The
“4 ShiPS” Of fOllOwiNg ChRiST
fellowshipstewardship
worshipdiscipleship
Dr. Enoch Kwan obtained his D.Min. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and is an ordained pastor. He came to Canada as an immigrant in the 1970s. He worked in computer and data processing for a decade before entering fulltime ministry in 1993. He and his wife Cynthia have raised two adult children. Enoch is interested in church growth and decline factors. He has experimented with the “4 Ships” concept in local church ministry, conflict resolution, spiritual disciplines, and pastoral leadership. Enoch is also encouraging his local congregation to start missional small groups and to plant autonomous house churches. He lives in Markham, ON, Canada, and can be reached at [email protected]. His doctoral thesis on the “4 Ships” can be found at www.4shipsdc.net
Rad Zdero earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in orthopaedic biomechanics. He is currently the director of a hospital-based research lab in Toronto. Rad has been involved in the house church and small group movement since 1985. He is the author of The Global House Church Movement (2004) and the allegorical novel Entopia: Revolution of the Ants (2008). He is also the editor of Nexus: The World House Church Movement Reader (2007) and The Starfish Files house church magazine. He lives just outside Toronto, ON, Canada. He can be reached at [email protected] and www.housechurch.ca.
By ENOCh KwAN & RAD ZDERO
The big QUeSTiONChristians around the world have been
asking questions for centuries about
priorities, function, and meaning for
themselves and for their churches. In a
time like ours, Christians are even more
eager with these questions, especially
when we learn that there is a net loss of
48 churches closing down permanently
each week in the uSA and that millions of
true, born again, evangelical Christians
are leaving the traditional church each
year in North America.
To address these challenges, some
Christians ask about the practical steps
of how ministry should be done, while
others ask about what the principles
should be for ministry. what do we need
to do or accomplish as a church? how do
we put our ministries as a church into
a spiritual framework that makes sense
and is productive for Christ’s Kingdom?
how can we help our church grow and
effectively mentor up-and-coming
believers and leaders.
But, whether we are involved in a
traditional church, an emerging church,
a mega church, or a house church
network, what it all boils down to is the
big question: how can I follow Christ?
STRATegieS & SCheMeSThere are many church strategies and
schemes today that supposedly provide
answers to the big question of how
3
4
to follow Christ as individual believers
and corporately as the church. For many
decades, North American churches have
searched for ways to turn the tide of church
decline and ineffective discipleship. A focus
has been given to theological orthodoxy,
church planting, mission work, Sunday
school, small groups, seeker friendliness,
facility renewal, worship renewal, music
renewal, post-modern churches, emerging
churches, and even house churches. Books
like the Purpose Driven Church and the
Purpose Driven Life have become popular
in the last decade or so. yet, the old question
remains: how can I follow Christ? I believe
that the Great Commandment and the Great
Commission give us some clear clues.
The gReAT COMMANdMeNT & The gReAT COMMiSSiON Although church strategies are okay in
themselves, they should be based on explicit
God-given decrees, rather than on stories
that biblical writers merely described.
Choosing stories that simply describe
what happened, say, in the early church,
as our model of success may leave room
for interpretation error. Also, we need to
be careful not to base our approach solely
on the many social or cultural trends that
come and go. Instead, we must look to the
explicit God-given decrees of the Great
Commandment and the Great Commission
for direction.
The Great Commandment is rooted in
the Ten Commandments that God gave to
Moses (Exod 20:1-17; Deut 5:1-22). They may
sound negative to modern ears because of
the many prohibitions given. yet, they were
given for people’s own benefit, rather than
to spoil people’s fun. Certainly, as Christians,
we are no longer under the Law and do not
have to be concerned with slavishly obeying
the Ten Commandments in order to impress
God, others, or ourselves (Rom 7:1-8:1). yet,
Jesus told us that the basic acts of loving God
and loving people were a fulfillment (not a
cancellation) of the unchanging covenantal
requirements detailed in the Law and the
Prophets (Matt 22:36-40).
The Great Commission is rooted in the
mandate that Christ gave to the apostles
and the early church to go out into all the
world and make disciples of all nations. he
said it in different ways at different times to
make sure his disciples understood his point
(Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-
48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8). Once they were
empowered from on high, they would be his
true representatives. They were to testify
in word and deed and with supernatural
power to all of creation. They were to tell all
people to turn to God through Christ for the
forgiveness of sins and to gain a transformed
life as brand new followers of Christ.
The Great Commandment was given so
God’s chosen people could live in a way that
reflected God’s holiness. Then, these people
would be worthy to carrying out God’s
mission by being “a light to the nations”
(Isa 42:6, 49:6). These two are inseparable,
whether we look at God’s plan in the Old or
the New Testament.
Now, let’s turn to see specifically how
the Great Commandment and the Great
Commission form the basis for following
Christ through the “4 Ships” of worship,
Stewardship, Fellowship, and Discipleship.
ShiP #1. wORShiPAs God’s people, we are to be passionate
about knowing, interacting with, and
submitting our lives to the God who loves
us. In other words, following Christ is to be
characterized by worship.
The first three of the Ten Commandments
that God gave to Moses deal with how God’s
people are to give him undivided devotion,
honour, and respect (Deut 5:7-11). This even
touches on the need to be respectful in
using God’s name and recognizing that he
is above all earthly imagination. God is the
only one worthy of our worship and ultimate
allegiance. Jesus once said that “God is spirit,
and those who worship him must worship
in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24). Paul also
encouraged all of us to “present our bodies
as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God, which is your spiritual service of
DiscipleshipWorship FellowshipStewardship
worship.” (Rom 12:1).
what does this mean practically for us
today? If we are people of true worship,
therefore, we will seek to be aware of God’s
presence and holiness at all times. we will
try to live prayerfully and continually in the
presence of God. we will see everything we
do and have as an act of worship too, whether
it is our job, studies, relationships, resources,
skills, plans, ambitions, or our very lives.
This is truly being a living sacrifice. we will
rely on God and seek to know his will for us
as we walk with him!
ShiP #2. STewARdShiPAs God’s people, we are to manage the time,
skills, and resources God gives to us so that
his purposes can be fully accomplished in
and through us. In other words, following
Christ is to be characterized by stewardship.
The fourth of the Ten Commandments
that God gave to Moses is an interesting one
because it deals with properly resting our
bodies, emotions, and minds one day a week
(Deut 5:12-15). The six days of diligent work
are as much ordained as, and are not to be
separated from, the seventh day commanded
for rest. A closer look at the passage shows,
first, that the Lord is the one who gives
us our work, and second, that our having
enough does not depend solely on our
own hard work, since the Lord is our true
and ultimate provider. This is why the rest
mentioned is described as being unto the
Lord. But the rest also allowed God’s people
to get refreshed physically, emotionally,
and mentally by taking a break from their
labours. And taking care of themselves was,
in essence, an act of stewardship. Jesus
also took time out to rejuvenate himself by
stepping away from ministry from time to
time, which also allowed him to spend more
focused time with the Father (Matt 14:22-23;
Mark 6:45-46).
what does this mean practically for us
today? As God’s people, stewardship means
that we should know our responsibilities
and do our best to fulfill each of them. we
are to be good managers of our time, money,
gifts, talents, and whatever resources God
entrusts to us. we will not be slaves to work
out of fear of not having enough, because
we know the peace of having God as our
provider. That means taking time out for
rest. understanding this principle releases
us from the worries and burdens of life,
when we know God’s Lordship over what
we do and manage.
ShiP #3. fellOwShiPAs God’s people, we are to learn to love
others. we will look out for the wellbeing
of others and not just ourselves. In
other words, following Christ is to be
characterized by fellowship.
The last six of the Ten Commandments
that God gave to Moses have to do with
interpersonal relationships (Deut 5:16-
21). As Christians today, if we have true
fellowship with others, we will be able to
quite naturally fulfill those commandments
without straining too hard. If we love others,
we will wholeheartedly want to respect and
value others, whether that is our parents
or other people’s marriage relationships,
property, reputation, and physical lives. Paul
the apostle recalls these six Commandments,
but then reminds us that “love therefore is
the fulfillment of the law” (Rom 13:8-10).
what does this mean practically for us
today? If we are people of true fellowship,
therefore, we will be a joy to be with. we
will know how to respect others and be
considerate. we will do to others as we
would like others to do to us. There will be
no hatred in us, except for a hatred of evil
things. we can separate in our minds wrong
doings from the wrongdoers themselves
and, thus, love others who may even do us
wrong. we will be able to forgive, knowing
we ourselves are forgiven sinners. we will
not judge others, but let God be the judge.
we will love others, because God first loved
us. we will be patient with each other,
help each other when problems arise, and
5
celebrate each other’s victories. we will go
out of our way to look like Jesus and to give
ourselves to serve others.
ShiP #4. diSCiPleShiPAs God’s people, we are meant to live a life
consistent with the Great Commission and
the God who called us. we are meant to
spread, or promote, God’s glory and grace to
those who do not yet know God personally.
In other words, following Christ is to be
characterized by discipleship.
The Great Commission is based on
Christ’s mandate to make disciples of all
nations (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke
24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8). Since God
is a missionary God who seeks and saves
the lost, his people are also meant to be
missionary people. Once we have the holy
Spirit’s presence and power, we will be able
to testify in word and deed to people about
Jesus Christ and their need for him in their
lives.
what does this mean practically for
us today? A follower of Jesus who is
characterized by worship, stewardship, and
fellowship is one of the best advertisements
for God’s household. we are like an
extremely happy person holding a can of
Coca-Cola for a commercial! It becomes easy
for those watching us to buy it! But, we are
more than that. As people of discipleship,
we should know how to pass on to others,
whether they are believers or not, some of
the principles of worship, stewardship, and
fellowship through our words and deeds.
we are also supposed to be people who
are passionate about spreading the Gospel,
seeing new people come to faith, mentoring
new believers, and launching others into
ministry. Only then will we be able to
constantly help expand God’s Kingdom by
quantity and by quality!
liNKiNg The 4 ShiPSwhen we are able to link together into our
lives the “4 Ships” of worship, Stewardship,
Fellowship, and Discipleship, we will be
people who are spiritually whole and vibrant.
There will be no discontinuity between our
church life, our home life, our work life, or
our social life.
we would see ourselves in proper
perspective before a faithful, loving, and
holy God. we would love and respects
others. we would be faithful in all we do and
overflow with joy and
life. we would be an easy
person to live with. we
would be influential and
attractive in many ways.
we would be a breath of
fresh air in any setting.
In many ways, we would
be a very piece of the
living Good News, since
we are a reflection of the
deeper Good News of
Jesus Christ.
Just imagine what
our families, churches,
workplaces, schools, and
neighbourhoods would be like if there were
dozens, hundreds, thousands of these people
present everywhere we went. we know,
however, that the church and society are not
filled with these kinds of people today…not
yet, anyway!
PRACTiCAl APPliCATiON fOR hOUSe ChURCheSTransforming the “4 Ships” as found in
the Great Commandment and the Great
Commission into a set of practical activities
or ministry agendas for a house church
or network of house churches could be
challenging. But, here are some tentative
suggestions.
First, any project or activity that a house
church considers as a group (such as an
outreach event or bringing a teaching to the
meeting) would be prayerfully evaluated by
asking whether it fits into one or several of
the “4 Ships.”
Second, when house church members
meet for any kind of mutual mentoring
and accountability either one-on-one or in
small groups, they could focus on studying,
praying, and talking about one of the “4
Ships.”
Third, a house church could prayerfully
read through this article together. Then,
each week they could look at one of the “4
Ships” and ask God to show them how to
apply it to their lives as a community of
believers. For a longer period of time, they
even may rotate their meetings, so that each
week the focus is on one of the “4 Ships.”
The important thing is to keep everything
balanced, so that the simple, organic, house
church movement will be filled with people
who are worshipping God through their
faithful stewardship, loving fellowship, and
Gospel-spreading discipleship.
6
SAVe OUR STARfiSh!The STARFISH FILES magazine needs your stories, poems, photos, practical teachings, book reviews, and artwork. Financial support is also needed to pay for design and printing costs. Please make a cheque out to “Starfish Network” with “Starfish Files” in the memo line. Send to:
RAd zdeRO (ediTOR)P.O. bOx 39528lAKeShORe P.O.MiSSiSSAUgA, ONCANAdA, [email protected]
SOS!
RREEVVOOLLUUTTIIOONNAARRYY BBOOOOKKSS bbyy RRAADD ZZDDEERROO
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RAD ZDERO earned his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s
University (Kingston, Canada), specializing in bio-mechanics and bio-materials. He is
the director of a hospital-based research lab in Toronto, Canada. Rad has been actively
involved in the house church and small group movement since 1985 and is dedicated to
encouraging the full restoration of original New Testament Christianity in our day.
The Global House
Church Movement
Rad Zdero gives you
biblical, historical, and
practical insights for a
radical new type of
church that is arising all
around the world. This
book is guaranteed to
challenge your under-
standing of what the
church is really meant
to be and do! Perfect as
a study guide to kick-
start a new house
church! (paperback,
155 pages)
Best price from …
www.missionbooks.org
Nexus: The World
House Church
Movement Reader
As the editor of this
volume, Rad Zdero has
compiled the writings
of almost 40 house
church leaders and
scholars from 20
countries in over 60
provocative articles.
Get trained to start
your own network of
missional house
churches no matter
where you live!
(paperback, 528 pages)
Best price from …
www.missionbooks.org
Entopia: Revolution
of the Ants
An allegorical tale written
in the tradition of C.S.
Lewis’s Narnia chronicles
and George Orwell’s Ani-
mal Farm. An adventure
of grassroots revolution in
the hierarchical and or-
dered world of an anthill.
The system must change!
Although just a fable, it
has challenges for the
church to grapple with.
Fun for kids of all ages!
(paperback, illustrated,
132 pages)
Best price from …
www.oaktara.com
www.amazon.com
Top Related