City-Changers

In Acts the second chapter it says “the Lord added to the church” and in Acts the sixth chapter is says “in those days the number of the disciples was multiplying.”  (Acts 2:47, 6:1)  City-Changers understand that strong growth doesn’t come through addition but through multiplication.

City-Changers Understand:

1. We multiply leaders by building ministry teams.
2. We multiply impact by partnering with other churches.
3. We multiply evangelistic outreach by multiple services.
4. We multiply the Kingdom of God when we plant new churches.

City-Changers understand that every new church we plant will reach 200-300 people for Christ.  Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.  Remember that’s where the fruit grows.

City-Changer leadership is defined by mission, not by a place or professional status.  The primary role of the City-Changer is to equip others.  The followers of City-Changers come into covenant relationships rather than just being members of a church.  They see themselves as servants equipped to minister.  They see the original purpose of the church as fulfilling The Great Commission.

Two major concepts for the City-Changer:

Movement – will this decision taking us where we want to go?

Multiplication – will this decision lead to addition or multiplication?  All their efforts go into growing by exponential self-growth rather than addition.

Descriptions of a City-Changer.

1.They have a specific call of God.  Each leader is very clear about what God wants them to do.  He believes he can do nothing else, but what God has called him to do.

2. They have a Kingdom mentality. They have a Kingdom mentality of the community where they live. They see what would be possible if the whole body of Christ was mobilized to serve.  They have an unlimited vision of the ministry.
3. They partner on the basis of mission alone. They are not limited by denomination or theology. When disagreements and conflicts arise, their passion for fulfilling The Great Commission prevails.
4. They demonstrate “strategic mapping”. They don’t have all the details of their plan worked out, but they have a clear destination of where they want to go and create the map as they move toward their destination. They will change their methods to fulfill their mission.
5. They concentrate on people, not programs. They focus on intensive on-the-job training. They teach using both curriculum and mentoring.  They decentralize everything in order to take advantage of opportunities.

Obstacles to becoming a City-Changer.

1. Care-taker mentality. Care-takers see themselves as chaplains instead of leaders. They serve a particular church rather than taking part in a greater community.  It is true that Jesus healed the sick, but His primary purpose for coming to earth was to introduce us to the Kingdom of God.  His first message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)  He began teaching us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5:3)

Care-takers forget that shepherds don’t feed sheep, they lead sheep to the food and the sheep feed themselves.  Shepherds don’t beget sheep, they help the sheep beget healthy lambs.

2. Fear. What would we do if we weren’t afraid? Fear is a choice.  This is why the Bible repeats again and again, “Do not be afraid.”  “There is no fear in love.”  (I John 4:18)  Love conquers our fears.  To be a City-Changer we must overcome our fears by falling more deeply in love with Jesus.  To become a City-Changer we must be willing to take the risks of learning how to trust God and people.

When Will Jesus be Enough?