A PART OF GOD'S STORY

Thoughts from Norma Caton from the field

Part of God’s Story in Nicaragua

Nicaraguan churches in general have far more problems than those directly stemming from low pastor salaries. Few local churches have any contact with their communities outside of evangelistic crusades, and seventy percent of pastors have no theological training. In many churches, women make up well over two-thirds of those who attend. The average church has about 130, though some have only a couple dozen. 

The lack of integral evangelism is a huge concern. Some churches may practice what they consider to be evangelism, but not integral evangelism. “Integral evangelism has two big themes: proclamation and demonstration,” said Henry Cruz, director of Nehemiah Center’s Healthy Church program. Henry also sees a multitude of other problems: a weak understanding of the mission, no strategic plan, no access to training, an authoritarian rather than a servant leadership model, no healthy growth. The list goes on. Pastors’ marriages have to be healed and transformed before pastors can effectively launch programs for their community. The churches themselves need to be healthy before they can effectively launch programs for their communities. Just as a pastor who did not view his wife as an equal partner in the Lord could not be a servant leader in his church, so a church that is not healthy cannot transform its community. Church health is an essential building block for effective and sustainable community transformation.*

The Nehemiah Center’s Healthy Church program is one building block of several that has led Pastor Jorge Reyes, wife Monica and 11 Pochocuape church leaders to self-diagnose and develop more effective church growth principles. The church leadership team recently finished the eight-month curriculum and proudly received certificates of completion. Each gave testimony that the course has enlightened them as to how they are each responsible as individuals to carry out their part in supporting the outreach of the Big Family Church of Pochocuape. We anticipate hearing reports in the months to come about healthy church growth in Pochocuape because of their willingness to serve their church, community and God in a more intentional and integral way. 

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*On Mended Wings – Transforming Lives and Communities in Nicaragua, Carol Van Klompenburg 2011.