Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

406 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 2

Twenty Five Years of Urban Church Planting Among the Poor: A Report 18 B. Appendix 2: “Healthy Churches” Defined

“We Believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church” An outline for healthy churches can be found in the Nicene Creed.

1.

“One” a)

Churches value obedience to God’s Word (Psa 119; e.g. Equip ; Master the Bible, Bible Blossom Project ). Churches value the Great Tradition (e.g. Sacred Roots, Capstone’s Nicene foundations).

b)

2.

“Holy” a)

Churches value the freedom, justice, and wholeness of the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of God theme in Capstone). Churches value our participation in Christ’s royal priesthood (Seven essential practices of the royal priesthood).

b)

3.

“Catholic” a)

Churches value the catholicity of the church (committed to connection with other churches). Churches value and embrace the gifts of different cultures; ( Post Black-Post White; Black and Human ).

b)

4.

“Apostolic” a)

Churches value proclaiming the gospel especially among the poor (e.g. Evangelize , Capstone’s Urban Mission modules, Pauline Cycle). Churches value empowering missional leaders who reproduce themselves ( Empower; Capstone Curriculum; Evangel Church Plant School).

b)