A Red Carpet Welcome

Monday May 18, 2009 ~ 7 Comments

Yesterday, I was struck by the "red carpet welcome" given to church planters of the Church of God (Cleveland). I was speaking at the National Church Planting Lab and when I came arrived I saw this: every time a church planter walked in, they came down a "red carpet" to the applause of volunteers.

Symbolic? Yes. Do they have difficulties in the COG? Of course. We all do. But, kudos to Michael Knight (national church planting director and COG bishop) for symbolically laying out the red carpet for church planters.

I was moved by the gesture.

I wonder if it was so meaningful to me because I have seen church planters:

-attacked because they used different methods and music
-accused of being _____ (Purpose Driven, Reformed, emerging, contemporary, etc.)
-opposed because their were planting in "my" area
and the list could go on and on...

What if, instead, church planters were welcomed into your denomination, into the area where your church served, and maybe even into your church's strategy?

What a difference that would make.

The symbol blessed a lot of planters today. The reality would bless a lot more.

Posted on May 18, 2009 at 11:58 PM ~ 7 Comments

Tagged with: church of God, church planting

7 Comments

By Dale on May 19, 2009 12:36 AM

Blessing indeed! I have friends who recently began planting a COG fellowship in Anchorage AK. Not on the NEW church "market." Glad to say, most the denoms in the area have embraced & encouraged them to pursue such a great task.

By Anthony Parker on May 19, 2009 5:27 AM

A good reminder for me as I head to my coaching appointment with a church planting team. Think I should buy their lunch?

By J. Barry Watts on May 19, 2009 7:47 AM

Ed, I'm moved to hear of this gesture. Twenty-two years ago I felt like a pariah for planting a church. There was no love, and a great volume of criticism that still stings if I think about it, so I don't.

I'm thinking about starting a foundation for church planting. There's alot going on at several levels. You and I need to talk.

By jeremy on May 19, 2009 8:48 AM

It's nice to see the denomination of my youth seemingly coming around to the idea that doing things the way they've always been done isn't producing fruit, I hope they continue to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come from planting new life giving ministries.

By Kevin Connell on May 19, 2009 8:51 AM

Great thought ED, I am in the early stages of planting and have already faced some opposition and havent even begun to start yet.

By Ed Stetzer

on May 19, 2009 5:24 PM

Anthony,

You better buy that lunch!

Barry, love that. Always glad to talk with you.

Kevin, stay the course.

By Matt Snowden on May 19, 2009 9:19 PM

I went to hear Ron Phillips at a Church of God (Cleveland) congregation in Jackson, MS a couple of years ago. The people were really nice. I'm glad you spoke at this event. Thanks for building bridges.