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Reflecting on 2011 - Frans Hancke

When I reflect on thePLAN and 2011 it is easy to remember some of the pivotal moments: While facilitating thePLAN workshops I frequently became aware of how God’s Word can touch the lives of people; inspiring them; changing them. How the material we use contributes towards believers making a new commitment to make a bigger difference and therefor proclaiming the glory of God. There were opportunities to share the Biblical principles of thePLAN with groups of pastors; an opportunity to speak at an international missions conference; exposing church leaders in Botswana to our material and to hear testimonies of how powerful the Lord is using the material in the training of new church leaders in South Africa and India. 2011 was as blessed year!

The Awakening Giant

Dr. Jonas Khauoe, coworker of thePLAN, is excited to announce the publication of his book: The Awakening Giant. The phenomenal growth of Christianity in Africa in recent decades is nothing but a miracle. The church in Africa grew into a giant. However, some would describe this church as a sleeping giant, herself not really participating in God’s mission. Dr Khauoe is arguing for an opposite view: the giant is awakening! He skillfully describes how the church, especially in Africa, is participating in meaningful ways in God’s mission to the world. He suggests practical approaches in enhancing this missional impact. This emerging voice of a mission leader in Africa needs to be heard. The book is available at CLF, S.A. thePLAN wants to congratulate Dr. Khauoe with the publication of this book and prays that it will be an inspiration to all churches in Africa and abroad to participate in God's plan.

thePLAN and DRC Langenhovenpark retreate

On the weekend of August 5, 2011, Dr. Frans Hancke facilitated a retreate for members of the DRC Langenhovenpark at the welknown retreate centre Menuha, near Bloemfontein. The following remarks (in Afrikaans) is an indication of the way people are impacted by the contents of the material of thePLAN:

G Stander - Dit het vir my ŉ groot geheelbeeld van God se Plan met die gemeente waar ek is en waar ek inpas gegee. Aan die einde van die naweek het ek op ŉ baie persoonlike vlak my eie verantwoordelikheid en roeping besef waar ek is.

Theological students and thePLAN

Students in Theology at the University of the Free State are using the book, We are Plan, as handbook on the subject of Missiology. On August 17, 2011, Dr. Frans Hancke, author of the book, lectured to the students on the contents of the book. Our dream is that these young theologians will lead their churches to discover and to live God's plan for His church in the world.

MissioMatrix as tool to help congregations making a difference

On 25-27 August 2011, Prof. Kobus Kellerman, Prop. Ensie Enslin, Rev. TC Du Toit, Rev. Hendrik Saayman and Dr. Frans Hancke were having a work session regarding the material of thePLAN. It was a very productive few days. We will now be able to help guide congregations with a process and even a measuring instrument which is likely to make a huge difference. We remain thankful and be constantly surprised about how the Lord uses this material in the life of churches and individual believers. We will soon write more on this in the coming weeks.

thePLAN in the marketplace

Dr. Jonas Khauoe, coworker of thePLAN, wrote on July 3, 2011:

"I was invited to speak on the mission work in the marketplace. About sixty professional people attended my workshop where I was addressing them on the missional aspect of their involvement in the marketplace. One of the emphasis was on making a difference where God has placed them and act as transformational agents to bring God’s glory. They complained about the shortness of time as they were still expecting more. Few pastors who attended from Ekurhuleni (formerly known as East Rand) are planning to organize a workshop for professionals and people from marketplace and invite me to addressed them on a similar topic."

thePLAN visiting Indonesia

On July 1st, 2011, pastor Dass wrote: "Greetings and love from Indonesia. I reached here safe and God used me here. I spoke at a retreat specially for young people . Around 300 young people from 20 odd churches, from all over Indonesia, were present and God used me mightily! I used thePLAN material and I will send the photos later. I am flying to Jakarta tommorrow and will minister to pastors and then travelling to Kalaimantan and speaking at a conference for pastors this week end. In all these places I am using thePLAN material, along with my testimony. Continue to pray and special thanks to all the MissioDei team members.
With love and thanks, Pastor Dass."

Material of thePLAN is spot-on!

TC wrote: "On July 25^th, 2011, I really had the most positive experience, meeting with the brothers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa's "Men's League" in Tsabong! There were about 24 members present, coming from the southern parishes in Botswana. The Bishop of Botswana and three other Lutheran ministers (one of which a German theologian, dr Keding, who taught theology in Kwa-Zulu (RSA), as well as in Germany, and currently serves the Lobatsi parish) were also present. I were invited to offer a Bible study on the topic "Let God be God". I decided to present Session 1 (Sola Scriptura) of thePLAN’s material to them. The response at the opportunity for questions was amazing! As well as the conversations at dinner! I've been reasurred that the material of thePLAN is a spot-on tool to reopen the eyes of church leaders and members for the Biblical truths concerning Christ's church!"

The church in motion...

Written by Frans Hancke | 06 April 2011

The church in motion...

Why do some churches make a greater difference than others? This question gave rise to research which resulted in what is now known as thePLAN, an organisation active in various countries, helping and supporting churches to rediscover God's plan with and through them.

To achieve this effectively, a growing group of theologians, researchers and other believers work together in continuous co-operation with partners and networks, both local and international, to provide more effective support. One of our primary partners is Shepherd, based at the Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, which co-ordinates the continued ministry training for pastors.

We at thePLAN believe there can be no sustainable impact where churches are merely encouraged to get involved in more projects. We do not believe that guilt feelings and emotional incitement is the way to secure the church's enhanced and sustainable involvement in the world. We believe that Scripture is the non-negotiable basis for the rediscovery of whom and what the church truly is, and this will generate new enthusiasm vibrancy and the dynamics to fulfil its role. Thus we continually challenge fellow believers to ponder our concept of God, perception of church and our world view. Simultaneously we continually reassess the Scriptural basis and effect of historical perspectives of God's people in the world.

thePLAN uses various strategies and resources to support churches to rediscover their unique role and place in God's plan. Continuing research, workshops, retreats and a growing number of publications contribute to the overall strategy. Material is translated into an increasing range of languages and is presented in a growing number of countries. Thus we attempt to co-operate to inspire God's people to lead lives of dynamic enthusiasm, creating change and transformation in their own contexts.

Should you as church or individual so wish, you can become part of this 'journey' of discovery to the true understanding of Jesus' words: 'As My Father sent Me, so I send you...'

--ooOoo--

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Vision

Written by Webmeester | 28 May 2010

thePLAN is a non-profit organisation supporting the universal church to make real its missional character by acting as transformational agent in the world to the greater glory of God.

Our vision is to support a growing number of missional churches globally to discover and execute their unique role in God’s universal plan.

We do this through: research and development, consultation, training and equipping

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Core content

Written by Webmeester | 28 May 2010

God has a specific will/Plan/intention – and it is important to Him that it should be fulfilled
Our reason for being, is found in God’s will (Plan)
God’s master Plan is an eternal plan
God’s Plan takes shape in Jesus
God uses his people (his church) in proclaiming his Plan
The aim with his Plan is that people should get to know Him, come to believe and declare that Jesus is Lord
God reveals his Plan to us via his Word
The church that makes a difference uses different spiritualities to its advantage
The church that differs functions through and with the power of the Holy Spirit
The church that differs knows God’s will
The church that differs prays
The church that differs is serious about sanctification
Vision is a verbalisation of God’s Plan with his church
Vision is God’s marching orders to the church to make a difference
The purpose and nature of the church that makes a difference (missional church) are in harmony
The church that differs (missional church) understands the missio Dei
The church that differs (missional church) lives as disciples
The church that differs (missional church) consistently reflects a missional character
Mission is also about justice. The church that differs (missional church) has a kingdom perspective
The church that differs (missional church) makes the kingdom visible
The church that differs (missional church) serves, follows and worship the king of the kingdom in word and deed
The church that differs (missional church) yearns for growth in God's kingdom
The church that differs (missional church) has serving leaders
The church that differs (missional church) has empowering leaders
The church that differs (missional church) has visionary leaders
The church that differs (missional church) takes relationships seriously and does not consiously nurture broken relationships
The planning, strategies and activities of the church with a difference (missional church) demonstrates this passion
The strategies, objectives, plans and activities of the church with a difference (missional church) are aimed at fulfilling her vision
The church that differs (missional church) makes a difference