Discovering God’s Heart for Your City Brad Fieldhouse “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord.

Discovering God’s Discovering God’s Heart for Your CityHeart for Your City

Brad FieldhouseBrad Fieldhouse

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because as it prospers, you you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because as it prospers, you

too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:4-7too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:4-7

Our Expectations/DesiresOur Expectations/DesiresOur Expectations/DesiresOur Expectations/Desires That you have a deeper sense of hope for your

city and its transformation That you would be challenged to more fully

embrace your role as the Church (people of God)

That you would be encouraged by our stories That you would be equipped with some

practical teaching That you (and your small groups) would be

reinvigorated to be an agent of Kingdom blessing

That God would be glorified!

That you have a deeper sense of hope for your city and its transformation

That you would be challenged to more fully embrace your role as the Church (people of God)

That you would be encouraged by our stories That you would be equipped with some

practical teaching That you (and your small groups) would be

reinvigorated to be an agent of Kingdom blessing

That God would be glorified!

Table ConversationsTable Conversations► Introduce yourselvesIntroduce yourselves►What are we after? What are we after?

What would you like to see in YOUR city?What would you like to see in YOUR city? What Bible verses (themes, ideas, etc) What Bible verses (themes, ideas, etc)

support your perspective?support your perspective?

Jesus’ Church IS the Hope Jesus’ Church IS the Hope for Our Cities!for Our Cities!

How Does Jesus See His Church? (Matthew 16:13-18)


►The Church is His Project He builds it! “I will build my

church…”

►The Church is His Project He builds it! “I will build my

church…” He owns it!

“I will build my church…”

Church is to be growing!“I will build my

church…”

He owns it! “I will build my

church…”

Church is to be growing!“I will build my

church…”



Church faces opposition but“the gates of hell shall not overpower it.”

Church faces opposition but“the gates of hell shall not overpower it.”

Church is Relevant (on offense!) Gates are of hell not heaven Gates are not offensive

weapons Jesus gives us the keys

Church is Relevant (on offense!) Gates are of hell not heaven Gates are not offensive

weapons Jesus gives us the keys

…except her own lack of faith!

…except her own lack of faith!

How Does Jesus See His Church?

(Matthew 16:13-18)

How Does Jesus See His Church?

(Matthew 16:13-18) Church faces opposition but“the gates of hell shall not overpower it.”

Church faces opposition but“the gates of hell shall not overpower it.” Church is relevant (front lines of hope!)

Church is relevant (front lines of hope!) There is no force on earth that can stop the Church from accomplishing the mission given to her by Jesus…

There is no force on earth that can stop the Church from accomplishing the mission given to her by Jesus…

The Church as a Living EntityThe Church as a Living Entity

The presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual family to pursue His mission on this planet

The presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual family to pursue His mission on this planet

The Definition of Church:The Definition of Church:

DNA of the Living ChurchDNA of the Living ChurchDNA of the Living ChurchDNA of the Living Church

Divine Truth Divine Truth

Nurturing Relationships Nurturing Relationships

Apostolic Mission Apostolic Mission

Divine Truth Truth is the foundation for everything. By Divine Truth is the foundation for everything. By Divine Truth we mean the dynamic and living presence of Truth we mean the dynamic and living presence of Christ and His Word intersecting with humanity in Christ and His Word intersecting with humanity in order to shed light on who we are and why we are order to shed light on who we are and why we are herehere

Divine Truth Truth is the foundation for everything. By Divine Truth is the foundation for everything. By Divine Truth we mean the dynamic and living presence of Truth we mean the dynamic and living presence of Christ and His Word intersecting with humanity in Christ and His Word intersecting with humanity in order to shed light on who we are and why we are order to shed light on who we are and why we are herehere

Nurturing Relationships A building of family and brotherhood based

on a love relationship with our Father and His Son, Jesus

Nurturing Relationships A building of family and brotherhood based

on a love relationship with our Father and His Son, Jesus

Apostolic Mission By “apostolic” we mean sent. The church is to be a sent agency, not a sending agency. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you” (John 20:21)

Apostolic Mission By “apostolic” we mean sent. The church is to be a sent agency, not a sending agency. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you” (John 20:21)



Divine Truth—The Great Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Nurturing Relationships—The Second Greatest: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Apostolic Mission—The Great Commission: Go and make disciples of all the nations.

Divine Truth—The Great Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Nurturing Relationships—The Second Greatest: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Apostolic Mission—The Great Commission: Go and make disciples of all the nations.

If DNA is so important, why didn’t Jesus emphasize it? He did…If DNA is so important, why didn’t Jesus emphasize it? He did…

Apostolic Mission

Divine TruthDivine Truth

Nurturing Relationships

Divine Truth is the code that binds relationships and mission, brings the church to life and dictates the development of the body.

DNA of the Living ChurchDNA of the Living Church

DNA defines the Living ChurchDNA defines the Living ChurchDNA defines the Living ChurchDNA defines the Living Church

The presence of Jesus among His peopleThe presence of Jesus among His people

Revisiting our definition of church:Revisiting our definition of church:

The presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual family

The presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual familyto pursue His mission on this planet.to pursue His mission on this planet.

Healthy DNA = Healthy ChurchHealthy DNA = Healthy Church

Communitas, Not Just

Community!!

Let’sRediscover Our Sense

of Adventure!

Communitas, Not Just

Community!!

Let’sRediscover Our Sense

of Adventure!

Gospel of the Kingdom Gospel of the Kingdom freedom, favor, fruitfulness freedom, favor, fruitfulness

The Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. The Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 10/Luke10)10/Luke10)


► Jesus preached the same sermon at least twice on different occasions to different audiences

► He was repeating himself for emphasis because it was important

► The subject was very practical and his sermon was full of outstanding missional principles

► These sermons are found most completely in Matthew 10 and Luke 10

► Jesus instructed the disciples to teach us to observe all that He commanded them…that includes these sermons

► Jesus preached the same sermon at least twice on different occasions to different audiences

► He was repeating himself for emphasis because it was important

► The subject was very practical and his sermon was full of outstanding missional principles

► These sermons are found most completely in Matthew 10 and Luke 10

► Jesus instructed the disciples to teach us to observe all that He commanded them…that includes these sermons



Practice Of Prayer Practice Of Prayer

“Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”


Pockets Of People Pockets Of People

Do you believe like I believe?

“Centered Set”

Do you care about what I care about?

“Bounded Set”

Pockets of PeoplePockets of People

People of good faith working together with people of good will

Pockets of People…Pockets of People…► ……experiencing that Jesus (often) cares experiencing that Jesus (often) cares

about what they care about!about what they care about!



Practice Of Prayer Practice Of Prayer



Pockets Of People Pockets Of People Power Of Presence Power Of Presence Person Of Peace Person Of Peace

What does a person of peace look like?...

What does a person of peace look like?...

Characteristics of a “person of peace”

Characteristics of a “person of peace”

Person of courage, collaboration, competence, commitment

1. Responsiveness: they are interested in the gospel

2. Relational Influence: they arewell connected and quickly referChrist to others in his/her network

3. Reputation: they are persons ofwell known character(good or bad)

Person of courage, collaboration, competence, commitment

1. Responsiveness: they are interested in the gospel

2. Relational Influence: they arewell connected and quickly referChrist to others in his/her network

3. Reputation: they are persons ofwell known character(good or bad)

Characteristics of a “person of Characteristics of a “person of peace”peace”

Characteristics of a “person of Characteristics of a “person of peace”peace”

Matthew (Matt. 9:9) Lydia (Acts 16) Ethiopian Eunich (Acts 8) Cornelius (Acts 10) Woman at the well (John 4) Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5)

Matthew (Matt. 9:9) Lydia (Acts 16) Ethiopian Eunich (Acts 8) Cornelius (Acts 10) Woman at the well (John 4) Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5)

If you saw a hand reaching out of the sand you would assume a body is attached. When a person experiences Christ in a new pocket of people, assume a body is attached and keep digging to unearth the rest of it. Assume each new followeris a person of peace to bring the Gospel of Kingdom transformation to a new ‘household’ (oikos)

If you saw a hand reaching out of the sand you would assume a body is attached. When a person experiences Christ in a new pocket of people, assume a body is attached and keep digging to unearth the rest of it. Assume each new followeris a person of peace to bring the Gospel of Kingdom transformation to a new ‘household’ (oikos)

Some “First-Domino-People” that started a chain reaction of Good News in the New Testament

Some “First-Domino-People” that started a chain reaction of Good News in the New Testament

Practice Of Prayer Pockets Of People Power Of Presence Person Of Peace

Practice Of Prayer Pockets Of People Power Of Presence Person Of Peace People Of Purpose People Of Purpose

Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 10/Luke10)10/Luke10)Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt.

10/Luke10)10/Luke10)“Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”


Day-to-day House Church Day-to-day House Church ExperienceExperience

► Individual churchesIndividual churches DNA is part of their weekly experience togetherDNA is part of their weekly experience together House Churches spend their financial resources House Churches spend their financial resources

on their own projects on their own projects firstfirst (before supporting the (before supporting the broader network)broader network)

Include all generations in the conversation Include all generations in the conversation ► Collective network of churchesCollective network of churches

Gather occasionally with everyone and share Gather occasionally with everyone and share stories (approx 3-5 times per year)stories (approx 3-5 times per year)

Leaders gather regularly and compare Leaders gather regularly and compare experiencesexperiences

Partner with existing/new regional agenciesPartner with existing/new regional agencies Join city-wide efforts (secular and faith-based)Join city-wide efforts (secular and faith-based)

What we have seen happenWhat we have seen happen► Healthy disciples make up a Healthy churchHealthy disciples make up a Healthy church

DNA is coming alive in each “cell” of our bodyDNA is coming alive in each “cell” of our body► Holistic Gospel understanding in our churchesHolistic Gospel understanding in our churches

We need to both BE Good News and SHARE good We need to both BE Good News and SHARE good newsnews

► The city is increasing their value perception of The city is increasing their value perception of usus They call us!They call us! Christians in various spheres of influence are Christians in various spheres of influence are

networking networking ► Tangible Projects continue to emergeTangible Projects continue to emerge

HIV/AIDS collaborativeHIV/AIDS collaborative Homeless assistance housingHomeless assistance housing Youth mentoringYouth mentoring Many others…Many others…

Key LearningsKey Learnings► DNA is critical at every level (disciple, house DNA is critical at every level (disciple, house

churches, leadership, regional network)churches, leadership, regional network)► P.O.P. steps build upon each other and are not P.O.P. steps build upon each other and are not

meant to be seen as sequential meant to be seen as sequential ► Church needs to be on the front lines of hopeChurch needs to be on the front lines of hope

This is HARD & TIME CONSUMING work!This is HARD & TIME CONSUMING work!

► God is at work, yes, even outside the Church!God is at work, yes, even outside the Church!► Build your people’s capacity to know more Build your people’s capacity to know more

about and fall in love with your city and the about and fall in love with your city and the people who live in it!people who live in it!

Discovering God’s Heart for Your City Brad Fieldhouse “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord.

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