Patterns of Proclamation

Reference: Grigg, V. (2005). Cry of the Urban Poor. GA, USA: Authentic Media in partnership with World Vision.

These twelve jesus sent out, with the following Instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles, or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’” (Matthew 10:5-8)

Before he comes, go quickly!

Presence leads to proclamation. Jesus preached and taught with brilliance and wisdom, speaking the very words of God. He knew what was inside the people he met. God revealed to him the inner life of a woman at the well, of a woman who touched his garment, of a man who climbed a tree to see him. He spoke to their needs with the power of a word from God—a word of revelation, a word of knowl­edge, a word of wisdom. Proclamation of the word of God had power because it accompanied the exercise of spiritual gifts.

The impact of the kingdom comes from the proclaimed Word, which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16) as it is taken by the Spirit to meet revealed needs.

A slow approach to evangelism emphasizes building ini­tial acceptance and friendship in the community. This slow approach is the only viable one during the first few years when a worker is learning language and culture. It may begin on the first day, as the worker lives among the people and prays for their needs.

 Then follows the formation of small Bible study groups, either with families or even with groups of alcoholics. These studies often last only for three weeks because the broken social structure makes it difficult to develop a disciplined pattern. Each group meeting has to be celebrated as a spe­cial occasion. A pattern of forming groups, then reforming them, with new approaches each time, seems to work well.

Through these, people become converted. Social activi­ties, such as an outing at the park, birthday parties, and then worship, can gradually be developed, drawing together people from several Bible studies.

The church planter needs to keep weekly records of who is in what group, where new contacts are forming, where new groups of people are opening up, and how to link these together, one with another. There is a need, as well, to keep records from the outset about each contact and convert. These records may be kept either in a loose-leaf notebook or on small cards in a file. “Know well the condition of your flock and pay attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).

The second approach is like a “fast break” in the sport of basketball. It is the approach of the evangelist or the wan­dering apostle. It involves entering a community with a team, and for a series of successive nights, proclaiming the gospel until a significant group has been saved and can form a church. We expect that many missionaries, after their mastery of language and culture, can exercise such a mobile ministry.

Probably a combination of both approaches is most ef­fective. This would call for building a network of relation­ships, and then bringing in an evangelistic team for a period of active public proclamation.
 

Put it up quickly

“If you don’t get the building up within three days, the materials will be stolen,” he told me.

While he was building the little wooden churches, his team—wife, son and daughter—moved through the favela and started Bible studies with mothers and children. In the evenings, using a loudspeaker, they would call the people to come and hear. Then the gospel would be preached.

In each place, fifty to a hundred people would be converted. He would go to the local minister’s fraternal and find a pastor who wanted to move to the city, and invite him to come and pastor this newly-planted church. This pastor would sleep in the squatter church until he found a home in the community.

Twenty-five churches were formed through this evangelist, his family, and his incarnational pastors.

Opposition
    Just as Jesus was thrown out of his synagogue when he declared his mission to the poor, so workers among the poor face opposition, persecution and violence. If we walk in Jesus, if his power and glory are manifest through us, we must expect the opposition he experienced.

Entrance into a slum is a political act—one that rich landowners and politicians may perceive as being against their interests if they exploit the poor. The people them­selves, bound by centuries of darkness and bitterness, will oppose the light. Demonic powers are present. Jesus warns us of all these.

A pastor of courage

Pastor Jun Paragas and his wife, Milleth, are a remarkable couple in Tatalon, Manila. One of the marks of their lives is their perseverance under opposition.

Upon their first entrance into the slum, some ten years ago, they quickly discovered the dark gossip and backbiting of some in the community. They expressed love in various ways to these. At times rocks were thrown on their roof by those they were seeking to reach.

For periods of time, love succeeded in winning over some hearts. Then several Catholic leaders in the community would seek to duplicate each aspect of the work, to talk against it, and to keep people away from the fellowship, (just as the devout Jews troubled the Apostle Paul).

When there were errors of judgment or sin in the church, the whole community would turn against Pastor Jun and Milleth. When there were new expressions of love for people, the mood would change. At one point, when they were absent for a few months, the community turned against them with much darkness, taking down the tent that was used for a place to meet.

As in the case of the Apostle Paul or of any pastor, at times there has also been opposition from the people within the very church they have spent a decade of their lives serving. One of the early converts moving into leadership opposed Pastor Jun at one point. Now the relationship has healed. Others have become disgruntled. Dealing with one member’s sin led to a round of criticism. Another time, there was dispute over the role of pastor. Again, a spirit of forgiveness and humility brought healing.

Outside agencies seeking to help the work have brought no end of criticisms. They have sought to help, or control, and then have moved on.

But the call to a pastor is to remain firm, to stand unbending, and to hold on to the territory that God has given. Sometimes faltering often discouraged, and at times making mistakes and having to redeem them, this couple has remained until the church has begun to mature in Christ.

Back to Evangelism

Forward to next article

© Viv Grigg & Urban Leadership Foundationand other materials © by various contributors & Urban Leadership Foundation,  for The Encarnacao Training Commission.  Last modified: July 2010