Church Planting – Reach a Higher Altitude

Church Planter or Pastor?

"When does a church planter become a pastor?  To my knowledge this question demands a response.  Most, if not all, writings in the areas of church planting and pastoral ministry exclude the other.  Maybe addressing the question isn't important to some - but from the comments church planters are making and pastors of inherited churches are proclaiming, both exclude the other.

I'm searching through the New Testament for the answer.  So far there is no difference - or at least a line of demarcation.  As a matter of fact, the terms are considered to be the same person.  So, I'm wondering, why are the two exclusive of each other in 2008?  Should they be?  If so, when does a church planter become a pastor?

VANCOUVER ON THE RISE!

I have been in Vancouver, BC leading a pastor's conference - or a training session with a great group of men! There are approximately 65 Baptist churches and 30 of them are church plants. They understand the process of reaching one person at a time - all over the city!

We spent over 7 hours discussing Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 28:19-20, and John 8:1-11 and how they impact pastoral ministry, discipleship, and disciple making. God certainly is touching lives through churches in BC - especially Vancouver. Thanks for lettimg me be a part of your lives!

I have the opportunity to preach at Royal Heights Baptist Church on Sunday. Looking forward to hanging out with them and their pastor, Alan. For all of you who read my blog keep Vancouver in your prayers. Pray they will become more and more missional as they complete the Great Commission.

Balancing Christ

Doctors will tell you that three things help a person maintain balance:  the inner ear, feet on the ground and clear vision.  Change to one of these will affect one's ability to stay balanced.  About five years ago I discovered my balance was being affected.  I went to the "balance doctor" and the diagnosis was that my inner ear is almost non-functional, but I had learned to adapt because I still have my feet and vision.  Good News:  I can ride any thing at Disney World, Six Flags, etc and not puke; go on a cruise and laugh at sea sickness; and never take Dramamine for flights on puddle jumpers.  Bad News:  I can't water ski, scuba dive, climb a ladder, or fly a plane in a cloud because my feet aren't on the ground and my vision would be distorted so much I would not be able to distinguish up from down.  I already possess an AARP membership card and wear bifocals, so I don't need to be falling up or down! 

What enables a Christ follower to maintain balance as a disciple?  I know I am balancing with Christ when conscious efforts are made in several areas:  growing - changing - learning - serving.  These are always in process and when any one area stops, I lose my balance.  Questions to consider:  How am I growing?  What is changing about my character?  From whom am I learning?  Am I serving God or gods? 

GOD & COFFEE - THE PERFECT COMBO!

My wife (Ginger) and I were able to spend last weekend in the Washington, D.C. area - visited a home church with our friends (Millwoods) and then knocked around the the Capitol area.  We spent most of Saturday in The Library of Congress - a must see for everyone!  We also worshipped with Mark Batterson at Ebenezer Coffeehouse.  Great coffee - great worship - and a friend.  Thanks Mark!

I haven't forgotten the question in an earlier post:  "When does a church planter become a pastor?"  I'm still pursuing the answer - with God and a cup!

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

I was driving recently in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Canada).  I know the locals knew their way around, but I needed street signs.  Some streets were marked and others were not.  Needless to say, I spent quite a bit of time searching for places while looking like a tourist!

If we don't search for a few signs in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 we may miss what Paul is wanting the church to see.  Notice . . .

2:4 = "on the contrary. . ." = don't forget the churn of emotions from the last study

But Paul never loses sight of his purpose in ministry:  "We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel." Paul, Silas, and Timothy knew they were trusted by God - a reliance - to handle the message and the profession (vss 4-6).

Paul switches metaphors from mother-child (2:7-8) to father-child (2:11).  Why?  The father was responsible for teaching - educating - the children.  Teaching what?  Read 2:10-12 again.

(1)  Teach the high demands of following Jesus Christ (2:10):  holy, righteous, and blameless.  Don't let life's circumstances cause you to "lower the bar" in Christian behavior.

(2)  Teach how to live lives worthy of God (2:12):  encouraging, comforting, and urging.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

(1)  Where is "the bar" set in your "live lives worthy of God" responsibility?

(2)  What are some personal areas in which you need to raise the bar?

(3)  How can you encourage, comfort, and urge others to live lives worthy of God?

(4)  How can others do the same for you?

I'm Back!

Only a few can take as long of a vacation as I did!  What can I say!  But, back to work.

Church planting is growing, expanding, and taking on a "life" of its own.  There is "good news" and "bad news" with growth.  In the next few weeks I will explore both sides of the church planting coin and my desire is to encourage church planters to "walk the tightrope" and get above the activity to survey their surroundings.  Stay tuned . . .

The first question we will explore:  "When does a church planter become a pastor?"