Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART III: P LANTING U RBAN C HURCHES • 455

Small Groups Ten Principles and Their Implications for Open Christian Gatherings The Urban Ministry Institute

1. Loving the Lord God is the center of our gathering (Deut. 6.4-9; Matt. 22.37-39).

a. The Father is glorified and adored b. Jesus is known and worshiped c. The Spirit is sought and obeyed

2. Freedom and liberty in the Spirit reigns (2 Cor. 3.17-18).

3. Every Christian is encouraged to minister and participate; everyone is free to share, exhort, speak, and participate as God leads (1 Cor. 14.26).

4. Nobody hogs or dominates, but all contribute for the upbuilding of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 14.31-33).

5. Real needs in the body are shared and prayed for openly together in Christian love (Gal. 6.2; James 5.13-16).

6. The Word of God is spoken, heard, and applied to life (1 Cor. 14.1-25).

7. Supplications, intercessions, and petitions are made to God in the name of Jesus (1 Tim. 2.1-8).

8. The ordinances (Baptism and the Lord’s supper) are regularly held and celebrated together. (Rom. 6.1-4; 1 Cor. 11.17-34).

9. Discovering and using one’s gifts and callings is encouraged, expected, and nurtured; these are confirmed by testified experience and by official appointment in the church (Rom. 12.3-8; 1 Pet. 4.7-11; 1 Cor. 12.1-27; 2 Cor. 13.1; 1 Tim. 1.18; 4.14). 10. The authority of godly servant-leaders is exercised, order is maintained, and limits recognized, all for the edification of the church (2 Cor. 13.9-10; 1 Cor. 14.26-33, 39-40).