Showing posts with label Roland Allen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roland Allen. Show all posts
4.26.2015
Yeast, Salt, Seed, and Light
“This then is what I mean by spontaneous expansion. I mean the expansion which follows the un-exhorted and unorganized activity of individual members of the Church explaining to others the Gospel which they have found for themselves; I mean the expansion which follows the irresistible attraction of the Christian Church for men who see its ordered life, and are drawn to it by desire to discover the secret of a life which they instinctively desire to share; I mean also the expansion of the Church by the addition of new Churches.”
― Roland Allen, The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church: And the Causes That Hinder It
2.29.2012
Spontaneous Expansion
ALLEN, ROLAND
The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church
Allen's Spontaneous Expansion of the Church and the Causes that Hinder It is an essential companion volume to his Missionary Methods. The primary argument in Allen's work is that the Spirit would quite naturally lead men to work for the advancement of the gospel in such a way that the subsequent result would be new local churches. It is this 'spontaneous expansion' that we see as characteristic of the early Church, as well as Churches in countries antagonistic towards the gospel. Allen goes on to diagnose the current reality (which is anything but 'spontaneous expansion') as a result of fear. Our fear of the uncontrolled move of the Spirit of Jesus is what causes us to rely upon organizational principles to do what can only be done by the saint who is surrendered over to the Power of God.
2.28.2012
Missionary Methods
ALLEN, ROLAND
Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours
What a phenomenal book! Allen discusses all aspects of Church oversight. In spite of an emphasis on cross-cultural church planting, very little of this book loses application within our own cultural context. From finances, to authority, to preaching, to discipline; Allen reveals the fundamental differences between the method's of Paul and ourselves; namely, a fundamental trust in God's Spirit in the Church.
6.05.2006
Roland Allen
Allen's Spontaneous Expansion of the Church: and the Causes that Hinder It is an essential companion volume to his Missionary Methods. The primary argument in Allen's work is that the Spirit would quite naturally lead men to work for the advancement of the gospel in such a way that the subsequent result would be new local churches. It is this 'spontaneous expansion' that we see as characteristic of the early Church, as well as Churches in countries antagonistic towards the gospel. Allen goes on to diagnose the current reality (which is anything but 'spontaneous expansion') as a result of fear. Our fear of the uncontrolled move of the Spirit of Jesus is what causes us to rely upon organizational priciples to do what can only be done by the saint who is surrendered over to the Power of God.
Allen points out the fallacious nature of evangelistic work that has as its goal groups of Christians who must now rely upon the 'evangelist' for their continued faith. The goal of evangelism is not the existence of a large body of christians who have no way of living out their faith, or advancing the cause of the Kingdom. The goal of evangelism is women and men who's trust in Christ is of such a quality that they naturally cause those around them to desire Christ; women and men who are capable of leading others into a life with Christ; women and men who are willing to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their families, co-workers, and neighbors; women and men who would take up the cause of advancing the gospel of Christ.
Allen points to the evangelism of a group of people that does not empower those people to live in a christ-centered, missional, community (a Church) backwards. Our goal should be individuals who are of a particular quality in their faith; and this leading inevitably to new local churches. Not the gathering of people who are not missional, have no leadership, are not bound together by the sacraments of the Church (are not a Church!) and then seek to train up individuals of the aforementioned quality of faith out of that group.
I find in this a good deal of support for my contention that the New Testament knows nothing of Christians who were not also Church Planters. To be a Christian in the New Testament sense of the word is to have committed oneself to the spread of the missionary community of Christ.
Allen points out the fallacious nature of evangelistic work that has as its goal groups of Christians who must now rely upon the 'evangelist' for their continued faith. The goal of evangelism is not the existence of a large body of christians who have no way of living out their faith, or advancing the cause of the Kingdom. The goal of evangelism is women and men who's trust in Christ is of such a quality that they naturally cause those around them to desire Christ; women and men who are capable of leading others into a life with Christ; women and men who are willing to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their families, co-workers, and neighbors; women and men who would take up the cause of advancing the gospel of Christ.
Allen points to the evangelism of a group of people that does not empower those people to live in a christ-centered, missional, community (a Church) backwards. Our goal should be individuals who are of a particular quality in their faith; and this leading inevitably to new local churches. Not the gathering of people who are not missional, have no leadership, are not bound together by the sacraments of the Church (are not a Church!) and then seek to train up individuals of the aforementioned quality of faith out of that group.
I find in this a good deal of support for my contention that the New Testament knows nothing of Christians who were not also Church Planters. To be a Christian in the New Testament sense of the word is to have committed oneself to the spread of the missionary community of Christ.
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