Comments on: Gospel-Centered Assimilation http://www.joethorn.net/2008/08/13/gospel-centered-assimilation/ theology. church. culture. life. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Darby Livingston http://www.joethorn.net/2008/08/13/gospel-centered-assimilation/#comment-4474 Darby Livingston Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:53:59 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=951#comment-4474 I've thought through similar issues, and agree as a fellow church planter that such thought is essential. I agree with your diagram. Our paradigm is to use a "training track" called "The Year of Building" in which new members are shown what it is to be living stones in God's temple. And much like your diagram, the focus shifts half-way through the process to show how we are not only individual stones in the building, but fellow builders as well. This model comes from straight exposition of Scripture from texts in 1 Peter, and 1 Corinthians and Ephesians. That's what we want isn't it - a paradigm that flows from Scripture? So I think your model is on the right track and look forward to how it works out. I’ve thought through similar issues, and agree as a fellow church planter that such thought is essential. I agree with your diagram. Our paradigm is to use a “training track” called “The Year of Building” in which new members are shown what it is to be living stones in God’s temple. And much like your diagram, the focus shifts half-way through the process to show how we are not only individual stones in the building, but fellow builders as well. This model comes from straight exposition of Scripture from texts in 1 Peter, and 1 Corinthians and Ephesians. That’s what we want isn’t it – a paradigm that flows from Scripture? So I think your model is on the right track and look forward to how it works out.

]]> By: Chris W http://www.joethorn.net/2008/08/13/gospel-centered-assimilation/#comment-4473 Chris W Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:01:12 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=951#comment-4473 I really like this post, and while I have no comment on the content per se (other than I'm looking forward to hearing you bring this to the congregation), I just wanted to tell you I appreaciate your ability to put your thought process down visually, graphically. Words can be limiting, and so can graphics, but the ability to present those tools together really helps make things clear. Thanks for showing us how you work thru these concepts. Limited by words, Chris W I really like this post, and while I have no comment on the content per se (other than I’m looking forward to hearing you bring this to the congregation), I just wanted to tell you I appreaciate your ability to put your thought process down visually, graphically. Words can be limiting, and so can graphics, but the ability to present those tools together really helps make things clear. Thanks for showing us how you work thru these concepts.

Limited by words,
Chris W

]]> By: Sojourn Music » Blog Archive » Links Around The Web, And Then Back To Our Own Studio http://www.joethorn.net/2008/08/13/gospel-centered-assimilation/#comment-4472 Sojourn Music » Blog Archive » Links Around The Web, And Then Back To Our Own Studio Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:06:50 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=951#comment-4472 [...] Thorn has a good post (complete with napkin diagram) about gospel-centered assimilation from the perspective of a church planter trying to figure out the best way to assimilate [...] [...] Thorn has a good post (complete with napkin diagram) about gospel-centered assimilation from the perspective of a church planter trying to figure out the best way to assimilate [...]

]]> By: Courtney Joseph http://www.joethorn.net/2008/08/13/gospel-centered-assimilation/#comment-4471 Courtney Joseph Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:19:13 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=951#comment-4471 Great conversation once again Joey - thanks! My sister's husband (my brother-in-law) moved into the role of Assimilation Pastor 2 years ago. He is an elder at our church and he oversees the Deacon ministry. Through the Deacons he is made aware of needs and with the help of the Deacons they "assimilate" people. They together find people to fill in the gaps who have the correct giftedness to do the job. He also uses the Spiritual Gift test - but that's not his only tool. Much of it comes through the Deacons. He goes to all the ABF's and teaches lessons on spiritual gifts and makes the body aware of the needs. He is the main contact for all the needs in the church and then he is the main contact if you'd like to serve and need plugged in. He also oversees all the small groups in our church which is a huge ministry. He has helped our body of Christ just function smoothly - he is a great go to person and with the help of the Deacons it is not a program but a way of ministry - a way of building the body up. Discipleship is one part - but service is another key. When he moved from Youth Pastor to this position I'll admit I thought it was a little wierd - but now that I see it in action - I think it is awesome. Our body of Christ is growing by leaps and bounds and we are about to send out 100+ members for a 2nd church plant in the last 2 years. (Our pastor is trying to avoid creating a mega church which we would have if we didn't continue to plant churches like we have over the past 10 years). All I can say is God is using it for his glory for the gospel to be spread, disciples to be made and the body to work in unity. Courtney Joseph :-) Great conversation once again Joey – thanks!

My sister’s husband (my brother-in-law) moved into the role of Assimilation Pastor 2 years ago.

He is an elder at our church and he oversees the Deacon ministry. Through the Deacons he is made aware of needs and with the help of the Deacons they “assimilate” people. They together find people to fill in the gaps who have the correct giftedness to do the job.

He also uses the Spiritual Gift test – but that’s not his only tool. Much of it comes through the Deacons.

He goes to all the ABF’s and teaches lessons on spiritual gifts and makes the body aware of the needs. He is the main contact for all the needs in the church and then he is the main contact if you’d like to serve and need plugged in. He also oversees all the small groups in our church which is a huge ministry.

He has helped our body of Christ just function smoothly – he is a great go to person and with the help of the Deacons it is not a program but a way of ministry – a way of building the body up.

Discipleship is one part – but service is another key.

When he moved from Youth Pastor to this position I’ll admit I thought it was a little wierd – but now that I see it in action – I think it is awesome. Our body of Christ is growing by leaps and bounds and we are about to send out 100+ members for a 2nd church plant in the last 2 years. (Our pastor is trying to avoid creating a mega church which we would have if we didn’t continue to plant churches like we have over the past 10 years).

All I can say is God is using it for his glory for the gospel to be spread, disciples to be made and the body to work in unity.

Courtney Joseph :-)

]]> By: Luke Britt http://www.joethorn.net/2008/08/13/gospel-centered-assimilation/#comment-4470 Luke Britt Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:25:23 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/?p=951#comment-4470 Amen. Amen.

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