asbury proposal final

YOU WILL BE MYWITNESSES

“ “

...TO THE END OF THE EARTH.

A S B U RY T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY C H U R C H - P L A N T I N G I N I T I AT I V E

• We want to catalyze, equip, partner with and resource a new generation of

church-plant leaders with the character and competencies necessary to plant

Christ-centered, multiplying, disciple-making churches.

• Church-plant leaders whose aim is to see the full evangelization of a

defined people in a defined place.

• Church-plant leaders whose goal is to give every man, woman and child

repeated opportunities to see, hear and respond to the gospel.

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OVERVIEW.

WE BUILD THEM.


What kind of churches change the world?

What kind of leaders does it take to multiply

these churches?

Where will we find these leaders?

This proposal is meant to be a high level model of a customized learning

process that is aligned with the vision of Asbury Theological Seminary’s

Church Planting Initiative. It gives a potential framework for the formation

of the next generation of church-plant leaders.

With a global focus, this innovative learning process will establish univer-

sal convictions and practices on the nature and purpose of the Church and

Leadership. We refer to this as the “Operating System” (OS). It rises out of

Scripture and transcends culture and context.

In addition, through decentralized learning “Labs” in distinct parts of the

world, leaders will be educated, discipled and apprenticed by practitioners,

experts and scholars on the distinct “applications” (Apps) necessary for the

full evangelization of their context.


GLOSSARY.ENVISIONING

RESIDENCY

LABS

COACHING GROUPS

Establishing universal Biblical convictions and

practices on the nature and purpose of the

Church and Leadership.

The local church context where church-plant

leaders are apprenticed by faithful practi-

tioners, while serving, experimenting and

engaging in ministry.

Decentralized learning communities in distinct

parts of the world, where leaders will be educat-

ed, discipled and apprenticed by practitioners,

experts and scholars over a two-year duration.

A weekly discipleship environment that develops

the character of the church-plant leaders and

equips them to live out their calling to love and

represent Jesus.

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Build and multiply an innovative learning process for forming church-plant leaders that establishes

multiplying churches through reformational content, theological education, apprenticing relationships,

reproducible vehicles and learning community “labs” that engage the mind, heart and will.

“We must always realize, when we talk to others, that the heart is never to be approached directly. I

go further, the will is never to be approached directly either. This is a most important principle to bear

in mind both in personal dealings and in preaching. The heart is always to be influenced through the

understanding — the mind, then the heart, then the will.” - Martin Lloyd-Jones

All around the world, different geographic environments produce different types of fruit-bearing trees.

There’s a reason oranges don’t grow in Ohio but thrive in Florida. The problem with many training

practices is they are a one-size-fits-all approach that attempts to plant the same thing everywhere.

A Lab is where we work together to figure out what unique fruit-bearing tree will grow in specific

cultural contexts to bear the fruit of leadership, discipleship and mission.

VISION.


THE PROBLEM AND THE OPPORTUNITY

“The heart is always to be influenced through the understanding...”

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Before completion, each church-plant leader is able to demonstrate

specified Core Competencies. These are demonstrated as leaders em-

brace daily practices that challenge them to experiment each day and

learn in their context, with regular debrief touch points.

I N F O R M AT I O N - D R I V E N :

There is foundational information that every church-plant leader needs

to know: theological, administrative, team-leading, Gospel content,

conflict management, fundraising, etc.

A P P R E N T I C E S H I P :

Church-plant leaders become knowledgeable in specific competencies

by learning from faithful practitioners; skills are passed on.

I M M E R S I O N :

Church-plant leaders learn by regularly being immersed in the kind of

culture they are learning to multiply. Much learning is “caught” rather

than “taught”.

IDEAS THAT INFLUENCE THE PROCESS:


MEASURED OUTCOMES

3 LEARNING METHODS

Each learning space provides unique

opportunities for teaching and practice.

SPACES OF LEARNING4

4

1

PRIVATE

2

PERSONAL

3

SOCIAL

PUBLIC

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We identify, envision and train existing Methodist churches to begin embodying the future of the

church in North America. These churches will serve as the training sites for residencies and ongoing

apprenticeships. This has the two-pronged win of developing a pathway for future established church-

es to transition successfully, while also creating ‘buy-in’ for the training and sending of a new wave of

circuit riders (church-plant leaders).

• Decentralized learning communities in distinct parts of the world, where leaders will be educated,

discipled and apprenticed by practitioners, experts and scholars over a two-year duration

• Labs in multiple geographies, serving as gateways to specific continents and beyond

I N I T I A L S I T E S :

KEY STRATEGY POINTS.


NORTH AMERICA1

GLOBAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

NORTH AMERICA | ASIA | WESTERN EUROPE | LATIN AMERICA

2

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Asbury serves as the catalyst for all of these activities through providing the organizational hub,

facilitating theological formation, and equipping and resourcing leaders to plant multiplying Churches.

• Assessment Center to qualify potential candidates

• On-campus Envisioning Experience for church/denominational leaders and investors as well as

current undergraduate students

• Research + Development Collective: receiving ongoing data from global labs, sifting it, modifying

the applications that are bearing fruit, and redeploying the most important ‘on-the-field’ learnings

back into the mission contexts

• Formal Education specialists: Content Development + Sending Faculty to assist Labs


Catalyzing, Facilitating, Equipping and Resourcing.

ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY3

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YEAR 1

SEND

LAB 1 LAB 5LAB 3

LAB 2 LAB 4

YEAR 2RETREAT

WEEKLYCOACHING

GROUP WEEKLYCOACHING

GROUPRETREAT

ASSESSMENT

LEARNING COMMUNITY LAB RHYTHM.RESIDENCY

F I R S T 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E

Sample Focus: The New Testament Operating System for the Church

1. The Church Planter is assigned to their Residency Church and enters into Lab 1 and leaves with a

detailed 6-month action plan.

2. Weekly Coaching Groups begin, providing an apprenticeship model for discipling others while

being discipled.

3. Course work for theological formation begins.

S E C O N D 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E

Sample Focus: Building a Disciple-Making Culture

1. Planter enters Lab 2 and leaves with training that builds on the previous, leaving with a detailed

6-month action plan.

2. Weekly Coaching Groups continue, and planters start their first discipleship groups in their

Residency Church.

3. Course work for theological formation continues. / 7


T H I R D 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E

Sample Focus: Multiplying Missional Leaders


6-month action plan.

2. Weekly Coaching Groups continue, and planters continue their local discipleship groups in their

Residency Church.

3. Course work for theological formation continues.

F O U R T H 6 - M O N T H C Y C L E

Sample Focus: Releasing Families on Mission

1. Planter enters Lab 4 and leaves with training that builds on the previous, leaving with a

detailed 6-month action plan that begins the process of being released and sent out.

2. Weekly Coaching Groups continue, and planters multiply their groups in their Residency Church

so that disciples are making disciples.

3. Course work for theological formation continues.

R E L E A S E

Sample Focus: Pioneering Kingdom Movements


6-month action plan that begins the process of being released and sent out.

2. Church-plant leaders are sent to plant with ongoing monthly coaching calls.

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LEARNING COMMUNITY LAB FORMATION PROCESS.

4 PILLARS OF INFORMATION 1/3 FORMAL 2/3 INFORMAL

- Personal- Theological

Education &Training

- Missiological- Leadership

Discipleship &Apprenticeship

LEADING IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD

BEING LEDBY GOD

LEADERSHIP THAT LASTS

LEADINGOTHERS

MONTHS 1-6 MONTHS 13-18

EXAMPLE SEMESTERS

MONTHS 7-12 MONTHS 19-24

CHARACTER

2 43

CONTENT CONTEXT

1

COMPENTENCY

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asbury proposal final

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