Leading in a

Diverse Church

Session 1

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who

will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all

may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;

that they also may be one in Us, that the world may

believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You

gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just

as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they

may be made perfect in one, and that the world may

know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as

You have loved Me” (KJV).

High Priestly Prayer: John 17:20-23

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6

Unity Leading Grounding Ministry Setting the Supporting Framework Across Cultures in Love Table Mosaic Communities, Parts 1 & 2

Course Outline

Lesson’s Big Ideas

• God’s intent is to give access to the message of salvation for the ‘called’ from every culture and generation

• Scripture mandates a heterogeneous, multicultural faith community

• It is the role of a leader to bring unity to transform church culture and make room for grace for people from all tribes, nations and tongues

Understanding Biblical Mandate for Unity:

John 17:20-23

What do you know about why the Body needs to be

one for a unified church?

Student responses:

• One mind and one accord: Same message

• Like-mindedness and in agreement—Carry the same

message

• Regardless of background, we’re all married to Christ

• One mind, edifying each other

Orthodoxy(RIGHT MEANING)

Orthopraxy(RIGHT PRACTICE)

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, AS YOU, FATHER, ARE IN ME, AND I IN YOU” (17:21a)

Vision of Purpose and

Knowledge (P1)

That believers may be joined

together in “one fold and one

shepherd” with “unity of purpose

and knowledge through Jesus”

(17:21a)

Class response

Using intentionally diverse teams:

minister to others with multicultural

teams so people see oneness of

the Body.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be

one in Us,

THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME” (17:21b)

Bearing of Witness (P2)

That believers abide in the one

Shepherd and as one fold to bear

unified witness in one accord to the

identity of Jesus as the Sent One

(17:21b)

Class response

Witnessing to people from different

background, ethnicity, creed, etc.:

Go outside your own circle. (Build

new bridges—Also witness to

people who do not look like you.)

Orthodoxy(RIGHT MEANING)

Orthopraxy(RIGHT PRACTICE)

“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them,

THAT THEY MAY BE ONE JUST AS WE ARE ONE: (17:22)

Reflection of God’s Glory (P3)

That they may be kept in solidarity

as one fold, transformed into His

likeness to reflect His glory (17:22)

Class response

Showing solidarity as one through

fellowship: New member dinners

shows the diversity present, serving

different foods, meet and greets with

regions and Soul Patrol

“I in them, and You in Me;

THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE, AND THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW

THAT YOU HAVE SENT ME, AND HAVE LOVED THEM AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME” (17:23).

Perfection of One in Him (P4)

That they may be made complete

and full as one, believers

collectively abiding in Christ and

Him dwelling within every believer

(17:23)

Class response

Breaking barriers by coming

together as a diverse one: VIP,

prayer room, hospital, grieving

people, baptisms, & weddings

(Learn different customs. Mix

w/people outside church)

Petitionary Prayer

Unifying the Body on Your Knees: Prayer of Petition“My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt 21:13 NKJV).

Petitionary Prayer DefinitionGod is your source. Make your petitions known to him.

A petitionary prayer is a request or supplication, one “supported

by evidence and facts based on the known will of God by the

Word of God” (Savelle, 2011; cf., Eph 6:10-18).

Steps for Petitionary Prayer Step 1. Depend on God as your source. Pray with an expectant

faith.

Step 2. Pray in the name of Jesus, your power source.

Step 3. Pray the Word itself. When you pray the Word back to

God, it shows Him that you are in agreement with His will.

(Ephesians 6:17-18 (KJV) says, “take the helmet of

salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of

God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in

the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance

and supplication for all the saints.”)

Step 4. Read and study the selected Scripture passage. Know

what the passage means. Circle the key words and look

up their meaning.

Step 5. Pray the Word as a petition for the needs of the saved

souls and unsaved souls for reconciliation with God and

each other in Christ (Savelle, 2011).

Class Examples of Petitionary Prayer

To be added.

Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity

60-60-30-30 Paired Discussion

Pastor Tony Evans, in his book Oneness Embraced, says that

“Unity is not uniformity, nor is it sameness. Each person is

unique in personhood and yet at the same time one in essence,

unity reflects a oneness that does not negate individuality. Unity

does not mean everyone needs to be like everyone else” (2011).

• What is the meaning of “unity if not uniformity, nor is it

sameness?”

• How does Evans’ quote relate to John 17:21b?

Quick Self-Assessment:

Leadership Action Skills for Unity1=Undeveloped, 2=Emerging, 3=Proficient 4=Highly

Developed

1 2 3 4

Element 1: “M” Intentionally Ministers to the Multitudes

Element 2: “O” Views Others with Openness

Element 3: “S” Adapts the Method, Keeping the MeSSage

Element 4: “A” Focuses on the Call to the All

Element 5: “I” Shows Inclusion and Impartiality

Element 6: “C” Uses Value Communication

Quick Self-Assessment:

Leadership Action Skills for Unity

Debrief

What surprised you about your pre assessment?

Closing

What impressed you as most important from our discussion?

Want to know more about unity?

Read these articles from Jan Paron

• Seeking the M.O.S.A.I.C. Church: Bridging the Gap Leadership Framework

for Unity, http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-

c-church-bridging-the-gap-leadership-model-for-unity/

• Seeking the M.O.S.A.I.C. Church: Understanding New Covenant Unity,

Pt. 1 http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-c-

church-understanding-new-covenant-unity/

Pt. 2 http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-c-

church-understanding-new-testament-unity-pt-2/

• Seeking the M.O.S.A.I.C. Church: Bridging the Gap Leadership Framework

for Unity, http://specs12.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/seeking-the-m-o-s-a-i-c-church-bridging-the-gap-leadership-model-for-unity/

References

Evans, T. (2011). Oneness embraced through the eyes of Tony Evans. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

Paron, J. (2012). M.O.S.A.I.C. Church Series Pt 1. Introduction. Alsip, IL: PerSpectives 12.

Savelle, J. (2011). Prayer of petition: Breaking through the impossible. Ventura, CA: Gospel Light.