Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Making Christ Known: From Laguna to Manila and Beyond

Greenhills Christian Fellowship (Ortigas)
Know Christ and Make Him Known
Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF), since its expansion in 1990 and through the leadership of the late and former Sr. Pastor Dr. Luis Pantoja, Jr., has established itself as an active team player in God’s worldwide ministry. Through its guiding motto: To Know Christ and Make Him Known, GCF has planted various satellite churches in strategic areas in the country and abroad. By the Lord's direction, the growth of GCF can be traced back not just from its founding Pastor Rev. David and wife Patty Yount, but ultimately from the overall mission and vision of the Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines (CBAP) [4]. 

Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines (CBAP)
CBAP, founded in 1958, had only five member churches through the Fellowship of Baptist Churches in Southern Luzon [1]. Since then, CBAP now has more than around 500 churches all over the Philippines, and still growing [2]. What contributed to the growth of the association was programs like the “center approach.” It was the association’s church planting strategy to start building churches in Metro Manila and not just in the provinces [4]. The association also had the “0-200” program, which aimed at planting two-hundred churches in a ten-year span throughout the Philippines [4]. It was through these programs that brought upon the birth of churches including GCF, currently the biggest church under CBAP [3]. CBAP had always been ministering and planting churches mostly to rural and provincial cities. But through GCF and other Metro Manila churches, the association was able to plant churches in strategic areas in urban Metro Manila  [4]. This became one of the reasons why GCF found its first home in Greenhills, San Juan City [3]. 

Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines
GCF’s Beginnings
GCF was established through the missionary effort and strategic church planting initiative of CBAP’s leadership which included Luis Pantoja Sr., (The father of the late Sr. Pastor) in partnership with Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society (CBFMS) members Rev. David and Patty Jo Yount [4] [5].
Pastor Love Tira along with the Younts, during late 70's toward the 80's, saw and experienced first-hand what the Lord was doing through discipleship and small groups, their committed relationship building, their proximity to the suburban community of Greenhills, and the ability of their ministry to adapt and relate with their target audience then, the "influencers" of society. Also, prior to its current location in Ortigas, GCF resided at the Greenhills Sound Production, at the Medecor Building along Ortigas Avenue during the late 70’s. The church, which was growing close to a thousand in members, desired and prayed for relocation within the San Juan-Ortigas Avenue area [6]. But after countless failed inquiries with various lot and building owners along the Ortigas Avenue strip in San Juan, GCF together with CBAP’s leadership was led by the Lord instead to the neighboring, emerging “empty parking lot” in Ortigas Center, Pasig, right across EDSA [6]The Lord proved faithful to the church by providing GCF finally a lot of their own at a large discount, and at an area now considered as an important business district, home to various local and multi-national corporations, and home to a thriving residential area surrounded by malls and condominiums [3]. 

GCF-Ortigas Main Worship Auditorium
Photo Credit: Pastor Jon Las
GCF Satellite Churches
According to Pastor Love Tira, GCF expanded, as envisioned by CBAP, through the challenge he and Dr. Luis Pantoja had given to selected growth groups toward the building of satellite churches in their respective communities. The church planting strategy entitled “Church transplanting,” enabled growth groups to minister to their communities and make Christ known through satellite church. Pastor Love, under the leadership of Sr. Pastor Dr. Luis Pantoja, Jr., led the charge, planting the initial batch of churches in Alabang, Pampanga and Bulacan during the early 90’s. It was a time of great harvest as GCF began to expand its borders [6]. Throughout the years, From its roots in Laguna to the growth of GCF in Ortigas, down to the major cities of the Philippines, GCF has established satellites in various key cities: Alabang – Muntinlupa (GCF South Metro), Taytay, Rizal (GCF East), Commonwealth, Quezon City (GCF North), Batangas City (GCF Batangas), Pampanga (GCF San Fernando), Cebu City (GCF Cebu), Bicol (GCF Naga), Bulacan (GCF Malolos), Marikina (GCF Marikina Valley), Legaspi (GCF Legaspi), Laguna (GCF Sta. Rosa), North Edsa, Quezon City (GCF Northwest), Makati (GCF Makati), Bicutan-Paranaque (GCF ParaƱaque), Fairview, Quezon City (GCF Northeast) and Baguio (GCF Baguio). However, the work did not stop there [5].

GCF Connect (Call Center-BPO Ministry) with Pastor BJ Sebastian
Photo Credit: GCF Connect (Facebook)
From Manila to Toronto
GCF also on May 6, 2007 established its very first satellite overseas, GCF Toronto [7]. A year after Toronto, the establishment of GCF Peel followed, followed by GCF Vancouver, GCF Calgary, GCF York and GCF Winnipeg [8]. What began in Ortigas, has now arrived across the Pacific thanks to the Lord's leading and his faithfulness. Dr. Narry Santos, the Sr. Pastor of GCF Toronto, has been spearheading this growth and has been instrumental in embracing the vision that CBAP had ingrained in GCF through the Yount's and through Dr. Luis Pantoja, Jr. 

CBAP and GCF Today
Today, CBAP has set its sight toward “Vision 2025”, as it plans to plant 2025 churches by 2025 with the vision of CBAP churches multiplying churches [3]. CBAP plans to plant churches with the strategy of 1) Establishing churches for missional reproduction, 2) Energizing the body for health and growth, 3) Equipping authentic leaders for health and growth, and 4) Empowering people for community transformation [2]. 

The SHED (Weekly Ortigas Community Outreach)
Photo Credit: Racquel Tira
Thanks to this vision of CBAP, the foundation built by the Younts, the vision of Dr. Pantoja, the heart of Pastor Love Tira, the current leadership of Dr. Larry Pabiona, and the fire of former and current Pastoral Staff, Board of Elders, Deacons, and the many faithful lay-volunteer men and women leaders, GCF expanded and continues to expand by taking to heart the challenge by GCF’s mission of “Making Disciples for Christ Philippines and beyond” and vision of “Lives and Communities Transformed through Christ” through the core values of God’s word and growth groups. Simply put, that is: To know Christ and make Christ known [5].

Kindly answer at least one of the following discussion questions below: 
1. It is often said and observed that large "mega churches" like GCF tend to lose it's sense of community and family atmosphere. Do you agree? How can large churches like GCF address this concern? What are some ways churches like GCF foster a sense of community in the church? 

2. GCF is situated at a strategic location in Ortigas Center in Pasig and have been ministering to the community through various means like the GCF International Christian School, Turning Point (Bi-monthly singles-young adults fellowship), The SHED (weekly community outreach) and Connect (call center small group ministry). But GCF has also been involved in global missions through the One Gospel Conference (Biennial Missions Conference), Kairos (Missions awareness training and equipping), Wetfoot (Short-term missions) and through its support various agencies and missionaries. Shouldn't GCF focus specifically its ministry and its resources for the community in Ortigas? 

3. GCF and its satellite churches maintain a special relationship but are built and established in such a way that each satellite would become independent, thriving church who would also plant churches (like GCF North, GCF South Metro, GCF Toronto etc.) Would you agree that GCF should maintain control and leadership to future church plant and GCF satellites? If not, then how can GCF improve its partnership with its satellite churches ministry-wise at the same time ensure that autonomy and authority is preserved per satellite church? 

Bibliography
[1] Kohl, Manfred. The Churches in the Philippines: A Research Project with Special Emphasis on Theological Education. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: OMF Literature, 2005.

[2] Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines Vision 2025 Blog "http://cbapvision2025.blogspot.com/" (accessed February 5, 2013).

[3] Pantoja, Noel. E-mail message to author. February 7, 2013.

[4] Guillermo, Merlyn L. Protestant Churches & Missions in the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, 1983.

[5] Greenhills Christian Fellowship, "http://gcf.org.ph/pages/about/" (accessed February 4, 2013).

[6] Tira, Unity E. Interviewed by author. Nokia C3 Sound  Recoder Recording. February 4, 2013.

[7] Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto, "http://www.gcftoronto.org/" (accessed February, 2013).

[8] Canadian Baptists of Western Canada, 
"http://cbwc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/GOWESTIssue9.pdf" (accessed February 4, 2013).

52 comments:

  1. 3. GCF and its satellite churches maintain a special relationship but are built and established in such a way that each satellite would become independent, thriving church who would also plant churches (like GCF North, GCF South Metro, GCF Toronto etc.) Would you agree that GCF should maintain control and leadership to future church plant and GCF satellites? If not, then how can GCF improve its partnership with its satellite churches ministry-wise at the same time ensure that autonomy and authority is preserved per satellite church?

    I'm unaware with regards to the real rationale behind a church's need to have a special relationship with their satellites. Maybe I'm missing something, I don't know.

    All I know is that a growing church is a planting church, and a planting church will only result to the multiplication of Christ's disciples (both in number and in intimacy with God).

    I believe there is wisdom in maintaining the leadership of GCF to its future satellites, if only to help the fledgling church in the early stages of her development. A new church will definitely be a little bit more dependent on the resources and past experiences of the main church.

    However, after a certain period of time (and this needs to be determined, I guess), that new satellite must be equipped and empowered to create and sustain her own worship, activities, and service to Jesus without needing the approval of the main church.

    These established satellites, having the freedom to exercise their own independence from the main GCF branch, will then only be informed of church-wide activities, information, prayer items, and church-wide celebrations (such as anniversaries, the inauguration of a new satellite, etc) - to keep all satellites abreast with the latest information regarding the whole local body of churches. It's always good to be informed about how the rest of the local church family is doing. =)

    From what I know, don't all the Pastors-At-Large of the GCF Satellites meet and pray together, like once a month? I think that's pretty good practice! =)

    I also definitely think that ALL satellites must be further encouraged to plant more and more churches. (Since I'm assuming they're all growing. ;) )

    God bless with your research and studies Kuya Dags!

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    1. Hi Naj! Thanks for commenting. The special relationship I am referring to is not so much technical in a sense that GCF-Ortigas and GCF-North (independent and incorporated GCF Satellite) still maintains a relationship through inter-ministry fellowship (Youth Ministry), pastoral care (regular inter-satellite pastors and wives fellowship, which you also have mentioned). So in that sense, a relationship is maintained regardless of leadership changes and incorporation of a satellite church. I hope that clarifies it for you :)

      Thanks for the comments and suggestions! You are spot-on with how you view at least a specific structure/ flow of how church planting takes place ideally at least for GCF's context. In a nutshell, I believe that is how we have been doing things so far when we do "church transplanting."

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  2. Nice work bro! Great read! :)
    1. Yes and No. Yes bec I think there is a "tendency" for large churches like GCF to lose a sense of community and family atmosphere since too much people would somehow make personal interaction with each other (especially those who do not belong to the circle of friends) limited and a little harder.
    No because those who are already involved in the church and those who have small groups and ministry involvement already have a family or a community within the church which they belong to.
    To address the issue with regards to those who come to church but do not have a family or a sense of community within the church, I think the church should grow bigger and smaller at the same time. grow bigger in terms of numbers, evangelism, making contacts, and discipling others as churches would usually pray and plan for; and smaller in terms of building authentic Christ-centered communities or small groups within the bigger group. In this way, when people are plugged into smaller groups or ministries, although they might not know all members of the mega church, they at least have a small unit or a small group which they can call their own community within the greater body of Christ.

    Hope this helps! Great write up bro! :)

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    1. Thanks Kuya Vic! I like how you described it as "grow bigger and smaller at the same time." I do believe mega churches should indeed have small groups, and with GCF's relaunch and re-focus on small groups since last year, this would in one way like you said, give a sense of community to the members.

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  3. 1. I think that as a church grows bigger, it would be harder for it to have a community and family atmosphere because it really is hard to keep track of everyone in the church. It is just natural that a big church loses a bit of that kind of atmosphere. One of the things that a church can do is to really focus on the Growth Groups/Bible Study groups and build them up that in a sense they become the mini-church for the members. I think for a big church it should really develop this part of the church so that the members would still have that community and family atmosphere while still being part of a "big" local church. MegaChurches can foster that sense of family atmosphere also by really doing their best to minister to everyone in the church, through visitations and house ministries. That is why it is integral for a church that is "big" to have enough workers or Pastors so that there is a good ratio of Pastor/Elders to the congregation so that they can minister to the people effectively.

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  4. Hi Anonymous, would you kindly identify yourself so that I would know who I am responding to? :) Just to clarify your suggestion and in light of what you said that it is hard for mega churches to keep track of members, how would you approach your suggestion of church visitation and house ministry given the size of the church? This I believe is truly an effective way to foster family ties and deepen relationships within the church, so I am curious to hear ideas on how a mega church can achieve this given the ratio of its leaders (pastors) to their members. Thanks for commenting and I hope to hear from you soon!

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    1. Parkin to. hahaha Well for one, the church should have enough Pastor/Elders that are actively participating in doing house ministry and visitation. This can be done by giving them the opportunity to serve as Full-time church workers if the church has the resources to do so. Another could be having the GG leaders who are volunteers serve as those point persons, the only drawback for that method though is that we cannot avoid that as volunteers there may not be as much accountability rather than having a full-time church worker do that task. I believe that dividing the members into areas where they live is also an effective way to achieve the ratio we are talking about because for a certain area, you have a Pastor/Elder that you can specifically go to. Kung meron pa ako ibang ideas, comment na lang ako ulit. pero for now, wala na ako iba maisip hahaha God Bless Bro!

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  5. 1. Yes, I agree that mega churches really lose its sense of community. People can just come and go without being noticed. But GCF has been addressing this concern by focusing on the growth groups. Just like in Acts 2, we're going back to how the church started - "house churches". We have our services on Sundays but it is in our growth groups where we have communal sharing and fellowship.
    Then there's always that "welcoming guests" part of the service. The guests are given brochures on different ministries and activities that GCF does. (I don't know if follow-up is done. I'm assuming it is. Haha) We also have those noche buena dinners on Christmas. (Maybe more dinners for more holidays?) If we could have all our members be active in one specific ministry, I think it would also encourage more fellowship. It might help our church grow too.

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  6. 2. GCF is situated at a strategic location in Ortigas Center in Pasig and have been ministering to the community through various means like the GCF International Christian School, Turning Point (Bi-monthly singles-young adults fellowship), The SHED (weekly community outreach) and Connect (call center small group ministry). But GCF has also been involved in global missions through the One Gospel Conference (Biennial Missions Conference), Kairos (Missions awareness training and equipping), Wetfoot (Short-term missions) and through its support various agencies and missionaries. Shouldn't GCF focus specifically its ministry and its resources for the community in Ortigas?

    Hi bro! Nice write up, but I'd like to remind you though that GCF Naga and GCF Legazpi are both in Bicol and we have another growing church there which is GCF Daet. ;)
    You were referring only to the "mother church" in Ortigas right? Hehe! Anyways, I do believe that each of the churches under GCF is planted in strategic places in order to minister to the particular community where they are situated and then expand their territory to the nearby communities. If a particular ministry can reach out to more communities, then why not? The satellite churches should strive to grow in every aspect so they can do the "winning, building, equipping and sending" in their own. Although the satellite churches are doing their best to be independent, some need the financial assistance of the mother church in Ortigas, whose members are mostly in the corporate world and are much capable in terms of giving. I do believe that in the case of some satellite churches(most esp. the newly established), most members are really willing to give, but they are not as financially capable as the ones in Ortigas. They need financial support until such time that they can stand in their own.

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  7. 1. yes, i agree. You have to create a sense of community which starts from the leadership. When the leaders see the value of community, everyone follows. It is felt... It is in the atmosphere... Heavy emphasis on small groups are evidences of prioritizing and nurturing the community.
    2. What I think BIG churches need to focus more on is not adding numbers to the ministries or adding ministries... Obviously, GCF is already built with ministries... but the focus is HOW to sustain the number of people who attend... If you have lots of ministries, but for each group 6 or less only attend, that's a dilemma given all the effort and resources that are spent to build the church. The focus should be different. It's the followthrough, it's the preaching, it's the content, and everything that Jesus thought was fitting for the community at that moment. He spoke of what mattered to people during his time. Insights that are biblically sound and are fresh and relevant, that is what people need.

    - i don't know if I make sense. LOL.

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  8. 3. GCF and its satellite churches maintain a special relationship but are built and established in such a way that each satellite would become independent, thriving church who would also plant churches (like GCF North, GCF South Metro, GCF Toronto etc.) Would you agree that GCF should maintain control and leadership to future church plant and GCF satellites? If not, then how can GCF improve its partnership with its satellite churches ministry-wise at the same time ensure that autonomy and authority is preserved per satellite church?

    This is not as simple as it sounds. The answer to this question I think should boil down to the purpose/objective of planting churches. If the purpose of planting churches is so that the satellites would later become independent from the planting church, then maintaining leadership and control of the satellite would run counter to the purpose. The satellite, aiming to become independent from the planting church, should also then be able to stand up on its own feet, and not keep asking for support from the planting church. This, also, runs counter to the purpose of having the satellites become independent of the planting church. However, if the purpose of planting churches is to expand the reach of the planting church, and the satellite would merely act as a "branch" of the planting church, then definitely the planting church should maintain leadership and control over the satellite churches. By definition, this also means that the planting church should also continue to look out for, and support the needs of its "branch."

    I don't see anything wrong with either approaches... but these should just be secondary to the main purpose, which is expanding the kingdom of God. When Paul went on his missionary journeys and started churches in different regions of the world, his purpose was for them to become independent. He made sure there would be leaders to take care of the churches before he left. The churches were able to support and take care themselves, thus fulfilling the purpose of becoming independent from Paul. However, he still wrote letters to them exhorting, correcting, teaching them. Does that mean he was exercising control over them? I don't necessarily think so.

    Going back to the question, to improve partnership between the planting church and the satellites, I think it should be made clear what the purpose is behind the establishment of the satellite and set expectations as to the role of the planting church and the satellite.

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  9. it is true that in the big number of church goers in mega churches some find it hard to build a sense of community in this environment. still, i believe it is upon the culture of the church itself. There are cases that even in a church of a hundred members, some churches still face the challenge of building a community that has accountability with each other. in city churches, often times they only see their brother/sister in Christ during Sunday's. I can say building a sense of community is not in the number but in the culture of the place, culture of the church, attitude of the leaders, attitude of the members and a vision of intentionally making a community that is accountable to every believer. I believe GCF is doing a very good job with making a community through small groups.

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  10. Hi Kuya. It's great to know about GCF. I'll answer your first question. I think the idea that mega churches tend to lose a sense of community may somehow be true in some occasions, but that's also what happens in other churches. Sometimes, people may get so much busy to ask questions about each other. But it doesn't mean the community atmosphere is lost forever. I think leaders sense it and they know what to do when it happens. You said there are small groups, then I think it's well taken care of. I believe you have a good system of doing it and appointing leaders of those small groups. Besides, for me, the Body of Christ is a big body. Everyone of us must be able to care of each other and be good stewards of the people God gave us, since we really cannot be close friends with everybody.

    So I think GCF is alright... :-)

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  11. 1. It is often said and observed that large "mega churches" like GCF tend to lose it's sense of community and family atmosphere. Do you agree? How can large churches like GCF address this concern? What are some ways churches like GCF foster a sense of community in the church?
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    People can feel lost in the crowd sometimes if they are not connected to anyone. Discipleship groups are a good way to foster a sense of community at a more personal level. And if the GG leader is in turn connected to an area or ministry, they can also help facilitate fellowship by encouraging their members to attend events as a group. While I agree with Parkin that pastors are needed for shepherding, lay people can also be passionate about bringing people together. What should bring us together is our love for Christ and for others, and if we don't have that, it will be difficult to achieve no matter what programs the church has in place. Which is why GG leaders and disciplers have a key role in the church too, to keep people accountable and to encourage one another.

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    2. ....Shouldn't GCF focus specifically its ministry and its resources for the community in Ortigas?
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    "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
    ACTS 1:8

    I believe Jesus gave these ministry places in a specific order to the disciples when He left them:

    1) JERUSALEM - where He was crucified, where the disciples all scattered and went into hiding. This is where they "failed", where people knew them as frail before they received the power of the Holy Spirit. On a personal level, the church's "Jerusalem" can be its members, its families, its children, the ones who know its/their/his/her weaknesses and can attest to God's living Spirit working and acting in the struggles that are overcome and things that are accomplished.
    2) JUDEA & SAMARIA - For GCF, Judea would probably be reaching out to the places around Ortigas Center and Samaria, the rest of the Philippines.
    3) ENDS OF THE EARTH - Other countries.

    So I think GCF is ok to have all these ministries, but there is a hierarchy. For example, for one to minister to people he doesn't know and yet his family is in shambles does not present a good testimony, and in fact may do more damage to the name of Christ. Which brings me back to my point in #1, where it's important for people to be accountable in small groups and for spiritual growth to occur at a personal level before moving towards bigger things.

    As for the allocation of resources, well, as long as the ones planning and approving the budget are prayerful and exercising biblical stewardship, then it's okay. Every financial decision is a spiritual decision. Remember, it's God's money and we are just managers.
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    I hope my answers were helpful to you. :) I don't know really know about #3 tho, haha.

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    1. Valuable insights as always! Thanks Les! You and Ian paint the same picture that it is truly part of our role not just as GCF, but as believers to respond to the call to be witnesses even to the ends of the earth. I raised this concern to Ian as well, that because I believe it is a common church concern to address first and prioritize the community before being involved in missions. It is a reality for churches to believe that. It is not necessarily wrong wouldnt you say for believers to think that way? I am not saying this is the case for our church though. This is why I posted that question. :) Thanks Les!

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  13. *Warning Long reply
    I’ll be hitting 2 birds with one stone (Question 1 and 2 )
    I do agree that mega-churches have a tendency to lose the community spirit, in fact small churches also have the same tendencies. Thus it is necessary for us to work hard to cultivate an atmosphere of community. John Wesley was actually effective in doing this within the Church of England in his time. He used the little churches within the larger church method (thus Methodists). Within these small churches he implemented a strict culture of prayer and accountability where each person had to speak of his/her true spiritual state.
    On the other hand, I think mega-churches also have a problem with too much fellowship. In Acts 2-4 for example if you notice the church was numbered at 3000, 5000, adding thousands daily. They were breaking bread from house to house having fellowship. Then the church remained as just that, a group having fellowship. Peter Wagner calls this Koinonitis,
    Koinonitis is a [church pathology] caused by too much of a good thing . . . Fellowship, by definition, involves, interpersonal relationships. It happens when Christian believers get to know one another, to enjoy one another, and to care for one another. But as the disease develops, and koinonia becomes koinonitis, these interpersonal relationships become so deep and so mutually absorbing, they can provide the focal point for almost all church activities and relationships become [introverted and self seeking, rather than oriented toward mission in the community.] (Wagner, Peter 1979:77,78)
    Mega-churches on the other extreme need to balance out fellowship with mission; a community transforming towards Christ must also be an agent of transformation to the community.
    In the church in Acts, Jesus tells the disciples that they were going to receive the Holy Spirit and become witnesses BOTH in Jerusalem, and Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). According to Luis Pantoja Jr, “After the Holy Spirit empowers the disciples, simultaneous witness will take place in Jerusalem, in Judea, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” But instead of reaching all simultaneously, Koinonitis kept them together in Jerusalem. yes they were witnessing, but only in Jerusalem the comfort zone, not to the rest of the nation and to the ends of the earth. Thus God allowed the stoning of Stephen by Saul (who became Paul the apostle to the Gentiles) so that they can spread towards the ends of the earth (Acts 8:1).
    I guess to make my answer to number 2 simple, what I want to say is the need does not necessitate the call. I bet Jerusalem still had a lot of work to do, but God calls us to the ends of the earth too. If the Apostles had to wait for Jerusalem to be evangelized before they moved to Samaria the gospel would not have spread to the nations. If the Western church thought they would evangelize the entire Europe first before going to other countries, America would not have been Evangelized, the Philippines would not have been evangelized. Needs will always be there, but the call is to make disciples in every nation. Thus resource and effort must go beyond GCF’s own community. It must work to reach the unreached while transforming its community.

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    1. Ahhh, the mobilizer speaks! Thanks for commenting Ian! as usual, the comments you give are scholarly. I am sure Pastor Luis would smile and commend this lengthy reply hehe I raised this concern because it is common to believe that a lot can first be done and prioritized within the community. It is a reality for churches to believe that. It is not necessarily wrong wouldnt you say for believers to think that way? I am not saying this is the case for our church, I just know that it is a reality that some believe this should be the case.

      Thanks to your valuable insight, which I also firmly support, and I believe something GCF is addressing and doing as well!

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  14. In response to question #1:

    I will agree that there is a tendency for large "mega-churches" to lose their sense of community and family atmosphere. I've attended a few smaller churches and always feel there is more of a sense of community and bond to them but that may be a natural consequence of their small size. Big churches of course can still do something though to address this problem, which is probably a natural consequence of their big size as well.

    One thing of course is to strengthen the church's small group or cell group infrastructure. People get lost in the crowd and a small group will help them to relate with other people from similar backgrounds. A small group helps nourish and sustain a small community within the giant community of a mega church, allowing people to feel more at home.

    Lately, GCF has been doing this and I commend their efforts. God is really using the growth groups to build up the church and its members. Ministries and activities are great but growth groups are the building blocks of a flourishing church so our church's push for less ministries/activities and more growth groups is what I believe, a step in the right direction.

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    1. Yes indeed RJ, small groups indeed is the way to go! Are there other ways we can foster community aside from small groups? Thanks for the comments!

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  15. On # 2 Bro. I think the GCF in Ortigas is too big and dynamic to only be reaching the community around Ortigas Center. God has been blessing GCF ever since its foundation because of the conviction of her leaders to "Know Christ and make Him Known"; to anyone possible - whoever, wherever, at any cost. Just keep going where God is leading :).

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    1. Thanks for commenting andrew! Yes indeed, that is what I affirm about GCFs shifting involvement and ministries in missions and evangelism. I raised this concern because it is common to believe that a lot can first be done and prioritized within the community. Would you have any suggestions how church leaders can address this bro?

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  16. Hey Dags, Thanks for the article. Especially useful since I am attending GCF here :) Hmmmm.... So I was wondering... GCF has done very well till now... What do you as a young leader there think is the way forward?

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    1. Hey Matt thanks for commenting!

      There are quite a number of changes happening now in church which I am really excited about. One is in the Evangelizing and Missions ministry. Local community outreach being done on a weekly basis through the Shed, and intentionally equipping the church and building awareness for the call for global missions (through Kairos). This was something I have always been praying for, and I'm excited that even in my current ministry in CGF with the youth, we have also seen the need to direct our young people in embracing their role as witnesses, as sharers of the love of Christ to their family, friends and God-wiling even across nations (by way of our Short-term Wetfoot ministry) through our thrust this yr, "Share 316" (Jn. 3:16). I pray that as we win-build-train-send youth who to become missional and live an evangelistic lifestyle, then the church will be in good hands in the years to come. Its an exciting time right now, and I believe these are big improvements ministry-wise for GCF.

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  17. I praise God at what God has done through GCF now and in the past. The vision of 2025 to plant 2025 churches is really challenging but not impossible. Pertaining to that vision, I would like to comment something on your question No. 3. It's a bold and generous move by GCF to for the satellite churches to be granted independence or gain self-autonomy in its functioning and ministry wise. I hope that this move itself will propel many more upcoming satellite churches of GCF to become a willing partnering churches in expanding His kingdom. You can still maintain relationship with the daughter churches in terms of ministry wise by partnering with them in fulfilling their mission and vision.

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    1. Hi Namcham, thanks for commenting in my blog. How would you suggest our church or churches in general would partner in fulfilling the mission and vision of other churches without undermining their authority and autonomy?

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  18. GCF is used by God to reach the people in Metro manila areas, I am impressed on how they manage and governed the church, regarding the coordination of the leadership and satelite churches, ther is no problem because,God designed it for your church it is a matter of diplomatic ways in dealing with the ministry. My prayer is you will extend in mindanao, because your ways of doing ministry I think will very effective also in town and provincial areas.

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    1. Kuya Peter Paul Eting is this you? haha I believe this is you. Thanks for commenting Kuya. That is indeed true, we have yet to plant a church in Mindanao! I hope the Lord would lead the leadership to plant churches there, and maybe I can ask you (having been there yourself as a worker and pastor of CAMACOP) valuable insight on how we would can do it! :)

      There has been work done for the past many years though, mainly through our Operation Compassion ministry, our medical missions arm composed of mainly volunteer doctors, nurses and other church members. We have been regularly visiting towns/ localities where some deem as dangerous. But the Lord has been faithful to that ministry, being received by our Islam brothers through the years without hostility. We have even received comments that they truly enjoy it when we visit because they see the genuine care our group has for the people.

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  19. Ramcel- I think GCF is still functioning as a community that helps build and strengthen relationships because of the growth groups and other group activity. Nice bro.

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    1. Thanks for the observation bro. Yes this is something we have been trying to do, to really emphasize small groups to foster community. A church within a church so they say!

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  20. Roshan- thank you for your history of GCF i believe that the leaders were highly used by God when we see the work of the GCF. Its my prayer Let this light may not be extinguish.

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    1. Thanks kuya may it indeed continue, the fire that the Lord has instilled in the new leadership and in the new ministries and the changes we are trying to do to answer God's call to disciple others :)

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  21. David Tran- Nice to hear story of GCF. Great Job, Bro!
    Do you think GCF should send missionary for cross culture in future?

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    1. Hi Kuya! Yes actually GCF, the past how many yrs have been supporting missions orgs (like CCC, OMF) who work cross culturally. But we do also I believe are trying to form and revise policies to enable GCF to be able to send our own home grown, fully supported missionaries. Would you pray with us as our church leadership undergoes this task of laying down plans and foundations for the future of our church as far as missions is concerned. Thanks kuya!

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  22. "1. It is often said and observed that large "mega churches" like GCF tend to lose it's sense of community and family atmosphere. Do you agree? How can large churches like GCF address this concern? What are some ways churches like GCF foster a sense of community in the church? "

    It is true that every mega churches has this tendency to lose it's family atmosphere. whether we like it or not it is always a challenge to maintain this kind of relationship when your church is growing in number. but it doesn't mean that it is not attainable. GCF has it's own way of addressing this problem.. like in growth groups, fellowships and even in prayer meetings (in this i'm not sure about other churches kasi sa Northwest small number of people lang to :) --Sarah Rodriguez

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    1. Yes indeed small groups has been the key strategy and through them, even other ministries are being done to address the lost community atmosphere in the church. Is this something being done also in GCF-NW? How have you guys been maintaining a family atmosphere in church? :) Thanks for commenting Sarah!

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  23. I believe that God has been using GCF in ministering to people and reaching out to the community, however do we classify it. We can see through the years how the Lord has added more satellite churches in strategic locations in cities all over the country also because of the vision of the leaders that have initiated these actions. I think growth groups were effective ways of fostering growth and discipleship in all of GCFs growing members. The Lord will continue to make His name known among the nations thru GCF. Thanks for this inspiring article.

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    1. Thanks for the comment and observations! Indeed we have been trying to build and strengthen growth groups and we are hoping to develop more leaders so that we can keep this ministry growing.

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  24. 1. Yups. The mega churches by and large lost the sense of communityship and family atmosphere due to the large number. But the Q is how can the large churches like GCF address this concern? Let me suggestion one thing: The church should strengthen the existing small groups/D-groups (whatever name you called) by taking time to meet the leaders of each small group. The leadership team can have an appointment or program with the team leaders frequently (once in 2/3months). And meeting with each small group atleast once in a year. Probably this things are implemented already.
    Let me share our church back in India:My church back in India is composed of a huge members. But our church don't want to exist as a Mega Church as a result New Church (or building) will be built in another local area where some group (mostly who are nearby) could attend, and more people could involved. And we know in the small churches communityship and family atmosphere is more prevalent. I know this will or might not be practical here in Manila (GCF).

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    1. So Kuya are you currently also doing small groups and then building and dividing into smaller churches instead of building one big mega church? That is indeed a good way to maintain enough membership where family atmosphere is fostered. Thanks for commenting Kuya!

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    2. Till today we don't exactly have small groups setting but dividing into smaller churches hoping that there is more interaction and more communityship. The small groups setting is one thing i would like to introduce to my church once i go back to India.

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  25. Church and community are closely related each other. Therefore, there should be balance in growing. If not how big is the Church that not a matter, there is a problem. wailes

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    1. That's true Kuya. We have indeed in the past grown without making as much impact as we can in the community. and this is something we are trying to change through the small groups and other community outreach initiatives. Thanks for commenting kuya!

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  26. 1. Yes, in a sense that if you are a new member of GCF you will feel that older church members has their own "Group" or Circle of Friends. and No because i feel that once your part of these "Group" you'll feel that these people are like your family. I think that the church members can be more friendly and approachable rather than stay in their circles and not make a new member feel that you can't be part of these circles.

    2. Yes but it does not mean that GCF ortigas should stay confined in the area taking note that we should Go and make disciples of all nation not one area. Regarding the use of resources i think that if the program or event has it's merit and it does go with the GCF Mission of Knowing Christ and Making Him known the church should not extinguish the program or event.

    3. Either way it has it's pros and cons but my stand is no. Management wise it would be hard for the council to manage all satellites. program wise same thing as mentioned before. also it would be more advantageous if we are after church planting. as far as i can see church satellites can spread more if they are independent.

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    1. Thanks for the reply bro!

      1. Thats a comment we always get not just in the main worship service but even in the youth service. I do see changes have been taking place to address this but it is still a concern that some people observe and feel. I like your comment how people should also try to make an effort to be more friendly. One way I think GCF's growth group ministry is addressing this is encouraging growth groups to be involved in church ministries as a group. Like outreach, like being sunday service greeters, or volunteering as a group in the visitors center. So serving together I guess enables growth groups to be connected to the general membership. Good observation and suggestion bro.

      2. Yes indeed. Although some would argue that church resources should be prioritized first in the community. and when this is done then so you can bless others outside the community. because I believe it is a common church concern to address first and prioritize the community before being involved in missions. It is a reality for churches to believe that. It is not necessarily wrong wouldnt you say for believers to think that way? I am not saying this is the case for our church though. This is why I posted that question. :)

      3. Yeah, like in your case as GCF-NW, the church is indeed growing because there is autonomy. I am wondering however how we both as churches maintain a sense of community as GCF churches.. in what ways do you think we can take advantage of our connection as GCF churches ministry-wise? any suggestions?

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    2. addition to number one is that we should first initiate rather than wait for the person to approach because the latter would be next to impossible. isn't it our main task is to reach out rather than to wait for the coming of our Lord?

      On the follow-up question on number 2 yes we should prioritize the community around us but all i'm saying is that we should not neglect other programs that can impact the community by doing such programs. it's kind of like a promotion for the church. also i not saying that we should spend more on programs that don't target the area around us. given that the priority should be the community around the church itself.

      on number 3 i think that we can host more GCF wide events. i can't remember the last time that GCF has held such event again.

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    3. That's true bro! I can only hope our churches can be more visitor friendly :) and I believe we have been making progress and steps toward this.

      Yes I agree also bro. Impacting the community should be hand in hand as the church grows. Where else will churches find its members right? :) Like you also said bro in your first comment, this doesn't mean that it is restricted to community but also beyond the community. I believe this can be simultaneously. The church simply just needs to believe that the resoucres will always be given by God through members who are faithfully worshiping the Lord through giving :)

      Yeah, something like the One Gospel Conference? I hope something indeed can be done where we can both serve side by side for the Lord!

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    4. Praise God for such progress. for it is also God who gave us imperfections so that we have a chance to build ourselves from our weakness.

      It is as simple as Dependence on God that we can do any ministry that God also have provided us. i'm more on the using the resources rather than hording it. for i once read that if we horde the blessing of God the more that he will take your blessing and if you share the blessings that came from God that he would open the floodgates of heaven that your cup could not contain the blessings of God.

      Yes that is a great program. although there can be other program that can be used. although i can't mention any :D.

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  27. "To know Christ and make Christ known" is the reason why GCF continues to exist. God has been using this church to make Himself known here and abroad.Concerning question #2, the church with its mission-vision can still do its primary purpose that is to reach out among the people particularly in Ortigas. As the leaders and church members continue to commit to the ministries entrusted to them, many lives will be transformed. On the other hand, as part of God's plan, the church needs to continue its partnership in global missions. The church has its special gifts and privileges in reaching to people not only in Ortigas per se but also worldwide. That's the strength of the church where you can do various ministries in one time. The church will continue to grow and grow for as long as you make yourself ALWAYS available for His glory and honor.

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    1. Thanks alds! Would you say there should be a priority in ministry? 1) Community first then 2) missions/ outside the community? or should it be the other way around? What do you think? I think the church can indeed do both and is doing something to address that. but should there be priority?

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  28. 1. Yes, i believe that in some ways the church lost its sense of community like for example: they don't know all their fellow members because of its number but, I can say that in many ways the church still has that sense of community and family for as long as each one is involve in the small group. I think it just depend on how believers exercise their faith especially loving their fellow believers. Even in small churches, if they don't exercise loving their fellow believers then their is no sense of community and family.

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