Igniting Multiplication

By Larry Walkemeyer

We believe General Conference 23 can be an “ignition point.”

In wildfires, the ignition point is the place where ignition first occurred, and combustion was sustained. In spiritual words, it’s the place where the Spirit lit the fire and God’s people carried it forward. The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 is, of course, the defining example of an “ignition point.”

In our Christ-Compelled Multiplication focus group led by FMX (Free Methodist Multipliers), we are praying we can be a significant part of this ignition. With over 200 pastors and lay leaders in the room, we will be praying for the “fire to fall” and our hearts to be the tinder that catches it.

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“We will learn from one another in discussion and, perhaps most importantly, intercede together for God’s move in our Free Methodist family.”

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Our four times together will feature hearing from nationally recognized leaders who will inspire and resource us on how God’s fire of multiplication is fed by God-Given Revelation, Life-Giving Holiness, Cross-Cultural Collaboration, and Love-Driven Justice. We will learn from one another in discussion and, perhaps most importantly, intercede together for God’s move in our Free Methodist family.

In addition, we will be distributing a newly published anthology book, “Igniting Multiplication,” with articles explaining the spirit of multiplication and sharing extremely practical guidance for multiplication. Multiplication specialists Deb Walkemeyer, Peyton Jones, John Teter, J.R. Rushik, Superintendent David Harvey, Beth Gomez, and I are featured contributors.

Session One: Multiplication and God-Given Revelation 

The authority and power of Scripture is the foundation and the fuel for the mission of God. Rev. Dr. John Teter, a former national executive overseeing church planting, a fruitful church planter, a nationally known Bible teacher, an author, and a new Free Methodist, will resource us on this topic.

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“We must deepen our conviction as we broaden our compassion.”

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If we as Free Methodists do not continue to pledge our commitment to the supremacy of the Word over the compromising darkness of our culture, we will douse any flames of the Spirit that fall on us. We must deepen our conviction as we broaden our compassion. We must believe God’s commandments are expressions of His love.

Session Two: Multiplication and Life-Giving Holiness

The beauty and power of holiness is the imitation of Christ. It is His life, His character, His wisdom, His obedience that we are seeking to multiply — not ourselves, our church or our denomination; it is Jesus! Rev. Peyton Jones, one of the foremost leaders in the nation on the subject of church planting (commissioned by Zondervan to write the textbook on church planting), a church planter, trainer, author, thought leader, and new Free Methodist will be teaching in this session.

Life-Giving Holiness is the alternative lifestyle every human is longing for. The world is always tilting toward the sin of “license” — where anything goes because there is no divine, objective standard — or toward the sin of “legalism” — where our own works of religion are substituted for the liberating freedom of Christ. In the middle of these two ditches is found the way of love, the way of holiness. “Everlasting joy will crown the heads” of those who walk this way (Isaiah 35:8–10). This scriptural holiness is magnetic when lived and multiplied.

Session Three: Multiplication and Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Cross-Cultural Collaboration is a foretaste of heaven on earth. It is the power of Revelation 7:9–10 applied to the mission of the church. Rev. Dr. Ricardo Gomez — Free Methodist area director of Latin America, church planter, extraordinary leader, and church consultant — will be resourcing our focus group.

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“God’s Spirit is moving powerfully in multiplication in specific places around the world.”

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Acts 2 was a multiethnic ignition point. God had gathered “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). When the Spirit was given to the 120, they spoke in the heart language of all the nations gathered there. This cross-cultural outpouring was the Spirit’s strategy to multiply the church. God’s Spirit is moving powerfully in multiplication in specific places around the world. As the American church, we must humble ourselves and collaborate with non-American leaders to learn from them. Our unity will feed the flame of multiplication.

Session Four: Love-Driven Justice

Love-Driven Justice is an essential outflow of the authority of Scripture, the true life of holiness, and genuine, heart-level cross-cultural collaboration. Multiplication without justice is spiritual cancer — spreading an unholy disease. Rev. Dr. Robert Marshall, pastor of Los Angeles Community Church, former officer in the Salvation Army, immediate past president of the African Heritage Network, and community leader will be teaching us on healthy, biblical justice and its intersection with multiplication during this fourth session.

It is the next generation of Free Methodist leaders who perhaps understand best the importance and call to pursue justice. Consequently, this session will feature a panel discussion with high-impact multiethnic leaders from the next generation. Superintendent Jon Sato, Pastor/Church Planter Marianne Peña, Azusa Pacific University Campus Pastor Ta’Tyana Leonard, Pastor/Church Planter William Peña, and Pastor/Multiplication Leader Sean Fenner.

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“This kind of radical generosity to address needs and injustice was a key factor in the spread of the church.”

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One of the defining marks of Jesus’ ministry, the New Testament church, and the Free Methodist Church at our inception was a passion for those who were marginalized, discriminated against, or struggling in unjust systems. Acts 2:44-45 describes a key focus of the early church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” This kind of radical generosity to address needs and injustice was a key factor in the spread of the church.

The Acts 13 Ignition Point

Acts 13:1–3 describes another pivotal “ignition point” of the church: “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

I want to suggest we find all five elements of The Free Methodist Way.

There was the “teaching of the Word” through the leadership there.

There was the holiness of listening to and obeying the voice of the Spirit, full surrender to do whatever the Spirit would call them to do even at the cost of great sacrifice.

There was cross-cultural collaboration because their leadership team was diverse in ethnicity. There was a spirit of justice because we see an equality of leadership even though there is a diversity of economic and educational status.

There was the prioritization of multiplication because they took two of their best leaders and sent them out to start new works!

These five elements, brought together, created an “ignition point” and, when the “fire fell,” the elements of Scripture, Holiness, Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Justice gave the substance needed for “combustion” to be sustained.

FMX’s Call to Prayer

This is FMX’s prayer for all of the General Conference and especially for our multiplication focus group. Just like in Acts 2 and Acts 13, the fire of multiplication must be preceded by extraordinary fasting and prayer. Only the presence and power of the Holy Spirit can light the fire that we so desperately need. Pray with us for a true “ignition point!”

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