and lead,",p:114,x:149,y:804,w:273,h:17},
{t:"His eye to watch, His might to stay,",p:114,x:149,y:827,w:272,h:17},
{t:"His ear to hearken to my need.",p:114,x:149,y:850,w:234,h:17},
{t:"The wisdom of my God to teach,",p:114,x:149,y:873,w:252,h:17},
{t:"His hand to guide, His shield to ward;",p:114,x:149,y:885,w:290,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:115,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"122",p:115,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"The word of God to give me speech,",p:115,x:149,y:91,w:279,h:17},
{t:"His heavenly host to be my guard.",p:115,x:149,y:114,w:262,h:17},
{t:"Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,",p:115,x:149,y:149,w:274,h:32},
{t:"Against false words of heresy,",p:115,x:149,y:183,w:231,h:17},
{t:"Against the knowledge that defles,",p:115,x:149,y:195,w:269,h:32},
{t:"Against the heart’s idolatry,",p:115,x:149,y:229,w:211,h:17},
{t:"Against the wizard’s evil craft,",p:115,x:149,y:252,w:235,h:17},
{t:"Against the death-wound and the burning,",p:115,x:149,y:275,w:322,h:17},
{t:"The choking wave and poisoned shaft,",p:115,x:149,y:298,w:294,h:17},
{t:"Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.",p:115,x:149,y:321,w:285,h:17},
{t:"Christ be with me, Christ within me,",p:115,x:149,y:367,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Christ behind me, Christ before me,",p:115,x:149,y:390,w:275,h:17},
{t:"Christ beside me, Christ to win me,",p:115,x:149,y:413,w:271,h:17},
{t:"Christ to comfort and restore me.",p:115,x:149,y:436,w:254,h:17},
{t:"Christ beneath me, Christ above me,",p:115,x:149,y:459,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,",p:115,x:149,y:482,w:246,h:17},
{t:"Christ in hearts of all that love me,",p:115,x:149,y:505,w:266,h:17},
{t:"Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.",p:115,x:149,y:528,w:294,h:17},
{t:"I bind unto myself the name,",p:115,x:149,y:574,w:220,h:17},
{t:"The strong name of the Trinity;",p:115,x:149,y:586,w:240,h:32},
{t:"By invocation of the same,",p:115,x:149,y:609,w:206,h:32},
{t:"The Three in One, and One in Three,",p:115,x:149,y:632,w:282,h:32},
{t:"Of whom all nature hath creation;",p:115,x:149,y:655,w:259,h:32},
{t:"Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:",p:115,x:149,y:678,w:217,h:32},
{t:"Praise to the Lord of my salvation,",p:115,x:149,y:701,w:265,h:32},
{t:"Salvation is of Christ the Lord.6 ",p:115,x:150,y:724,w:245,h:32},
{t:"THE CHARACTER OF APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:116,x:319,y:59,w:250,h:10},
{t:"123",p:116,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"6Versifed from the Irish by C. F. Alexander, Poems (London, 1896) pp. ",p:116,x:91,y:879,w:479,h:28},
{t:"59–62. ",p:116,x:89,y:909,w:50,h:15},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:117,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"124",p:117,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"I will show him how much he must suffer for ",p:117,x:139,y:236,w:385,h:18},
{t:"my name. (Acts 9:16)",p:117,x:239,y:260,w:181,h:18},
{t:"God is placing apostolic leaders among us. They are ",p:117,x:146,y:331,w:391,h:16},
{t:"God’s leaders. They are in our churches. We might not ",p:117,x:116,y:353,w:402,h:16},
{t:"recognize them yet, but they are there. They represent ",p:117,x:116,y:375,w:396,h:16},
{t:"one of God’s awesome resources for impacting our ",p:117,x:116,y:397,w:377,h:16},
{t:"neighborhoods, our cities, and the nations of the earth ",p:117,x:116,y:419,w:403,h:16},
{t:"with God’s kingdom.",p:117,x:116,y:441,w:150,h:16},
{t:"They also represent a stewardship; we could even ",p:117,x:146,y:485,w:368,h:16},
{t:"say a challenge. As pastors and church leaders, God ",p:117,x:116,y:507,w:390,h:16},
{t:"has entrusted us with an important role, perhaps a ",p:117,x:116,y:529,w:374,h:16},
{t:"even foundational role, in their development. He is the ",p:117,x:116,y:551,w:404,h:16},
{t:"one who is maturing and preparing them, but, as in ",p:117,x:116,y:573,w:381,h:16},
{t:"everything he is doing, he is including us as partners. We ",p:117,x:116,y:595,w:423,h:16},
{t:"are his co-workers in the development of his leaders.",p:117,x:116,y:617,w:387,h:16},
{t:"How do we relate to them? It will require insight, ",p:117,x:146,y:661,w:366,h:16},
{t:"patience, humility, and love. What might the process of ",p:117,x:116,y:683,w:406,h:16},
{t:"their maturing look like?",p:117,x:116,y:705,w:182,h:16},
{t:"125",p:118,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 11",p:118,x:272,y:110,w:115,h:32},
{t:"Developing Apostolic ",p:118,x:168,y:148,w:331,h:29},
{t:"Leaders",p:118,x:269,y:186,w:121,h:29},
{t:"Once again, as we seek to understand God’s activities ",p:118,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"with regard to apostolic leaders, the experience of Saul of Tarsus ",p:118,x:90,y:394,w:484,h:32},
{t:"comes front and center. We have so much information in Scripture ",p:118,x:90,y:417,w:485,h:32},
{t:"on the process of his development. By the time he met Jesus on ",p:118,x:90,y:440,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the road to Damascus, God had already made rich deposits in ",p:118,x:90,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"his life. And it was not as though he immediately thereafter went ",p:118,x:90,y:498,w:484,h:17},
{t:"into effectively founding new churches among the nations. Not at ",p:118,x:90,y:521,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all! There was the work of further development still to be done.",p:118,x:90,y:544,w:480,h:17},
{t:"In God’s process of developing Paul, over decades, for ",p:118,x:119,y:567,w:454,h:17},
{t:"apostolic leadership, what ingredients did he use?",p:118,x:90,y:590,w:380,h:17},
{t:"Components in Paul’s Development ",p:118,x:184,y:636,w:296,h:17},
{t:"As an Apostolic Leader",p:118,x:234,y:659,w:190,h:17},
{t:"Sovereign foundations. In the circumstances of Paul’s birth, ",p:118,x:120,y:705,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God positioned him for maximum effectiveness in his call: ",p:118,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the ",p:118,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts ",p:118,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"9:15–16).",p:118,x:90,y:797,w:74,h:17},
{t:"First, Paul was born a Jew with impeccable Jewish ",p:118,x:119,y:820,w:454,h:17},
{t:"credentials (Phil. 3:4–6). This gave him powerful inroads into ",p:118,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Jewish society; he came from their world. Second, Paul was born ",p:118,x:90,y:854,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a Roman citizen in the Greek-speaking world (Acts 22:3). This ",p:118,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gave him intimate knowledge of Gentile language and culture; ",p:118,x:90,y:900,w:484,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:119,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"126",p:119,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"he also came from their world.",p:119,x:90,y:91,w:235,h:17},
{t:"Biblical grounding (Acts 22:3). Paul was thoroughly trained ",p:119,x:120,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"by Gamaliel, the most famous Jewish teacher of his time. It ",p:119,x:89,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is crucial for those who lay foundations in the lives of new ",p:119,x:89,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"believers to be competent in handling the Word of God. This is ",p:119,x:89,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"not to say that everybody must be a graduate of a Bible school ",p:119,x:89,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"or seminary. There is more than one way to become profcient ",p:119,x:89,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in the Scriptures. But there is no quick or easy way.",p:119,x:89,y:241,w:394,h:32},
{t:"The apostolic leader must be able to integrate truths that ",p:119,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the Holy Spirit has entrusted to other Christian traditions into ",p:119,x:90,y:287,w:484,h:32},
{t:"his or her biblical understanding. He or she must be able to ",p:119,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"develop solid biblical grounding on a wide range of matters ",p:119,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that will confront any new church with little history in its own ",p:119,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"culture. Narrowness and theological obtuseness will only yield ",p:119,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a foundation that cannot endure the perplexing realities that will ",p:119,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"confront it.",p:119,x:90,y:436,w:85,h:17},
{t:"Life-forming experiences with God (Acts 9:3–9). Regardless ",p:119,x:119,y:459,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of what anybody else said or thought, Paul knew that God ",p:119,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had taken the initiative ",p:119,x:395,y:505,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to meet him and that ",p:119,x:395,y:528,w:179,h:17},
{t:"his life ’s direction ",p:119,x:395,y:551,w:179,h:17},
{t:"was changed by that ",p:119,x:395,y:574,w:179,h:17},
{t:"encounter. Apostolic ",p:119,x:395,y:597,w:179,h:17},
{t:"leaders know ",p:119,x:395,y:620,w:131,h:17},
{t:"they ",p:119,x:531,y:620,w:43,h:17},
{t:"have been with God. ",p:119,x:395,y:643,w:179,h:17},
{t:"A critical component ",p:119,x:395,y:666,w:179,h:17},
{t:"of their maturation is ",p:119,x:395,y:689,w:179,h:17},
{t:"learning to carry that ",p:119,x:395,y:712,w:179,h:17},
{t:"knowledge in humility, ",p:119,x:395,y:735,w:179,h:17},
{t:"faith, and sensitivity without compromise. Expect God to bring ",p:119,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"older, seasoned leaders into their lives as resources to help ",p:119,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"them process experiences and struggles and to develop their ",p:119,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"understanding.",p:119,x:90,y:827,w:113,h:17},
{t:"Early ministry opportunities (Acts 9:19–20). Almost ",p:119,x:120,y:850,w:454,h:17},
{t:"immediately following his conversion, Paul began to proclaim ",p:119,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the gospel. Paul was flled with energy from this encounter. His ",p:119,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"The apostolic leader must ",p:119,x:123,y:535,w:230,h:20},
{t:"be able to develop solid ",p:119,x:133,y:557,w:211,h:20},
{t:"biblical grounding on a ",p:119,x:135,y:579,w:206,h:20},
{t:"wide range of matters ",p:119,x:139,y:601,w:198,h:20},
{t:"that will confront any new ",p:119,x:120,y:623,w:236,h:20},
{t:"church with little history in ",p:119,x:118,y:645,w:240,h:20},
{t:"its own culture. ",p:119,x:168,y:667,w:140,h:20},
{t:"DEVELOPING  APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:120,x:359,y:59,w:210,h:10},
{t:"127",p:120,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"initial ministry experiences were an immature response to his ",p:120,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"calling and gifting, but they were essential to his development. ",p:120,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders need plenty of opportunities to engage in ",p:120,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ministry early in their development. This is how they learn. ",p:120,x:90,y:160,w:459,h:17},
{t:"Shortly after I arrived in India as a young missionary, I was ",p:120,x:120,y:172,w:454,h:32},
{t:"honored to receive an invitation to work with Bakht Singh, an ",p:120,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"apostolic leader who became my frst mentor in local church ",p:120,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"life. He was an inspiration to many of us, and he led a powerful ",p:120,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"movement of the Spirit that ultimately produced hundreds of ",p:120,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"churches. I don’t want to miscommunicate—that work was not ",p:120,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"perfect then nor is it now. But they had many things right, and ",p:120,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"one of them was how they trained leaders. How did they do it?",p:120,x:90,y:344,w:480,h:17},
{t:"When a pastor in one of the churches recognized God’s ",p:120,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"hand upon a potential leader, that person would be sent to the ",p:120,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"home assembly where Bakht Singh was based. There these ",p:120,x:90,y:402,w:484,h:32},
{t:"leaders-in-training would serve in many different areas of church ",p:120,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"life. Character development was extremely important to them. ",p:120,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Trainees would serve in the kitchen, clean the bathrooms, sweep ",p:120,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the grounds of the compound, and do whatever needed to be ",p:120,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"done to serve the wider church fellowship.",p:120,x:90,y:528,w:326,h:17},
{t:"Older leaders would observe what gifting God had given ",p:120,x:119,y:540,w:454,h:32},
{t:"these young potential leaders by involving them temporarily in ",p:120,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"various ministry roles. This was a season of trial and discovery. ",p:120,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There were many opportunities: leading early-morning prayer ",p:120,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meetings and Bible studies, tract distribution, open-air preaching, ",p:120,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"personal evangelism and following-up persons who were ",p:120,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"interested in knowing more of the gospel or who had come to ",p:120,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"faith.",p:120,x:90,y:712,w:39,h:17},
{t:"In this setting the older leaders could recognize the real ",p:120,x:119,y:735,w:454,h:17},
{t:"gifting in a younger leader as it emerged. As such gifting became ",p:120,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"evident, and as it was coupled with demonstrated Christ-likeness ",p:120,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in character, and the maturing of ministry skills, the young leader ",p:120,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was given more and more responsibility. Out of this process ",p:120,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"emerged new church-planters and pastoral leaders.",p:120,x:90,y:850,w:388,h:17},
{t:"Introduction to the reality of suffering (Acts 9:23). If we ",p:120,x:120,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"really wanted to recruit people for apostolic ministry, certainly ",p:120,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:121,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"128",p:121,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"we would not want to speak of suffering. But to avoid this subject ",p:121,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"would be a denial of Jesus and the Scriptures. He came as the ",p:121,x:90,y:103,w:484,h:32},
{t:"suffering servant, and he called his disciples to suffer. Dietrich ",p:121,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Bonhoeffer puts it this way, “When Christ calls a man he bids ",p:121,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"him come and die.”7  Jesus puts it this way, “If anyone would ",p:121,x:90,y:182,w:484,h:18},
{t:"come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and ",p:121,x:89,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but ",p:121,x:89,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"whoever loses his life for me will fnd it” (Matt. 16:24).",p:121,x:89,y:241,w:426,h:32},
{t:"Older leaders have an awesome responsibility toward ",p:121,x:119,y:264,w:454,h:32},
{t:"younger leaders. They can share, even transfer, their lives, their ",p:121,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"hearts, and their faith to them. On the other hand, they can also ",p:121,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"be a bitter source of their wounding. One way older leaders ",p:121,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"wound younger leaders is not being fully truthful with them, ",p:121,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"withholding things from them.",p:121,x:90,y:390,w:234,h:17},
{t:"Once Hanna and I visited an area in Central Asia where three ",p:121,x:119,y:402,w:454,h:32},
{t:"church planting teams were working within a four-hour drive of ",p:121,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"one another. All of them were relatively new arrivals in that part ",p:121,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the world. We were so impressed with these younger people! ",p:121,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Motivated by a sincere desire to make Christ known among the ",p:121,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unreached, they had gone to that remote area, in some cases with ",p:121,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"small children, at real personal cost.",p:121,x:90,y:551,w:276,h:17},
{t:"As members of two of the teams sought contact with us, ",p:121,x:119,y:574,w:454,h:17},
{t:"however, we increasingly realized how unprepared they were ",p:121,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for long-term ministry in that part of the world. They had been ",p:121,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"recruited to Central Asia in a triumphant climate of mission ",p:121,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"enthusiasm. Months after they arrived, the reality of what ",p:121,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"they had taken on began to set in: the cold winters with little ",p:121,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"heat, the spiritual warfare, the radically unfamiliar culture, the ",p:121,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unappealing food, the lack of medical services, the irregularity of ",p:121,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"electrical and water supply, the loneliness for family and friends ",p:121,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"back home, and the lack of response from the people.",p:121,x:90,y:781,w:409,h:17},
{t:"Neither of those two teams survived. Team members returned ",p:121,x:119,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"home with a sense of personal defeat. What would they say ",p:121,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to home churches, prayer partners, and fnancial supporters? ",p:121,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Where was God in all this? Had he really called them? Were ",p:121,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"they failures? Who and what could they trust?",p:121,x:90,y:896,w:352,h:17},
{t:"They had been challenged with mission romanticism but ",p:121,x:119,y:919,w:454,h:17},
{t:"DEVELOPING  APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:122,x:359,y:59,w:210,h:10},
{t:"129",p:122,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"not been prepared for it. Those who know the reality behind ",p:122,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the scenes know that this scenario repeats itself far too often in ",p:122,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mission circles. Those of us who are calling people to mission ",p:122,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"carry a responsibility to describe the implications clearly and ",p:122,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"soberly and to do all we can to prepare people as thoroughly ",p:122,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"as possible. We can’t prevent hardship and suffering—they are ",p:122,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"inseparable from making Christ known among all nations. But ",p:122,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"we must be truthful and responsible.",p:122,x:90,y:252,w:278,h:17},
{t:"Jesus spoke clearly about suffering. Church history speaks ",p:122,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"clearly about suffering. Paul experienced suffering early in ",p:122,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"his ministry. The kind of suffering he was causing before his ",p:122,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"conversion became his own experience after it.",p:122,x:90,y:344,w:360,h:17},
{t:"The message of Paul’s life doesn’t end with suffering. It ends ",p:122,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"with glory. Writing from a Roman prison cell, largely abandoned ",p:122,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"by those he had depended on, and awaiting martyrdom, Paul ",p:122,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wrote, “I have fought the good fght, I have fnished the race, I ",p:122,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of ",p:122,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will aware ",p:122,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have ",p:122,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"longed for his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7–8).",p:122,x:90,y:517,w:316,h:32},
{t:"Desert seasons (Gal. 1:15–24). At various times, God’s ",p:122,x:120,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"leaders are ushered into seasons in the desert. These are periods ",p:122,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of reduced activity—sometimes voluntary, sometimes not. God ",p:122,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"often orchestrates such periods for the purpose of deeper inner ",p:122,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"growth.",p:122,x:90,y:643,w:59,h:17},
{t:"Leaders called and gifted to pioneer are strong personalities ",p:122,x:119,y:655,w:454,h:32},
{t:"with signifcant energy. They tend to be highly motivated for ",p:122,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the task. Over time, one of the downsides of this can be the ",p:122,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"neglect of the inner life. The ability to achieve outwardly can ",p:122,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"outstrip the maturation of the soul. Godly character is essential ",p:122,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to support God’s gifting and the fruit it produces. Otherwise, ",p:122,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"leaders malfunction. ",p:122,x:90,y:804,w:161,h:17},
{t:"Moses spent the frst forty years of his life in Egypt as the ",p:122,x:120,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He was surrounded by the best in ",p:122,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"terms of infuence, wealth, education, and unlimited opportunity. ",p:122,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"At some point he realized that he was a Hebrew. It would seem ",p:122,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:123,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"130",p:123,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"from the biblical record, although we are not told for certain, that ",p:123,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he became aware of God’s calling for him to be the promised ",p:123,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"deliverer. This might explain why he killed the Egyptian he found ",p:123,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"beating a Hebrew (Ex. 2:1–12). This action is representative of ",p:123,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a called-of-God leader beginning to pursue God’s calling in his ",p:123,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"own way and strength. The result is always failure. Moses was ",p:123,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"banished from Egypt and spent forty years in the desert.",p:123,x:90,y:218,w:429,h:32},
{t:"What condition was Moses in when he entered the desert?  If ",p:123,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"we could see what state his soul was in at that point, would we ",p:123,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"see a parallel with today’s “successful” person, driven by a need ",p:123,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for outward success to give him or her a feeling of self-worth? ",p:123,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"How much anger did he have? Was there contempt for others? ",p:123,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Lust? Greed? Pride? Hatred? Self-hatred?  ",p:123,x:90,y:356,w:329,h:32},
{t:"What went on in the desert? Here is what I can imagine: ",p:123,x:119,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God brought Moses face to face with his creator and with his ",p:123,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"own soul. Moses came to slowly understand the motivations that ",p:123,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"drove him and were causing his dysfunctions. He learned how ",p:123,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to spend time with the God of his fathers, hearing from him, ",p:123,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"allowing him to heal and change him, and learning his ways. ",p:123,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God and Moses became intimate. All this took time—years of ",p:123,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"quiet before God. God was not in a hurry. He had the time. To ",p:123,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"take years in the desert forming his servant was well worth it to ",p:123,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God.",p:123,x:90,y:597,w:37,h:17},
{t:"Moses matured into one of the godliest people who have ",p:123,x:119,y:620,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ever lived. God trusted him with awesome spiritual authority and ",p:123,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"responsibility, and Moses passed the test, generally, with fying ",p:123,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"colors. God’s assessment of Moses at the end of his life was, ",p:123,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"“Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom ",p:123,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the Lord knew face to face” (Deut. 34:10). This is the process ",p:123,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of the desert. It is the process of becoming intimate with God, ",p:123,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of being transformed by God, and being formed into a servant ",p:123,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"whom God can trust with great responsibility.",p:123,x:90,y:804,w:350,h:17},
{t:"Failure is an integral part of the development of an apostolic ",p:123,x:119,y:827,w:454,h:17},
{t:"leader. Periods of reduced activity allow the leader to process ",p:123,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"areas of failure before God. The leader has reached a wonderful ",p:123,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"place in his maturation when he realizes that failure is not ",p:123,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"DEVELOPING  APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:124,x:359,y:59,w:210,h:10},
{t:"131",p:124,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"caused by others or ",p:124,x:395,y:91,w:179,h:17},
{t:"even by Satan. Satan ",p:124,x:395,y:103,w:179,h:32},
{t:"can oppose and hinder, ",p:124,x:395,y:137,w:179,h:17},
{t:"but he can never win. ",p:124,x:395,y:160,w:179,h:17},
{t:"He is a defeated foe. ",p:124,x:393,y:183,w:181,h:17},
{t:"Failure in our walk with ",p:124,x:393,y:206,w:181,h:17},
{t:"God comes from only ",p:124,x:393,y:229,w:181,h:17},
{t:"one source—our wrong ",p:124,x:393,y:252,w:181,h:17},
{t:"attitudes and choices, in ",p:124,x:393,y:275,w:181,h:17},
{t:"other words, our own character immaturity.",p:124,x:90,y:298,w:332,h:17},
{t:"Men and women who have walked with God through the ",p:124,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"centuries instruct us in the benefcial effects of solitude. We live ",p:124,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in a compulsive age that continually tries to mold us into its ",p:124,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"image. In such a world, there is little time to know God or even ",p:124,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"our own hearts. We are surrounded by multitudes who have lost ",p:124,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"contact with their souls.",p:124,x:90,y:436,w:183,h:17},
{t:"Solitude breaks the cycle. It gives us space to know ",p:124,x:119,y:448,w:454,h:32},
{t:"ourselves—our thoughts, emotions, motivations, hurts, and ",p:124,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"intentions. Solitude is healing. It brings focus. It brings us into ",p:124,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"contact with our own souls. Through it we affrm our humanity. ",p:124,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"We honor the person God has made us to be, and, in so doing, ",p:124,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we honor the Creator.",p:124,x:90,y:574,w:166,h:17},
{t:"Paul’s experiences in prison are wonderfully instructive ",p:124,x:119,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"here. Why would God allow his apostle to the nations to undergo ",p:124,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"such long periods of forced inactivity? We gain a glimpse of ",p:124,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"what God was showing Paul during these times from what Paul ",p:124,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wrote while behind bars. And, we see, through his letters to the ",p:124,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"churches, these seasons of reduced activity turned out to be the ",p:124,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"most productive and fruitful of his life.",p:124,x:90,y:735,w:298,h:17},
{t:"Mentors. God brought more seasoned believers into Paul’s ",p:124,x:120,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"life to steer him toward maturity. Ananias was the frst example ",p:124,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of God showing Paul his need for others (Acts 9:10–18). ",p:124,x:90,y:793,w:439,h:32},
{t:"Soon Barnabas became a champion and mentor (Acts 9:27; ",p:124,x:119,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"11:25–26). Later Paul had meaningful contact with Peter and ",p:124,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"James (Gal. 1:18–19). The other spiritual leaders in the church ",p:124,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"at Antioch must have also been a source of enrichment and ",p:124,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The leader has reached ",p:124,x:132,y:113,w:212,h:20},
{t:"a wonderful place in ",p:124,x:146,y:135,w:185,h:20},
{t:"his maturation when he ",p:124,x:131,y:157,w:214,h:20},
{t:"realizes that failure is not ",p:124,x:124,y:179,w:229,h:20},
{t:"caused by others or even ",p:124,x:126,y:201,w:225,h:20},
{t:"by Satan.",p:124,x:193,y:223,w:85,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:125,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"132",p:125,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"development for him (Acts 13:1).",p:125,x:90,y:91,w:257,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic leaders need signifcant mentors. Their gifting ",p:125,x:119,y:103,w:454,h:32},
{t:"and energies are strong. But during the years (decades) in which ",p:125,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"wisdom is being honed, this energy can be misapplied, and the ",p:125,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"results can wound the leader and damage his ministry. Those ",p:125,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"privileged to mentor God’s leaders must have great sensitivity. ",p:125,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"These leaders can easily feel blocked. From the base of a strong ",p:125,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"relationship, a mentor needs to steer, guide, and protect without ",p:125,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"condemning, blocking, or controlling.",p:125,x:90,y:275,w:290,h:17},
{t:"Life and ministry in community—the local church. What was ",p:125,x:120,y:298,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Paul doing in his hometown of Tarsus when Barnabas went to ",p:125,x:89,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"get him and bring him to Antioch (Acts 11:25–26)? We have ",p:125,x:89,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"little record of lasting fruit from Paul’s ministry during his frst ",p:125,x:89,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"eight years as a believer. And that’s okay. God was preparing ",p:125,x:89,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"him for the mature years of his life.",p:125,x:89,y:413,w:271,h:17},
{t:"What took place while Paul was ministering in the church ",p:125,x:119,y:436,w:454,h:17},
{t:"at Antioch?",p:125,x:90,y:459,w:87,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:125,x:150,y:494,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He was maturing in character through living ",p:125,x:165,y:494,w:344,h:32},
{t:"and ministering in the midst of a community of ",p:125,x:165,y:528,w:366,h:17},
{t:"supportive relationships.",p:125,x:165,y:551,w:188,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:125,x:150,y:563,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He was learning frsthand the reality of church life. ",p:125,x:165,y:563,w:396,h:32},
{t:"If he was to plant churches, he needed credible ",p:125,x:165,y:597,w:364,h:17},
{t:"church experience.",p:125,x:165,y:620,w:144,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:125,x:150,y:632,w:11,h:32},
{t:"He was being grafted into a community where other ",p:125,x:165,y:632,w:404,h:32},
{t:"leaders could confrm his calling and the timing of ",p:125,x:165,y:655,w:391,h:32},
{t:"his release.",p:125,x:165,y:689,w:85,h:17},
{t:"Summary: Paul’s Development As an Apostolic Leader",p:125,x:105,y:735,w:448,h:17},
{t:"Look for individuals. Look for men and women who ft the ",p:125,x:119,y:770,w:454,h:32},
{t:"profle given in the last chapter. They might be candidates for ",p:125,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"this role. Keep an eye on them. Look for God’s confrmation in ",p:125,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"their development.",p:125,x:90,y:850,w:143,h:17},
{t:"Free them to minister early. Establish a role that allows ",p:125,x:120,y:862,w:454,h:32},
{t:"creative, discretionary choices. Give them as much freedom ",p:125,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"DEVELOPING  APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:126,x:359,y:59,w:210,h:10},
{t:"133",p:126,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"7Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: Simon and ",p:126,x:91,y:889,w:473,h:15},
{t:"Schuster,1995) p. 89.",p:126,x:89,y:910,w:141,h:15},
{t:"as is reasonable, but also make it clear, graciously, where ",p:126,x:90,y:91,w:485,h:17},
{t:"their boundaries are. Define lines of communication and ",p:126,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"accountability. Establish regular times for feedback.",p:126,x:90,y:126,w:398,h:32},
{t:"As they minister, address issues that arise. Issues will come ",p:126,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to the surface relating to their relationship with God, others, ",p:126,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and themselves. Address these issues in the context of a loving, ",p:126,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"caring relationship. Give them plenty of gracious, respectful ",p:126,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"affrmation. Be honest where honesty is needed. Defne reality ",p:126,x:90,y:241,w:484,h:32},
{t:"where they need it to be defned for them.",p:126,x:90,y:264,w:319,h:32},
{t:"There will be suffering. Be available to them during these ",p:126,x:120,y:287,w:454,h:32},
{t:"times. Here is where immaturity can do real damage. Point them ",p:126,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to the beautiful life of the resurrection to which Jesus has called ",p:126,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"us. This suffering has a benefcial purpose that will become more ",p:126,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"obvious with time.",p:126,x:90,y:390,w:143,h:17},
{t:"Link them with mentors. Help them fnd people they trust ",p:126,x:120,y:402,w:454,h:32},
{t:"who will develop meaningful relationships with them and who ",p:126,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"can provide regular input into their lives and activities.",p:126,x:90,y:459,w:420,h:17},
{t:"If they are not authentically rooted in church life, steer ",p:126,x:120,y:482,w:454,h:17},
{t:"them in that direction. Look for a church whose leaders have ",p:126,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"demonstrated understanding in developing younger leaders. ",p:126,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Teach them why they need this so much. Process with them the ",p:126,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"inadequacies in the church, which they will see fairly quickly.",p:126,x:90,y:574,w:474,h:17},
{t:"As they mature, extend their boundaries. As they prove ",p:126,x:120,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"trustworthy, trust them with more.",p:126,x:89,y:620,w:261,h:17},
{t:"Be alert that seasons in the desert will develop. Help them ",p:126,x:120,y:643,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to understand the nature and purpose of such times. Protect them ",p:126,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"when they need to withdraw from public ministry for a season. ",p:126,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They might feel shame in having to communicate the reasons ",p:126,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for this. Link them with those gifted in mentoring character ",p:126,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"formation. Protect the leader from reengaging in activity ",p:126,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prematurely.",p:126,x:90,y:781,w:96,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:127,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"134",p:127,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the ",p:127,x:140,y:142,w:383,h:18},
{t:"work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)",p:127,x:131,y:166,w:396,h:18},
{t:"The release of apostolic leaders is a different ",p:127,x:146,y:239,w:334,h:16},
{t:"phenomenon than their development. In practice, there is ",p:127,x:116,y:261,w:423,h:16},
{t:"much overlap. The releasing needs to begin fairly early, ",p:127,x:116,y:283,w:414,h:16},
{t:"long before the development has run its course. Releasing ",p:127,x:116,y:305,w:429,h:16},
{t:"is critical to developing, and developing is never ",p:127,x:116,y:327,w:362,h:16},
{t:"complete.",p:127,x:116,y:349,w:70,h:16},
{t:"By release I mean the process that ushers the ",p:127,x:176,y:393,w:335,h:16},
{t:"leader into the mature expression of his or her calling ",p:127,x:116,y:415,w:399,h:16},
{t:"and gifting. The leader’s heart enjoys a clear conviction ",p:127,x:116,y:437,w:415,h:16},
{t:"about the ministry role God has chosen for him. This ",p:127,x:116,y:459,w:391,h:16},
{t:"role has been validated through years of experience ",p:127,x:116,y:481,w:384,h:16},
{t:"and affrmed by other mature Christians. Character has ",p:127,x:116,y:496,w:414,h:24},
{t:"developed to where it can support and sustain the fruit ",p:127,x:116,y:525,w:404,h:16},
{t:"produced by strong calling, gifting, and anointing. The ",p:127,x:116,y:547,w:406,h:16},
{t:"leader encounters temptations (like the praises of other ",p:127,x:116,y:569,w:410,h:16},
{t:"people, etc.) without being derailed. We are not talking ",p:127,x:116,y:591,w:408,h:16},
{t:"about perfection. There are ongoing spiritual attacks and ",p:127,x:116,y:613,w:424,h:16},
{t:"inner struggles that repeatedly drive the leader to Jesus. ",p:127,x:116,y:635,w:417,h:16},
{t:"But we are talking about a life characterized by victory. ",p:127,x:116,y:657,w:413,h:16},
{t:"Character has become a reliable source of inner stability ",p:127,x:116,y:679,w:423,h:16},
{t:"and direction that is stronger than external infuences.",p:127,x:116,y:694,w:397,h:24},
{t:"What does an introduction into such a life-season ",p:127,x:176,y:745,w:368,h:16},
{t:"look like? Paul’s experience in the events recorded in ",p:127,x:116,y:767,w:394,h:16},
{t:"Acts 13:1–4, and those surrounding them, give us a much ",p:127,x:116,y:789,w:426,h:16},
{t:"fuller picture of the season of mature release.",p:127,x:116,y:811,w:331,h:16},
{t:"135",p:128,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 12",p:128,x:271,y:110,w:116,h:32},
{t:"Releasing Apostolic ",p:128,x:179,y:148,w:310,h:29},
{t:"Leaders",p:128,x:269,y:186,w:121,h:29},
{t:"We could think of the process of Paul’s release as ",p:128,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"beginning in Acts 9:20, where “At once he began to preach in ",p:128,x:90,y:394,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the synagogues.” This has the feel of Paul releasing himself. ",p:128,x:90,y:429,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It was fne as far as it went. We have a new believer following ",p:128,x:90,y:440,w:484,h:32},
{t:"his God-given instincts. But he is not developed or proven in ",p:128,x:90,y:463,w:484,h:32},
{t:"either gifting or character. There is no confrmation by others ",p:128,x:90,y:486,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of his readiness or of God’s timing. This is not a fully seasoned ",p:128,x:90,y:521,w:484,h:17},
{t:"condition of release.",p:128,x:90,y:544,w:155,h:17},
{t:"We have no record of signifcant fruit from Paul’s ministry ",p:128,x:119,y:555,w:454,h:32},
{t:"during the approximately ten years between his call on the road ",p:128,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to Damascus (Acts 9:1–16) and his mature release later (Acts ",p:128,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"13:1–4). The call is there, but there seems to be little indication ",p:128,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the powerful anointing of apostolic ministry that we see so ",p:128,x:90,y:659,w:484,h:17},
{t:"clearly from Acts 13 on. Following are six conditions that existed ",p:128,x:90,y:682,w:484,h:17},
{t:"when the Holy Spirit indicated that it was time for Paul’s mature ",p:128,x:90,y:693,w:484,h:32},
{t:"release into the work that God had called him to.",p:128,x:90,y:728,w:373,h:17},
{t:"Six Qualities Necessary for Apostolic Release",p:128,x:146,y:774,w:366,h:17},
{t:"1. Paul’s calling and gifting had been expressed and ",p:128,x:120,y:820,w:454,h:17},
{t:"seasoned over years of ministry. The time between God’s call ",p:128,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"on the road to Damascus and Paul’s release in Antioch allowed ",p:128,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for the development process described in the previous chapter. ",p:128,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Paul experienced his strengths and suffered and matured in his ",p:128,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"weaknesses. He learned the ways of God.",p:128,x:90,y:935,w:318,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:129,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"136",p:129,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"2. Paul’s calling was confrmed by other godly leaders ",p:129,x:120,y:81,w:454,h:31},
{t:"(Acts 13:2). Someone’s assertion that God has called him or her ",p:129,x:90,y:103,w:484,h:32},
{t:"does not ensure that this is the case. God’s calling is eventually ",p:129,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"confrmed in the hearts of other leaders and in the church through ",p:129,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the witness of the Holy Spirit. There is often a sense of resonance ",p:129,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"throughout the local fellowship. “Yes! This feels so right” is the ",p:129,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"way other people may respond.",p:129,x:90,y:229,w:240,h:17},
{t:"One afternoon my telephone rang. On the line was a church ",p:129,x:119,y:241,w:454,h:32},
{t:"leader I greatly respected. He had had a very fruitful ministry ",p:129,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"on the pastoral staff of his church for a number of years. He was ",p:129,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"surprised by a feeling he had that God was bringing him to a ",p:129,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ministry transition. He was phoning to seek my counsel.",p:129,x:90,y:344,w:431,h:17},
{t:"Almost immediately my sense was that, having spent years ",p:129,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"investing in one church, God was repositioning him so that all ",p:129,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he had learned might be made available to many other churches. ",p:129,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Obviously, if this were what God was doing, other voices of ",p:129,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"counsel would have to confrm it, especially in his church. He ",p:129,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"knew that.",p:129,x:90,y:482,w:79,h:17},
{t:"The process of seeking out these voices took many months. ",p:129,x:119,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Some leaders in his church voiced the inevitable question, “Is ",p:129,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"it not possible for you to do what God is calling you to do right ",p:129,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"here?” Good question. As he and his colleagues in the church ",p:129,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"continued to wait on the Lord, the confrmation grew that God ",p:129,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"was calling him and his family out.",p:129,x:90,y:620,w:269,h:17},
{t:"Hanna and I had the privilege of attending the service when ",p:129,x:119,y:643,w:454,h:17},
{t:"he was sent out. There was some real sadness among the people ",p:129,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"since he was loved by ",p:129,x:90,y:689,w:179,h:17},
{t:"many. But there was ",p:129,x:90,y:701,w:179,h:32},
{t:"also the sense that ",p:129,x:90,y:735,w:179,h:17},
{t:"they felt it was right. ",p:129,x:90,y:758,w:178,h:17},
{t:"The church was flled ",p:129,x:90,y:770,w:178,h:32},
{t:"with affirmation and ",p:129,x:90,y:804,w:178,h:17},
{t:"blessing for this leader ",p:129,x:90,y:827,w:178,h:17},
{t:"and his family. God ",p:129,x:90,y:850,w:178,h:17},
{t:"had spoken, through ",p:129,x:90,y:873,w:178,h:17},
{t:"the leader, through other leaders, and through the body. It was ",p:129,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"beautiful.",p:129,x:90,y:919,w:72,h:17},
{t:"God’s calling is eventually ",p:129,x:308,y:720,w:236,h:20},
{t:"confrmed in the hearts of ",p:129,x:311,y:742,w:230,h:20},
{t:"other leaders and in the ",p:129,x:318,y:764,w:215,h:20},
{t:"church through the witness ",p:129,x:304,y:786,w:244,h:20},
{t:"of the Holy Spirit.",p:129,x:347,y:808,w:152,h:20},
{t:"RELEASING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:130,x:372,y:59,w:197,h:10},
{t:"137",p:130,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"3. The timing of Paul’s release was confrmed by other ",p:130,x:120,y:81,w:454,h:31},
{t:"godly leaders (Acts 13:2). The picture here is not one of Paul ",p:130,x:89,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"announcing that he was going to the nations and resenting those ",p:130,x:89,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"who did not jump on board with him right away. The sense is ",p:130,x:89,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more that although he knew that he had been called by God, he ",p:130,x:89,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was content to allow him to direct the next step. In an atmosphere ",p:130,x:89,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of waiting upon God, together with other leaders, the Holy Spirit ",p:130,x:89,y:218,w:485,h:32},
{t:"signaled that the time for his full release had come. The indication ",p:130,x:89,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was given not only to Paul alone but also to the group of leaders ",p:130,x:89,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the church.",p:130,x:89,y:298,w:104,h:17},
{t:"The senior pastor of a local church recently spoke with me ",p:130,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"about a leader in his congregation. This brother is a visionary ",p:130,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leader with a strong personality who wants to carry out a ",p:130,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"particular work among unreached peoples. For a long time, the ",p:130,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"pastor just could not bless this. The leader was headstrong and did ",p:130,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"not fnd it easy to listen to counsel. He and the pastor continually ",p:130,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"clashed. But things began to change in the pastor’s mind when ",p:130,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"this leader began to show a heart to serve, especially in areas ",p:130,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that had nothing to do with mission. More and more the issue ",p:130,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"became not what he wanted to do but how he could support the ",p:130,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"church as a whole. He was prepared to serve joyfully behind the ",p:130,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"scenes.",p:130,x:90,y:574,w:54,h:17},
{t:"The pastor has now come to the point where he feels he can ",p:130,x:119,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"bless what this leader wants to do in mission, although he feels ",p:130,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the timing is not yet right. The leader has responded well to what ",p:130,x:90,y:643,w:485,h:17},
{t:"his pastor is saying about timing and has embraced waiting on ",p:130,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Lord until his pastor and other leaders feel God’s time has ",p:130,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"come. This story does not yet have an ending, although I believe ",p:130,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"it will be a beautiful one. Here is a strong leader who has learned ",p:130,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to serve and trust God to speak through other spiritual leaders ",p:130,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in his life. That is a ripening context for apostolic release.",p:130,x:90,y:781,w:441,h:17},
{t:"4. Paul’s release came in the context of a local church (Acts ",p:130,x:120,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"13:1). Paul was not originally from Antioch (Acts 11:25). He was ",p:130,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"brought there to minister by his champion or mentor Barnabas ",p:130,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"(Acts 11:26). Paul ministered in the church for an extended ",p:130,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"time, long enough for him to be authentically grafted into the ",p:130,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:131,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"138",p:131,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"body (Acts 11:26). This also linked him with other leaders who ",p:131,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"could serve as his peers, supporters, and protectors. Paul was ",p:131,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"authentically sent out from the church at Antioch in a way that ",p:131,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the church participated meaningfully. Although he returned to ",p:131,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Antioch for renewal and refreshment (Acts 14:26–28), there is ",p:131,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"no indication that the church directed his feld decisions (Acts ",p:131,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"16:6–10).",p:131,x:90,y:218,w:74,h:32},
{t:"5. Paul’s release came in the context of a team (Acts 13:4–5). ",p:131,x:120,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Teams provide a broader diversity of gifting than any individual ",p:131,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"alone can offer. They can enter into united, believing prayer ",p:131,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"against the attacks of Satan on the work. They are able to be ",p:131,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a supportive mini-community where individual members can ",p:131,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"receive personal nurture in the midst of their service. They serve ",p:131,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"as an environment where their members can receive ongoing ",p:131,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"character development. And healthy teams allow the unbeliever ",p:131,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to experience the beauty of Jesus present in the community of ",p:131,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"believers. Godly team life is a powerful form of evangelism.",p:131,x:90,y:459,w:463,h:17},
{t:"I have spoken of the observable reality that women also ",p:131,x:119,y:482,w:454,h:17},
{t:"serve in this calling, and I am thinking of one now as I write. ",p:131,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"She has been an inspiration to me and many others for years. ",p:131,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"She has had a strong sense of God’s call to the poor most of her ",p:131,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"adult life, and a fruitful urban ministry has developed around ",p:131,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"her leadership. This involves meeting tangible needs like food ",p:131,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and clothing and also carrying out programs for children from ",p:131,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"low-income families.",p:131,x:90,y:643,w:162,h:17},
{t:"Her reserves of love and energy seem almost limitless, and ",p:131,x:119,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"she can make tons of things happen by herself. For years I have ",p:131,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"desired for her a larger team of co-workers who could maximize ",p:131,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"her vision and the opportunities she creates. It is not that she ",p:131,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has been against the idea of a team, not at all. It is just that the ",p:131,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"team has been, until recently, incomplete. The gifts have not ",p:131,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"been there to supplement her gifts, and the number of workers ",p:131,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has been inadequate to implement the scope of her vision.",p:131,x:90,y:827,w:443,h:17},
{t:"But over the past two to three years, I have watched God ",p:131,x:119,y:839,w:454,h:32},
{t:"change that. I am thinking of two other leaders whom God ",p:131,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has brought alongside her, and, as a result, the ministry has ",p:131,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"RELEASING APOSTOLIC LEADERS",p:132,x:372,y:59,w:197,h:10},
{t:"139",p:132,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"experienced far-reaching advances. One is a leader who has ",p:132,x:90,y:80,w:485,h:32},
{t:"catalyzed the formation of a church that can receive and mature ",p:132,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the spiritual fruit of this ",p:132,x:389,y:137,w:184,h:17},
{t:"ministry. A second is an ",p:132,x:389,y:160,w:184,h:17},
{t:"organizational leader ",p:132,x:389,y:183,w:184,h:17},
{t:"who can consolidate, ",p:132,x:389,y:206,w:184,h:17},
{t:"structure, and lay new ",p:132,x:389,y:229,w:184,h:17},
{t:"foundations upon which ",p:132,x:389,y:252,w:184,h:17},
{t:"further growth can be ",p:132,x:389,y:275,w:184,h:17},
{t:"based. Here is an apos-",p:132,x:389,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"tolic leader whose call-",p:132,x:389,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"ing and ministry are being actualized in greater ways than ever ",p:132,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"before through the ministry of a team.",p:132,x:90,y:367,w:291,h:17},
{t:"6. The organizational structure that was the vehicle for ",p:132,x:120,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Paul’s release was different than the organizational structure ",p:132,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the local church. One of the most sensitive issues when ",p:132,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"mission initiatives come forth from local churches is the ongoing ",p:132,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"relationship between the church and the mission organization. ",p:132,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There can be much misunderstanding here. This does not have to ",p:132,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be! The issue warrants our careful, sensitive consideration. The ",p:132,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"matter is so important that I have chosen to devote a separate ",p:132,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"chapter to it.",p:132,x:90,y:574,w:96,h:17},
{t:"And healthy teams allow ",p:132,x:124,y:172,w:225,h:20},
{t:"the unbeliever to experi-",p:132,x:129,y:194,w:210,h:20},
{t:"ence of the beauty of ",p:132,x:143,y:216,w:188,h:20},
{t:"Jesus present in the com-",p:132,x:122,y:238,w:223,h:20},
{t:"munity of believers.",p:132,x:148,y:260,w:171,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:133,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"140",p:133,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed ",p:133,x:124,y:188,w:416,h:18},
{t:"their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts ",p:133,x:140,y:212,w:384,h:18},
{t:"13:3)",p:133,x:308,y:236,w:43,h:18},
{t:"The magnifcence of God’s design for completing his ",p:133,x:146,y:320,w:389,h:29},
{t:"global mission is only accentuated when we explore the ",p:133,x:116,y:351,w:412,h:16},
{t:"mutual relationship he envisioned churches and mission ",p:133,x:116,y:373,w:415,h:16},
{t:"organizations to enjoy. Each has a God-given capacity ",p:133,x:116,y:395,w:406,h:16},
{t:"to deeply bless and enrich the other. Experiencing the ",p:133,x:116,y:417,w:398,h:16},
{t:"benefts of each other’s ministry allows them to grow in ",p:133,x:116,y:430,w:410,h:29},
{t:"their desire to honor and affrm one another, to delight in ",p:133,x:116,y:452,w:424,h:29},
{t:"each other.",p:133,x:116,y:483,w:80,h:16},
{t:"Both local churches and mission organizations have ",p:133,x:146,y:527,w:387,h:16},
{t:"been given unique strengths the other lacks and needs. ",p:133,x:116,y:549,w:404,h:16},
{t:"Without mission organizations, apostolic impulses in ",p:133,x:116,y:571,w:390,h:16},
{t:"churches will be inadequately cultivated and ultimately ",p:133,x:116,y:593,w:410,h:16},
{t:"wither. Without local churches, needs within mission ",p:133,x:116,y:615,w:388,h:16},
{t:"organizations for rootedness, resources, and personal ",p:133,x:116,y:637,w:398,h:16},
{t:"care will remain only partially and inadequately ",p:133,x:116,y:659,w:359,h:16},
{t:"addressed.",p:133,x:116,y:681,w:78,h:16},
{t:"We see both of these structures in the New Testament. ",p:133,x:146,y:725,w:395,h:16},
{t:"Our modern mission organizations are present-day ",p:133,x:116,y:747,w:378,h:16},
{t:"descendents of the apostolic teams we encounter in ",p:133,x:116,y:769,w:379,h:16},
{t:"the book of Acts. To be sure, there are some noticeable ",p:133,x:116,y:791,w:403,h:16},
{t:"differences between the two. To what degree is some ",p:133,x:116,y:813,w:386,h:16},
{t:"reengineering in order?",p:133,x:116,y:835,w:174,h:16},
{t:"141",p:134,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 13",p:134,x:271,y:110,w:116,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic Organizational",p:134,x:143,y:148,w:373,h:29},
{t:"Structures",p:134,x:250,y:186,w:158,h:29},
{t:"In seeking a biblical understanding of the appropriate ",p:134,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"relationship between a local church and a mission organization, ",p:134,x:90,y:405,w:484,h:17},
{t:"there are two viewpoints we will want to avoid: The frst is that ",p:134,x:90,y:417,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the local church does not need the mission organization. “If ",p:134,x:90,y:451,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the church had been doing its job all along, we would not need ",p:134,x:90,y:474,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mission organizations” is the kind of statement that is heard ",p:134,x:90,y:497,w:484,h:17},
{t:"at times. The second is that the mission organization does not ",p:134,x:90,y:519,w:484,h:17},
{t:"need the local church. “The church should just send us (mission ",p:134,x:89,y:542,w:484,h:17},
{t:"organizations) its people and money and leave the rest of the job ",p:134,x:89,y:565,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to us mission professionals. What does the church know about ",p:134,x:89,y:588,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missions?” would represent this viewpoint.",p:134,x:89,y:611,w:327,h:17},
{t:"Neither of these viewpoints is correct or helpful. They ",p:134,x:120,y:633,w:455,h:17},
{t:"are disrespectful to both the local church and the mission ",p:134,x:90,y:656,w:484,h:17},
{t:"organization. They fuel unkindness. They sow seeds of disunity ",p:134,x:90,y:679,w:484,h:17},
{t:"within Christ’s body. They do not honor our Lord or advance his ",p:134,x:90,y:691,w:484,h:32},
{t:"kingdom.",p:134,x:90,y:725,w:72,h:17},
{t:"In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit provided for the global ",p:134,x:120,y:736,w:454,h:32},
{t:"advance of God’s kingdom by forming two structures: local ",p:134,x:90,y:770,w:485,h:17},
{t:"churches and apostolic teams. Most people today would see the ",p:134,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:17},
{t:"modern equivalent of the apostolic team to be the parachurch ",p:134,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:17},
{t:"organization, the mission organization, the sodality, or, sometimes ",p:134,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the United States, the 501(c)(3) non-proft organization.",p:134,x:90,y:850,w:443,h:32},
{t:"Paul’s apostolic teams were not local churches. And they were ",p:134,x:120,y:884,w:454,h:17},
{t:"also different, in some obvious ways, from our modern mission ",p:134,x:90,y:907,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:135,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"142",p:135,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"organizations, especially in the way they have developed over the ",p:135,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"years. This is not meant ",p:135,x:395,y:114,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to be critical of modern ",p:135,x:395,y:136,w:179,h:17},
{t:"mission organizations ",p:135,x:395,y:159,w:179,h:17},
{t:"or to say that God is ",p:135,x:395,y:182,w:179,h:17},
{t:"not using them. He ",p:135,x:395,y:205,w:179,h:17},
{t:"most certainly is and in ",p:135,x:395,y:228,w:179,h:17},
{t:"awesomely wonderful ways!",p:135,x:90,y:250,w:218,h:17},
{t:"If we are prepared to consider this matter prayerfully before ",p:135,x:120,y:273,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the Lord, we may fnd that we want to make adjustments, which ",p:135,x:90,y:285,w:484,h:32},
{t:"would greatly help both churches and mission organizations ",p:135,x:90,y:319,w:484,h:17},
{t:"distribute God’s blessings among all nations. ",p:135,x:90,y:342,w:345,h:17},
{t:"My experience tells me there is growing interest in pursuing ",p:135,x:120,y:364,w:454,h:17},
{t:"this subject. Time and again leaders in mission organizations have ",p:135,x:90,y:387,w:484,h:17},
{t:"asked, “How can we relate more effectively to local churches?” ",p:135,x:90,y:410,w:484,h:17},
{t:"And church leaders have said, “We really want to be proactive ",p:135,x:90,y:433,w:484,h:17},
{t:"when it comes to our mission obedience, but we don’t want to ",p:135,x:90,y:456,w:484,h:17},
{t:"reinvent the wheel. How can we work with mission organizations ",p:135,x:90,y:478,w:484,h:17},
{t:"so both of us beneft?” Awesome questions!",p:135,x:90,y:490,w:331,h:32},
{t:"Apostolic Structures",p:135,x:247,y:547,w:165,h:17},
{t:"Perhaps different terminology would be helpful as we consider ",p:135,x:120,y:592,w:454,h:17},
{t:"these issues. Sometimes new words free us from old images that ",p:135,x:90,y:604,w:484,h:32},
{t:"block us from seeing things with a fresh perspective. The term that ",p:135,x:90,y:638,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has become my favorite in this discussion is apostolic structure. ",p:135,x:90,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The term apostolic structure helps me focus on the core issue: ",p:135,x:89,y:684,w:484,h:17},
{t:"what kind of organizational structure is best suited for the release ",p:135,x:89,y:706,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of apostolic ministry (i.e., the ministry effects apostolic leaders ",p:135,x:89,y:729,w:484,h:17},
{t:"catalyze)?",p:135,x:89,y:752,w:77,h:17},
{t:"Since apostolic ",p:135,x:120,y:764,w:148,h:32},
{t:"ministry was a bibli-",p:135,x:90,y:798,w:173,h:17},
{t:"cal phenomenon, there ",p:135,x:90,y:820,w:178,h:17},
{t:"must have been a bibli-",p:135,x:90,y:843,w:173,h:17},
{t:"cal structure through ",p:135,x:90,y:866,w:178,h:17},
{t:"which it was released. ",p:135,x:90,y:889,w:178,h:17},
{t:"What was this struc-",p:135,x:90,y:912,w:173,h:17},
{t:"Paul’s apostolic teams ",p:135,x:138,y:145,w:201,h:20},
{t:"were not local churches.",p:135,x:130,y:167,w:211,h:20},
{t:"The core issue: What ",p:135,x:332,y:788,w:188,h:20},
{t:"kind of organizational ",p:135,x:327,y:810,w:197,h:20},
{t:"structure is best suited ",p:135,x:323,y:832,w:206,h:20},
{t:"for the release of apostolic ",p:135,x:308,y:854,w:235,h:20},
{t:"ministry?",p:135,x:382,y:876,w:82,h:20},
{t:"APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES",p:136,x:308,y:59,w:261,h:10},
{t:"143",p:136,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Apostolic ministry is ",p:136,x:335,y:173,w:182,h:20},
{t:"released through apostolic ",p:136,x:308,y:195,w:236,h:20},
{t:"structures.",p:136,x:376,y:217,w:93,h:20},
{t:"ture? What was its organizational culture? How did it relate to ",p:136,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the local church? The biblical structure was the apostolic team. ",p:136,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Let’s look at this more ",p:136,x:90,y:125,w:178,h:32},
{t:"closely. What were the ",p:136,x:90,y:159,w:178,h:17},
{t:"characteristics of these ",p:136,x:90,y:182,w:178,h:17},
{t:"teams? What implica-",p:136,x:90,y:205,w:173,h:17},
{t:"tions do these suggest ",p:136,x:90,y:228,w:178,h:17},
{t:"for churches and mis-",p:136,x:90,y:250,w:173,h:17},
{t:"sion organizations re-",p:136,x:90,y:273,w:173,h:17},
{t:"lationships today?",p:136,x:90,y:296,w:137,h:17},
{t:"Apostolic ministry is released through apostolic structures.",p:136,x:120,y:319,w:446,h:17},
{t:"Characteristics of Paul’s Apostolic Teams",p:136,x:162,y:364,w:334,h:17},
{t:"Paul’s apostolic teams were one with the local church. They ",p:136,x:120,y:410,w:454,h:17},
{t:"were seamlessly integrated into the fellowship of believers. They ",p:136,x:90,y:433,w:484,h:17},
{t:"blended in. The church was their family. They had been formed ",p:136,x:90,y:456,w:484,h:17},
{t:"within it. They understood it. They were part of its leadership. ",p:136,x:90,y:478,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They had come from it for the purpose of advancing the kingdom ",p:136,x:90,y:501,w:484,h:17},
{t:"into new areas, or, in other words, to start new churches. And ",p:136,x:90,y:524,w:484,h:17},
{t:"they returned to it.",p:136,x:90,y:547,w:140,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:136,x:150,y:581,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Paul and Barnabas were main teachers and leaders in ",p:136,x:164,y:581,w:407,h:32},
{t:"the church at Antioch (Acts 11:25–26; 13:1–3).",p:136,x:165,y:604,w:358,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:136,x:150,y:627,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The team of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark was ",p:136,x:164,y:627,w:373,h:32},
{t:"formed within the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1–5).",p:136,x:165,y:661,w:390,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:136,x:150,y:672,w:11,h:32},
{t:"This team was sent out from the church at Antioch.",p:136,x:164,y:672,w:388,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:136,x:150,y:695,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Their ministry produced new local churches (Acts ",p:136,x:164,y:695,w:385,h:32},
{t:"14:23).",p:136,x:165,y:729,w:54,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:136,x:150,y:741,w:11,h:32},
{t:"In whatever location they found themselves, the ",p:136,x:164,y:741,w:369,h:32},
{t:"local church was home and family to them (Acts ",p:136,x:165,y:775,w:374,h:17},
{t:"14:26–28).",p:136,x:165,y:786,w:82,h:32},
{t:"My twenty years of serving in highly mobile, cross-cultural ",p:136,x:120,y:843,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministry were deeply instructive to me in this issue. Both during ",p:136,x:90,y:855,w:484,h:32},
{t:"my years in India and those with the ships Logos and Doulos, I ",p:136,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:137,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"144",p:137,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"found myself in a different church most Sundays, often as the ",p:137,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"speaker.",p:137,x:90,y:114,w:61,h:17},
{t:"As a team, we felt a strong sense of unity with and submission ",p:137,x:120,y:136,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to the churches we visited. There were times with the ships when ",p:137,x:90,y:159,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we had a clear idea of the kind of program we wanted to arrange ",p:137,x:90,y:182,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in a particular port city, but local church leaders asked us to adjust ",p:137,x:90,y:205,w:484,h:17},
{t:"it. We always honored their requests. As long as we were in that ",p:137,x:90,y:228,w:484,h:17},
{t:"city, we were part of the body of Christ there. We would never ",p:137,x:90,y:250,w:484,h:17},
{t:"intentionally do our own thing.",p:137,x:90,y:273,w:235,h:17},
{t:"While in a port city, we ministered with our brothers and ",p:137,x:120,y:296,w:454,h:17},
{t:"sisters from the churches there. Local believers translated for ",p:137,x:89,y:308,w:484,h:32},
{t:"us in the conferences and evangelistic events. They greeted the ",p:137,x:89,y:342,w:484,h:17},
{t:"visitors to the ship. They served with us in the kitchen, engine ",p:137,x:89,y:364,w:484,h:17},
{t:"room, and other non-public areas. They were part of our prayer ",p:137,x:89,y:387,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meetings and group devotional times. We experienced God ",p:137,x:89,y:410,w:484,h:17},
{t:"together, moving in and through us.",p:137,x:89,y:433,w:271,h:17},
{t:"Sometimes hundreds of them came to the quayside just before ",p:137,x:120,y:444,w:454,h:32},
{t:"the ship’s departure to say goodbye. It was not unusual for the ",p:137,x:90,y:478,w:484,h:17},
{t:"tugs to be slowly pulling the ship away from the quay while ",p:137,x:90,y:501,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people on the shore and on the ship waved to each other and wept ",p:137,x:90,y:524,w:484,h:17},
{t:"softly. We had been joined together in the work of the kingdom ",p:137,x:90,y:547,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for only two to three weeks, and yet an incredibly powerful bond ",p:137,x:90,y:570,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had been established between us. Doing ministry together tends ",p:137,x:90,y:592,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to do that. We knew indeed that we were one family, one body.",p:137,x:90,y:615,w:477,h:17},
{t:"Paul’s apostolic teams had an identity separate from the ",p:137,x:120,y:638,w:454,h:17},
{t:"local church. If you went to a gathering of the fellowship on a ",p:137,x:89,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Sunday, you would have had a hard time pointing out who were ",p:137,x:89,y:672,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Paul’s team members. However, during the week, the identity ",p:137,x:89,y:706,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and activities of the team would be clearly distinguishable. And ",p:137,x:89,y:729,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the difference would become even more apparent when the time ",p:137,x:89,y:752,w:484,h:17},
{t:"came, at the Holy Spirit’s direction, for the team to leave for ",p:137,x:89,y:764,w:484,h:32},
{t:"another location.",p:137,x:89,y:798,w:127,h:17},
{t:"APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES",p:138,x:308,y:59,w:261,h:10},
{t:"145",p:138,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"• ",p:138,x:150,y:79,w:11,h:32},
{t:" Paul and Barnabas left the church in Antioch. It was ",p:138,x:165,y:80,w:405,h:32},
{t:"the Holy Spirit who separated them and sent them ",p:138,x:165,y:102,w:384,h:32},
{t:"out (Acts 13:4).",p:138,x:165,y:136,w:119,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:138,x:150,y:148,w:11,h:32},
{t:" Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra, Iconium, and ",p:138,x:165,y:148,w:374,h:32},
{t:"Derbe, where they established churches. They ",p:138,x:165,y:182,w:354,h:17},
{t:"subsequently left each of these places, although they ",p:138,x:165,y:205,w:403,h:17},
{t:"later returned for ministry visits (Acts 14:21–22; ",p:138,x:165,y:216,w:374,h:32},
{t:"15:36).",p:138,x:165,y:250,w:54,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:138,x:150,y:262,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Timothy left his church in Lystra to join Paul’s team. ",p:138,x:165,y:262,w:406,h:32},
{t:"Church leaders in Lystra and Iconium concurred ",p:138,x:165,y:285,w:372,h:32},
{t:"(Acts 16:1–3).",p:138,x:165,y:319,w:109,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:138,x:150,y:330,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Paul left the church at Ephesus, where he had spent ",p:138,x:165,y:330,w:395,h:32},
{t:"three years, apparently never to return (Acts 20:25, ",p:138,x:165,y:353,w:392,h:32},
{t:"31).",p:138,x:165,y:387,w:30,h:17},
{t:"Let’s go back to the scene of the ship moving away from the ",p:138,x:120,y:422,w:454,h:32},
{t:"quayside with brothers and sisters on the ship and shore feeling ",p:138,x:90,y:456,w:484,h:17},
{t:"powerfully aware of their oneness in Christ. They were also ",p:138,x:90,y:478,w:485,h:17},
{t:"keenly aware of their differences. The ship team was called of ",p:138,x:90,y:501,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God to move on to the next port city. The local believers were ",p:138,x:90,y:524,w:484,h:17},
{t:"called of God to remain behind to conserve and mature the fruit ",p:138,x:90,y:547,w:484,h:17},
{t:"born in their home city, catalyzed by the ship team. Both of these ",p:138,x:90,y:558,w:484,h:32},
{t:"roles are crucial and of God. How foolish and wrong it would ",p:138,x:90,y:592,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be to compare one unfavorably with the other, as though one is ",p:138,x:90,y:615,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more valid or important than the other. Such attitudes wound the ",p:138,x:90,y:627,w:484,h:32},
{t:"body of Christ.",p:138,x:90,y:661,w:114,h:17},
{t:"“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. ",p:138,x:120,y:684,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Now neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but ",p:138,x:90,y:706,w:484,h:17},
{t:"only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor. 3:6–7).",p:138,x:90,y:718,w:386,h:32},
{t:"Monastic Buildings",p:138,x:251,y:775,w:156,h:17},
{t:"In many cases, monastic movements preserved in their ",p:138,x:120,y:820,w:454,h:17},
{t:"buildings a picture of the relationship between the church and ",p:138,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the mission structure. From Iona, a small island off the western ",p:138,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:139,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"146",p:139,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"coast of present day Scotland, Celtic Christians launched a ",p:139,x:90,y:80,w:485,h:32},
{t:"missionary movement in the sixth century that resulted in the ",p:139,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"evangelization of much of what is today the north of England ",p:139,x:90,y:125,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and parts of continental Europe.",p:139,x:90,y:148,w:243,h:32},
{t:"If you visit Iona today, you can see the architectural remains ",p:139,x:120,y:182,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of a design that physically models the structural relationship of ",p:139,x:90,y:205,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the local church and the mission/apostolic ministry. The areas ",p:139,x:90,y:228,w:484,h:17},
{t:"where the monks lived and carried out their ministry are attached ",p:139,x:90,y:250,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to the church building.",p:139,x:90,y:273,w:172,h:17},
{t:"What does this arrangement tell us? Those engaged in the ",p:139,x:120,y:296,w:454,h:17},
{t:"apostolic ministry were fully integrated into the fellowship of a ",p:139,x:90,y:319,w:484,h:17},
{t:"local church. They were there when the church assembled. They ",p:139,x:90,y:342,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ministered there. The church fellowship ministered to them. They ",p:139,x:90,y:364,w:484,h:17},
{t:"were an integral part of the church’s life. But during the week, ",p:139,x:90,y:376,w:484,h:32},
{t:"they worked in their own arenas and organizational structures, and ",p:139,x:90,y:410,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the church members worked in their arenas, whether as farmer, ",p:139,x:90,y:433,w:484,h:17},
{t:"artisan, or merchant.",p:139,x:90,y:456,w:156,h:17},
{t:"With respect to the church, the mission structure allowed for",p:139,x:120,y:478,w:449,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:139,x:150,y:513,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Seamless fellowship",p:139,x:164,y:513,w:155,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:139,x:150,y:536,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Separate ministry",p:139,x:164,y:536,w:133,h:32},
{t:"New Testament apostolic teams were",p:139,x:120,y:592,w:282,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:139,x:150,y:627,w:11,h:32},
{t:"One with the local church in relationship",p:139,x:164,y:627,w:310,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:139,x:150,y:650,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Different from the local church in purpose",p:139,x:164,y:650,w:321,h:32},
{t:"Today, much of our confusion in this area is caused by the ",p:139,x:120,y:706,w:454,h:17},
{t:"fact that we are not ",p:139,x:90,y:729,w:177,h:17},
{t:"clear on the difference ",p:139,x:90,y:752,w:178,h:17},
{t:"between community ",p:139,x:90,y:775,w:178,h:17},
{t:"and structure. The body ",p:139,x:90,y:798,w:177,h:17},
{t:"of Christ in the New ",p:139,x:90,y:820,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Testament was one ",p:139,x:90,y:843,w:178,h:17},
{t:"community with two ",p:139,x:90,y:866,w:178,h:17},
{t:"structures.",p:139,x:90,y:889,w:78,h:17},
{t:"The body of Christ in ",p:139,x:331,y:762,w:189,h:20},
{t:"the New Testament was ",p:139,x:317,y:784,w:218,h:20},
{t:"one community with two ",p:139,x:316,y:806,w:220,h:20},
{t:"structures.",p:139,x:376,y:828,w:93,h:20},
{t:"APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES",p:140,x:308,y:59,w:261,h:10},
{t:"147",p:140,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Paul’s apostolic teams were called to a different kind of ",p:140,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministry than the local church. God called the apostolic teams ",p:140,x:89,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to work that was different but fully complementary to the work ",p:140,x:89,y:136,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the local church. Its components included:",p:140,x:89,y:159,w:342,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:140,x:150,y:194,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Initiation:  Paul and his companions were directed ",p:140,x:165,y:205,w:387,h:17},
{t:"by God to preach the gospel to Europeans for the ",p:140,x:165,y:216,w:377,h:32},
{t:"frst time (Acts 16:10).",p:140,x:165,y:239,w:173,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:140,x:150,y:262,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Laying of foundations:  Paul invested himself in ",p:140,x:165,y:273,w:370,h:17},
{t:"establishing the church at Ephesus; from there the ",p:140,x:165,y:285,w:384,h:32},
{t:"whole province of Asia was reached (Acts 20:20; ",p:140,x:165,y:308,w:378,h:32},
{t:"19:10).",p:140,x:165,y:330,w:54,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:140,x:150,y:353,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Repairing of foundations:  Paul corrected ",p:140,x:165,y:364,w:319,h:17},
{t:"inaccuracies that were generated by another apostle, ",p:140,x:165,y:387,w:400,h:17},
{t:"Peter (Gal. 2:11–13).",p:140,x:165,y:410,w:159,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:140,x:150,y:422,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Oversight:  Paul, along with other team members, ",p:140,x:165,y:433,w:383,h:17},
{t:"exercised gracious, relationship-based oversight of ",p:140,x:165,y:456,w:390,h:17},
{t:"groups of churches (Acts 18:18–23).",p:140,x:165,y:467,w:278,h:32},
{t:"Paul’s teams were called primarily to kingdom extension, ",p:140,x:120,y:524,w:454,h:17},
{t:"whereas the local church was called primarily to kingdom ",p:140,x:90,y:547,w:484,h:17},
{t:"consolidation. Paul’s teams were apostolic in essence, while local ",p:140,x:90,y:570,w:484,h:17},
{t:"churches are pastoral in essence.",p:140,x:90,y:592,w:247,h:17},
{t:"These distinctions are not absolute. Apostolic leaders minister ",p:140,x:120,y:615,w:454,h:17},
{t:"pastorally. Apostles—Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, and others—",p:140,x:90,y:638,w:479,h:17},
{t:"presented all the teaching concerning pastoral ministry in the ",p:140,x:90,y:661,w:484,h:17},
{t:"New Testament. And a local church can be a garden in which ",p:140,x:90,y:684,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the Holy Spirit plants apostolic calling. This is a core message ",p:140,x:90,y:695,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of this book!",p:140,x:90,y:729,w:97,h:17},
{t:"But we all can’t do everything with equal intensity. The ",p:140,x:120,y:741,w:454,h:32},
{t:"body of Christ is diverse. Our individual callings and giftings ",p:140,x:90,y:764,w:484,h:32},
{t:"are diverse. This is God’s magnifcent design.",p:140,x:90,y:786,w:346,h:32},
{t:"Paul’s apostolic teams were a different kind of organizational ",p:140,x:120,y:820,w:454,h:17},
{t:"structure than a local church.",p:140,x:89,y:843,w:225,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:141,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"148",p:141,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"• ",p:141,x:150,y:80,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They made their own decisions, led by the Holy ",p:141,x:164,y:80,w:369,h:32},
{t:"Spirit, regarding what their movements and tasks ",p:141,x:165,y:102,w:377,h:32},
{t:"were to be (Acts 16:6–10).",p:141,x:165,y:125,w:203,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:141,x:150,y:148,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They were responsible for their own funding. They ",p:141,x:164,y:148,w:392,h:32},
{t:"worked at trades and received gifts (Phil. 4:14–19).",p:141,x:165,y:182,w:389,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:141,x:150,y:194,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They did their own recruiting, in collaboration with ",p:141,x:164,y:194,w:396,h:32},
{t:"the appropriate church leaders (Acts 16:1–3).",p:141,x:165,y:228,w:344,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:141,x:150,y:239,w:11,h:32},
{t:"They operated in a broad and diverse geographic ",p:141,x:164,y:239,w:375,h:32},
{t:"area (2 Tim. 4:9–13).",p:141,x:165,y:273,w:160,h:17},
{t:"The motivation behind local church organization is primarily ",p:141,x:120,y:319,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to nurture and provide stability for the members. The apostolic ",p:141,x:90,y:342,w:484,h:17},
{t:"motivation is to create organizational structures for the purpose ",p:141,x:90,y:364,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of accomplishing tasks, particularly ones that take place in far-",p:141,x:90,y:387,w:480,h:17},
{t:"away locations and are focused beyond the life and perspective ",p:141,x:90,y:410,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the home community. Paul’s apostolic teams enjoyed strong ",p:141,x:90,y:433,w:484,h:17},
{t:"relational ties with the church in Antioch, which released them. ",p:141,x:90,y:456,w:484,h:17},
{t:"But in some ways they had a distinct ethos and structure:",p:141,x:90,y:467,w:432,h:32},
{t:"The church at Antioch ",p:141,x:90,y:524,w:186,h:17},
{t:"Paul’s team",p:141,x:333,y:524,w:94,h:17},
{t:"Designed to be stationary ",p:141,x:90,y:547,w:198,h:17},
{t:"Designed to be mobile",p:141,x:333,y:547,w:171,h:17},
{t:"Focused on local issues ",p:141,x:90,y:570,w:183,h:17},
{t:"Focused on cross-cultural ",p:141,x:333,y:570,w:199,h:17},
{t:"issues",p:141,x:90,y:592,w:45,h:17},
{t:"Valued stability ",p:141,x:90,y:615,w:123,h:17},
{t:"Valued advance, even if risky",p:141,x:333,y:615,w:224,h:17},
{t:"Wanted to grow where it was ",p:141,x:90,y:638,w:226,h:17},
{t:"Wanted to go to new locations",p:141,x:333,y:638,w:230,h:17},
{t:"Financed by its members ",p:141,x:90,y:661,w:195,h:17},
{t:"Responsible for its own ",p:141,x:333,y:661,w:184,h:17},
{t:"fnance ",p:141,x:90,y:672,w:59,h:32},
{t:"Led by God through its leaders ",p:141,x:333,y:672,w:240,h:32},
{t:"Led by God through its leaders",p:141,x:90,y:695,w:235,h:32},
{t:"Linked with the team spiritually Linked with the church ",p:141,x:90,y:718,w:432,h:32},
{t:"spiritually",p:141,x:333,y:752,w:77,h:17},
{t:"Although we are looking at two kinds of structures, we see no ",p:141,x:120,y:798,w:454,h:17},
{t:"hint in the New Testament that they felt anything but affrmation ",p:141,x:90,y:809,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and support for each other. They were equal, mutually valued ",p:141,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"partners in the work of Christ’s kingdom. The church at Antioch ",p:141,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"found that most of its energies were absorbed in the local work. ",p:141,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It rejoiced that there were leaders like Paul and Barnabas, who ",p:141,x:90,y:900,w:484,h:32},
{t:"APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES",p:142,x:308,y:59,w:261,h:10},
{t:"149",p:142,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"were called and gifted by God to extend the kingdom among the ",p:142,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Gentiles. And Paul and his team, likewise, were deeply thankful ",p:142,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for the pastoral leaders in Antioch, whose faithful ministry freed ",p:142,x:90,y:136,w:484,h:17},
{t:"them to pioneer the kingdom in new areas.",p:142,x:90,y:159,w:324,h:17},
{t:"Implications for Local Churches Today",p:142,x:171,y:205,w:317,h:17},
{t:"As a local church discovers the Holy Spirit moving them ",p:142,x:120,y:239,w:454,h:32},
{t:"toward a strategic focus in global mission, it is crucial for them ",p:142,x:90,y:273,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to recognize this as apostolic-type ministry. Remember, apostolic ",p:142,x:90,y:296,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ministry is released through apostolic structures.",p:142,x:90,y:319,w:368,h:17},
{t:"The church faces three options: (1) develop a relationship ",p:142,x:120,y:342,w:454,h:17},
{t:"with an existing mission organization through which the church ",p:142,x:90,y:364,w:484,h:17},
{t:"can express its apostolic initiative, (2) develop a new organization ",p:142,x:90,y:387,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to serve as the apostolic structure, or (3) some combination of ",p:142,x:90,y:410,w:484,h:17},
{t:"these two.",p:142,x:90,y:433,w:77,h:17},
{t:"Benefts of a church partnering with an existing mission ",p:142,x:120,y:444,w:454,h:32},
{t:"organization:",p:142,x:90,y:478,w:99,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:513,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The organizational structure is already in place.",p:142,x:164,y:513,w:361,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:536,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The government already recognizes it as a charity.",p:142,x:164,y:536,w:381,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:558,w:11,h:32},
{t:"A process for receiving and managing funds is in place.",p:142,x:164,y:558,w:405,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:581,w:11,h:32},
{t:"There is expertise in travel arrangements, visa ",p:142,x:164,y:581,w:409,h:32},
{t:"requirements, etc.",p:142,x:165,y:615,w:135,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:627,w:11,h:32},
{t:"There is experience in cross-cultural ministry.",p:142,x:164,y:627,w:348,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:650,w:11,h:32},
{t:"There is help connecting with others in the target area.",p:142,x:164,y:650,w:405,h:32},
{t:"Areas to be addressed:",p:142,x:120,y:706,w:171,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:741,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Is there compatibility of ethos between church and ",p:142,x:164,y:741,w:409,h:32},
{t:"organization?",p:142,x:165,y:775,w:103,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:786,w:11,h:32},
{t:"How will the two establish effective communication?",p:142,x:164,y:786,w:405,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:809,w:11,h:32},
{t:"How will decisions be made? By whom? Through what ",p:142,x:164,y:809,w:409,h:32},
{t:"process?",p:142,x:165,y:843,w:65,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:855,w:11,h:32},
{t:"How will ownership of the church’s vision be ",p:142,x:164,y:855,w:409,h:32},
{t:"preserved?",p:142,x:165,y:889,w:82,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:142,x:150,y:900,w:11,h:32},
{t:"How will the leadership of the church and the ",p:142,x:164,y:900,w:409,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:143,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"150",p:143,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"organization interface?",p:143,x:165,y:91,w:174,h:17},
{t:"Benefts of a church developing a new organization:",p:143,x:120,y:125,w:395,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:171,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The church may feel more authentic ownership of the ",p:143,x:164,y:171,w:409,h:32},
{t:"mission.",p:143,x:165,y:205,w:63,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:216,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Businesspeople, lawyers, accountants, etc. will fnd a ",p:143,x:164,y:216,w:409,h:32},
{t:"role.",p:143,x:165,y:250,w:34,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:262,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Issues of compatibility and ethos are easily addressed.",p:143,x:164,y:262,w:405,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:285,w:11,h:32},
{t:"This structure can start small and grow as needed.",p:143,x:164,y:285,w:379,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:308,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Communication between the church and the structure ",p:143,x:164,y:308,w:409,h:32},
{t:"is simplifed.",p:143,x:165,y:330,w:98,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:353,w:11,h:32},
{t:"The church will develop expertise in cross-cultural ",p:143,x:164,y:353,w:410,h:32},
{t:"ministry.",p:143,x:165,y:387,w:66,h:17},
{t:"Areas to be addressed:",p:143,x:120,y:433,w:171,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:467,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Developing a partnership with at least one mission ",p:143,x:164,y:467,w:409,h:32},
{t:"organization.",p:143,x:165,y:501,w:99,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:513,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Being proactive in learning cross-cultural realities.",p:143,x:164,y:513,w:385,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:536,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Connecting effectively with other organizations and ",p:143,x:164,y:536,w:409,h:32},
{t:"partnerships.",p:143,x:165,y:570,w:97,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:581,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Including people on the board with experience outside ",p:143,x:164,y:581,w:409,h:32},
{t:"the church.",p:143,x:165,y:615,w:84,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:627,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Not sending workers to the target culture until the ",p:143,x:164,y:627,w:409,h:32},
{t:"church is ready.",p:143,x:165,y:661,w:119,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:143,x:150,y:672,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Sustaining costly cross-cultural ministry long term.",p:143,x:164,y:672,w:389,h:32},
{t:"Implications for Mission Organizations Today",p:143,x:143,y:729,w:372,h:17},
{t:"How can people in mission organizations learn to work more ",p:143,x:120,y:775,w:454,h:17},
{t:"effectively with local churches?",p:143,x:90,y:798,w:241,h:17},
{t:"I went to India as a missionary when I was twenty-six years ",p:143,x:120,y:820,w:454,h:17},
{t:"old. It soon became clear that, for the most part, the gospel would ",p:143,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spread across India through my Indian brothers and sisters, not ",p:143,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through me. If I were going to have a meaningful role, it would ",p:143,x:90,y:889,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be because they invited me to have one with them.",p:143,x:90,y:912,w:384,h:17},
{t:"APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES",p:144,x:308,y:59,w:261,h:10},
{t:"151",p:144,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"The skills missionaries ",p:144,x:323,y:517,w:206,h:20},
{t:"must learn to relate ",p:144,x:338,y:539,w:176,h:20},
{t:"effectively to the culture ",p:144,x:319,y:561,w:214,h:20},
{t:"they serve are the same ",p:144,x:318,y:583,w:216,h:20},
{t:"skills needed to relate ",p:144,x:327,y:605,w:198,h:20},
{t:"effectively to the local ",p:144,x:329,y:627,w:194,h:20},
{t:"church.",p:144,x:391,y:649,w:64,h:20},
{t:"What would free them to allow me to have such a role? In a ",p:144,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"word, attitude. I would have to be among them as a servant, to ",p:144,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"communicate a deep respect for them, their country, their culture, ",p:144,x:90,y:136,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and their hopes and dreams. And to communicate that respect, I ",p:144,x:90,y:159,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had to have that respect at the deepest levels of my being. It was ",p:144,x:90,y:182,w:484,h:17},
{t:"far more than a communication issue. It was a heart issue.",p:144,x:90,y:205,w:440,h:17},
{t:"I would have to lay aside all I had been socialized to believe ",p:144,x:120,y:228,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and feel about being an American—the idea that “America is ",p:144,x:90,y:250,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the greatest country in the world.” If I believed that, it would ",p:144,x:90,y:273,w:484,h:17},
{t:"come out. No. I was a citizen of heaven, called by Jesus to be ",p:144,x:90,y:296,w:484,h:17},
{t:"his servant. That was so much higher. It was not that I had to ",p:144,x:90,y:319,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be disrespectful to my country. Absolutely not. God decides our ",p:144,x:90,y:342,w:484,h:17},
{t:"country of origin. And it was not that I did not have God-given ",p:144,x:90,y:364,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gifts to offer the people of India. I did.",p:144,x:90,y:387,w:291,h:17},
{t:"But in order to be able to share those things, the people of ",p:144,x:120,y:399,w:454,h:32},
{t:"India had to extend the invitation to me. And in order for them ",p:144,x:90,y:433,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to do that, they had to trust my heart. And in order for them ",p:144,x:90,y:456,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to be able to trust my ",p:144,x:90,y:478,w:177,h:17},
{t:"heart, they had to be ",p:144,x:90,y:501,w:177,h:17},
{t:"able to see my heart, ",p:144,x:90,y:524,w:178,h:17},
{t:"revealed in my actions ",p:144,x:90,y:547,w:178,h:17},
{t:"as we shared ",p:144,x:90,y:570,w:135,h:17},
{t:"life ",p:144,x:231,y:570,w:36,h:17},
{t:"together. Trust has to be ",p:144,x:90,y:592,w:178,h:17},
{t:"earned, and that takes ",p:144,x:90,y:615,w:178,h:17},
{t:"time and investment. ",p:144,x:90,y:638,w:178,h:17},
{t:"These things are well ",p:144,x:90,y:661,w:178,h:17},
{t:"known among effective ",p:144,x:90,y:684,w:178,h:17},
{t:"missionaries.",p:144,x:90,y:706,w:99,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:145,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"152",p:145,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"What Is the Process for Missionaries to ",p:145,x:171,y:114,w:321,h:17},
{t:"Connect with the Local Church? ",p:145,x:197,y:136,w:269,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:90,y:170,w:11,h:32},
{t:"We allow the Lord to cleanse us from all attitudes of ",p:145,x:120,y:171,w:454,h:32},
{t:"superiority, the belief that we are the experts and the church ",p:145,x:120,y:205,w:454,h:17},
{t:"is not.",p:145,x:120,y:228,w:46,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:90,y:239,w:11,h:32},
{t:"We biblically and authentically learn a high view of the ",p:145,x:120,y:250,w:454,h:17},
{t:"church. We go as a learner with the attitude of a servant, ",p:145,x:120,y:273,w:454,h:17},
{t:"humility, and respect.",p:145,x:120,y:296,w:163,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:90,y:308,w:11,h:32},
{t:"We recognize that the church has strengths we do not in the ",p:145,x:120,y:308,w:454,h:32},
{t:"areas of spiritual gifting and life experience. These strengths ",p:145,x:120,y:342,w:454,h:17},
{t:"are urgently required in the work of mission. (This does not ",p:145,x:120,y:364,w:454,h:17},
{t:"reduce the strengths we have been given. As we honor the ",p:145,x:120,y:387,w:454,h:17},
{t:"church, we free the church to honor us. This opens the way ",p:145,x:120,y:410,w:454,h:17},
{t:"for mutual enrichment.)",p:145,x:120,y:433,w:180,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:90,y:444,w:11,h:32},
{t:"We must be free of all ulterior motives. We cannot use the ",p:145,x:120,y:444,w:454,h:32},
{t:"church to advance our ministry or our organization. Self-",p:145,x:120,y:467,w:450,h:32},
{t:"serving motivation will show through. We go in the spirit of ",p:145,x:120,y:501,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the kingdom of God.",p:145,x:120,y:524,w:158,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:90,y:535,w:11,h:32},
{t:"When we encounter areas in which the church is not yet ",p:145,x:120,y:547,w:454,h:17},
{t:"mature, which we surely will, we learn to respond in a mature ",p:145,x:120,y:570,w:454,h:17},
{t:"way. We become part of the solution.",p:145,x:120,y:592,w:281,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:90,y:604,w:11,h:32},
{t:"We grow to understand that being grafted into a local church ",p:145,x:120,y:615,w:454,h:17},
{t:"will pay big dividends. If we will be serving cross-culturally ",p:145,x:120,y:638,w:454,h:17},
{t:"for an extended time, we will need a spiritual, emotional, and ",p:145,x:120,y:661,w:454,h:17},
{t:"fnancial support base:",p:145,x:120,y:672,w:170,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:150,y:718,w:11,h:32},
{t:"This will take effort on our parts, ",p:145,x:180,y:729,w:256,h:17},
{t:"especially in light of demanding travel ",p:145,x:180,y:752,w:297,h:17},
{t:"schedules. It might slow us down, but ",p:145,x:180,y:775,w:291,h:17},
{t:"it will make us much more effective. Is ",p:145,x:180,y:798,w:302,h:17},
{t:"our goal to get to the feld as quickly as ",p:145,x:180,y:809,w:303,h:32},
{t:"possible or to be effective there for the ",p:145,x:180,y:843,w:298,h:17},
{t:"long haul?",p:145,x:180,y:866,w:79,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:145,x:150,y:878,w:11,h:32},
{t:"It will give us a frst-hand understanding ",p:145,x:180,y:878,w:312,h:32},
{t:"of local church life. How can one who ",p:145,x:180,y:912,w:296,h:17},
{t:"APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES",p:146,x:308,y:59,w:261,h:10},
{t:"153",p:146,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"has never been a vital part of a church ",p:146,x:180,y:91,w:293,h:17},
{t:"be effective in planting churches cross-",p:146,x:180,y:114,w:297,h:17},
{t:"culturally?",p:146,x:180,y:136,w:81,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:146,x:150,y:148,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Learning the ways of the local church ",p:146,x:180,y:148,w:291,h:32},
{t:"is equally as important as learning the ",p:146,x:180,y:182,w:292,h:17},
{t:"language and culture of our target people. ",p:146,x:180,y:205,w:321,h:17},
{t:"We should be willing to invest as much ",p:146,x:180,y:228,w:303,h:17},
{t:"time with it as we do preparing for the ",p:146,x:180,y:250,w:296,h:17},
{t:"target people.",p:146,x:180,y:273,w:103,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:146,x:150,y:285,w:11,h:32},
{t:"Learning to submit to a local church is a ",p:146,x:180,y:285,w:310,h:32},
{t:"process that forms the human sprit toward ",p:146,x:180,y:319,w:324,h:17},
{t:"the likeness of Jesus.",p:146,x:180,y:342,w:159,h:17},
{t:"Learning to relate to the local church in a godly way is not ",p:146,x:120,y:376,w:454,h:32},
{t:"just a structure issue. It is a character issue.",p:146,x:89,y:410,w:328,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:147,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"154",p:147,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and ",p:147,x:125,y:236,w:413,h:18},
{t:"so became the father of many nations. (Rom. ",p:147,x:139,y:260,w:385,h:18},
{t:"4:18)",p:147,x:308,y:284,w:43,h:18},
{t:"God is calling us to believe him for the impossible. ",p:147,x:146,y:375,w:377,h:16},
{t:"He is the Creator. He is omnipotent. Nothing is impos-",p:147,x:116,y:397,w:399,h:16},
{t:"sible for him. But the world is lost. The forces of hell are ",p:147,x:116,y:419,w:418,h:16},
{t:"arrayed against God, against his Son, and against his ",p:147,x:116,y:441,w:399,h:16},
{t:"Church. Entire nations are imprisoned behind walls of ",p:147,x:116,y:463,w:403,h:16},
{t:"spiritual darkness. This is unacceptable. The Church must ",p:147,x:116,y:485,w:431,h:16},
{t:"stand up and say no!",p:147,x:116,y:507,w:152,h:16},
{t:"We look at ourselves. We look at our world through ",p:147,x:146,y:551,w:380,h:16},
{t:"the perspectives and value systems that we have allowed ",p:147,x:116,y:573,w:419,h:16},
{t:"our society to form in us. We look with human eyes and ",p:147,x:116,y:595,w:409,h:16},
{t:"humanistic thinking. We limit reality to what seems ratio-",p:147,x:116,y:617,w:419,h:16},
{t:"nal. And we are afraid and cannot believe.",p:147,x:116,y:639,w:312,h:16},
{t:"God is calling us, in every word of Scripture, to a ",p:147,x:146,y:683,w:366,h:16},
{t:"radically different viewpoint. He is calling us to real real-",p:147,x:116,y:705,w:423,h:16},
{t:"ity, his reality. He is showing himself as the God of the ",p:147,x:116,y:727,w:403,h:16},
{t:"impossible and the God of grace who works the impos-",p:147,x:116,y:749,w:403,h:16},
{t:"sible through the weak, the frail, and the vulnerable. He ",p:147,x:116,y:771,w:415,h:16},
{t:"is calling us to a passion for the impossible.",p:147,x:116,y:793,w:322,h:16},
{t:"155",p:148,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 14",p:148,x:271,y:110,w:116,h:32},
{t:"A Call to Faith",p:148,x:224,y:148,w:211,h:29},
{t:"God is calling his Church to believe him for the ",p:148,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"impossible. God is calling us to trust him to work beyond the ",p:148,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"borders where human rationale would say we must stop. Look ",p:148,x:90,y:417,w:484,h:32},
{t:"at what the Holy Spirit can cram into just fve verses in Hebrews ",p:148,x:90,y:440,w:484,h:32},
{t:"11:8–12.",p:148,x:90,y:463,w:66,h:32},
{t:"What Does It Look Like When God Calls His Servants?",p:148,x:101,y:521,w:455,h:17},
{t:"God called Abraham. Biblical faith is always a response to ",p:148,x:120,y:555,w:454,h:32},
{t:"God’s initiative—a scriptural promise, a set of circumstances, ",p:148,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"or an inner sense of God’s calling. It is not rooted in self-will. ",p:148,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It is a response of humble obedience. Magic is man trying to ",p:148,x:90,y:636,w:484,h:17},
{t:"manipulate the supernatural for his own selfsh ends. Man is ",p:148,x:90,y:647,w:484,h:32},
{t:"front and center. That is not faith.",p:148,x:90,y:682,w:256,h:17},
{t:"Faith is God’s design. It is his way of revealing himself and ",p:148,x:119,y:705,w:454,h:17},
{t:"manifesting his power in the affairs of men. The human never ",p:148,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"gets the attention or receives the credit. The sense is always ",p:148,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that “This is the hand of God.” If the end result is that man is ",p:148,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"honored, it is not faith or God.",p:148,x:90,y:797,w:233,h:17},
{t:"God has called his Church to the nations. All authority in ",p:148,x:119,y:820,w:454,h:17},
{t:"heaven and earth has been given to Jesus. He has promised to ",p:148,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be with us always. God has taken the initiative. He awaits our ",p:148,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"humble and obedient response.",p:148,x:90,y:889,w:237,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:149,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"156",p:149,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"God called Abraham to go. God calls us from a place that ",p:149,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"feels secure (although in our will, it is actually very insecure) to ",p:149,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a place that feels insecure (although in God’s will, it is totally ",p:149,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"secure).",p:149,x:90,y:160,w:60,h:17},
{t:"God’s call to India is still fresh in my memory. One particular ",p:149,x:119,y:172,w:454,h:32},
{t:"chapel service stands out to me. I was in theological seminary. ",p:149,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I was grappling with ",p:149,x:90,y:229,w:178,h:17},
{t:"God ’s call. On the ",p:149,x:90,y:241,w:178,h:32},
{t:"one hand, I loved my ",p:149,x:90,y:275,w:178,h:17},
{t:"studies, my books, ",p:149,x:90,y:298,w:178,h:17},
{t:"and the recognition I ",p:149,x:90,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"was getting as a good ",p:149,x:90,y:344,w:179,h:17},
{t:"student. On the other ",p:149,x:90,y:356,w:179,h:32},
{t:"hand, my heart was cold and empty, and I was experiencing a ",p:149,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"deep hunger for more of God. And God was calling. In the chapel ",p:149,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"service, we sang a hymn that includes these lines:",p:149,x:90,y:436,w:380,h:17},
{t:"We may trust Him fully all for us to do.",p:149,x:120,y:482,w:302,h:17},
{t:"They who trust Him wholly fnd Him wholly true8 ",p:149,x:119,y:494,w:387,h:32},
{t:"I was learning Greek, Hebrew, and theology. But I had never ",p:149,x:119,y:540,w:454,h:32},
{t:"been in a place where all I had was God. I had never forsaken ",p:149,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all. I was a Christian, but I had retained ultimate control of my ",p:149,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"affairs. I remember tears streaming down my face as I walked ",p:149,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"out of that service. I knew in my heart I had decided to trust him ",p:149,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wholly.",p:149,x:90,y:666,w:56,h:17},
{t:"I spent the next fve years in India. They were years of ",p:149,x:119,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"uncertainty. It seemed there was never any money. I traveled ",p:149,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more than half of the time, visiting itinerant evangelistic teams. ",p:149,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I often slept on a train station platform or along the side the road. ",p:149,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"I could easily carry everything I owned with me.",p:149,x:90,y:781,w:373,h:17},
{t:"These were some of the most wonderful, fruitful, fulflling ",p:149,x:119,y:793,w:454,h:32},
{t:"years of my life. God formed me in foundational ways. I learned ",p:149,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"tons more from my Indian brothers and sisters than they ever ",p:149,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"learned from me. And God gave me my wife. All I had was God, ",p:149,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and I experienced frsthand that he is all I need.",p:149,x:90,y:885,w:363,h:32},
{t:"God called Abraham to a place he would later receive. ",p:149,x:120,y:919,w:454,h:17},
{t:"God calls us from a place ",p:149,x:312,y:271,w:227,h:20},
{t:"that feels secure to a place ",p:149,x:306,y:293,w:240,h:20},
{t:"that feels insecure.",p:149,x:340,y:315,w:166,h:20},
{t:"A CALL TO FAITH",p:150,x:469,y:59,w:100,h:10},
{t:"157",p:150,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"It is one thing to trust God ",p:150,x:309,y:530,w:233,h:20},
{t:"in a moment. It is quite an-",p:150,x:306,y:552,w:234,h:20},
{t:"other to live out that trust ",p:150,x:312,y:574,w:227,h:20},
{t:"day after day, year after ",p:150,x:315,y:596,w:222,h:20},
{t:"year.",p:150,x:401,y:618,w:45,h:20},
{t:"There almost always seems to be a time gap between when we ",p:150,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"respond in faith and when we receive that for which God called ",p:150,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"us to trust him. The gap is God’s time for confrmation. It is one ",p:150,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"thing to trust God in a moment. It is quite another to live out that ",p:150,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trust day after day, year after year. There were twenty-fve years ",p:150,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"between the time God promised Abraham and Sarah a son and ",p:150,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the birth of Isaac.",p:150,x:90,y:229,w:134,h:17},
{t:"We say we trust him. How do we know? How deep does it ",p:150,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"go? “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way ",p:150,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in ",p:150,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"order to know what was in your heart” (Deut. 8:2).",p:150,x:90,y:310,w:389,h:32},
{t:"God called Abraham to a place he would later receive as his ",p:150,x:120,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"inheritance. What kind of inheritance has real, enduring value?",p:150,x:90,y:367,w:480,h:17},
{t:"Today we live in the midst of great material wealth. We are ",p:150,x:119,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"regularly encouraged to plan for our retirement, to write our ",p:150,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wills, and to form our trusts. It is a “wise” person who makes ",p:150,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"provision for his or her legacy to be passed along. Many are ",p:150,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"anticipating the day they will receive a material inheritance.",p:150,x:90,y:482,w:459,h:17},
{t:"When God called ",p:150,x:119,y:505,w:148,h:17},
{t:"me to lay aside further ",p:150,x:90,y:528,w:178,h:17},
{t:"studies and go to India, ",p:150,x:90,y:551,w:178,h:17},
{t:"I had an older man ",p:150,x:90,y:574,w:178,h:17},
{t:"in my life who was a ",p:150,x:90,y:597,w:178,h:17},
{t:"cherished friend. He ",p:150,x:90,y:620,w:178,h:17},
{t:"was outwardly very ",p:150,x:90,y:643,w:178,h:17},
{t:"successful. He saw real ",p:150,x:90,y:666,w:178,h:17},
{t:"potential in me. He ",p:150,x:90,y:689,w:178,h:17},
{t:"spoke of leaving me an inheritance. Then I made my decision ",p:150,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to go to India. It made no sense to him. He thought that to leave ",p:150,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"my studies and abandon future success in order to go to India ",p:150,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was the epitome of irresponsibility. We drifted apart.",p:150,x:90,y:781,w:402,h:17},
{t:"He died some thirty years later. He died alone. He may ",p:150,x:119,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"have died from loneliness. He died surrounded by the fruits of ",p:150,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"selfshness. His will was a written record of the vindictiveness ",p:150,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of his soul. Now, a short time later, it is as though the memory ",p:150,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of his life has already been swept from the earth. Where is the ",p:150,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meaningful legacy? Money and success could not establish it.",p:150,x:90,y:919,w:473,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:151,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"158",p:151,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"I remember when Mother Teresa of Calcutta died. She ",p:151,x:119,y:80,w:454,h:32},
{t:"was a European Christian living in predominantly Hindu and ",p:151,x:90,y:103,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Muslim India. She died in poverty. She held no claim to wealth, ",p:151,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"social standing, or power. But all India mourned her death and ",p:151,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"celebrated her life. Her legacy is written in the lives of millions. ",p:151,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"She received an inheritance from God through her simple ",p:151,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"obedience of faith that will endure for generations.",p:151,x:90,y:229,w:388,h:17},
{t:"God is calling the Church to a lasting inheritance. It is an ",p:151,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"inheritance woven into human history because it is deposited into ",p:151,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"human lives. It is an inheritance established through the humble, ",p:151,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"obedient response to the call of God. It is an inheritance where ",p:151,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people say, “I have received from God through him or her.”",p:151,x:90,y:344,w:456,h:17},
{t:"Unreached peoples are waiting for the next generation of ",p:151,x:119,y:356,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Mother Teresas to bring them the gospel of the kingdom. When ",p:151,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"those who are called of God respond in humble obedience and ",p:151,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"faith, forsaking all to follow God’s call, God will free them from ",p:151,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the deception of reputation and riches and give them a precious ",p:151,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and lasting inheritance, a “city with foundations, whose architect ",p:151,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).",p:151,x:90,y:494,w:257,h:32},
{t:"By faith Abraham obeyed and went. Faith and obedience ",p:151,x:120,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"are two sides of the same coin, impossible to separate. Only the ",p:151,x:90,y:540,w:484,h:32},
{t:"one who believes can obey; only the one who obeys can believe. ",p:151,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Faith will be expressed by obedience or it will quickly wither. ",p:151,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Obedience can only come from faith; otherwise, it will come ",p:151,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"from self-effort and ",p:151,x:90,y:643,w:178,h:17},
{t:"will quickly exhaust its ",p:151,x:90,y:666,w:178,h:17},
{t:"energy.",p:151,x:90,y:689,w:55,h:17},
{t:"Giving only verbal ",p:151,x:119,y:712,w:148,h:17},
{t:"assent to the call and ",p:151,x:90,y:735,w:178,h:17},
{t:"commands of God ",p:151,x:90,y:758,w:178,h:17},
{t:"is what Jesus called ",p:151,x:90,y:781,w:178,h:17},
{t:"hypocrisy. It is like ",p:151,x:90,y:804,w:178,h:17},
{t:"taking a part in a play ",p:151,x:90,y:827,w:178,h:17},
{t:"and learning the lines ",p:151,x:90,y:850,w:178,h:17},
{t:"of a character that is not us. That is okay for the theater. But ",p:151,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"when life becomes performing a role that is not who we are on ",p:151,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Faith and obedience are ",p:151,x:317,y:669,w:218,h:20},
{t:"two sides of the same coin, ",p:151,x:304,y:691,w:243,h:20},
{t:"impossible to separate. ",p:151,x:322,y:713,w:208,h:20},
{t:"Only the one who believes ",p:151,x:308,y:735,w:235,h:20},
{t:"can obey; only the one ",p:151,x:325,y:757,w:202,h:20},
{t:"who obeys can believe.",p:151,x:322,y:779,w:203,h:20},
{t:"A CALL TO FAITH",p:152,x:469,y:59,w:100,h:10},
{t:"159",p:152,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"We father our Ishmaels and ",p:152,x:117,y:557,w:250,h:20},
{t:"ask God to accept them in ",p:152,x:126,y:579,w:233,h:20},
{t:"place of that for which he is ",p:152,x:118,y:601,w:248,h:20},
{t:"calling us to trust him.",p:152,x:142,y:625,w:195,h:21},
{t:"the inside, we become a shell. This is not the life to which God ",p:152,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has called us. This is not Christianity.",p:152,x:90,y:114,w:286,h:17},
{t:"Disobedience is death; it is like drinking poison. Obedience ",p:152,x:119,y:126,w:454,h:32},
{t:"is life; it is the way of fullness and fulfllment. It was the way ",p:152,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Abraham walked. Not perfectly. Abraham, although known as the ",p:152,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"father of all who live by faith, at times struggled and felt defeated ",p:152,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"(Rom. 4:11–12). But, in the end, he believed and obeyed. That ",p:152,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"is what God is calling us to do.",p:152,x:90,y:252,w:237,h:17},
{t:"By faith Abraham, in God’s way and time, was given ",p:152,x:120,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. “Abraham fell ",p:152,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"facedown; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born ",p:152,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age ",p:152,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of ninety?’ And Abraham said to God, ‘If only Ishmael might ",p:152,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"live under your blessing!’” (Gen. 17:17–18).",p:152,x:90,y:379,w:342,h:32},
{t:"We are like Abraham. We father our Ishmaels and ask God ",p:152,x:119,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"to accept them in place of that for which he is calling us to ",p:152,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trust him. Our Ishmaels represent our self-will, our impatience, ",p:152,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"our wish for control. We try to manipulate God and ask him to ",p:152,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cooperate with us. He won’t. He waits until we are ready to let ",p:152,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"go and trust him fully.",p:152,x:401,y:528,w:168,h:17},
{t:"After Abraham ",p:152,x:450,y:551,w:124,h:17},
{t:"had gone through his ",p:152,x:401,y:574,w:173,h:17},
{t:"struggles of faith, ",p:152,x:403,y:597,w:171,h:17},
{t:"after he had doubted, ",p:152,x:403,y:620,w:171,h:17},
{t:"after he had passed ",p:152,x:403,y:643,w:171,h:17},
{t:"Sarah off as his sister, ",p:152,x:403,y:655,w:171,h:32},
{t:"after he had fathered ",p:152,x:403,y:689,w:171,h:17},
{t:"Ishmael out of unbelief and disobedience, and after twenty-fve ",p:152,x:89,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"years, when he fnally came to the point of rest and surrender, ",p:152,x:89,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"we read these words:",p:152,x:89,y:758,w:161,h:17},
{t:"“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and ",p:152,x:119,y:770,w:454,h:32},
{t:"the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became ",p:152,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very ",p:152,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"time God had promised him” (Gen. 21:1–2).",p:152,x:90,y:850,w:340,h:17},
{t:"God is waiting. He is waiting to pour forth his grace, his ",p:152,x:120,y:873,w:454,h:17},
{t:"power, and his blessing. He is waiting to do the impossible among ",p:152,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:153,x:88,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"160",p:153,x:88,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"unreached peoples. He is ready to hear our prayers, send forth ",p:153,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"workers, break the power of darkness, and manifest his kingdom ",p:153,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"among men. He does not want to, and will not, do this without ",p:153,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"us.",p:153,x:90,y:160,w:21,h:17},
{t:"“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became ",p:153,x:119,y:183,w:454,h:17},
{t:"the father of many nations” (Rom. 4:18).",p:153,x:90,y:195,w:313,h:32},
{t:"8Frances R. Havergal, “Like a River Glorious,” frst published in ",p:153,x:91,y:864,w:434,h:21},
{t:"Hymns of Consecration and Faith, 1876. Public Domain. Music by ",p:153,x:90,y:890,w:452,h:15},
{t:"James Mountain. Music copyright Marshal, Morgan and Scott. ",p:153,x:90,y:910,w:422,h:15},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:154,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"162",p:154,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was ",p:154,x:127,y:109,w:409,h:18},
{t:"earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5)",p:154,x:137,y:133,w:384,h:18},
{t:"Prayer is one of the most delightful, fulflling, heal-",p:154,x:146,y:196,w:376,h:24},
{t:"ing, and meaningful experiences available to human ",p:154,x:116,y:224,w:389,h:16},
{t:"beings. It is two-way communication with God—our ",p:154,x:116,y:246,w:388,h:16},
{t:"benefactor, Creator, and Father. It is the environment for ",p:154,x:116,y:268,w:420,h:16},
{t:"which we were designed, as a fsh is for water. It is an ",p:154,x:116,y:284,w:399,h:24},
{t:"activity that can be easily learned from others and prac-",p:154,x:116,y:312,w:413,h:16},
{t:"ticed with them. This is one reason why churches are such ",p:154,x:116,y:334,w:429,h:16},
{t:"wonderful contexts for powerful, Spirit-energized prayer ",p:154,x:116,y:356,w:419,h:16},
{t:"movements. People can pray together!",p:154,x:116,y:378,w:282,h:16},
{t:"There is a sense in which being with God and learn-",p:154,x:146,y:422,w:383,h:16},
{t:"ing his heart makes us rebellious. We learn that entire na-",p:154,x:116,y:444,w:424,h:16},
{t:"tions remain without the gospel, shaking their fsts at God ",p:154,x:116,y:460,w:428,h:24},
{t:"and his Church, and something within us rises up and ",p:154,x:116,y:488,w:399,h:16},
{t:"says, “This must be changed!” That is visceral motivation ",p:154,x:116,y:510,w:431,h:16},
{t:"for focused, extended, committed, corporate intercession. ",p:154,x:116,y:532,w:424,h:16},
{t:"We join with our brothers and sisters in Christ to say, “O ",p:154,x:116,y:554,w:423,h:16},
{t:"God, for your glory, tear down that spiritual wall!”",p:154,x:116,y:576,w:377,h:16},
{t:"No pursuit of God’s design for local churches in glob-",p:154,x:146,y:620,w:395,h:16},
{t:"al mission would be adequate without a call to prayer. ",p:154,x:116,y:642,w:402,h:16},
{t:"Prayer paves the way for kingdom advance like nothing ",p:154,x:116,y:664,w:413,h:16},
{t:"else. And because the local church is local, its members ",p:154,x:116,y:686,w:413,h:16},
{t:"have the chance to pray for extended periods together. ",p:154,x:116,y:708,w:403,h:16},
{t:"There is power in individual prayer in the prayer closet. ",p:154,x:116,y:730,w:416,h:16},
{t:"There is also awesome power in intercession with oth-",p:154,x:116,y:752,w:397,h:16},
{t:"ers in the congregation. Prayer, from genuinely humble ",p:154,x:116,y:774,w:410,h:16},
{t:"hearts, bound in the unity of the Spirit, flled with faith ",p:154,x:116,y:790,w:403,h:24},
{t:"and love, is the engine of kingdom advance.",p:154,x:116,y:818,w:321,h:16},
{t:"163",p:155,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 15",p:155,x:271,y:104,w:116,h:32},
{t:"A Call to Corporate Prayer",p:155,x:132,y:142,w:394,h:29},
{t:"Nations of the world that have been sealed in spiritual ",p:155,x:150,y:353,w:424,h:48},
{t:"darkness for centuries are in that condition for a reason. They ",p:155,x:89,y:400,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are not going to be penetrated for God’s kingdom just because ",p:155,x:89,y:423,w:484,h:17},
{t:"we are enthusiastic about doing so. They are held hostage by ",p:155,x:89,y:446,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual forces that can only be broken by the power of God. ",p:155,x:89,y:469,w:484,h:17},
{t:"And there is the sense in which God waits to release his power ",p:155,x:89,y:492,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in new dimensions until his people are ready. There is hardly a ",p:155,x:89,y:515,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more genuine expression of the Church’s desire for God’s glory ",p:155,x:89,y:538,w:484,h:17},
{t:"than for us to set aside extended periods for humble, believing, ",p:155,x:89,y:561,w:484,h:17},
{t:"disciplined, God-honoring prayer.",p:155,x:89,y:584,w:259,h:17},
{t:"This chapter is a call for us to carve out of our schedules ",p:155,x:119,y:607,w:454,h:17},
{t:"extended periods for corporate prayer. I am well aware that we ",p:155,x:90,y:630,w:484,h:17},
{t:"all feel there is no time to do ",p:155,x:90,y:653,w:229,h:17},
{t:"this. But as we, motivated by ",p:155,x:90,y:664,w:229,h:32},
{t:"faith and obedience, make the ",p:155,x:90,y:699,w:229,h:17},
{t:"necessary choices in our days ",p:155,x:90,y:722,w:229,h:17},
{t:"and weeks to allocate time to ",p:155,x:90,y:745,w:229,h:17},
{t:"this, we fnd God arranges for ",p:155,x:90,y:756,w:229,h:32},
{t:"the things we need to get done. ",p:155,x:90,y:791,w:229,h:17},
{t:"And in the process, we are ",p:155,x:90,y:814,w:229,h:17},
{t:"refreshed, renewed, taught, ",p:155,x:90,y:837,w:229,h:17},
{t:"and empowered in the inner ",p:155,x:90,y:860,w:228,h:17},
{t:"person. It takes time to know ",p:155,x:90,y:883,w:228,h:17},
{t:"God, to hear his voice, and to ",p:155,x:90,y:906,w:228,h:17},
{t:"There is hardly ",p:155,x:381,y:671,w:138,h:20},
{t:"a more genuine ",p:155,x:380,y:693,w:140,h:20},
{t:"expression of the ",p:155,x:373,y:715,w:154,h:20},
{t:"Church’s desire for ",p:155,x:364,y:737,w:172,h:20},
{t:"God’s glory than ",p:155,x:375,y:759,w:151,h:20},
{t:"for us to set aside ",p:155,x:369,y:781,w:162,h:20},
{t:"extended periods for ",p:155,x:358,y:803,w:185,h:20},
{t:"humble, believing, ",p:155,x:368,y:825,w:164,h:20},
{t:"disciplined, God-",p:155,x:374,y:847,w:147,h:20},
{t:"honoring prayer.",p:155,x:375,y:869,w:145,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:156,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"164",p:156,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"intercede for all nations, especially for the nation(s) our church ",p:156,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is ministering among.",p:156,x:90,y:114,w:173,h:17},
{t:"What Is the Basis of Our Call to Extended ",p:156,x:157,y:160,w:349,h:17},
{t:"Periods of Prayer?",p:156,x:253,y:183,w:153,h:17},
{t:"The example of men and women of God in the Old Testament. ",p:156,x:120,y:229,w:454,h:17},
{t:"When Moses needed to receive instructions from God, he spent ",p:156,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"forty days and forty nights on Mt. Sinai (Deut. 9:9). When ",p:156,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"David’s enemies pursued him, he repeatedly sought the presence ",p:156,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of God. When Elijah was called to bring revival to Israel, he ",p:156,x:90,y:310,w:484,h:32},
{t:"went alone to Mt. Carmel and heard God’s still, small voice. It ",p:156,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is diffcult to point to a single man or woman of God in the Old ",p:156,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Testament who was not a man or woman of extended periods ",p:156,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of prayer.",p:156,x:90,y:413,w:73,h:17},
{t:"The teaching of the Old Testament. “This is what the Lord ",p:156,x:120,y:425,w:454,h:32},
{t:"says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and ",p:156,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"established it...‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you ",p:156,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"great and unsearchable things you do not know’” (Jer. 33:2–3). ",p:156,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"We fnd a multitude of Old Testament passages on prayer. Men ",p:156,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and women of God in the Old Testament taught what they lived.",p:156,x:90,y:540,w:480,h:32},
{t:"The example of Jesus. Early in his ministry, Jesus arose early ",p:156,x:120,y:563,w:454,h:32},
{t:"in order to give himself to prayer (Mark 1:35). The night before ",p:156,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he named his disciples, he spent the whole night in prayer (Luke ",p:156,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"6:12). When his death was hours away, he retreated to a quiet ",p:156,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"place to pray and urged his disciples to pray with him (Matt ",p:156,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"26:36–46). Jesus was a man given to extended prayer.",p:156,x:90,y:689,w:413,h:17},
{t:"The teaching of Jesus. Jesus taught often on prayer. ",p:156,x:120,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"“Ask [keep on asking] ",p:156,x:90,y:735,w:178,h:17},
{t:"and it will be given ",p:156,x:90,y:758,w:178,h:17},
{t:"to you; seek [keep on ",p:156,x:90,y:770,w:178,h:32},
{t:"seeking] and you will ",p:156,x:90,y:804,w:178,h:17},
{t:"find; knock [keep on ",p:156,x:90,y:816,w:178,h:32},
{t:"knocking] and the door ",p:156,x:90,y:850,w:178,h:17},
{t:"will be opened to you” ",p:156,x:90,y:873,w:178,h:17},
{t:"(Matt. 7:7). He taught ",p:156,x:90,y:885,w:178,h:32},
{t:"Jesus taught his disciples ",p:156,x:309,y:765,w:233,h:20},
{t:"to pray by taking them ",p:156,x:323,y:787,w:205,h:20},
{t:"with him into prayer. He ",p:156,x:316,y:809,w:219,h:20},
{t:"taught what he lived.",p:156,x:330,y:831,w:187,h:20},
{t:"A CALL TO CORPORATE PRAYER",p:157,x:381,y:59,w:188,h:10},
{t:"165",p:157,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"his disciples to pray by taking them with him into prayer. He ",p:157,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"taught what he lived.",p:157,x:90,y:114,w:160,h:17},
{t:"The example of the New Testament Church. One of the ",p:157,x:120,y:126,w:454,h:32},
{t:"spontaneous activities of the new church formed at Pentecost was ",p:157,x:89,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prayer (Acts 2:42). When the Church faced its earliest seasons of ",p:157,x:89,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"persecution, Acts tells us its instinctual response was extended ",p:157,x:89,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"corporate prayer (Acts 4:23, 12:5). As the Church grew, the ",p:157,x:89,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"apostles appointed deacons to take on more of the administrative ",p:157,x:89,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"load so they could give themselves to prayer (Acts 6:4). It was ",p:157,x:89,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"during an extended season in prayer that God spoke to the leaders ",p:157,x:89,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the church at Antioch and indicated the time had come for ",p:157,x:89,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Saul and Barnabas to be set apart and sent among the Gentiles ",p:157,x:89,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"(Acts 13:1–3).",p:157,x:89,y:367,w:110,h:17},
{t:"The teaching of the New Testament Church. The teaching of ",p:157,x:123,y:390,w:451,h:17},
{t:"the New Testament Church emerged out of its life experience. ",p:157,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It is rich in the subject of prayer: “And pray in the Spirit on all ",p:157,x:90,y:425,w:484,h:32},
{t:"occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests” (Eph. 6:18).",p:157,x:90,y:448,w:463,h:32},
{t:"The example of men and women of God in Church and mis-",p:157,x:120,y:482,w:449,h:17},
{t:"sion history. Study the history of mission and the Church. Read ",p:157,x:90,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the writings of the Church fathers, the great devotional classics, ",p:157,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and diaries of kingdom pioneers. Wherever we look into our ",p:157,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritual heritage, wherever there has been life and vitality, there ",p:157,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"has been an understanding of the delight and power of prayer. ",p:157,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"One example comes from the diary of Hudson Taylor, one of ",p:157,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"God’s pioneers in ",p:157,x:90,y:643,w:156,h:17},
{t:"China who had a ",p:157,x:90,y:666,w:156,h:17},
{t:"profound infuence ",p:157,x:90,y:678,w:156,h:32},
{t:"on the modern mis-",p:157,x:90,y:712,w:153,h:17},
{t:"sionary movement.",p:157,x:90,y:735,w:146,h:17},
{t:"On Sunday, ",p:157,x:149,y:770,w:98,h:32},
{t:"June ",p:157,x:149,y:804,w:53,h:17},
{t:"25 , ",p:157,x:212,y:804,w:35,h:17},
{t:"1",p:157,x:149,y:816,w:9,h:32},
{t:"8",p:157,x:172,y:816,w:9,h:32},
{t:"6",p:157,x:194,y:816,w:9,h:32},
{t:"5",p:157,x:216,y:816,w:9,h:32},
{t:", ",p:157,x:238,y:816,w:9,h:32},
{t:"unable ",p:157,x:149,y:850,w:69,h:17},
{t:"to ",p:157,x:226,y:850,w:21,h:17},
{t:"bear the sight of a congregation of a thousand ",p:157,x:149,y:873,w:364,h:17},
{t:"or more Christian people rejoicing in their own ",p:157,x:149,y:896,w:364,h:17},
{t:"Wherever we look into our ",p:157,x:302,y:671,w:233,h:20},
{t:"spiritual heritage, wher-",p:157,x:311,y:693,w:211,h:20},
{t:"ever there has been life and ",p:157,x:294,y:715,w:250,h:20},
{t:"vitality, there has been an ",p:157,x:302,y:737,w:235,h:20},
{t:"understanding of the delight ",p:157,x:292,y:759,w:254,h:20},
{t:"and power of prayer.",p:157,x:324,y:781,w:184,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:158,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"166",p:158,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"security, while millions were perishing for lack ",p:158,x:150,y:91,w:364,h:17},
{t:"of knowledge, I wandered out on the sands ",p:158,x:150,y:114,w:364,h:17},
{t:"alone, in great spiritual agony, and there the ",p:158,x:150,y:137,w:365,h:17},
{t:"Lord conquered my unbelief, and I surrendered ",p:158,x:150,y:149,w:364,h:32},
{t:"myself to God for this service...There and then I ",p:158,x:150,y:183,w:364,h:17},
{t:"asked Him for twenty-four fellow-workers, two ",p:158,x:150,y:206,w:364,h:17},
{t:"for each of eleven inland provinces which were ",p:158,x:150,y:229,w:364,h:17},
{t:"without a missionary, and two for Mongolia; ",p:158,x:150,y:241,w:364,h:32},
{t:"and in writing the petition on the margin of the ",p:158,x:150,y:275,w:364,h:17},
{t:"Bible I had with me, I returned home with a heart ",p:158,x:150,y:287,w:364,h:32},
{t:"enjoying rest such as it had been a stranger to ",p:158,x:150,y:321,w:364,h:17},
{t:"for months...I had previously prayed, and asked ",p:158,x:150,y:344,w:364,h:17},
{t:"prayer, that workers might be raised up for the ",p:158,x:150,y:367,w:364,h:17},
{t:"eleven unoccupied provinces,...but had not ",p:158,x:150,y:390,w:364,h:17},
{t:"surrendered myself to be their leader.9  ",p:158,x:150,y:412,w:297,h:18},
{t:"The reality of spiritual warfare. Spiritual opposition to prayer ",p:158,x:119,y:448,w:454,h:32},
{t:"often makes prayer extremely diffcult. Regularly scheduled ",p:158,x:89,y:471,w:485,h:32},
{t:"times of prayer with others can be enormously helpful in breaking ",p:158,x:89,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through this opposition. There is power in united, believing ",p:158,x:89,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prayer, which we do not experience alone. The more we work, ",p:158,x:89,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and sense the futility of what we do from our own resources, ",p:158,x:89,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the more convinced we become that prayer is the most rational ",p:158,x:89,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"activity we can engage in. Only God can penetrate the enemy’s ",p:158,x:89,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"strongholds. ",p:158,x:89,y:643,w:99,h:17},
{t:"From the beginning of the ministry of the ship Logos, there ",p:158,x:119,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"was a certain country we especially wanted to visit. The country ",p:158,x:89,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was very unreached, and many of us had been praying for years ",p:158,x:89,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for God to work there. In this country, it was very diffcult to ",p:158,x:89,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"share Christ, and we wondered how we would get a ship there ",p:158,x:89,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that had one hundred and forty people from twenty different ",p:158,x:89,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"countries without attracting unwanted attention. Then, in the ",p:158,x:89,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ffth year of Logos’ ministry, our itinerary brought us into the ",p:158,x:89,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"region where this country is located.",p:158,x:89,y:850,w:278,h:17},
{t:"On the ship, we had daily times of prayer, and, once a week, ",p:158,x:119,y:862,w:454,h:32},
{t:"we had an extended half-night of prayer. For months, knowing ",p:158,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"A CALL TO CORPORATE PRAYER",p:159,x:381,y:59,w:188,h:10},
{t:"167",p:159,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"that we would be in the vicinity, we prayed that God would open ",p:159,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the door to visit. Prayer groups in many parts of the world joined ",p:159,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in this prayer effort. And God opened the door! In a very specifc ",p:159,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"answer to prayer, we received permission to visit for ten days! ",p:159,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Signifcant restrictions were placed on what we could do, but ",p:159,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"we wanted to visit so badly we were prepared to live with just ",p:159,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"about anything.",p:159,x:90,y:229,w:119,h:17},
{t:"The morning we were coming into the harbor, the pilot ",p:159,x:119,y:252,w:454,h:17},
{t:"bringing Logos into the berth collided with a local ferry. By the ",p:159,x:90,y:264,w:484,h:32},
{t:"time we reached the berth, Logos was impounded and unable to ",p:159,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"leave the country. We had prayed for so long that we would be ",p:159,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"able to visit, and now, all of a sudden, we were unable to leave! ",p:159,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Boy, did God know what he was doing or what?",p:159,x:90,y:356,w:369,h:32},
{t:"He gave us a month there. Quietly, through simple, ",p:159,x:119,y:390,w:454,h:17},
{t:"transparent, love-based friendships, local people came to learn ",p:159,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of the faith in Jesus shared by all of the ship’s company. I still ",p:159,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"remember the fnal Sunday. As the ship crew and staff gathered ",p:159,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"in the dining room for worship, local people who had made their ",p:159,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"way in found themselves in the presence of Jesus as he inhabited ",p:159,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the praises of his people. God had performed a miracle. He had ",p:159,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"taken a ship and over one hundred followers of Jesus into a very ",p:159,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"unreached place, manifested his glory, and brought individuals ",p:159,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to faith. The key was not the ship or an international community. ",p:159,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"They were the instruments. The key was prayer—extended, ",p:159,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"compassionate, faith-flled prayer—and a God full of mercy ",p:159,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and compassion, waiting to respond to the sincere prayers of ",p:159,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"his Church.",p:159,x:90,y:689,w:88,h:17},
{t:"Keeping us from seeking glory for ourselves. When a church ",p:159,x:120,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"becomes serious about prayer, it is a statement of humility and ",p:159,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"dependence. The fellowship is saying, “This is not our work ",p:159,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"but God’s. We are relying on him alone.” This attitude sets the ",p:159,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"stage for God to work. When the answers come, it is clear that ",p:159,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this is the hand of God. These works of God release worship, ",p:159,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"thanksgiving, and joy. Those who see what has really taken place ",p:159,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"spiritually reject any praise that comes to them. Glory belongs ",p:159,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to God alone.",p:159,x:90,y:896,w:103,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:160,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"168",p:160,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Months before God gave us the second of the Operation ",p:160,x:119,y:80,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Mobilization ships, the Doulos, we knew in our spirits that she ",p:160,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"would be coming. There had been four years of intensive, focused ",p:160,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prayer by so many. God had already provided much of the needed ",p:160,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"crew and staff. We started taking steps to move experienced ",p:160,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"crew members ashore to pray for the ship so that newer arrivals ",p:160,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"could gain experience on Logos. But we still lacked two crucial ",p:160,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"components: the actual ship that would become the Doulos and ",p:160,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"much of the money needed to buy her. And we could do little ",p:160,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"about either.",p:160,x:90,y:298,w:94,h:17},
{t:"Then God showed us the ship. It was the Franca C., ",p:160,x:119,y:321,w:454,h:17},
{t:"owned by an Italian frm headquartered in Genoa. It met our ",p:160,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"specifcations. I still remember when we saw her for the frst ",p:160,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"time. She was pulling into Venice for a brief stop on a Saturday ",p:160,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"morning in August. We went on board, were given a thorough ",p:160,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"tour, and ended our time by praying together at the forward ",p:160,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"end of the main lounge. I think we all shared an overwhelming ",p:160,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"feeling that this was God’s ship. I know I did.",p:160,x:90,y:482,w:349,h:17},
{t:"We still did not have all the money, but by faith our board ",p:160,x:119,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"made the decision to move forward with the purchase. As the ",p:160,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"time for closing the sale approached, we watched money come ",p:160,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"into our bank account from all over—Germany, Switzerland, ",p:160,x:90,y:563,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Sweden, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Holland, the United ",p:160,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"States, and other countries. It all had to be converted into U.S. ",p:160,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"dollars. Would there be enough?",p:160,x:90,y:643,w:247,h:17},
{t:"On the morning of the closing, we met with the owners. ",p:160,x:120,y:655,w:454,h:32},
{t:"After all transfers were tallied, we were $400 short! Several of ",p:160,x:90,y:678,w:484,h:32},
{t:"us stood around the table and reached into our pockets for our ",p:160,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wallets. I remember taking out the money I had for the return ",p:160,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"train fare to Germany and placing it on the table with other cash ",p:160,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people had. When we walked out of that offce, all we had was ",p:160,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"documentation that our company owned the Franca C. That was ",p:160,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"twenty-fve years ago. Since then, many millions of people have ",p:160,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"been touched through the ministry of the ship in hundreds of ",p:160,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ports. It all happened, not through clever people or sophisticated ",p:160,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"strategies, but because there is a God of grace and mercy who ",p:160,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"A CALL TO CORPORATE PRAYER",p:161,x:381,y:59,w:188,h:10},
{t:"169",p:161,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"moves mountains when ordinary, frail people pray. ",p:161,x:90,y:91,w:394,h:17},
{t:"Hearing God and sensing his heart together. Both individuals ",p:161,x:120,y:103,w:454,h:32},
{t:"and churches need to hear God, to feel his heart, and to receive ",p:161,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"his direction. Why don’t we hear God more often? Is he not ",p:161,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"speaking? Sometimes we need to mature in our ability to listen. ",p:161,x:90,y:172,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Listening takes time. We must learn how to do it, and we learn ",p:161,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"by practicing. There are inner barriers that need to be removed. ",p:161,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"When a group hears ",p:161,x:90,y:252,w:178,h:17},
{t:"God together, the result ",p:161,x:90,y:275,w:178,h:17},
{t:"is a shared experience ",p:161,x:90,y:298,w:178,h:17},
{t:"that produces focused, ",p:161,x:90,y:321,w:178,h:17},
{t:"unifed action.",p:161,x:90,y:333,w:107,h:32},
{t:"I am thinking of ",p:161,x:119,y:367,w:148,h:17},
{t:"a church ",p:161,x:90,y:390,w:88,h:17},
{t:"that was ",p:161,x:183,y:390,w:84,h:17},
{t:"preparing to send a ",p:161,x:90,y:413,w:178,h:17},
{t:"church planting team to ",p:161,x:90,y:436,w:178,h:17},
{t:"an unreached people group. In this case, the team was to be led ",p:161,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"by their senior pastor! God had used him to start the church and ",p:161,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to establish the members in the faith. Now it was God’s time for ",p:161,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"him to be sent out to do it again.",p:161,x:90,y:528,w:247,h:17},
{t:"The church had been in prayer over this for many months. ",p:161,x:119,y:551,w:454,h:17},
{t:"What unreached people group was God leading to? Who should ",p:161,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"go? What should be the strategy? How should the work be ",p:161,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"funded? Prayer extended down to more specifc practical needs ",p:161,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"like the provision of the initial housing the team would need. ",p:161,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The people of the church really owned this.",p:161,x:90,y:666,w:333,h:17},
{t:"I was in the church service one Sunday morning when the ",p:161,x:119,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"senior pastor reported to the congregation about his recent visit ",p:161,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to the target city. It was nearly time for the team to leave, and he ",p:161,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"had gone to fnd accommodations for them. He had only been ",p:161,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"able to have a week there. After a couple of days, things looked ",p:161,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"really hopeless. Then, through a very unlikely series of events, ",p:161,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the perfect place opened up. The team had the accommodations ",p:161,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"they needed not only to go but also to begin the work of church ",p:161,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"planting.",p:161,x:90,y:873,w:67,h:17},
{t:"The church was ecstatic. There was such a feeling of worship ",p:161,x:119,y:896,w:454,h:17},
{t:"When a group hears God ",p:161,x:314,y:289,w:224,h:20},
{t:"together, the result is a ",p:161,x:322,y:311,w:207,h:20},
{t:"shared experience that ",p:161,x:323,y:333,w:206,h:20},
{t:"produces focused, unifed ",p:161,x:311,y:355,w:231,h:20},
{t:"action.",p:161,x:394,y:377,w:58,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:162,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"170",p:162,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"for what God had done. The sense in this congregation was that ",p:162,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God had heard their prayers. The provision of the accommodation ",p:162,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was not only an answer to the prayers of the team but also to ",p:162,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the prayers of the church. Prayer had played a powerful role in ",p:162,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"giving the whole church ownership of the mission.",p:162,x:90,y:183,w:388,h:17},
{t:"Responding to all there is to pray about. In the busyness of ",p:162,x:120,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"life and ministry, many issues come at us for decision and action ",p:162,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"at a moment when there is little time to pray. Regular, scheduled ",p:162,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"sessions of group prayer provide the opportunity to saturate past ",p:162,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"actions, present dilemmas, and pending decisions with prayer. ",p:162,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There is awesome protection in entering into a season of activity ",p:162,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that has been saturated with believing prayer.",p:162,x:90,y:344,w:346,h:17},
{t:"Getting in tune with God. Am I in touch with the condition ",p:162,x:120,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of my heart? What things lurk there that the Holy Spirit wants to ",p:162,x:89,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"make me aware of? When do I bring these things to God for his ",p:162,x:89,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cleansing and renewal? What is the condition of my relationship ",p:162,x:89,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with my brother or sister? Is there corrective action I need to ",p:162,x:89,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"take? How is God leading me? Our church? Our team? What ",p:162,x:89,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"does God want to say to me, to us? Extended times in God’s ",p:162,x:89,y:494,w:484,h:32},
{t:"presence serve as planned opportunities to allow such interaction ",p:162,x:89,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"with God to take place.",p:162,x:89,y:551,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Practical Helps for Corporate Prayer",p:162,x:177,y:597,w:305,h:17},
{t:"Here are some practical keys for leading extended times of ",p:162,x:119,y:643,w:454,h:17},
{t:"group prayer:",p:162,x:90,y:666,w:103,h:17},
{t:"Balance intercession with worship. Intercession is work; it ",p:162,x:120,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"depletes us. Worship is refreshing and renewing; it restores us. ",p:162,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"God is raising up and anointing leaders of worship. Find them ",p:162,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and incorporate them into extended prayer times.",p:162,x:90,y:758,w:376,h:17},
{t:"Balance time spent giving requests with time spent in prayer. ",p:162,x:120,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"The danger is for talk and prayer requests to dominate. When this ",p:162,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"happens, the effectiveness of prayer times erodes. There is almost ",p:162,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"nothing the enemy hates more than prayer. If he can’t keep us ",p:162,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"from the prayer meeting, he will try to keep us from praying there. ",p:162,x:90,y:873,w:485,h:17},
{t:"A CALL TO CORPORATE PRAYER",p:163,x:381,y:59,w:188,h:10},
{t:"171",p:163,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Satan will contest a commitment to prayer. Talking with each ",p:163,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"other is not why we have come together. It doesn’t accomplish ",p:163,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"God’s work. Talking ",p:163,x:394,y:137,w:179,h:17},
{t:"with Jesus does.",p:163,x:396,y:160,w:124,h:17},
{t:"V a r y",p:163,x:450,y:183,w:55,h:17},
{t:"t",p:163,x:534,y:183,w:5,h:17},
{t:"h e ",p:163,x:545,y:183,w:28,h:17},
{t:"size of the group(s). ",p:163,x:396,y:206,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Depending on the size ",p:163,x:396,y:229,w:178,h:17},
{t:"of the total group, pray ",p:163,x:396,y:252,w:178,h:17},
{t:"at times all together, at ",p:163,x:396,y:275,w:178,h:17},
{t:"times in larger groups, ",p:163,x:396,y:298,w:178,h:17},
{t:"at times in smaller ",p:163,x:396,y:321,w:178,h:17},
{t:"groups, at times two by two, and at times as individuals. ",p:163,x:89,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Sameness kills.",p:163,x:89,y:356,w:118,h:32},
{t:"Ask people to pray short prayers in a loud voice. Sometimes ",p:163,x:120,y:379,w:454,h:32},
{t:"it is helpful to get people to stand. God does not have a short ",p:163,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"attention span, but some of our fellow prayers will. And God is ",p:163,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"not hard of hearing, but if the group is large, and if someone prays ",p:163,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in a soft voice with his head buried in his hands, others will not ",p:163,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"be able to join with him in prayer. It can be embarrassing when ",p:163,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"someone starts to pray while someone else is already praying.",p:163,x:90,y:528,w:473,h:17},
{t:"Encourage freedom in body positions. Kneeling is very ",p:163,x:120,y:540,w:454,h:32},
{t:"biblical, but it can become tiring after a while. We can also grow ",p:163,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"weary while sitting, but standing wakes us up. To pray while ",p:163,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"walking can be very good; encourage people to keep their eyes ",p:163,x:90,y:609,w:484,h:32},
{t:"open! Freedom to vary body positions helps to establish an ",p:163,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"atmosphere of informality and freedom. Encourage people to ",p:163,x:90,y:655,w:484,h:32},
{t:"take their shoes off if they desire.",p:163,x:90,y:689,w:255,h:17},
{t:"Have written-out, short prayer requests. Printed pages with ",p:163,x:120,y:712,w:454,h:17},
{t:"requests can achieve this, or requests can be projected onto the ",p:163,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"wall. When there are a lot of requests, smaller groups can each ",p:163,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"focus on a different set of requests so the group as a whole can ",p:163,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cover more territory.",p:163,x:90,y:804,w:157,h:17},
{t:"Consider a short fruit break. This is especially helpful for ",p:163,x:120,y:827,w:454,h:17},
{t:"extended prayer times late in the evening or through the night. A ",p:163,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"basket of apples can provide a real boost. There could be some ",p:163,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"for whom water, fruit juices, or even coffee might be helpful.",p:163,x:90,y:896,w:468,h:17},
{t:"There is almost nothing the ",p:163,x:117,y:160,w:243,h:20},
{t:"enemy hates more than ",p:163,x:132,y:182,w:212,h:20},
{t:"prayer. If he can’t keep us ",p:163,x:121,y:204,w:235,h:20},
{t:"from the prayer meeting, ",p:163,x:128,y:226,w:221,h:20},
{t:"he will try to keep us from ",p:163,x:121,y:248,w:234,h:20},
{t:"praying there.",p:163,x:174,y:270,w:123,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:164,x:88,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"172",p:164,x:88,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"9Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, eds., Perspectives on the ",p:164,x:90,y:889,w:466,h:15},
{t:"World Christian Movement (Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library, ",p:164,x:89,y:910,w:466,h:15},
{t:"Encourage people to share Bible verses. This can be done ",p:164,x:120,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"during another short break from prayer. You can suggest a theme, ",p:164,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"like prayer, faith, or verses that God has recently used to speak ",p:164,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to people. Encourage people to share any impressions or pictures ",p:164,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"they see as the prayer time goes on.",p:164,x:90,y:183,w:272,h:17},
{t:"“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask ",p:164,x:119,y:206,w:454,h:17},
{t:"whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my ",p:164,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:7–8).",p:164,x:90,y:241,w:426,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:165,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"174",p:165,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"I shall . . . devote myself to . . . that congregation ",p:165,x:135,y:116,w:394,h:18},
{t:"whose servant I became. . . . Under her protection, ",p:165,x:125,y:138,w:413,h:18},
{t:"enjoying her care, and infuenced by her spirit, ",p:165,x:139,y:148,w:386,h:34},
{t:"I shall go to distant nations who are ignorant of ",p:165,x:137,y:183,w:389,h:18},
{t:"Jesus.",p:165,x:305,y:206,w:48,h:18},
{t:"—Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf10",p:165,x:186,y:222,w:286,h:23},
{t:"We have so far considered a number of different ",p:165,x:144,y:271,w:339,h:15},
{t:"themes—God’s heart for all nations, the potential within ",p:165,x:114,y:291,w:398,h:15},
{t:"each individual, the power of Christian community, the ",p:165,x:114,y:311,w:389,h:15},
{t:"magnifcence of the local church, and the indispensable role ",p:165,x:114,y:322,w:425,h:28},
{t:"of apostolic ministry. We have taken a close look at faith and ",p:165,x:114,y:351,w:429,h:15},
{t:"prayer. Let’s now treat ourselves to a delightful account of ",p:165,x:114,y:371,w:411,h:15},
{t:"one Christian community whose story integrates all these ",p:165,x:114,y:391,w:406,h:15},
{t:"into a seamless and inspiring whole.",p:165,x:114,y:411,w:255,h:15},
{t:"Our English-speaking accounts of mission history ",p:165,x:174,y:451,w:353,h:15},
{t:"may not inform us about the Moravians, a group whose roots ",p:165,x:114,y:471,w:432,h:15},
{t:"go back to present-day Germany and the Czech Republic. ",p:165,x:114,y:491,w:407,h:15},
{t:"But a brief overview of their experience offers us a rich ",p:165,x:114,y:511,w:392,h:15},
{t:"perspective on how the gospel can be transplanted into other ",p:165,x:114,y:531,w:431,h:15},
{t:"cultures from a local church. The Moravians are a heart-",p:165,x:114,y:551,w:399,h:15},
{t:"warming example of what this book is all about.",p:165,x:114,y:571,w:336,h:15},
{t:"The Moravians were the frst Protestants to ",p:165,x:174,y:602,w:307,h:28},
{t:"put into practice the idea that the evan-",p:165,x:174,y:631,w:276,h:15},
{t:"gelization of the heathen is the duty of the ",p:165,x:174,y:651,w:297,h:15},
{t:"church as such. Hitherto it had been a part ",p:165,x:174,y:671,w:305,h:15},
{t:"of colonial policy, or had been espoused by ",p:165,x:174,y:691,w:307,h:15},
{t:"missionary societies. It was this concept, ",p:165,x:174,y:711,w:289,h:15},
{t:"carried out at the cost of blood, sweat, and ",p:165,x:174,y:731,w:304,h:15},
{t:"tears, that made the Moravian mission so ",p:165,x:174,y:751,w:294,h:15},
{t:"infuential. No church better illustrates the ",p:165,x:174,y:762,w:302,h:28},
{t:"total apostolate. —William J. Danker11 ",p:165,x:174,y:790,w:273,h:16},
{t:"Beginning in 1722, a church of six hundred people ",p:165,x:174,y:831,w:358,h:15},
{t:"matured into the most signifcant Protestant missionary ",p:165,x:114,y:842,w:391,h:28},
{t:"movement of the eighteenth century. How did they do it? ",p:165,x:114,y:871,w:399,h:15},
{t:"What were the keys?",p:165,x:114,y:891,w:143,h:15},
{t:"175",p:166,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 16",p:166,x:271,y:110,w:116,h:32},
{t:"The Moravians",p:166,x:219,y:148,w:221,h:29},
{t:"In 1722 a group of Moravian families began to emigrate ",p:166,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"out of their homeland in what is now the Czech Republic and ",p:166,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"settle on the estate of Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf in ",p:166,x:90,y:417,w:484,h:32},
{t:"the German province of Saxony. These Moravians were spiritual ",p:166,x:90,y:440,w:484,h:32},
{t:"descendants of the persecuted followers of John Hus, who had ",p:166,x:90,y:475,w:484,h:17},
{t:"been burned at the stake for his faith in Prague in 1415. They ",p:166,x:90,y:498,w:484,h:17},
{t:"belonged to a Protestant tradition that pre-dated Luther.",p:166,x:90,y:509,w:424,h:32},
{t:"Zinzendorf, a member of Europe’s high aristocracy, was born ",p:166,x:119,y:532,w:454,h:32},
{t:"in 1700. He was a member of the court of his native Saxony and ",p:166,x:90,y:555,w:484,h:32},
{t:"a cousin by marriage to the king of Denmark. At the age of ten, ",p:166,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"he was enrolled in the Paedagogium at Halle and came under ",p:166,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the infuence of August Hermann Francke and the Pietists, a ",p:166,x:90,y:624,w:484,h:32},
{t:"holiness movement among German Protestants.",p:166,x:90,y:659,w:365,h:17},
{t:"The East India mission had been started only four years ",p:166,x:119,y:670,w:454,h:32},
{t:"earlier, and Zinzendorf heard reports of what God was doing ",p:166,x:90,y:693,w:484,h:32},
{t:"beyond Europe. He even met some of the missionaries involved. ",p:166,x:90,y:716,w:485,h:32},
{t:"Francke oversaw many charitable institutions and business ",p:166,x:90,y:751,w:484,h:17},
{t:"enterprises and funded outreach through donations and business ",p:166,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ventures.",p:166,x:90,y:797,w:69,h:17},
{t:"Seeking a place in which to freely live out their life in ",p:166,x:119,y:808,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Christ, the Moravians established a village called Herrnhut, ",p:166,x:90,y:843,w:484,h:17},
{t:"meaning “(under) the Lord’s watch,” on land given to them by ",p:166,x:90,y:854,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Zinzendorf. There they built their homes and common buildings, ",p:166,x:90,y:877,w:485,h:32},
{t:"such as a church, a home for widows, places of business, etc. ",p:166,x:90,y:912,w:484,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:167,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"176",p:167,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"The community grew.",p:167,x:90,y:91,w:168,h:17},
{t:"In 1731 Zinzendorf attended the coronation of King Christian ",p:167,x:119,y:103,w:454,h:32},
{t:"VI of Denmark. There he met people from outside Europe who ",p:167,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"had never heard the name of Christ. Gripped with a sense of ",p:167,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"urgency to respond to this situation, he returned to Herrnhut ",p:167,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and shared with the church what had been impressed upon him. ",p:167,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Together they sought the Lord. Within a year, two craftsmen ",p:167,x:90,y:218,w:484,h:32},
{t:"from their group volunteered to take the gospel to peoples in ",p:167,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the West Indies.",p:167,x:90,y:275,w:122,h:17},
{t:"In 1732 the Moravians sent their frst missionary team to St. ",p:167,x:119,y:287,w:454,h:32},
{t:"Thomas in the Caribbean. In the next twenty years, teams were ",p:167,x:90,y:321,w:484,h:17},
{t:"sent to Greenland (1733), North America’s Indian territories ",p:167,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"(1734), Surinam (1735), South Africa (1736), the Samoyedic ",p:167,x:90,y:356,w:484,h:32},
{t:"peoples of the Artic (1737), Algiers and Sri Lanka 1740), China ",p:167,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"(1742), Persia (1747), and Abyssinia and Labrador (1752).12  ",p:167,x:90,y:402,w:466,h:32},
{t:"By the end of the frst decade of these mission initiatives, ",p:167,x:119,y:425,w:454,h:32},
{t:"seventy cross-cultural ",p:167,x:395,y:459,w:179,h:17},
{t:"witnesses had been ",p:167,x:395,y:482,w:179,h:17},
{t:"sent from a church ",p:167,x:395,y:505,w:179,h:17},
{t:"of six hundred. Fifty ",p:167,x:395,y:528,w:179,h:17},
{t:"years later, a total of ",p:167,x:395,y:551,w:179,h:17},
{t:"three hundred had been ",p:167,x:395,y:574,w:179,h:17},
{t:"sent out, more than all ",p:167,x:395,y:597,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Protestants before them ",p:167,x:395,y:620,w:179,h:17},
{t:"put together.13  ",p:167,x:395,y:642,w:113,h:18},
{t:"Awesome! What enabled them do it?",p:167,x:120,y:666,w:282,h:17},
{t:"Components of the Moravians’ Success ",p:167,x:170,y:712,w:323,h:17},
{t:"They shared a heritage of sacrifice. The Moravians’ ",p:167,x:120,y:758,w:454,h:17},
{t:"forefathers had been persecuted for their faith. Suffering was not ",p:167,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"strange or abnormal to them. Such experiences of God and his ",p:167,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"ways prepared them to follow the crucifed Jesus unconditionally ",p:167,x:90,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and to embrace the personal costs inherent in bringing him to ",p:167,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the nations. God had sovereignly prepared them for kingdom ",p:167,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fruitfulness.",p:167,x:90,y:896,w:92,h:17},
{t:"By the end of the frst ",p:167,x:140,y:482,w:196,h:20},
{t:"decade of the Moravian ",p:167,x:133,y:504,w:211,h:20},
{t:"mission initiatives, seventy ",p:167,x:117,y:526,w:243,h:20},
{t:"cross-cultural witnesses ",p:167,x:130,y:548,w:217,h:20},
{t:"had been sent from a ",p:167,x:142,y:570,w:192,h:20},
{t:"church of six hundred.",p:167,x:137,y:592,w:196,h:20},
{t:"THE MORAVIANS",p:168,x:470,y:59,w:99,h:10},
{t:"177",p:168,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Suffering is a normal part ",p:168,x:311,y:298,w:230,h:20},
{t:"of life when we become ",p:168,x:321,y:320,w:210,h:20},
{t:"a disciple of Jesus. He ",p:168,x:324,y:342,w:203,h:20},
{t:"teaches us that following ",p:168,x:313,y:364,w:225,h:20},
{t:"him involves leaving our ",p:168,x:317,y:386,w:217,h:20},
{t:"nets and taking up our ",p:168,x:323,y:408,w:205,h:20},
{t:"cross.",p:168,x:398,y:430,w:51,h:20},
{t:"Much of the Church today is formed by a culture of ",p:168,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"permissiveness. Any suggestion that restricts us from indulging ",p:168,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"whatever appetite we choose, whenever we choose, fills ",p:168,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"many with outrage. We are often blind to the destruction such ",p:168,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"conditioning brings to human lives, ours and others’.",p:168,x:90,y:183,w:405,h:17},
{t:"Such values have pervasively formed Christ’s Church. ",p:168,x:119,y:195,w:454,h:32},
{t:"They make Jesus’ call to follow him in the shadow of his ",p:168,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"cross sound unattractive, out of date, and irrelevant. They ",p:168,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"erode our capacity to ",p:168,x:90,y:275,w:178,h:17},
{t:"respond to our Master’s ",p:168,x:90,y:298,w:178,h:17},
{t:"“all nations” mandate. ",p:168,x:90,y:321,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Suffering is a normal ",p:168,x:90,y:333,w:178,h:32},
{t:"part of life when we ",p:168,x:90,y:367,w:178,h:17},
{t:"become a disciple of ",p:168,x:90,y:390,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Jesus. He teaches us ",p:168,x:90,y:413,w:179,h:17},
{t:"that following him ",p:168,x:90,y:436,w:179,h:17},
{t:"involves leaving our ",p:168,x:90,y:459,w:179,h:17},
{t:"nets and taking up our ",p:168,x:90,y:482,w:179,h:17},
{t:"cross.",p:168,x:90,y:505,w:44,h:17},
{t:"Along with suffering, he teaches us about life, joy, love, ",p:168,x:120,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"and intimacy with God. When we suffer for him, we look back ",p:168,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and think, “Whatever I have given up was nothing compared ",p:168,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to what I have found in him.” God is serious about the gospel ",p:168,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"being taken to every nation. To do it, he will raise up a people ",p:168,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"prepared to sacrifce.",p:168,x:90,y:632,w:160,h:32},
{t:"They shared a heritage of celebration. For the Moravians, ",p:168,x:120,y:666,w:454,h:17},
{t:"suffering produced not bitterness and self-pity but joy, ",p:168,x:89,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"thankfulness, and worship. The Lamb was worthy, and they ",p:168,x:89,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"needed to say so. They had already published the frst Protestant ",p:168,x:89,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"hymnal in 1501, years before Martin Luther tacked his Ninety-",p:168,x:89,y:747,w:480,h:32},
{t:"fve Theses on the castle church door at Wittenberg, and since ",p:168,x:89,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"then had produced a large collection of worship music. It is ",p:168,x:89,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"reported that during the commissioning service of the frst ",p:168,x:89,y:816,w:484,h:32},
{t:"missionary team, they sang one hundred hymns. Worship ",p:168,x:89,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"empowered everything they did—their prayers, their faith, their ",p:168,x:89,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"sacrifce, and their shared life.",p:168,x:89,y:885,w:230,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:169,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"178",p:169,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"As apostolic-type teams were sent forth from Herrnhut in ",p:169,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"increasing numbers, their global infuence grew. One of the most ",p:169,x:90,y:103,w:484,h:32},
{t:"fascinating examples of this was the impact they had on John ",p:169,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Wesley, which led him to fnd a personal faith in Christ. Wesley ",p:169,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"visited Herrnhut, and the following entry from his journal gives ",p:169,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a frsthand account of the atmosphere he found there:",p:169,x:90,y:195,w:407,h:32},
{t:"Today was the Intercession-day, when many ",p:169,x:149,y:252,w:364,h:17},
{t:"strangers were present, some of whom came ",p:169,x:149,y:275,w:364,h:17},
{t:"twenty or thirty miles. I would gladly have spent ",p:169,x:149,y:298,w:364,h:17},
{t:"my life here; but my Master, calling me to labor ",p:169,x:149,y:310,w:364,h:32},
{t:"in another part of his vineyard, on Monday, ",p:169,x:149,y:344,w:364,h:17},
{t:"August 14, 1738, I was constrained to take my ",p:169,x:149,y:356,w:364,h:32},
{t:"leave of this happy place...O when shall this ",p:169,x:149,y:379,w:364,h:32},
{t:"Christianity cover the earth as the “waters cover ",p:169,x:149,y:413,w:364,h:17},
{t:"the sea?”14 ",p:169,x:149,y:435,w:83,h:18},
{t:"They were gripped by an inner imperative that Christ be ",p:169,x:119,y:482,w:454,h:17},
{t:"made known among all peoples on earth. Their motivation for ",p:169,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"mission was not compulsion or guilt but worship and joy. Jesus ",p:169,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was worthy. It was inherently obvious that all nations must hear ",p:169,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of him and be given every opportunity to come to know, to love, ",p:169,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"to obey, and to worship him.",p:169,x:90,y:597,w:218,h:17},
{t:"As reports came back from the frst teams and as the church ",p:169,x:119,y:609,w:454,h:32},
{t:"realized doors were opening to the gospel, energy for what God ",p:169,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was doing spread throughout the community. Their worship ",p:169,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fueled their conviction that Christ could only be appropriately ",p:169,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"honored by receiving praise from every nation. Their twenty-",p:169,x:90,y:712,w:480,h:17},
{t:"four-hour prayer ministry deepened their sense of participating ",p:169,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in that a reality.",p:169,x:90,y:758,w:119,h:17},
{t:"This passion rested not just with those with a special interest ",p:169,x:119,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"in missions but fourished throughout the fellowship. It was ",p:169,x:90,y:793,w:484,h:32},
{t:"central to the experience of every person.",p:169,x:90,y:827,w:316,h:17},
{t:"They viewed God’s global mission as the responsibility of the ",p:169,x:120,y:850,w:454,h:17},
{t:"whole church. The whole church had received forgiveness and ",p:169,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"grace. The whole church loved the Savior. The whole church needed ",p:169,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"THE MORAVIANS",p:170,x:470,y:59,w:99,h:10},
{t:"179",p:170,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"a God-sized purpose beyond themselves in which they could ",p:170,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"invest themselves. ",p:170,x:90,y:114,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Why then shouldn’t ",p:170,x:90,y:137,w:178,h:17},
{t:"the whole church ",p:170,x:90,y:160,w:178,h:17},
{t:"embrace the privilege ",p:170,x:90,y:183,w:178,h:17},
{t:"of making him known ",p:170,x:90,y:206,w:178,h:17},
{t:"among all nations? This ",p:170,x:90,y:229,w:179,h:17},
{t:"understanding found ",p:170,x:90,y:252,w:179,h:17},
{t:"expression in every ",p:170,x:90,y:275,w:179,h:17},
{t:"aspect of life—in their ",p:170,x:90,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"worship, their prayer ",p:170,x:90,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"meetings, their family traditions, and their work.",p:170,x:90,y:344,w:372,h:17},
{t:"The more family members were sent forth, the more the ",p:170,x:119,y:367,w:454,h:17},
{t:"rest of the church felt ownership and responsibility to support ",p:170,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the group’s efforts. Herrnhut had developed an interdependent ",p:170,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"economy and social services structure, and those remaining ",p:170,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"behind had to step into responsibilities vacated by those going ",p:170,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"out. A wonderful example of this is how business enterprises ",p:170,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"became engines to fuel the missionary outreach.",p:170,x:90,y:505,w:368,h:17},
{t:"They did things together. The Moravians had built Herrnhut ",p:170,x:120,y:528,w:454,h:17},
{t:"together. They pursued their daily work together. If the ",p:170,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"community needed a certain trade, someone would take on ",p:170,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this responsibility for the sake of the group. They worshipped ",p:170,x:90,y:597,w:484,h:17},
{t:"together, prayed together, worked interdependently, and made ",p:170,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"decisions together.",p:170,x:90,y:643,w:142,h:17},
{t:"So when they began to send out cross-cultural witnesses, ",p:170,x:119,y:655,w:454,h:32},
{t:"it was natural for them to approach this together. The whole ",p:170,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"community joined ranks to make it possible to send out more. ",p:170,x:90,y:712,w:484,h:17},
{t:"And when witnesses were sent out, they were sent in teams. ",p:170,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"These Moravians understood the power of groups.",p:170,x:90,y:758,w:385,h:17},
{t:"They made no distinctions between clergy and laity. The ",p:170,x:120,y:781,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Moravians understood that every believer had a vocational ",p:170,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"calling from God and was to serve him and others in that ",p:170,x:90,y:827,w:485,h:17},
{t:"vocation. No calling was superior in God’s eyes over any other, ",p:170,x:90,y:850,w:484,h:17},
{t:"whether one served in Herrnhut or as a cross-cultural witness. ",p:170,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Everyone, not just a select few, was seen as a participant, a ",p:170,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"The Moravians’ worship ",p:170,x:317,y:150,w:217,h:21},
{t:"fueled their conviction ",p:170,x:327,y:172,w:197,h:20},
{t:"that Christ could only be ",p:170,x:315,y:194,w:221,h:20},
{t:"appropriately honored by ",p:170,x:312,y:216,w:227,h:20},
{t:"receiving praise from every ",p:170,x:305,y:238,w:242,h:20},
{t:"nation.",p:170,x:393,y:260,w:60,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:171,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"180",p:171,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"contributor. There were no spectators.",p:171,x:90,y:91,w:290,h:17},
{t:"The Moravians were a lay movement. When apostolic ",p:171,x:119,y:114,w:454,h:17},
{t:"teams were sent out, ",p:171,x:90,y:137,w:178,h:17},
{t:"it was anticipated ",p:171,x:90,y:160,w:178,h:17},
{t:"that members would ",p:171,x:90,y:183,w:178,h:17},
{t:"continue to work in ",p:171,x:90,y:206,w:178,h:17},
{t:"their trades. As the ",p:171,x:90,y:229,w:178,h:17},
{t:"mission movement ",p:171,x:90,y:252,w:179,h:17},
{t:"grew, more and more ",p:171,x:90,y:275,w:179,h:17},
{t:"business people were ",p:171,x:90,y:298,w:179,h:17},
{t:"sent along with those ",p:171,x:90,y:321,w:179,h:17},
{t:"who ",p:171,x:90,y:344,w:47,h:17},
{t:"focused on ",p:171,x:146,y:344,w:123,h:17},
{t:"evangelism. These would start businesses to fund themselves ",p:171,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and their other teammates.",p:171,x:90,y:390,w:203,h:17},
{t:"Business people developed enterprises to facilitate the ",p:171,x:120,y:413,w:454,h:17},
{t:"sending of more cross-cultural teams. This may have been one of ",p:171,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the most signifcant contributions made by the Moravians to the ",p:171,x:90,y:448,w:484,h:32},
{t:"worldwide cause of Christ. In our English-speaking tradition of ",p:171,x:90,y:471,w:484,h:32},
{t:"missions, we are familiar with the role of the missionary doctor ",p:171,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"or teacher. But the concept of the missionary businessman is ",p:171,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"foreign to us. It is not part of our tradition. Why?",p:171,x:90,y:551,w:375,h:17},
{t:"Business activities were developed at Herrnhut to help fund ",p:171,x:119,y:563,w:454,h:32},
{t:"mission activities. However committed to giving and sacrifcial ",p:171,x:90,y:586,w:484,h:32},
{t:"living they may be, there is a limit to what six hundred people can ",p:171,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"fund from their own resources. An expanding outreach requires ",p:171,x:90,y:643,w:484,h:17},
{t:"an expanding resource base.",p:171,x:90,y:666,w:216,h:17},
{t:"One example of this was Abraham Dürninger, a businessman ",p:171,x:119,y:678,w:454,h:32},
{t:"who came to Herrnhut seeking a spiritual home. In 1747 ",p:171,x:90,y:701,w:485,h:32},
{t:"Zinzendorf asked him to take over the community’s general ",p:171,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"store that was losing money. Over the next twenty-fve years, ",p:171,x:90,y:747,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Dürninger turned the store into a proft-making enterprise. ",p:171,x:90,y:770,w:484,h:32},
{t:"He further developed an international business complex that ",p:171,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"was engaged in manufacturing as well as wholesale and retail ",p:171,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"commerce. Especially proftable was an international linen trade. ",p:171,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"From his profts, Dürninger turned over to church leadership ",p:171,x:90,y:862,w:484,h:32},
{t:"large sums of money for further outreach. International trade ",p:171,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"The Moravians were a lay ",p:171,x:309,y:171,w:233,h:20},
{t:"movement. When apostolic ",p:171,x:306,y:193,w:239,h:20},
{t:"teams were sent out, it ",p:171,x:323,y:215,w:206,h:20},
{t:"was fully anticipated that ",p:171,x:310,y:237,w:231,h:20},
{t:"members would continue ",p:171,x:313,y:259,w:225,h:20},
{t:"to work in their trades.",p:171,x:323,y:281,w:200,h:20},
{t:"THE MORAVIANS",p:172,x:470,y:59,w:99,h:10},
{t:"181",p:172,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"10 William J. Danker, Proft for the Lord: Economic Activities in Mora-",p:172,x:90,y:761,w:470,h:22},
{t:"vian Missions and the Basel Mission Trading Company (Grand Rapids: ",p:172,x:90,y:787,w:479,h:15},
{t:"Eerdmans, 1971) p. 16.",p:172,x:90,y:807,w:155,h:15},
{t:"11W. Carey Moore, ed., “Christian History,” Christian History Maga-",p:172,x:90,y:822,w:459,h:21},
{t:"zine 1, no. 1 (1982): 35.",p:172,x:90,y:847,w:159,h:15},
{t:"12Winter and Hawthorne, eds., Perspectives, p. 206.",p:172,x:91,y:866,w:343,h:15},
{t:"13W. Carey Moore, ed., “Christian History,” p. 18.",p:172,x:91,y:882,w:332,h:21},
{t:"14W. Carey Moore, ed., “Christian History,” p. 30.",p:172,x:91,y:902,w:332,h:21},
{t:"was funding international mission. Dürninger’s store is still in ",p:172,x:90,y:80,w:484,h:32},
{t:"business in Herrnhut today!",p:172,x:90,y:114,w:212,h:17},
{t:"They were committed to prayer. At Herrnhut, it was the ",p:172,x:120,y:137,w:454,h:17},
{t:"practice to begin the day with group prayer. On weekends, the ",p:172,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"church would gather to hear reports from teams and intercede on ",p:172,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"their behalf. As early as 1727, a round-the-clock prayer watch ",p:172,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"began that continued for one hundred years. They were sending ",p:172,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"members of their own ",p:172,x:90,y:252,w:216,h:17},
{t:"community, brothers and ",p:172,x:90,y:275,w:216,h:17},
{t:"sisters who were precious ",p:172,x:90,y:298,w:216,h:17},
{t:"to them, into some of the ",p:172,x:90,y:321,w:216,h:17},
{t:"darkest places on earth. ",p:172,x:90,y:344,w:216,h:17},
{t:"The enemy was not sitting ",p:172,x:90,y:367,w:216,h:17},
{t:"still and accepting all this ",p:172,x:90,y:390,w:216,h:17},
{t:"without challenging them on ",p:172,x:90,y:413,w:216,h:17},
{t:"every turn. What a powerful ",p:172,x:90,y:436,w:216,h:17},
{t:"component this commitment to prayer must have been to their ",p:172,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"overall mission success.",p:172,x:90,y:482,w:184,h:17},
{t:"The principles by which the Moravians lived and ministered ",p:172,x:119,y:505,w:455,h:17},
{t:"are principles God intends to be a normal part of every church. ",p:172,x:90,y:528,w:484,h:17},
{t:"That the Moravian experience is so unusual and inspirational to ",p:172,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"us is tragic. Why are these principles and practices not widely ",p:172,x:90,y:574,w:484,h:17},
{t:"known and experienced among us?",p:172,x:90,y:597,w:269,h:17},
{t:"What if a movement of ",p:172,x:343,y:274,w:202,h:20},
{t:"reproducing churches ",p:172,x:347,y:296,w:193,h:20},
{t:"like the eighteenth cen-",p:172,x:340,y:318,w:202,h:20},
{t:"tury Moravians were ",p:172,x:350,y:340,w:187,h:20},
{t:"catalyzed today?",p:172,x:366,y:362,w:150,h:20},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:173,x:89,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"182",p:173,x:89,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"We missionaries have bought the problem. But we ",p:173,x:116,y:166,w:431,h:18},
{t:"lack the resources required to solve the problem.",p:173,x:123,y:190,w:413,h:18},
{t:"—President of a mission organization",p:173,x:170,y:214,w:319,h:18},
{t:"After twenty years as a missionary, much of ",p:173,x:146,y:307,w:324,h:16},
{t:"which was spent as a senior leader of a large ",p:173,x:116,y:329,w:336,h:16},
{t:"mission organization, I was looking for answers. Our ",p:173,x:116,y:351,w:395,h:16},
{t:"organization faced awesome open doors for the gospel. ",p:173,x:116,y:373,w:410,h:16},
{t:"Yet it seemed that, in whatever direction we turned, ",p:173,x:116,y:395,w:380,h:16},
{t:"there was a corresponding dearth of resources. We ",p:173,x:116,y:417,w:375,h:16},
{t:"needed more workers, more expertise, more prayer, more ",p:173,x:116,y:439,w:422,h:16},
{t:"fnances, and more pastoral ministry. We needed more of ",p:173,x:116,y:454,w:420,h:24},
{t:"everything!",p:173,x:116,y:483,w:83,h:16},
{t:"God gave me a day with a colleague who was the ",p:173,x:146,y:527,w:367,h:16},
{t:"president of another highly respected large mission ",p:173,x:116,y:549,w:380,h:16},
{t:"organization. I knew our organization’s experience was ",p:173,x:116,y:571,w:410,h:16},
{t:"not unique—every mission agency faced the same reality. ",p:173,x:116,y:593,w:424,h:16},
{t:"As we sought answers together, he said to me, “You ",p:173,x:116,y:615,w:382,h:16},
{t:"know, George, world evangelization is a problem, and we ",p:173,x:116,y:637,w:426,h:16},
{t:"missionaries have bought the problem. But we lack the ",p:173,x:116,y:659,w:405,h:16},
{t:"resources required to solve the problem.” ",p:173,x:116,y:681,w:308,h:16},
{t:"“Our mistake,” he continued, “is that world ",p:173,x:146,y:725,w:330,h:16},
{t:"evangelization is not our problem alone. It is the ",p:173,x:116,y:747,w:360,h:16},
{t:"responsibility of the whole Church. And God has placed ",p:173,x:116,y:769,w:414,h:16},
{t:"a huge proportion of the resources required to solve this ",p:173,x:116,y:791,w:416,h:16},
{t:"problem in local churches.”",p:173,x:116,y:815,w:205,h:16},
{t:"183",p:174,x:550,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"Chapter 17",p:174,x:271,y:110,w:116,h:32},
{t:"Ownership",p:174,x:248,y:148,w:163,h:29},
{t:"In this chapter, I want to place before you six theses. ",p:174,x:150,y:359,w:424,h:48},
{t:"If we can agree on these, the ways in which we think about and ",p:174,x:90,y:406,w:484,h:17},
{t:"approach missions will be fundamentally altered.",p:174,x:90,y:429,w:376,h:17},
{t:"Six Theses of Ownership in Mission",p:174,x:184,y:475,w:290,h:17},
{t:"1. Starting churches among unreached peoples is the highest ",p:174,x:120,y:521,w:454,h:17},
{t:"priority for completing Christ’s Great Commission. Now the ",p:174,x:90,y:544,w:484,h:17},
{t:"minute I say that, I know some will hear me say, “Every Christian ",p:174,x:90,y:555,w:484,h:32},
{t:"should be planting churches among unreached peoples, and ",p:174,x:90,y:590,w:484,h:17},
{t:"anybody who is not doing that is a second-class Christian.” I ",p:174,x:90,y:613,w:484,h:17},
{t:"want to clarify: I do not mean that. I do not believe that.",p:174,x:90,y:636,w:429,h:17},
{t:"I want to validate, in the strongest possible terms, the ",p:174,x:119,y:659,w:454,h:17},
{t:"ministry passion that lies within each individual believer. Is it for ",p:174,x:90,y:682,w:485,h:17},
{t:"the poor? Christian counseling? Youth ministry? Strengthening ",p:174,x:90,y:693,w:484,h:32},
{t:"Christian families? Providing for Christian education? Ministries ",p:174,x:90,y:728,w:484,h:17},
{t:"of healing? Something else? God has called his people to a range ",p:174,x:90,y:739,w:484,h:32},
{t:"of ministries far wider than planting churches among unreached ",p:174,x:90,y:774,w:484,h:17},
{t:"peoples. If you have had a long-lasting ministry passion in some ",p:174,x:90,y:797,w:485,h:17},
{t:"specifc area, the chances are very good that God has placed this ",p:174,x:90,y:808,w:484,h:32},
{t:"desire within you. It needs to be affrmed, honored, developed, ",p:174,x:90,y:831,w:484,h:32},
{t:"and released. Think with me for a moment not about importance ",p:174,x:90,y:866,w:484,h:17},
{t:"but about priority.",p:174,x:90,y:889,w:140,h:17},
{t:"Bill is a friend who has a passion to minister among the ",p:174,x:119,y:900,w:454,h:32},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:175,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"184",p:175,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"poor and underprivileged. His energy and compassion to do ",p:175,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"this are almost tangible. And God is bringing wonderful fruit ",p:175,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"through his life as he does it. Ministering among the poor and ",p:175,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"underprivileged is on the heart of God. He wants it to happen.",p:175,x:90,y:160,w:474,h:17},
{t:"Bill’s ministry is taking place in his home city. It is taking ",p:175,x:119,y:172,w:454,h:32},
{t:"place because Bill is there, and Bill is there because the Church ",p:175,x:90,y:195,w:484,h:32},
{t:"is there. Those who were responsible for bringing him to faith ",p:175,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and nurturing his maturity are inseparable from the ministry he is ",p:175,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"carrying out. His ministry today is an extension of their ministry ",p:175,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"in the past.",p:175,x:90,y:298,w:83,h:17},
{t:"It would be a mistake for Bill to leave what he is doing, at ",p:175,x:119,y:310,w:454,h:32},
{t:"least right now, and go to plant churches among an unreached ",p:175,x:90,y:344,w:484,h:17},
{t:"people group. God has not called him to do that. He has called ",p:175,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"him to the poor and underprivileged in his home city. But, and ",p:175,x:90,y:379,w:484,h:32},
{t:"here is the crucial point, God also has a heart for the poor and ",p:175,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"underprivileged among unreached peoples. And virtually no ",p:175,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"ongoing ministry is taking place among them, because the ",p:175,x:90,y:459,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Church is not there.",p:175,x:90,y:482,w:151,h:17},
{t:"Therefore, our highest priority is to jump start the process ",p:175,x:120,y:505,w:454,h:17},
{t:"of starting new churches among unreached peoples. Only in this ",p:175,x:90,y:517,w:484,h:32},
{t:"way can ministry among the poor and underprivileged, and all ",p:175,x:90,y:551,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the other ministries on God’s heart, take place.",p:175,x:90,y:574,w:357,h:17},
{t:"The good news is that we are not confronted here with an ",p:175,x:120,y:597,w:454,h:17},
{t:"either/or choice. No. The capacity of Christ’s Church is decidedly ",p:175,x:90,y:620,w:484,h:17},
{t:"both/and. Bill doesn’t have to stop what he is doing in his own ",p:175,x:90,y:632,w:484,h:32},
{t:"city so that churches can be started among unreached cultures. ",p:175,x:90,y:666,w:484,h:17},
{t:"There is no need to think of closing down the church and sending ",p:175,x:90,y:689,w:484,h:17},
{t:"everybody halfway around the world. Such an idea is, of course, ",p:175,x:90,y:701,w:484,h:32},
{t:"silly. It would be a disaster. It is not God’s way. Less than one ",p:175,x:90,y:724,w:484,h:32},
{t:"percent of all believers worldwide will have to leave home ",p:175,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"and go to an unreached people group for us to complete world ",p:175,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"evangelization.",p:175,x:90,y:804,w:116,h:17},
{t:"Hear me. The best numbers I can fnd suggest that, at the ",p:175,x:119,y:816,w:454,h:32},
{t:"time of this writing, there are approximately 6,600 unreached ",p:175,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"people groups in the world. And, for every one unreached people ",p:175,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"group, there are some 600 local churches! Stop for a minute and ",p:175,x:90,y:885,w:484,h:32},
{t:"OWNERSHIP",p:176,x:498,y:59,w:72,h:10},
{t:"185",p:176,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"We have made missions ",p:176,x:317,y:285,w:218,h:20},
{t:"a spectator sport. Most of ",p:176,x:312,y:307,w:227,h:20},
{t:"us are sitting in the stands ",p:176,x:305,y:329,w:241,h:20},
{t:"watching the players ",p:176,x:331,y:351,w:190,h:20},
{t:"(missionaries) do their ",p:176,x:326,y:373,w:199,h:20},
{t:"thing down on the feld.",p:176,x:319,y:395,w:208,h:20},
{t:"soak it in. We have, overwhelmingly, everything we could ever ",p:176,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"need to complete this task tomorrow (almost)!",p:176,x:90,y:114,w:354,h:17},
{t:"Why have we not done it? What is wrong?",p:176,x:119,y:137,w:326,h:17},
{t:"2. Most Christians assume that the responsibility to start ",p:176,x:120,y:160,w:454,h:17},
{t:"churches among unreached peoples lies with missionaries. This ",p:176,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"is inherent in the way we have come to think about and approach ",p:176,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missions. We have made missions a spectator sport. Most of us ",p:176,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are sitting in the stands ",p:176,x:90,y:252,w:178,h:17},
{t:"watching the players ",p:176,x:90,y:275,w:178,h:17},
{t:"(missionaries) do their ",p:176,x:90,y:298,w:178,h:17},
{t:"thing down on the feld.",p:176,x:90,y:310,w:173,h:32},
{t:"I have just come ",p:176,x:119,y:344,w:148,h:17},
{t:"from speaking at the ",p:176,x:90,y:367,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Sunday services of ",p:176,x:90,y:379,w:179,h:32},
{t:"a wonderful church ",p:176,x:90,y:413,w:179,h:17},
{t:"that is beautifully and ",p:176,x:90,y:436,w:179,h:17},
{t:"faithfully committed ",p:176,x:90,y:459,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to missions. They are everything you would want to see in a ",p:176,x:90,y:482,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missions-minded church. The ways in which they do missions ",p:176,x:90,y:505,w:484,h:17},
{t:"are familiar. ",p:176,x:90,y:528,w:97,h:17},
{t:"The church:",p:176,x:120,y:551,w:92,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:176,x:150,y:586,w:11,h:32},
{t:"supports dozens of missionaries fnancially.",p:176,x:165,y:586,w:333,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:176,x:150,y:609,w:11,h:32},
{t:"has a big map in the church with a light on it for each ",p:176,x:165,y:609,w:409,h:32},
{t:"missionary.",p:176,x:165,y:643,w:87,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:176,x:150,y:655,w:11,h:32},
{t:"has a framed picture of each missionary in the foyer.",p:176,x:165,y:655,w:402,h:32},
{t:"• ",p:176,x:150,y:678,w:11,h:32},
{t:"has visiting missionaries give reports during Sunday ",p:176,x:165,y:678,w:409,h:32},
{t:"services.",p:176,x:165,y:712,w:66,h:17},
{t:"• ",p:176,x:150,y:724,w:11,h:32},
{t:"has events to help the whole church get to know the ",p:176,x:165,y:724,w:409,h:32},
{t:"missionaries.",p:176,x:165,y:758,w:100,h:17},
{t:"Now, I ask you, who are the players in the game, and who ",p:176,x:119,y:804,w:454,h:17},
{t:"are the spectators?",p:176,x:90,y:827,w:141,h:17},
{t:"One approach to rectify this condition and get everybody in ",p:176,x:119,y:839,w:454,h:32},
{t:"the game is to give a sermon on the subject during the annual ",p:176,x:90,y:873,w:484,h:17},
{t:"missions emphasis season. Challenge the people to get in the ",p:176,x:90,y:896,w:484,h:17},
{t:"game!",p:176,x:90,y:919,w:47,h:17},
{t:"LOVING THE CHURCH...BLESSING THE NATIONS",p:177,x:90,y:59,w:279,h:10},
{t:"186",p:177,x:90,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"How are they supposed to do this? Pray? Give money? ",p:177,x:119,y:91,w:454,h:17},
{t:"Attend missions functions in the church? Anything more than ",p:177,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"that is something each person must fgure out for himself or ",p:177,x:90,y:126,w:484,h:32},
{t:"herself. When we challenge them to get in the game, there are ",p:177,x:90,y:160,w:484,h:17},
{t:"no meaningful avenues available by which they can respond.",p:177,x:90,y:183,w:466,h:17},
{t:"Sadly there is little in this approach that is vital, fulflling, or ",p:177,x:119,y:195,w:454,h:32},
{t:"meaningful to most people. The vast majority just can’t relate. ",p:177,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"This approach easily triggers feelings of “ought” and “should.” ",p:177,x:90,y:252,w:484,h:17},
{t:"It does not connect people with vision, tap into spiritual gifting, ",p:177,x:90,y:275,w:484,h:17},
{t:"invite personal expression, or fuel individual creativity and ",p:177,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"vitality. Mission feels, dare we be honest? irrelevant.",p:177,x:90,y:321,w:404,h:17},
{t:"I recently heard a management saying that certainly rings true ",p:177,x:119,y:344,w:454,h:17},
{t:"here: “Your system is perfectly designed to produce the results ",p:177,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"you are getting.” If we want to change missions from a spectator ",p:177,x:90,y:390,w:484,h:17},
{t:"sport where most Christians sit passively in the stands and watch ",p:177,x:90,y:413,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the missionaries play the game, we must fundamentally ",p:177,x:90,y:436,w:484,h:17},
{t:"redesign how we think ",p:177,x:90,y:459,w:178,h:17},
{t:"about and approach ",p:177,x:90,y:482,w:178,h:17},
{t:"missions.",p:177,x:90,y:505,w:71,h:17},
{t:"The ",p:177,x:119,y:528,w:45,h:17},
{t:"so lu t i o n ",p:177,x:176,y:528,w:91,h:17},
{t:"requires more than ",p:177,x:90,y:551,w:178,h:17},
{t:"missionary conference ",p:177,x:90,y:574,w:178,h:17},
{t:"pep rallies designed ",p:177,x:90,y:597,w:179,h:17},
{t:"to impart missions ",p:177,x:90,y:620,w:179,h:17},
{t:"enthusiasm, although ",p:177,x:90,y:643,w:179,h:17},
{t:"more godly enthusiasm ",p:177,x:90,y:666,w:179,h:17},
{t:"is certainly called for. ",p:177,x:90,y:689,w:179,h:17},
{t:"Nor ",p:177,x:90,y:712,w:40,h:17},
{t:"is ",p:177,x:135,y:712,w:21,h:17},
{t:"the answer ",p:177,x:162,y:712,w:107,h:17},
{t:"merely more information, although more of the right kind of ",p:177,x:90,y:735,w:484,h:17},
{t:"information is crucial. No, there is the need for a whole new ",p:177,x:90,y:758,w:484,h:17},
{t:"approach, a new way of structuring things, a new paradigm. ",p:177,x:90,y:781,w:484,h:17},
{t:"Mission participation must be made meaningful. Rather than ",p:177,x:90,y:804,w:484,h:17},
{t:"trying to discover better ways to cut down the tree we are ",p:177,x:90,y:827,w:484,h:17},
{t:"currently sawing on, we need to realize that “Oops, it’s the wrong ",p:177,x:90,y:839,w:484,h:32},
{t:"tree!”",p:177,x:90,y:873,w:43,h:17},
{t:"3. Missionaries lack the resources this task requires. We need ",p:177,x:120,y:896,w:454,h:17},
{t:"To change missions from ",p:177,x:315,y:488,w:222,h:20},
{t:"a spectator sport where ",p:177,x:319,y:510,w:213,h:20},
{t:"most sit in the stands ",p:177,x:328,y:532,w:195,h:20},
{t:"watching the missionaries ",p:177,x:308,y:554,w:235,h:20},
{t:"play the game, we must ",p:177,x:318,y:576,w:216,h:20},
{t:"fundamentally redesign ",p:177,x:319,y:598,w:214,h:20},
{t:"how we think about ",p:177,x:336,y:620,w:180,h:20},
{t:"missions.",p:177,x:382,y:642,w:82,h:20},
{t:"OWNERSHIP",p:178,x:498,y:59,w:72,h:10},
{t:"187",p:178,x:551,y:946,w:19,h:10},
{t:"more workers. We need more diversity in the spiritual gifts and ",p:178,x:90,y:91,w:484,h:17},
{t:"callings of those who are going. In addition to evangelists and ",p:178,x:90,y:114,w:484,h:17},
{t:"teachers, every ministry in the body of Christ is needed. We need ",p:178,x:90,y:137,w:484,h:17},
{t:"a more vocationally diverse mission force. Effective entry and ",p:178,x:90,y:149,w:484,h:32},
{t:"engagement with the culture among unreached peoples is often ",p:178,x:90,y:183,w:484,h:17},
{t:"problematic for professional missionaries. It is usually much ",p:178,x:90,y:206,w:484,h:17},
{t:"more accessible to business people, professionals, engineers, ",p:178,x:90,y:229,w:484,h:17},
{t:"social workers, students, and so on.",p:178,x:90,y:252,w:271,h:17},
{t:"We need more authority in spiritual warfare. Groups of ",p:178,x:119,y:275,w:454,h:17},
{t:"worshippers and intercessors play a critical role in building ",p:178,x:90,y:298,w:484,h:17},
{t:"the needed momentum. More familiar forms of witnessing ",p:178,x:90,y:321,w:485,h:17},
{t:"must be accompanied by fghting against entrenched spiritual ",p:178,x:90,y:333,w:484,h:32},
{t:"strongholds. We have a need for more money and more apostolic ",p:178,x:90,y:367,w:484,h:17},
{t:"givers. Expanding Christ’s