How to become a pastor of a self-sustaining urban poor church

How to become a pastor of a self-sustaining urban poor church By Pastor Roy Villanueva of the Foursquare Church in Manila, Philippines

5 elements that make a sustainable church • Responsible parenthood by the mother church • Permanent residency in the slum • Build strong community relationships • Access the available resources • Clarity of calling

This lecture is given within the context of UCPP • UCPP is the Urban Church Planting Project of the Foursquare Church in the Philippines that has 1850 churches nationally in 2005, and 65 of those churches are in the slums of Manila, 2005. • Pastors Mars and Nellie Rodriguez are the visionary leaders of this Project and they plan to plant another 82 urban poor churches by the year 2010. • Eastside Foursquare Church under the leadership of Pastor Jim Hayford partner with Ps Mars and Nellie Rodriguez in this Project.

Pastor Roy Villanueva • Pastor Roy Villanueva delivered this lecture at the UCPP “In Service Training Institute” ISI held at Tagaytay January 24-28, 2005. • Pastor Roy Moved out from his mother church to plant a church in another area. By May 2004 he was able to conduct the first worship service in this slum, and by November 2004 the church had 45 adults and 33 children attending each Sunday. The congregation generated 1850 pesos (US$38)per month through their tithes.

She supports and sustains it in infancy She teaches it to sit, stand, walk and run She is the child’s closest companion She gives the child direction so it can make decisions She makes provision for the child’s future welfare Principle: “Every daughter Church has a mother.A responsible mother cares for its child”.

Sustenance comes from the mother • The initiative for sustainability comes from the mother • The mother must be responsible for the daughter. • In Pastor Roy’s case, this meant that his mother church provided 5,300 pesos for the first two years

Pastor Roy organised a group of people in the community to run a shop for essential provisions which they bought in bulk and repacked in small lots to sell to the poor and save them having to travel to the markets. The cooperative earned 3,000 pesos per month after all expenses. This was enough with the congregation giving to support a pastor in that slum. A retired businessman handled the finances and managed the business. Towards maturity & self-support

Principle: “Don’t run away from home too early!” • The daughter must not be in a hurry to run away from its mother at birth. The timing must suit the mother so she can play her vital role. • If you expect the mother to support you then you must obey her wise advice

The context of the slum • Permanent residency in the slum in essential for availability and accessibility to the slum community. a) It identifies your calling to the slum b) It makes the pastor accessible for the flock c) Community Christian living is seen in the life of the pastor lived among the people.

Pastoral ministry essential for permanent residency • The permanent residency ministry in a slum must have a pastoral component to their ministry • For example an evangelist who is an evangelist only will not stay in a slum, but a evangelist/pastor will be happy to reside in a slum

Build relationships by living among the people in their context, be hospitable Open communication through friendship and conversation Have a genuine concern for people Feel their heartbeat, pain, concerns, anxieties and joy Get involved in environmental activities, peace, and law and order problems the community faces Community Relationships1 Corinthians 9 verses 19-23

Availability of Resources • A Pastor must believe that God has provided everything that is required for the Church plant before the Church was planted • Believe that God will provide everything the is needed, exercise faith • Find the resources that are available thru’ God’s provision and the work of others caring for the poor and showing hospitality • Psalm 24 verse 1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it”

Clarity of calling • 1 Peter 2 verse 10 make sure of your election and calling • Self-sustainability comes after a series of hardships, bumps, knocks etc as a baby experiences during their growing up • What voice are we listening too – only God’s voice is trustworthy • There is a 10% MORTALITY RATE in Church planting

Dreamers and survivors • Some people wanting to do church planting on the slums are dreamers. They want to do the work of God from the comfort of their bed. The slums are dirty places demanding total involvement. • We are survivors. We are not discouraged by the hardships and every time we are knocked down we get up and get going again

Community Transformation • Transform the people and then you will be able to transform the community and the place • Seek the welfare of the city where you reside. • Your have been blessed to be a blessing.

Acknowledgements • Pastor Roy Villanueva • Pastor Mars and Nellie Rodriguez • The Foursquare Church of the Philippines • The Urban Church Planting Project of the Foursquare Church in Manila

How to become a pastor of a self-sustaining urban poor church