Dr. Steve Bezner serves as the Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He shared this workshop at the Beyond Us Conference.
Why start churches?
15,000 churches are expected to close in the next twelve months in the United States.
If a church is on the verge of closing, it is beyond “revitalization,” and has moved into the stage of “replanting.”
Even with the talk of “revival” in many headlines, most studies agree that about 25% of Americans attend church on a monthly basis.
General sense of distrust, confusion, and turmoil.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” —Mathew 4:17
The kingdom of God = recognizing the reality of Jesus’ reign here and now.
Living out the teaching of Jesus in light of his grace.
Forgiveness, purity, radical generosity, loving enemies, reconciliation, justice, and so on become ways of life.
The gospel is the message.
The Kingdom is the reality.
A Kingdom DNA church shifts from “program participation” to “embodied obedience.”
A disciple is someone who not only has saving faith in Jesus, but is also actively striving to embody what Jesus commanded.
Sermon on the Mount is a distillation of how to live as a disciple of Jesus.
Kingdom → Disciple → Society
We demonstrate the power of the gospel when we live out Jesus’ teachings.
Example, asking a follower of Jesus about where they work: “Is there anything where you work that goes against the way of Jesus?”
– Yes! Lots!
“Well, then can you fix one?”
– Yes, but they will have lots of questions about why I care.
“Perfect! That is when you will have the opportunity to represent Jesus and even share your faith where you work!”
Kingdom DNA is not competitive DNA.
Instead of thinking competitively we need to think collaboratively!
Kingdom → Disciple → Society → Church
As Kingdom disciples live the Way of Jesus in their domains, the gospel spreads and the church is strengthened (or emerges).
If the Kingdom was Jesus’ primary message, Kingdom DNA churches seek to reclaim that centrality and live it.
Check out the “Kingdom DNA course” and Church planting cohort” at Glocal.net
Q&A:
What about the world wanting us to choose a side when it comes to politics?
We don’t give into the world’s talking points or the world’s categories.
Third way is not the middle but Kingdom which is wholly above and transcendant.
Acknowledge without giving into picking sides.
Always reorient people towards the Kingdom rather than the algorithms and social media.
Bonhoeffer in the 1930s – “America’s religion is nationalism.”
“We move at the speed of family.”
Best way to introduce people new to faith to the Scriptures?
One version of the Discovery Bible Study asks 3 Questions after reading a passage:
- What do you discover about God?
What does the passage reveal about God, Jesus, or His plan?
- What do you discover about people?
What does the passage teach us about humanity, sin, and our needs?
- How will you obey this passage?
Based on the passage, what is God calling you to do this week?
Make a concrete, simple, and measurable plan, often starting with “I will…”.
Another option on hoow to incorporate this into a study:
- Start with fellowship: Begin by sharing what you are thankful for, what has caused stress, and any community needs.
- Read and retell: One person reads a passage, and then others try to retell it in their own words.
- Ask the questions: Discuss the core questions about God, people, and application.
- Share and do: Determine how to apply the passage through an “I will” statement and share it with others.
- Follow-up: Meet again to share experiences, discuss any challenges with “I will” statements, and ask who you will tell.
Seems that the church planter pipeline is drying up?
Established churches are also at a staffing crisis so they are recruiting people who might have planted had they not been offered a job with resources. However, more and more collaborative networks are helping plant churches together.
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