I interpret the meaning of cutting edge NOT to be the latest system, sound, look, paradiam, or program in the church. I believe to be truly cutting edge you must; seek God's revelation for YOURSELF, not look to how and what everyone else is doing in ministry and determine your success on what everyone else says or thinks about yours, and to preach God's word without apology. THAT, to me, is cutting edge.
William Carey, an English Protestant Missionary known as the "father of modern missions" and famous missionary to India, developed a covenant that was repeated three times yearly by those working at his mission at Seampore, India in 1804. I believe it's relevant and can still serve as a model for ministry leaders today.
1. To set an infinite value on men's souls.
2. To acquaint ourselves with the snares which hold the minds of the people.
3. To abstain from whatever deepens nationals prejudice against the gospel.
4. To watch for every chance of doing the people good.
5. To preach "Christ crucified" as the grand means of conversions.
6. To esteem and treat nationals always as our equals.
7. To guard and build up the church.
8. To cultivate their spiritual gifts, ever pressing upon them their missionary obligation, since only nationals can win their country for Christ.
9. To labor unceasingly in biblical translation.
10. To be instant in the nurture of personal religion.
11. To give ourselves without reserve to the Cause, "not counting even the clothes we wear our own."
12. To assist the pastors to grow in their giftedness and to teach them how to reproduce others in their congregation to do the same.
update, home-skillet.
Posted by: Crystal Renaud | March 17, 2008 at 09:23 AM