A Philosophy to Unleash the Church

Unleashing Philosophy (From "Mobilizing Equipped Laity", Mel Sumrall, 1989, where it was adapted from "Unleashing the Church" by Frank Tillapaugh)

1. Strategy/Goal Oriented Vs. Event/Activity Oriented
This emphasizes the fact of a plan.  Build a ministry on a thought-out strategy not on a series of events.  Parachurch groups are strategy oriented.  They know why they are doing what they are doing.  Churches tend to be event oriented.  It is easy for programs to become ends in themselves and not part of an overall plan.  Activities should be a means to an end that has been thought through.

2. Vision Oriented Vs. Maintenance Oriented
This emphasizes the scope or thrust of the plan.  There tends to be a maintenance mentality in churches instead of an aggressive thrust.  Churches tend to have a "come to us" versus a "we'll go to you" mentality.

3. Organism Based on Headship of Christ Vs. Organization Based on Plans of Man
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of His church...not the pastor, or elders or anyone else.  He is the One who guides, directs, leads, provides resources, etc.  There must be a conscious dependence upon Him so that His purposes for the church might be accomplished.

4. Every Member a Minister Vs. Every Member a Spectator
Each member in the body of Christ has the responsibility to be responsive to the Head.  He has a place for them to function in His body and has given them spiritual gifts that they might minister.  The ministry is in the hands of the laity.

5. Freedom to Initiate Ministries Vs. Stifling of Initiative
The people must know that along with the responsibility to be responsive to the Head is the responsibility to be obedient to what the Lord Jesus would want them to do.  The people must be given the freedom to initiate ministries.

6. Spirit-Led Intrinsic Motivation Vs. Human-Led Extrinsic Motivation
Jesus is the Head of the church and what people do they do because God has given them the desire to do it, not because man has talked them into doing it.  This emphasizes the "want to" motivation versus the "have to" motivation.

7. Structure Follows Ministry Vs. Ministry Follows Structure
Never produce ministry out of structure but structure out of ministry.  Build the structure around the initiative of Spirit led people.  Committees should be formed out of people who are ministering.

8. Leadership Position because of Influence Vs. Leadership Position because of Credentials
A person should be a leader because he is having an influence in the lives of people.

9. Flexibility of Structure Vs. Sacredness of Structure
If structure flows from ministry, then it follows that the structure must be flexible.  The Head of the church is directing us in a certain way today.  Therefore, our structure is in light of His leading.  However, He may lead us differently one year from now.  If so, we must be willing to change that which is necessary to follow His leading.

10. Trust in People Vs. Control Over People
People who have a desire for a ministry must be trusted by the leadership of the church to follow the Lord in the development of that ministry.

11. Freedom to Fail Vs. Pressure to Succeed
People who are responsive to the Head, who take the initiative to begin a ministry and who are trusted by the leadership must be given the freedom to fail.

12. Responsibility With Authority Vs. Responsibility Without Authority
We must not separate responsibility and authority.  Responsibility for a ministry means authority to do the ministry.

13. Ministry Oriented Vs. Superstar/Superstructure Oriented
The activity of the church should be toward meeting people's spiritual needs rather than building a dynasty or a concrete monument to man.

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