Gupta - 'Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision'

Bobby Gupta has written an excellent book Breaking Tradition To Accomplish Vision. He is no arm chair theorist. Having been catalytic in planting thousands of churches in India, he is a man with a big vision. His book causes you to think big! Here are some of the main points that struck me after reading it.

1.Vision. Gupta’s journey was to continually think big until he had his whole nation in sight. His vision was not formed by ‘how much could/would we do?’, but by ‘how much needs to be done?’

2. Empowering others in the vision. As a pararchurch group, Gupta & HBI focused on networking and training other Churches.

3. Informal training. ‘A compelling vision/ mission leaves no time for formal training’. The primary focus is to release lay people with the ‘basics’. Training as you go. In the location of ministry. Both in methodology (Evangelism, contextualisation, church planting, leadership) and theology (basic biblical material, ministry philosophy etc). The curriculum used is adaptable and depended on the context.  It was ‘just in time’ training.

Mentoring and on the job training or ‘Immersion’  was also key components.

This said the informal training was conducted very intentionally and required resource of leadership and trainers (+ Trainers of trainers).

Formal training was also a key component in training leaders. So the initial release by informal training could be complemented by longer term formal training ‘as you go’.

4. Leadership. The release of the Eph 5. model (in particular apostles oversighting CP movements) was key. A clear understanding of the role of the Apostle in Church life as opposed to the pastor/teacher model is important. Apostles’ spawn churches, focus on multiplication and have broad vision. They might not even plant a church, or remain with a singular church. (e.g. Paul) The Christendom (Western) model has elevated the role of the pastor/teacher, often forgetting altogether the role of the apostle, or relegating it to the early Church only. The need for apostle in a post Christian era in the West is a helpful correction.

If you are interested in having your vision stretched, and want to dream big, then don't miss Bobby as he comes this year to the Crossway Conference.