Today we are beginning a new blog series on the “Process of the Gospel.”

When we came to Boston in the ‘60s and ministered to the community around us, we began to see lives changed and people coming to the faith. It was incredible! As we realized that the Bible was happening around us, we tried to understand the various aspects that have been involved. Eventually in 1975, we identified a re-occurring pattern that we now call the “Process of the Gospel,” which anyone can do when working with individuals, groups or even a whole city. We have been using it ever since.

The Process of the Gospel is an archetype of six basic steps that can be used in any culture or time. Taken in progression, we’ve seen how they can lead to produce long-term fruit, which is quite valuable in a world where so many good intentions end up being counterproductive! Its six steps are: Observation, Positive Appreciation, Relevant Communication, Meeting Perceived Needs, Meeting Basic Needs and Multiplication.

Through these steps, we see how God Himself reached out to us through Jesus Christ. First He observed our woeful situation. Then, because He loves us, He sent his Son who communicated relevantly through his parables and teaching, identified and met our perceived needs with miracles, and then met our basic need through his death and resurrection. Finally Jesus prepared his disciples for his leaving, saying, “You will do greater works than I have done” as he laid the groundwork for the birth and multiplication of the Church through the coming of the Holy Spirit. (For a further description of these steps, see our article on the Process of the Gospel.)

The Process of the Gospel archetype is seen in many places. For example, we find it in “Learn from the people,” the oft quoted Chinese proverb of Lao Tzu. Following is the version used by the Christian Community Development Association:

Go to the people,
Live among them,
Learn from them,
Love them,
Start with what they know,
Build on what they have:
But the best leaders,
When their task is done,
The people will remark
“We have done it ourselves.”¹

Let’s see how we can identify the Process of the Gospel in this proverb:
“Go to the people, live among them, learn from them.” This is engaging in observation!
“Love them.” is having positive regard for people.
“Start with what they know.” We must relevantly communicate to learn what they already know.
“Build on what they have.” Together with them, begin to meet their perceived needs.
“But the best leaders, when their task is done--.” Only meeting a basic need can produce a truly finished task!
“The people will remark, ‘We have done it ourselves’.” Multiplication ensues as others carry out the vision.

In succeeding blogs, we will look at the ways Jesus demonstrated carrying out the Process of the Gospel, a model followed by many people today – often unknown people in hidden, forgotten neighborhoods. Even here in Boston, God worked through the Quiet Revival to significantly change the face of this secular city.

1 http://www.ccda.org/component/content/article/3-learn/11-philosophy