Unlike other people guardians are not supposed to live normal lives such as owning private property or own families. According to Plato are people who are educated more that the others as they have a wide and deep knowledge in many areas than the normal people (Plato, 360 B.C.E). Family is indeed a strong attachment. This means that guardians can do anything for their families compromising on their guardian role which will not be beneficial to the city and the people. A guardian is not supposed to own a family because they are the custodian of all the families so as to avoid cases of special status. It also eliminates the chance of guardians placing the need of their children above those of the whole society (Plato, 360 B.C.E).
Plato disagreement of guardians owning private property is based on an ethical issue. This is because the ownership of private property governing and controlling of the properties with a particular objective that in return may generate power with the exclusion of other member of the society that may have a greater demand for the resources (Plato, 360 B.C.E). Private property also causes conflict of interest as the guardians may opt to acquire more due to their position and power within the community so that they can live in luxury making them forget the common need of the community. He says that the ownership of private property by guardians is problematic issue as there is denial of social environment to the people of the community who can prosper freely (Plato, 360 B.C.E). He argues that by preventing guardians owning private property such as a park there is the creation of a simple access for all thus increasing its importance.
Reference
Plato (360 B.C.E). The Republic. Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.6.v.html
According to the case study on aerobic respiration yeast is a key substance which makes the bread preparation complete. The study indicates that yeast has got a life in it thereby; in relation to Christian world view anything with life can possibly die. The article suggests that to ensure that yeast’s life protected there must be precautions which involve care, just like in human being’s soul which is the source of life. Jesus said “I AM the bread of life” Jn 6:35, he is not only a bread but a bread of life. Jesus used bread because home bread is composed of life in it. Even though the home bread is linked to biological life, Jesus’s bread is linked to quality life that makes life worth of living. In connection to the case study we should understand that Jesus is offering an eternal existence but not merely a radical as well as ultimate life like in the biological process (Milhon, 2010).
Life is one property which though it belongs to the supernatural being, he has entrusted it to us for procreation and preserving the fruits for him. Every individual’s life is in God’s had thus, he can take it whenever he want to just like the yeast’s life where using hot water opts to kill it. It is the responsibilities of every living soul to ensure there is control on their lives (Milhon, 2010).
During the time of creation God ensured that there was a gentle as well as balanced bio-system on earth thereby; green plants grow from organic soil. In reference to the case study, not one biological living thing exists without a reason nor is there any living thing sovereign of everything else (Milhon, 2010).
God would have wanted Job to allow the ruining of his life for no comprehensible reason without any complaint. This is because Job for all his life had been faithful to God, feared God that he would not do anything transgressing before God. That is why God bragged on him telling Satan that there is no body on earth like Job because he was blameless, upright, God fearing and shunned evil (Job 1:8). Unfortunately, Job did not know that it was a test and when his friends started accusing him, he tried justifying himself which turned out to be self righteousness before God.
Job did not curse God even though he was found out to be self righteous in his accusations of the friends. But this does not mean that Job failed the test and lacked faith. In the first test, when Job lost everything including his children, he responded by tearing his robe and fell down to worship God (Job 1:20-22). He said it was God who gave and now he had taken away. However, in the second test, Job proved to be self righteous because of the accusations his friends put on him and he went on to question God of being unjust unto him. Regardless, of all those accusations, Job did not curse God. Though not perfectly, as there is no perfect man in this world, Job passed the test by not cursing God. Generally, the book teaches us that there is no one who is completely perfect apart from God himself. That is why we see Job regardless of being an upright man, through the accusations of his friends; he starts to question God inappropriately but finally realizes his mistake and admits it.
Religious awareness is important for the normal technical knowledge because it does not describe the certain actions to the faithful ,but impound the Christians to prevent some ways of their activities. It is on the basis of the actions that are connected to the believers but they imprison themselves to abandoning several ways of actions. Those under the religion are aware of the difference between magic and the religious prohibition which can be explained by the fact that approvals are not similar. Religious awareness also approves that the magic permit is judged mainly by the material outcomes where the prohibited actions are prospected to have. Therefore, “there is no sin in magic (Durkheim, 1915)”. This makes them follow ways that are called taboos. There is the religious interdictions whose main aim is to separate two sacred things of divergent kinds from each other although there is another form of religious interdiction which is more vital. This is beneficial to the Christians as it separates not the different kinds from sacred things but all that is holy from evil. Touch may be developed by other ways where one has a connection with a thing by just concerning it by their means of touch (Durkheim, 1915). This is why the prospect of the holy things is not allowed to the evil in some cases. This addresses to the rational knowledge that the evil it is not right for them to address the holy beings or speak in their presence. Moreover the holy things, there are scriptures and the sounds which has similar feature and this should not pass the lips of the wicked (Durkheim, 1915).
The Religious awareness is important for the rational knowledge as Christians know that all that is holy is the concept of respect and each respect is interpreted to those who feel it. It is true that, “all the actions of the normal life are prohibited while those that are of the religious life are put in place (Durkheim, 1915)”. This brings us to the rational knowledge that all the sequential livelihoods are balanced while the huge religious solemnity is in action. This means that an honored person is shown in the realization by a depiction and developed by their mental energy, thus it is equipped in a way that hinders the distance to every other depiction which regulates it. The holy being does not rest in its inherent quality but this is the outcome of the nature in which they rely themselves on. The main reason for the awareness of the Christians is that they have the resemblance emotion. They differentiate the good from evil (Durkheim, 1915).
Reference
Durkheim, Emile, 1915. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Joseph Ward Swain, Trans. New York: The Free Press.
United States experienced abolition before and during the Civil War. It was a movement that was meant to end slavery. It was intended to set the slaves free. Evangelical protestant and the English Quakers did condemn slavery in the strongest way possible as they regarded it un-Christian. During this 18th century, most of the slaves were Africans but there were a thousand of the American natives that remained enslaved as well. There were a huge number of about six million African slaves who were not only subjected to unfair working conditions but they went through a lot of suffering (Ayers, 2009). The ever first abolition attempt was experienced in the 17th century in which it was a great awakening. At that time the rationalist thinkers were enlightened and condemned slavery as it was against human rights. The pursuit of abolishing slavery increased with time and became stronger in the 18th century where slavery was banned o humanistic grounds (Henderson, 2015).
After the American Revolution, there was widespread of the anti-slavery response in the late 18th century various States passed legislation that was meant to abolish slavery in the next two decades through a gradual process (Henderson, 2015). Massachusetts was one State that ratified the constitution that affirmed all men to be equal. It was meant to bring freedom suits and end slavery in the State. Virginia was also another State that made the anti-slavery declaration (Ayers, 2009). The anti-slavery movement expanded in the northern State of America that led to the formation of the union. In the year 1808, United States criminalized all slave trades and made it unconstitutional in the year 1865 due to the civil way (Henderson, 2015).
The abolishment movement aimed at social reforms. Some of the white activists were Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Stowe while black activists included Frederick Douglass and John Langston. They argued that slavery was a criminal act and it was a sin. They also condemned the act of black women being used as concubines and sex exploitation from them (Ayers, 2009). They did face challenges some of the people wanted the slavery to continue so that they can get free labor for their firms. Some of the American also argued that the doctrine of abolishing slavery was dangerous to their social and political implication. They argued that historically slavery did exist in the bible among the Hebrews and God did not condemn it and that Jesus did admonish that all the slaves should honor their masters (Gouveia, 2009). Abraham Lincoln was an iconic leader that will be forever remembered for he called the troops to restrain the rebellion of slave trade (Henderson, 2015). Lincoln also issued a proclamation that freed all the slaves that were held in confederate states. Slavery among the Indian tribes was also brought to an end. After many men were freed many of them started serving in the United States troops. Lincoln argued that it was logic and moral to abolish trade.
Religion transformation was the crucible in American slavery that was made up of protestant, catholic, Islam and indigenous traditions. The movement of the slaves nurtured the development of various religions. In the 18th century, African Americans who were the victims of slave embraced Christianity that led to independent churches (Gouveia, 2009). Communities were allowed to worship freely that led to the creation of structures such as the Episcopal Church. By the abolishment of the slave trade in America religion and worship become more common as one could choose where and who to worship. The church structures became significant arenas that did not only offer support for the people spiritually but also economic development, educational development and political activism (Gouveia, 2009).
Freedom of religion did yield positive result as the black religious institution were used in the African American context that made a meaning of the experience of them as slaves, creating a vision and interpolation their relationship with Africa was enhanced (Gouveia, 2009). Before the freedom of religion, the American colonies who were the missionaries of the gospel taught the slaves how t read the Bible and how they could save their souls. The ministry of the gospel taught the law of love and did more campaigns that advocated for human treatment and encouraged them to practice Christian ethics and the protection of their chattel. Religion did play a key part in the abolishment of slavery by a way of humanizing the rough frontiers of the slaves at that time (Henderson, 2015).
The revolutionary era of the 18th century had many reforms. As a way of slave abolishment morality and wisdom was experienced to those who were oppressed as fear of labor was eliminated, Christian’s visions were enhanced by a way of inspired principles of spiritual freedom, enlightenment of liberty and radical animosity was overcome (Gouveia, 2009). In conclusion, although the abolishment of slavery and religion transformation was achieved most of the whites saw it as a threat that could have to harm their peace between the States, abolishment had a huge impact as it made liberation of the moral imagination in the nation States that no vision of a Christian could be best fit at that time than the moral crusade to free the slave.
Reference
Ayers, E. L. (2009). American passages: A history of the United States. Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Gouveia Jr., W. (2009). Contract and Covenant in American Politics: Religion in the Abortion & Abolition Debates. Human Life Review, 35(4), 29-40.
Henderson, E. (2015). Slave Religion, Slave Hiring, and the Incipient Proletarianization of Enslaved Black Labor: Developing Du Bois' Thesis on Black Participation in the Civil War as a Revolution. Journal Of African American Studies, 19(2), 192-213. doi:10.1007/s12111-015-9299-8
The seven churches that are described in John’s letters in revelation two to three are termed as seven churches that were literal at that moment when apostle john was writing revelation. Despite the fact that at that moment when the writing took place there were literal churches there is still a huge spiritual importance for believers as well as churches in today’s world. The initial purpose of the seven distinct churches was to provide a thorough history of churches (Lund, 2012). The second aim of the churches letters was to make a communication with the seven distinct literal churches as well as meet their requirements at that moment. The potential third aim of the distinct churches in john’s letters was to provide foreshadow to the seven distinct moments in the church’s history (Lund, 2012). The major issue with this perspective is the fact that every church that was represented by the seven churches is utilized to describe an issue that was appropriate to fit the church based on history.
The seven churches that are written in john’s letters are Ephesus which is the church that was involved in forsaking its initial love, Smyrna which is the church that was ready to suffer harrying, Pergamum which is the church that held the necessity to repent, Thyatira as the church whose prophetess was fake, Sardis as the church that was not operating since its operations had fallen asleep, Philadelphia was the major church that had comfortably endured with so much patience and the last church is the Laodicea which is described as the church that held faith that was a mere lukewarm (Barclay, 2001). The churches that did not receive any criticism from the letters were Philadelphia and Smyrna. However, those that received criticism received credit as well. This is mainly because before the provision of the necessary criticism to the churches Jesus additionally provides adequate credit where it is required. In this form the presented criticism holds a higher possibility of receiving acceptance (Barclay, 2001).
Different messages were targeted to each of the seven distinct churches. The message that was directed to the Ephesus church was delivered in his speech of seven lamps stands and even stars. The distinct lamp stands for the seven distinct churches which showed that the church is truly expected to be the shiny and the bright lights. The seven stars may be a representation of those that leads the churches. God asserts that the seven stars are held in his right arm and they are safe and only dependent on him alone (Lund, 2012). Smyrna’s church message was that Jesus is the only last and first and he lives amid everything and he holds the power over anything. For Pergamum church Jesus is powerful and he holds the authority of blessing those that are obedient as well as condemning those that acts against his will (Lund, 2012). Message for Thyatira church was that Jesus knows about everything and he acts quickly in ensuring that what is supported to be conducted is done thoroughly. To Sardis church is that Jesus provides grace to leaders of the church as in his hand they are safe. The message to the church of Philadelphia was that what Jesus opens nothing can be able to reverse it and what he shuts cannot be opened he is true and holy and holds the authority (Lund, 2012). Laodicea church message was that Jesus is thus the definition of God’s stating because he is faithful, leader of the creation of God and a true witness (Lund, 2012).
In conclusion, despite the fact that the representations of seven distinct eras by the seven churches may hold some truth the representation is associated with too much speculation. The focus of the message that the seven churches represent in the church today is the message that God provides to individuals through the churches representation. In the world, today churches can learn about maintaining true leadership as well as true faith. This is because the letters state clearly that God is the only true way and he holds the power to control everything. Repentance should also be given the priority it deserves because through the churches can receive God’s sanctions in abundance.
References
Lund, G. (2012). Letters to the seven churches of revelation. Place of publication not identified: Lulu Com.
Barclay, W. (2001). Letters to the seven churches. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox.
Revelation chapter 2 and 3 discusses the letters to the seven churches which were written by Apostle John. The letters were important to the life of the churches and still they are relevant in modern churches since John was told by Jesus to write things which he has seen in the vision, the things which are in present and the thing which will appear in future (Barclay, 2001). The letters had seven sections which included greetings, Jesus description, and the life of the churches, criticisms for churches, warnings, final exhortations and promises (Barclay, 2001). The following are the seven churches and the advice which Jesus revealed and written by Apostle John.
Ephesus
Ephesus was a persevering church and it was given praises as Jesus had known the persecution and suffering which the church members were going through. Jesus knew the achievements which the church had achieved for his name’s sake and the weaknesses with the church. For Ephesus church, it had a strong faith and they had grown more spiritually despite power from false teachers who was trying to weaken their faith (Barclay, 2001). However, initially the church had a burning love but they allowed self-satisfaction to weaken the love of Christ. For this reason, the church was given an advice that they must repent and underpin the love they had before so that they can be considered as God’s church, receive the tree of life and be in God’s paradise (Barclay, 2001).
Smyrna
This church was persecuted and it suffered from many hardships. The church was given praises for being spiritual rich despite of enduring tribulations and poverty. The church refused to worship the emperor and for this reason they had to be persecuted by Jews who were referred as of Satan (Siders, 2007). The church was to meet suffering for 10 days and Jesus warned them not to fear and remain faithful during the tribulation period. Jesus told that if they will conquer the world, they will receive victor’s crown.
Pergamum
Pergamum was also known as the ‘City of the Sword’ also a city with ‘Satan throne’ and a placed where the major religion was paganism. Despite the fact that the city was full of majesty and false religion, the church was praised for being strong in the midst of Satan’s throne and for holding their faith. Even though they were mocked by being called ‘Christians’, they did not fear the Roman Empire but they trusted in the name of the Lord (Barclay, 2001). However, the church was condemed for following the false teaching of Balaam and Nicolaitans. The teachings made the Israelites to commit immorality and to eat unclean food. Church members also violated the Christ’ freedom and engaged themselves in idolatry and immorality. For that reason, they were given an advice that they must repent from pagan practices and false regions. Repentance was the key issue so that God can fight for them (Barclay, 2001).
Thyatira
This was a faithful and a persevering church and its spiritual status was commendable. The city was well known as a trade center and to enter in the local economy, trade guilds membership which supported idolatrous festival was to be taken (Barclay, 2001). Despite all these, the church had a strong faith, persevered hardships, offered God’s services and showed love to each other. They improved their spiritual condition and overcame the weaknesses. However, the church was condemned by following the false teaching of Jezebel (false prophetess) which led people into sexual immorality and eating unclean food (Barclay, 2001). Jesus gave an advice to those who did not follow the false teachings and they were told to stand still until Jesus comes. Those who heard the teachings were advised to repent from adultery and follow the sound doctrine.
Sardis
Sardis church in other words was known as the ‘dead’ church because initially it was seen like it was alive and spiritually vibrant but in real senses the church was spiritual lifeless and denied God’s power. In outward appearance it looked like a Christian church but inwardly it was unclear (Barclay, 2001). However, some people had not defiled themselves and Jesus praised them for their strong faith in Christ. On the other hand, the church was condemned for having a fake reputation. They were given an advice that they must wake up, repent, seek the God’s power, take action, obey, be strong and do the right things in the sight of God (Barclay, 2001).
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia city was known as the ‘City of the Door’ and in 17 A.D, the city cracked from earthquake. This made a large number of people to move out the city as they feared another tragedy. The people lived a poor life because of lack of wealth but God promised the city that he will open a door for them and no one will shut (Siders, 2007). Despite the fact that the church lacked financial, political and social support, it was praised for having a strong faith in Christ, believing in Lord’s name and keeping the God’s word. The church was advised to maintain the faith, spread the gospel, love each other and they will become victorious (Siders, 2007). .
Laodicea
Laodicea church was also known as the complacent church; a church which was spiritually arrogant and had self-satisfaction. This church was not recommended but rather it was defined as a church which was neither hot nor cold. In outward appearance, the church believed that it was rich but in real sense it was poor spiritually (Siders, 2007). The church had no purpose because it was blind, poor, pitiful and naked. The church was advised to take actions and buy wealth such as gold and clothing from Christ. They must repent and leave the world pleasure (Siders, 2007). .
There are many great lessons that today’s churches can learn from the seven letters. The letters can help the modern churches to understand the God’s message and the life of Christians. First churches today should learn that they should be persevering and they should not forsake the Christ’s love (Gunter, 2011). For example, the Ephesus church remained firm despite the trials and rejected the false teaching. However, they followed the world pleasures in ancient city and weakened their faith. The letter reminds the church that, they should not abandon the love of God but they should put God’s love first. In addition, Jesus warned the church of Smyrna to persevere in tough times. Jesus told them that a time of suffering will come but they should remain faithful until the end, the same advice applies to modern churches in that during the days of persecution, the churches should trust in God, be faithful and persevere to gain the victory (Gunter, 2011). Other lesson is that, one of the signs which show that Jesus is near is false prophets. The church should not follow the teaching of false prophets like the church of Thyatira which followed y the teaching of Jezebel. The church should not abandon the moral standards but should remain faithful until the end (Gunter, 2011). Last, the modern world is full of evil, religious apostasy and temptations. The same way the Pergamos maintained their faith, the church should remain faithful, maintain the fundamental biblical truth and reject the doctrinal compromise.
Reference
Barclay, W. (2001). Letters to the seven churches. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox.
Gunter, D. M. (2011). Seven letters to seven churches: Lessons from the book of Revelation. Kansas City,
Mo: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.
Siders, S. R. (2007). The seven churches of Asia, Revelation 2-3. Bloomington: AuthorHouse.
The religion of Islam is the second largest in the world after Christianity with an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims. Almost two thirds of Muslims can be found in the Asia-Pacific areas, many of them living in Pakistan and India than in the whole of North Africa and the Middle East regions. However, these areas have the largest concentration of Muslims than any other part of the world in relation to the whole population (Lipka, 1). India in particular has the largest population of Muslims in relation to the population of other countries even though they represent a minority in that particular country (Lipka, 1). The wold Islam means submission to God and the most basic belief is that the religion was given by God. The basis of this religion’s faith revolves around belief in one God, angels, messengers, holy books, the Last Day and Eternal life. Muslims belief that the Knowledge of God comes from Himself and no other source and man can only know of God what He has revealed to him. This concerns His names and attributes which are ninety-nine. God believed to be the creator, shaper, all present and everlasting. All His attributes are contained in the name Allah and no one else can be called by that name. The divine scriptures are contained in the Holy book of Quran (Shah, 4).
The major religious practices of Islam involve its five pillars which include the assertion of faith, obligatory charity, obligatory worship, the pilgrimage to Ka’bah and fasting in the month of Ramadan. The assertion of faith holds that a person should declare by their tongue and confirm in their heart the presence of no other god but God and that Muhammad is his messenger and servant. The second pillar obligates Muslims to worship five times daily, cleanliness being a prerequisite to this worship. Cleanliness involve the body, clothes and the ritual ablution of washing their hands, face, mouth and feet thrice daily (Shah, 12). A special service is given by the imam on Friday at noon in a mosque. The mosque is viewed to be the heart of the Muslims and the foundation of Islamic civilization. Charity involves Zakat which connotes purifying and growth where one is required to purify their wealth by away part of the surplus to the society. The fourth pillar requires Muslims to fast during Ramadan in the calendar of Muslims where all bodied individuals should fast from dawn to sunset for the whole month. The other pillar requires every Muslim who is able bodied and who can afford to perform the Ka’abah pilgrimage at least once in their life (Shah, 15).
Practising Islam in United States may be an enlightening process for most Muslims since they have to embrace the religion while doing away with all ethical, political and cultural aspects that are attached to most of the Muslim countries especially in the Middle East. Although Islam is absolute, the manner of living as a Muslim and practicing the major pillar of praying and fasting cannot be termed as absolute. Moreover, the fact that one is living in a country with Muslims as the major population doesn’t mean that they will practice Islam in it truest form so there is the possibility that American Muslims would make the best believers. The Muslim community in the United States is thus exposed to democratic ideals, freedom of speech, tendency to be law abiding and the need to tolerate the American people (Ali, Liu &Humedian, 635)). Since the Muslims are part of the country, the constitution provides for their freedom of praying and practising other rights and where religious prosecution is outlawed. This conforms to the basic root of Islam as a religion that does not allow mistreatment of people who are not Muslims. This has everything to do with the community being a minority in a non- Muslim nation whose foundation is human rights and religious freedom. The difference with those Muslims from countries with Islam as the main religion comes in the way of following the culture. Muslims in the American society are able to detach from the culture associated with Muslims while those in the countries where they are the majority have to strictly follow the cultures. For instance, the women Muslims in America have the freedom of choosing to identify themselves with their religious identity. Thus, some may decide to express themselves fully by wearing burqa or hijab ass their religious identity while others may reason that it is not a requirement in the American setting and thus opt for the western clothing. Other differences may arise in practices such polygamy where the community may find it hard in performing them since they are illegal in the United States (Ali, Liu &Humedian, 635). Those women in the majority Muslim countries have to live as per their culture and religious requirements on clothing since many of them are ingrained in the constitutions. In addition, many societies in the Majority Muslim countries are normally collectivistic, but in the American society the Muslim communities might be forced to turn to individualism as the norm is. The difference in praying and attending to other religious practices may not be big considering that in both societies, Muslim have the freedom to partake in them (Ali, Liu &Humedian, 636). The difference will thus appear due to the difference in individual level of religiosity.
The formative periods of Islam involved a lot of preaching and crusades efforts by the first believers starting with Muhammad. The periods spurns from the mid-7th century. These periods saw Muhammad went around proclaiming the Allah’s message from Mecca, and with his followers they departed from there towards Medina where they sought support which saw Mecca submit to Islam within a few years. Following the death of Mohammad in 632, four caliphs succeeded him in series during which period the faith was brought to the Mediterranean shores in Iraq from Arabia (Khan, 636). The overthrowing of the Persian Empire ended the Sasanian dynasty reign and this was followed by the assignation of the last caliphs in 661 AD. This marked the beginning of factionalism both religious and political which lead to formation of Shiite sect of Islam. The growth of Islam continued after the spread of the Islamic empire which had conquered Spain, North Africa and penetrated India and central Asia. The Arab period of 638 – 1099 saw a big growth in Islamic period due to many conquest by the caliphs. The period of 1099-1187 AD so the many events of holy wars after the elapse of peaceful coexistence of Islam with other religions (Khan, 14). This period show the greatest development and growth of this religion.
Reference
Khan, Arshad. Islam, Muslims and America: Understanding the Basis of Their Conflict. New York: Algora Pub, 2007. Internet resource. 12-20
Core values are very important in church plant since they determine the final destination of the church. Core values must be implemented in order to produce cooperation ministry vision. It is important to understand that core values are rooted from best practices and function for the church plant to stand still and reflect a biblical ministry (Searcy, Nelson & Thomas, 2006 Pg18). In starting a church plant, there are important practices which must be included: Such practices and functions includes;
Choosing a target group
This simply involves moving out and selecting the group of people who will be served. Selecting a specific group will be much better in order to serve people in a comprehensible and a meaningful way. This selection can be done in terms of ethnicity, geography or else socioeconomics criteria and this practice will help to come up with people who have spiritual need(Searcy, Nelson & Thomas, 2006 Pg28).
Capable leaders
In church plant, capable and competent leaders will pray a significant role in defining the church’s mission and its role as a biblical ministry. Leaders must be in the frontline to unify members, set a vision and work hard to reach the mission. They should integrate in the target culture and ensure that every person is comfortable and gets the spiritual food(Searcy, Nelson & Thomas, 2006 Pg33).
Build a team
In church plan, there must be a unique team for the purpose of leading the church members and helping them to grow more spiritually by evangelizing. The team should be in frontline to ensure that other members accomplish values as well as the visions of the church (Aubrey, 2011 pg55). They have a primary purpose of implementing high standards, offer quality discipline and use their gifts to empower the local team. It is their responsibility to develop spiritual skills which will help them to become administrative assistant and more important empower and aid ministry.
The core values, best practices as well as the functions require strategies to ensure that they are fully implemented in church ministry. To ensure that everything moves well, first of all it is important to put into practice the language learning. Due to culture differences, it is important to value the Christian subculture in order to understand the different values and aspirations. Leaders must be proficient will all languages for them to be in a position to communicate effectively, teach and coach, understand the customs as well as the expressions (Aubrey, 2011 pg55). Secondly, to ensure that practices are well implemented in the church ministry, it is important to focus on history and culture. This will help the leaders in setting a reading plan through having collective experience. History will help the church ministry with common values as well as collective consciousness and these will help to form a powerful foundation of the ministry.
Third scenario
As a church planter in Las Vegas, I would not allow membership for anyone working in the gaming industry. My principles are rooted from the biblical perspectives and as I focus my church plant on historical background, I understand that there is bridge which exists between church ministry and gaming industry. An important thing that I would like to put into concern in this issue is parenting. For many years, video games are something which has been a challenge to Christian parents (Thomas 2008, pg 81). This means that video games will affect my followers (children and adults). Video games affect mentality, social life and spiritual growth. As I quote, Ephesians 5:11”Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them”. It is clear that every person who calls himself a Christian should utilize his time on fruitful things which will help him to grow more spiritually. Christians should not follow the popular culture but instead they should focus on Jesus Christ in order to avoid bad things which are contributed by popular culture such as rebellion, violence, Satanism and more (Thomas 2008, pg72). Video games create an entry to demonic torment by creating positive attitude to aggression, violence, suicidal thoughts and more. As Christians, we should hate the satanic tools and preach the love of Christ. As a church planter, those who engage themselves in gaming industry are not supposed to be accounted as my members, simply because the video game will weaken their faith because of concentrating on worldly issues (Thomas 2008, pg78).
Church Planting Strategies - The Program & Purpose Driven Strategies
https://download.liberty.edu/courses/vty5s.mp4
Church structure
Church planter should allow the leaders to make decisions in order to come up with a unique structure. Other important thing is that leaders are supposed to create other teams such women ministry, children ministry and others and empower these groups and this is one way of unifying people. In this part, the leaders should put effort in preaching the gospel by creating programs such as “come and see”. This involves conducting music, crusades and more and all these activities are set to attract followers (Dr. Brown, 1) way to form a church structure is through “go show and tell’. This involves moving out in the community to preach the love of Christ, built trustworthiness and compassion and telling them about the Christian life.
Traditional structure
It is important to focus on traditional programs such as youth programs, children programs, and choir programs among more. This will help in evaluation of the organization. Establishing these groups will make everything possible by ensuring that each group is spiritually fit and they require whatever they need. These different departments will help the leaders to identify the members who have special gifts and they can be in a position to give them the opportunity to utilize their gifts and this is one way of reaching the church mission (Dr. Brown, 1)
Reference
Searcy, Nelson and Kerrick Thomas. Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch. Ventura: Regal Books, 2006. ISBN: 9780801018251. (READ CHAPTERS 1 - 4 ). 3, 18, 33, 57
Dr. William Brown, Church Planting Strategies - The Program & Purpose Driven Strategies
Malphurs Aubrey, ( 2011). The Nuts and Bolts of Church Planting: A Guide for Starting Any Kind of
Church. 55
Comiskey Joel Thomas (2008), Planting Churches That Reproduce: Starting a Network of Simple
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