The document outlines principles for developing contextual churches that engage with various communities, emphasizing the importance of understanding culture and context for effective mission work. It discusses strategies for identifying mission fields, forming appropriate engagement teams, and fostering relationships within the community. The text also highlights a case study of a missional community, 'No Limits', focused on supporting individuals with disabilities, demonstrating practical support and shared vision rooted in God's love.

1. The Life & Work of a Missional LeaderDeveloping a Contextual ChurchFocused Session #1 & #4

2. IntroductionRecap principles from Collective #2

3. Secular PluralismChurch

4. What it IS!Contextual

5. Indigenous

6. Inculturationincarnation

7. It’s NOT 1 or 2Attractional Church

8. Engaged Church

9. Emerging Church YESHirsch & Frost – adapted by Hopkins

10. Eg. Contextual EngagementChurch of the School

11. Surfers Church

12. Church of Urban poor (VivGrigg)

13. Church of Retirement Residential Home

14. Church of families & kids (“Messy Church”)

15. Church of Handicapped

16. Church in Café culture

17. Romany/Gypsy Church

18. Iranian/Afghan asylum churchAll sorts of “fresh expressions” of church

19. The 2 Words in turnDeveloping aContextualChurch

20. A. ContextualA clear Mission FocusKnow that culture & contextDiscover Gospel connections there

21. 1. A clear mission FocusJesus knew who he was called to & prioritised everything to that

22. Mission Effectiveness Keys1.The Chosen Mission Fieldclearly identifiedthen it can be researched and understood2.The Mission Force (leader & team)size suitable to the chosen fieldcommitted to engage with the chosen field3.The Engagement Strategyappropriate to the mission fieldachievable by the mission forceThese 3 should match up

23. “Mission Match-making”Mission FieldMission StrategyMission ForceThe three parties

24. “Mission Match-making”Mission FieldMission StrategyMission ForcePartial Connection

25. “Mission Match-making”Mission MarriageEach fully connected = coherenceThis can then result in incarnational mission

26. In Groups of 2 or 3So what is your context:Do you have a clearly defined context?

27. What is it? Can you describe it?

28. Do you/your team prioritize relating to it?Time: 5 mins

29. Evangelistic or MissionalHow do your teams relationships work?Teams’ relationships random or focused?

30. Engaging with existing networked relationships or having to create them?

31. Geographic mission fields make this easier to recogniseQ & A

32. Some stories to startdvd case studies

33. 2. Know Culture & ContextJesus listened and studied the culture & considered the multitudes

34. Inherited TraditionMission ContextGospel & ChurchInwardsOur Parish/PatchOutwardMission Shaped ProcessInvolves “Double Listening”

35. 360 degree ListeningTo the world and in society

36. To your own community

37. To your group and team and church

38. To your partners

39. To the scriptures and church down the ages

40. To the insights of prayer and reflection5 Stages of ListeningWhat do we know already?

41. Initial Research

42. Deeper Listening

43. Reflection and testing God’s call

44. Presentation and actionInitial Research - Neighbourhood Obtain a suitable map of the area

45. Plot your members and contacts

46. Extract demographics from census

47. Walk the streets and pray

48. Note key places and sensations

49. Discover its story

50. Other churches and agenciesInitial Research - Network Obtain network estimates of numbers, social, ethnic, age profile Identify meeting patterns and hubs

51. Methods and content of communication

52. Who are key connectors and workers

53. Any other churches or agencies

54. Put everything on diagram/mapDeeper Listening Includes Mission Audit- A thorough investigation, taking stock … for mission How to get to know them better- Community or network Observation

55. Investigation

56. ConversationDeeper Listening Q’s What needs requiring loving service

57. Hardships, struggles, joys and pleasures

58. People’s high and low values

59. Ways people relate to God and church

60. Are new people integrated

61. How does the Gospel connect3. Find Gospel connectionsJesus discerned needs and related Gospel responses

62. Know your Gospel!“God’s total answer to the Human condition”Affirming aspect - Leading into every good provision & purposeChallenging aspects - Leading out of all in culture that is destructive & diminishing

63. God’s answer to every needLonely Eternal friendEmpty FullnessGuilt ForgivenessBroken WholenessSick HealingBound FreedomRejected Sought OutWorthless Infinitely valuedAimless God’s PurposeDying Eternal LifeEtc Etc

64. God’s Challenge to MatureSelf-centred God centredChoice ObligationFickle CommittedSelf-sufficient InterdependentCriticalTrustingProud HumbleCynical HopefulEasy life Difficult lifePower ServiceSelf-indulgent Self disciplinedControlled by Led by the Holydesires Spirit

65. In Groups of 3 or 4identify people in your neighbourhood or network

66. Pick someone that a group member thinks of and …In Groups of 3 or 4Give your character a nameWhat is their favourite drink?What TV do they watch? What do they like listening to?What would their best present be?What do they read?Where do they like to go on holiday?Whilst there they would like to …?Their best friend is called?Together they like to …What is the “Good News” for them?Time: 10 mins

67. Building the pictureFill flipcharts with your findings:Scribble all you know

68. Add cartoons with characters who illustrate key qualities

69. Journal there your expanding profilesQ & A

70. B. Church – What is it?Biblical pictures Four dimensions/relationshipsSome descriptionsRecovering biblical Congregation

71. New understanding of ChurchUPGeorge PattersonSt Thomas’ - TriangleOUTIN3 Relationships

72. UPUPUPUPUPUPUPOUTOUTOUTOUTOUTOUTOUTINToblerone ChurchOfConnected in spaceConnected through time and eternity

73. What is Church – The Creed!HolyWorshipUpMissionCommunityOutInApostolicOneOfConnexionCatholic37

74. Some DescriptionsArchbishop Rowan Williams“’Church’ is what happens when people encounter the risen Jesus and commit themselves to sustaining and deepening that encounter in their encounter with each other and the world.”MSC p.viiBob Hopkins“A community of Jesus’ disciple-making disciples”

75. 4 Spaces of BelongingIntimate space accountability

76. Personal space small group

77. Social space mid-size community

78. Public space celebrationJoseph R Meyers – The search to Belong

79. The missing Social SpaceMid-size: extended family: synagogueAble to express the culture of a context- the sum of all our contributionsAble to re-build Community- Restoring a broken society

80. JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJBiblical Community VehiclesJJJJJJJJJJJJ Old TestamentFriend Family Synagogue Temple New Testament 3 1272 Crowd

81. Summary of processes of MSC “UP” & “IN”Its all spelt out in Paul’s exhortations about “When you meet together”

82. As told in 1 Corinthians Chapters 11-14

83. Case Study - StorySt George’s – DealIntroducing the “No Limits” msc

84. “NO LIMITS”There is no limits to God’s love

85. “NO LIMITS” Our VisionThere is no limit to God’s love and no limit to what He can achieve through us. Through His love we aim to work alongside people in need of care to help them achieve their maximum potential. Following Jesus’ example, we will provide practical support, comfort and prayer for those in need. On this journey together we aim to have lots of fun!

86. Our inspirationQuote from Jean Varnier – founder of the L’Arche community: So many of us flee from people crying out in pain, people who are broken. We hide in a world of distraction and pleasure in ‘things to do’. We can hide in various groups of prayer and spiritual exercises, not knowing that a light is shining in the poor, the weak, the lonely and the oppressed. Or if we do not flee from suffering, perhaps we revolt in anger, and this too blinds us to the light of Jesus glowing in people who are in pain….Do not run away from people who are in pain or who are broken, but walk towards them, to touch them. Then you will find rising up in you the well of love, springing from resurrection.

87. “NO LIMITS” Our beliefThere is no limit to God’s love and no limit to what He can achieve through usThere is no limit to the potential of people with disability or in need of careThere is no limit to the love and inspiration that comes from people in need, people with disability, people in painThere is no limit to the gifts and talents within us which will come forth through working with those in need

88. “NO LIMITS” Our Outreach so farHave established a link with Martha Trust community:Prayer requestsInteractive sessions using oral and visual stimulationHave made contact with L’Arche community in BarfrestoneOther disability groups in Deal in mind

89. “NO LIMITS”Our 2010 goals: Strengthen links Develop new links Help with education 2012 paralympics!

90. Souled out for reaching 11-14s

91. Part 4GAINING & SHARING VISION

92. HOW DOES VISION GROW & DEVELOP?1. Prayer - it’s the whole surrounding climate53

93. HOW DOES VISION GROW & DEVELOP?Prayer… it’s the whole surrounding climate2. Clarify what Christian vision isMH P.105454

94. MIND THE GAPWhat the world is called to beVision emerges in the GAPWhat the world is like now55

95. HOW DOES VISION GROW & DEVELOP?Prayer… it’s the whole surrounding climateClarify what Christian vision isListen to the context and nurture the pictureTest, weigh & refine the vision5. Communicate the vision clearlyMH P.155656

96. HOW DO WE SHARE THE VISION?(As we listen to the context & nurture the picture)Present the visionExpress/preach the vision through scriptureShare how God has spoken and led you to the visionEncourage hearers to seek God themselves for the visionExpose folk to the same realities and tensions that formed it for youHave times of prayer and listening for the visionGive space for people to hear God for themselvesWelcome feedback from anyone about the visionAllow others that have caught the vision to share howExhort followers to commit to the vision57