Developing Lay Leaders: A Biblical Model for Small Emerging Pentecostal Churches

By Lezmine Bowers Morrison-Hawthorne

Many small church leaders with whom I have the honor to meet, have mentioned how they have reached spiritual plateaus in their leadership, limiting their ability to lead effectively at the next level and experience ministry effectiveness. The question, therefore is, will a discipleship program for church workers/leaders that integrates spiritual practices with ministry calling result in both spiritual growth and improved ministry effectiveness? Until recently, there was a great need for a paradigm for a Pentecostal Pastor to navigate the perils and prospects of the 21st-century cultural milieu in an emerging new congregation. There was a shortage of books about new and emerging issues in ministry praxis, as well as books that give instructions on how to establish a Pentecostal church or how to lead and disciple in the 21st century. In seminaries and universities, very little was written or taught about Pentecostalism and culture. And, although there is a rise in Pentecostal scholars who are now addressing these concerns, there is still much work to be done to create a church ministry model that reflects the distinctives of Pentecostalism and Pentecostal Christian formation, while at the same time, remaining relevant to the challenges and culture of the respective ministry context. I agree that it is time for the church to engage the postmodern culture. It is essential for Bible-based thinkers with cultural shrewdness to provoke responses to some contemporary issues that are 'hot' topics. This means, "we must not only engage the broader culture but seek to transform culture according to Christ." To do so, the Christian leaders and workers in the 21st century must know the difference between Biblical absolutes that must not be compromised and tenants that are grey areas, where there exists latitude for difference. Although an emerging new congregation must be able to recognize what church ministries can looklike in the broader global context, we should never compromise God's principles for a healthy Pentecostal Church. Ward posits that "Sociologists have a vested interest in maintaining the secularization thesis." Chatraw and Swallow, however, remind us that God calls us to live as citizens of two kingdoms. "Christians have the responsibility to each kingdom, but these responsibilities do not overlap." We do not combine God's agenda with the power play of this world. Hunter states that "changing the world is part of the Christian mission" and challenges the assumption that culture can be changed one heart at a time. Historically, Pentecostals have impacted cultures and can continue to do so in the 21st century not by judgmental pronouncement or accommodation but by becoming the good news. This project was designed as a total immersion approach to Devotional Bible Reading and Prayer. It used qualitative research methods such as focus groups, observation, and interviews, as well as a quantitative tool known as a questionnaire. This study established the following: 1) The intentional and consistent practice of spiritual discipline had a positive impact on the spiritual maturation of those individuals who went through the six-week guided journey. 2) When people get involved in a disciplined spiritual life, they are able to identify their gifts and calling and move into leadership. It is intended to help Pentecostal church leaders develop a lay leadership training program, particularly in small startup churches. When adequate emphasis is given to implementing these strategies, Pentecostal church leaders and members can grow to spiritual maturity, experience church ministry effectiveness, and be empowered to grow the kingdom of God.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D4J8T828
• ISBN13: 9798325941443
• Release Date: May 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 135 Pages
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.3" x 8.5"