Church Planting | Reach a Higher Altitude

The Details

2008-12-02T17:26:21Z

Not all church planters trip over details - most are too busy keeping the energies flowing, which in turn, keep the churches moving forward. But somewhere "out there" church planters must address two critical issues:

#1: What does a disciple look like in my church? And, #2: What does a missionary look like in my church? These are looming questions immediately beyond the worship experience and the fellowship in small groups.

Don't overlook the details - define and create them! It just might save your church!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T02:40:07Z

Taking a few days off - spending Thanksgiving with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Not difficult to give thanks - I'm guilty of not giving thanks more often! Hope your Day is filled with joy and thankfulness. Back in December . . .

Doing Life Together

2008-11-17T21:17:26Z

"Doing Life Together" is code for church. Church planters love this phrase - it signifies that something different is happening that is missing from inherited churches. That may or may not be true. However, church was real on Sunday and it was not - but yet it was. Let me explain.

I attended a "Transition Celebration" for The Next Door - a ministry that invests in the lives of women who have paid their debt to society, but need help moving through the next door of their lives. Five women "graduated" from the program and are moving through the door for life's next phase - working hard, living independently, and staying clean. That equals changed lives and I was moved not only with emotion, but with spiritual pride that I was seeing the results of "doing life together." It wasn't the church as we usually identify it - but it was more church than most have ever seen in a lifetime!

I have a great respect and admiration for all the leaders at The Next Door - that includes my wife. She doesn't work directly with the women, but she works diligently with others to keep the organizational doors open and the elevators running smoothly. Thanks to all the ladies - and thank you, God, for allowing The Next Door to "do life together" - I know it brought a tear to your eyes, too.

Wasted Lives

2008-11-13T18:59:06Z

My heart is troubled this week by the ever-present stories of wasted lives. Some people are still with us - others are not. What I mean by wasted is not necessarily the suddenness of death, but the continuing of life without making any difference in the Kingdom of God. I'm not sure those who choose NOT to follow Christ can make a positive difference in the Kingdom, but those who choose to walk in His Ways and NOT making a difference - THAT IS A WASTED LIFE!

Research cannot uncover the number of Christ followers making a difference in the Kingdom. I'm not sure how that can be done except through evidence of changed (and changing) lives. Here's the quandry: there is no visible evidence in my life, your life, and in the lives of Christ followers. There is no visible evidence! I know I sound extremely judgemental - and maybe so, but I look no further than my own life to draw a conclusion knowing I am not much different than any other Christ follower.

I'm stewing over my life right now - and yours. My prayer and forming desire is for God to allow the church (that's you and me) another opportunity to make a visible difference in the Kingdom of God. I think visibility is the only way other Christ followers will know who can work together. Enough rambling . . . I'm not visible while sitting at the computer!

Grading The Church

2008-11-10T16:25:56Z

I'm scanning again Bill Easum's book, Dancing with Dinosaurs. Chapter 4 caught my eye again because he identifies four essential concerns around which the rest of the New Testament communities revolved: (1) the early christians came together to celebrate God through prayer, support, and teaching about the Way, fasted, held everything in common, set leaders aside for certain ministries, and counted and celebrated the addition of new people into the church; (2) They went out to the Temple and into the streets to be witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; (3) Their entire existence focused on the small groups that developed a sense of community; and, (4) the early Christians experienced persecution and arrest from religious and nonreligious people because their lives affected the economic practices of society and challenged the traditions of the religious leaders (summary of pp. 46-47).

Christians have lost a seat at the table of society. The overwhelming turnout in the presidential election confirms it. So, with that in mind, let's compare the church (ourselves) with the four statements above relating to the early Christian communities and assign a letter grade: #1 = C; #2 = F; #3 = D; #4 = F. (As a former teacher I may be reverting back to my old ways - feeling too sympathtic and assigning a passing grade just because of some effort even though it may be weak)

Read the first paragraph again - read through the Book of Acts again - go to your church again - then see if you can change the grades.

Back to the Future Or Forward to the Past?

2008-11-06T18:38:12Z

The proverb "History repeats itself" is a truism only if one lives long enough. The same applies to "Birthdays will kill you if you have enough of them." I think 2008 is deja vous all over again. Let me ramble . . .

In the 1970s Christian conservatives were turning back flips when Jimmy Carter was elected President. The gymnastics stopped with double-digit inflation. In the 1980s Ronald Reagan won the hearts of the majority by offering hope in trickle-down economics. It was a trickle and hope was short lived. The 1990s began with a white-water splash soaking America with "It's the economy, stupid" only to dash false hopes again by colliding with junk bonds and cigars. The 2000s were ripe for a needed change until 9/11 attackers flew into the heart of America - now nothing is the same.

As the 2010s rapidly approach I am wondering, "Are we going back to the future or forward to the past?" A new leader will offer a change - a new start - maybe; but history will likely repeat itself unless we have enough birthdays or we allow the only Change Master to lead. Our country's past was marked with hopes - at times focused on Christ, but new hopes inevitably will dwindle back to economic indicators, daily ticker tapes, and consumerism.

I will keep praying for His Spirit to run wild in His churches. I pray we go back to the future - to that Upper Room where the church received her power and mission. I need the new start. I must go forward to His future. I believe His church must do the same or history will continue to repeat itself and we will run out of birthdays.

DIFFERENT DAY - DIFFERENT WAYS

2008-11-05T11:29:31Z

It's now official - the end of an unprecedented presidential campaign. America now has a new president indicating a different day and ushering in different ways. No one knows what change is coming, but America's vote represents the desire for any change. That's what's scary!

Don't get me wrong - I love change - I'm surrounded by change. But the feeling of change in which I participate and change which will be forced on me are opposites and it leaves me struggling to find my way - or least less confident in the future. However, as a Christ follower I know in Whom I have believed . . .He's in control and no one garnishes the leadership mantel without His knowledge and approval. I trust Him for that.

As Americans, we pull together, we move ahead, and for Christ followers our trust is in Him: the One through Whom all things have their existence. The biggest change will be ahead: what is the church doing to fulfill the Great Commission? How will the church demonstrate the Great Commandment? Will the Great Confession be our ultimate trust? Hmm . . . this could be a different day or just more of the same.

As a friend used to say: "DOO DAH!"

Church Planter or Pastor?

2008-10-30T18:44:07Z

"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!

2008-10-26T01:43:28Z

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

2008-10-20T16:34:46Z

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?

How's your balance? Are you balancing with Jesus? Or, are you just a balancing act?

GOD & COFFEE - THE PERFECT COMBO!

2008-10-08T12:49:21Z

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

2008-10-06T15:17:09Z

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!

2008-10-02T10:58:08Z

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?"

ON VACATION

2008-08-28T10:24:39Z

I won't be back until September 2nd. Ginger and I are going to visit my grandson - oh, and his parents, too. Make your Labor Day great! I'm working on being a "Pops."

FILTERS

2008-08-26T09:41:20Z

Filters are a necessary part of life: DSLs, digital television, automobile engines, swimming pools, technology, entertainment, pleasure, appetites, arguments between friends and perhaps the most important use - coffee makers! I think "Church World" requires filtering - especially now when we are connected to more facts and information than we can handle and growing even more skeptical to what is true.

Church planters must utilize filters constantly because they are discovering that knowledge doesn't mean much if what is known is not true. So, what filters are you using? What are you using to sift "church world" that results in your image of the new improved version of church? In a few short decades, will the next generation be forced to filter your ministry and work?