Approach & Emphases

Most leaders agree that far too few Christians reach their potential. Some simply drop out. Why? Usually because they don't have a real understanding of their new identity in Christ.

Traditional discipleship teaching can sound like this to them: "do this every day", "don't do that any more", "successful Christians behave like this". So they end up simply acting like Christians. Some manage to do and say the right things but don't necessarily live fruitful lives. Others constantly require help with the same old issues. Some just drift away.

Read any of Paul's letters and you'll get half way through before you find instructions on how to behave. First he concentrates on what's already been done; the "riches" we have in Christ (Ephesians 1:18). Because it's not what we do that determines who we are - it's who we are that determines what we do.

Our approach first helps people grasp all that happened the moment they became Chrsitians: who we are in Christ; the truth of God's unconditional love; why there is no condemnation; why we don't have to languish in cycles of sin, negative thinking and hopelessness.

But good teaching on its own is not enough. Although the key to freedom is knowing the truth (John 8:32), simply telling people the truth doesn't mean that they really know it. We also have a kind and gentle ministry process to help people repent of past sin and resist the devil. For many this "clearing out of rubbish" is the key to the teaching falling into place.

Freedom In Christ's teaching and ministry methods were originally developed in the USA by Dr. Neil Anderson, founder of Freedom In Christ Ministries and the best-selling author of books such as Victory Over The Darkness and The Bondage Breaker. Steve Goss has taken the principles and incorporated them into discipleship material created especially for the UK Church.

There are three basic components:

• Discipleship teaching that helps Christians understand who they are in Christ, the nature of the spiritual battle, and how to move on to maturity. More details.

• A ministry process called Steps To Freedom In Christ which helps Christians deal with negative influences and unresolved spiritual conflicts in their lives. More details.

• Help to stand firm in the freedom gained. More details.

Some characteristics:

• The teaching content exists in various forms: books, courses, videos, audio

• It is particularly suitable for small groups and as an equipping track for cells

• Broadbased - covers all potential areas of bondage, not a "one issue" approach.

• Beneficial to every Christian - not just "hard" cases

• Intended to be operated by trained lay people as a ministry of the local church.

• Fits well with other ministries, e.g. as a follow up to a Christian basics course such as Alpha.

• Although spiritual bondages are comprehensively broken, the approach we use is not to be confused with conventional power-based deliverance ministry. It is a gentle repentance-based model based on a truth encounter rather than a power encounter.

• Does not use counsellors or counselling techniques but facilitators (usually laypeople) who are trained to follow a comprehensive and well-tested scheme.

• Follow up required is not extensive and may be minimal.

Specialist Areas

In addition to the basic teaching, we specialise in equipping churches to establish people free in Christ in other areas:

• Finding hope again - dealing with fear, anxiety and depression

• Setting marriages free

Click here to see a video testimony of a couple whose marriage was helped by this approach.

• Spiritual protection for children

• Setting your church/ministry free - dealing with corporate spiritual issues

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