This document outlines a holistic approach to developing a church among the poor in Manila's slums. It discusses 7 key phases: 1) Entering the community by finding community leaders, 2) Living among the people through incarnation and solidarity, 3) Preaching and evangelism through various means, 4) Structuring small groups that grow into a congregation, 5) Holistic discipleship through Bible studies and economic involvement, 6) Social integration of families and groups, and 7) Releasing leadership through developing elders, deacons and community programs. The overall goal is to start a movement that transforms communities through faith, addressing needs like water, pathways, land rights and more.

1. Developing a Holistic
Poor People’s Church
A story of organic growth of a fellowship in Manila’s slums
(as told in Companion to the Poor)
Matt 9:36-10:15
© Viv Grigg rev Feb 2014

2. 1. Entering the Community
Identification of an Area
Finding the Man or Woman of Peace .
The Anointing of the Spirit (Luke 4:18)
The jumps of the Spirit (Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch)
The Season of Intercession (Matt 9:37,38)
Begins in Love
e.g. Tumbakan
He is doing the work
1

3. 2. Being –
Among the People
 Incarnation (Matt 9:36)
“The church must be
tended day and night”
 Choice of an inner poverty and
simplicity
e.g. Peter’s wooden sandals
 Solidarity (John 12:24-26)
2

4. 3.Preaching – Evangelism
Jesus sends the 12 (Matt 10:1,7)
 Presence
At the school
On the sports field
 Prayer Evangelism
Bless
 Power (Matt 28:18-20)
The Woman of Samaria
 Proclamation
Public, authoritative
Literature
 Scriptures, Comics
Media
 Radio, Jesus Film, Search
Response
3

5. 4.Celling - Structural Progressions
 Contacts
 Cells (Sowing)
 Converts
(Harvesting)
 Celebration
 Congregation
 Community
transformation 4
Principle:
Build triplets around
people with evangelistic
or relational gifts
• pastor
• administrator/hospitality
• catalyst

6. 5.Discipling - Holistic Discipleship
Processes
 Convert existing religious
contexts (rosary to family
devotions)
 Discipleship is group oriented
in group societies
e.g. Early morning
Barkada
group quiet time for men
 Develop Progressions for
Bible studies, and a simple
pattern of training
 Economic Discipleship from
the very beginning involving
people in decisions
6
Principle: Holiness
To train in obedience
to all things

7. 6.Gathering - Social Integration
 People come to Christ through Social
relationships
 Kids to Youth to Mothers to Men
 Extended Family House Churches
 Or Barkada Bible Studies
 Integrate Smaller Groups Socially
Outings
Birthdays
Social Activities
 Move from the social to the spiritual
gathering
Social celebrations move to worship
 Plant 5 cells per church, then link them
 Plant 5 churches at a time, then link them
7

8. 7.Releasing - Leadership Development
 House churches are a context for
emerging leadership
 Elders - spiritual ministry (pastor, teacher,
evangelist, prophet, apostle)
 Deacons - meet physical needs
social work - widows, orphans, lame,
blind, deaf
Community development
Small business - employable, training
Loans cooperative - training in
electronics, tailoring, pig-raising,
garment production etc.
8
Principle:
Train leaders from
before conversion

9. The Goal?
? Incarnation?
No!
? Evangelism?
No!
? A church?
No!
? A movement of
churches?
No!
9
Water
Pathways & Sewerage
Land Rights
The coming of the Kingdom to the
slums:
Communities of faith
Transforming
Communities of the oppressed
C
T
C