Pushing the envelope on Simultaneous Activity

In my last entry I gave my own explanation of Short Cycle Church Planting and the principle of Simultaneous Activity.

Jean Jacques is a real life model of discipleship and leadership development happening concurrently. And I think there is probably general agreement that this can be a profitable approach.

My teammates Phil and Donna Pace were telling me about their own exposure to church ministry. A year after coming to Christ they were asked to lead the youth group.

They felt overwhelmed but accepted the challenged. And it was a very positive growth experience for them.

But what about simultaneous evangelism and discipleship? Is it possible to mentor someone in the ways of the Master before they have actually come to know Him personally?

Last week Edison, the leader of worship in our Italian church, expressed to me his need for more help setting up the A/V on Sunday mornings.

Well let me see. There is Tom, but he is involved in the preaching and other leadership responsibilites, there is John but he has young children and can't get to church early enough. There is Ralph but he is older and you feel bad asking him to do physical labor. Then there are the ladies, but they are mothers and Shirley is preparing for Sunday school.

Why doesn't my worship leader Edison ask one of his unsaved friends to come with him to set up the sound on Sunday Morning?

The invitation might go something like this.

"Ciao Marco. Listen, I know you like music and are good with a mixer. I have this little worship band and we play on Sunday mornings. Would you be able to come and help me out."

Edison has just solved two problems. He's been really trying to introduce faith topics to Marco and he needs help with set up.

Marco will be exposed to the brotherhood and the Gospel and through his service advance the kingdom of God (even though he isn't actually a citizen yet himself).

Is this even possible? Can you have a church with a bunch of "unbelievers" in it?

I think so.

Don't agree? Neither does Edison. Let me hear your comments.