(CPM refers to David Garrison’s use of the term in his book Church Planting Movements and provides this definition “a rapid multiplication of indigenous churches planting churches that sweeps through a people group or population segment.” DMM refers to Disciple Making Movements which is my preferred westernization of CPM. CPM might be thought of as the effect and DMM as the cause.
How do movements start, by finding persons of peace. A concept found in Luke 10 and Matthew 10. Someone who is spiritually receptive, has a network of relationships and is willing to give you access to these networks.
From that access the Scripture is placed in an context (person of peace’s network) and atmosphere of discovery (learner driven discussion rather than teacher/lecture oriented environment) where people read and respond to God’s truth.
The end game of this group is obedience, (see this video) responding to God speaking and sharing it with their family. So each group ends with two vital actions, identifying a measurable response to what God has said and a commitment to share what God is doing on one’s life with someone. Both of which are discussed at the beginning of the next week’s group establishing a context of accountability.
TULIP which every young Calvinist cuts their teeth frames a world view. Several of these points are the basis of disciple-making movements theology.
- Total Depravity, all of a human and all of humanity in need of a Redeemer relationship with the Creator God. THEREFORE
- Unconditional election, God must bring the dead to life, working in their hearts calling them to himself which is what the Person of Peace concept asserts. God is out their working and we awakening people and we need to join him.
The person of peace concept, coupled with II Corinthians 5:16-21 which declares that God is in the world reconciling it (the world) to himself, should provide ample motivation for the the Calvinist to be about his Father’s business. It is not enough to know a Sovereign God, we are called to obey him.
There are people out there that God has chosen to work thru and our job is simply to get out there and allow God to reveal them to us. As we do that we involve ourselves not only in the ends that our Sovereign God has ordained but we join Him in the means that He has ordained as well.
