DNA

A N D

The What and Why of DNA at FOG

D = Divine Truth (Bible)N = Nurturing RelationshipsA = Apostolic Mission

• It is an easy way to examine the spiritual health/defects of the individual and the corporate body/congregation

• It is an acrostic that represents the central components of a healthy church.

See Gal. 6:4; I Cor. 3:13

WHY DNA?

• I could have created any number of terms/phrases or acrostics to represent healthy New Testament discipleship.

• DNA isn’t original. Many use the acrostic DNA as an inward code that drives everything they do.

• A pastor friend uses the acrostic “DNA” at the Genesis Alliance Church in Foley Alabama. I liked it because it is easily remembered and entails the primary marks of discipleship.

To be a healthy church we must

bear the image of God’s NT Design for the church

Jn. 17:17 Sanctification by the truth of God’s Word

Jn. 13:35 – Loving one another reveals we are His disciples.

Jn. 17:18 – As the Father sent me – I send you

The Need for Re-Alignment – (See Rev. 2:1-3:22)Like tires, churches can get out of alignment biblically.

The tire can function when out of alignment but slowly the tire is losing its maximum ability to do what it was designed to do thus impacting the performance of the whole car.

Aligned tire Unaligned tire

We have to get back to the original design of God concerning truth, relationships, and biblical discipleship. It is my desire to take a serious look as to

how we can get in alignment with God’s design and transition accordingly.

Aligned DNA Unaligned DNA

2 Types of Church Mutations

• Legalism - Some forefathers emphasized strict legalism, extra biblical rules, which produced works based disciples. (Gal. 3:3)

• Schisms - Some forefathers put too much emphasis on denomination, creeds, liturgy, and ecclesiastical structure. (I Cor. 3:3)

• Control - Some forefathers put to much emphasis on pastoral authority. (I Pet. 5:3)

Hereditary/Generational mutations

Acquired mutations “Cultural Environment”

• Consumerist - Christians view church as being all about their desires and their comfort. (Phil. 2:4)

• The bubble Protectionists –Christians isolate and insolate from the world to which they were called to minister. (Jn. 17:18)

• Easy believism - Christians who primarily want a relationship with Jesus to get a ticket into heaven while rejecting Christ’s call to Lordship and discipleship.(Lk. 6:46)

• Grace abuse - When Christians use grace as an excuse for their slothfulness and disobedience. (Rom. 6:1)

• Selective theology - When Christians ascribe value to selctive bits but ignore other clear responsibilities. (Acts 20:27)

• Comparison - When a Christian bases his/her personal holiness relative to those around him; this makes him feel good about the compromise they are currently living with. (Rev. 3:17)

All around it, but…

By The Grace of God and a fresh move of His Holy Spirit we can move…

From here

DNA

to here.

Carnal Tendency

To have DNA in every area of ministry

FOG TARGET

Heb 13:17 Be obedient to those leading you, and be subject, for these do watch for your souls, as about to give account, that with joy they may do this, and not sighing, for this is unprofitable to you.

Alliance men AWANAYouth group

Fog cells

Socials

Mission Life

VBS

Women of Grace

Titus 2

Children’s church

Women of Grace

Home school Mission TripsBible Studies

Every Ministry seeking God for the very best DNA

Remember, DNA isn’t about a program but a PERSON

The Lord Jesus Christ

D - Joh 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

N - Joh 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

A - Joh 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."