I seriously don’t understand “leaders” that plant churches that appeal to themselves. I don’t understand “leaders” that plant churches to reach other church people. I really don’t understand “leaders” that plant churches with no real heart to reach people far from God.
Don’t get me wrong…reaching people far from God is messy. They cuss…they have serious issues…they smell…they drink…they live lifestyles that are at times really repulsive. Reaching people far God also means going to places that church folks have been taught not to go. People FAR from God do not hang out in Starbucks or Junior League meetings…they hang out in bars, porn shops, downtown streets, bowling allies, courtrooms, emergency rooms and R-rated movies. It’s not easy…it’s not pleasant…it’s not always rewarding. However, reaching people far from God with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what the Father called us to do.
If you don’t want to do ministry that is messy…don’t plant a church. If you just want to “feed the saints”…don’t plant a church. If you just want to stop having to take orders from your current pastor…don’t plant a church. If you just got fired, let go or laid off from a ministry position…don’t plant a church. If you are still trying to impress Bible College professors with your preaching skills…don’t plant a church. In fact, if you think planting a church is cool…don’t plant a church. If you think those things, It’s probably going to be best for you to get a job in a safe Christian environment…where it’s safe, there’s a steady paycheck and you only have to interact with other Christians and forget the Great Commission.
On the other hand if you love the smell of vomit and beer….if you love to hear about people’s addictions…if you love hearing the f-bomb dropped by every member of a family (including kids)…if you love people wearing halter tops and Budweiser t-shirts in the Sunday service…if you love people putting three dollars cash in the offering plate and crossing their arms during worship…if you love getting 3 a.m. marriage counseling calls…then by all means…plant a church. I’m not talking about you liking that stuff…I’m talking about…you love the challenge of getting messy. Church planting done right is messy…and attracts messy people. If you don’t have a passion for the mess…if you don’t hear someone cussing and think, “That person is a potential guest for my church”…if you don’t wake up every day with an unquenchable thirst to see people far from God come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior…church planting is going to be a miserable experience for you!!!
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. - Proverbs 14:4
ReplyDeleteEven established churches need to ask what they want -- a nice looking building, or the strength that comes from sinners being converted.
Years ago, I invited my boss to visit my church. He smoked a cigarette on the church steps, and the pastor had me tell my boss that he couldn't smoke there if he wanted to keep attending the church. My boss never returned. The reason for the smoking ban? "What would people think if they drove by and saw someone smoking on the church steps?"
Some have made the mistake of equating church buildings with temples and forbidden the maim, the halt, and the marred from entering. "This is God's house!", they say, "We cannot pollute His house with [pants, shorts, cigarettes, you-name-it]".
Perhaps it might be better to equate church buildings with hospitals. Are you sick? Do you have a problem? This is where you need to be!
I just returned from Vegas for a few days with one of my pastor's counsel and good friend in the church. He has a time share and invited me to get away for a few days. I know, the thought of going to Vegas alone sends some pastor's into cardiac arrest but I can hang. I had not been to Vegas in 10 years and looked forward to seeing some of the new hotels that have been built and was not disapointed in that aspect. However, we received tickets to a magic / comedy show but was located in of all hotels, the one with all the owls....:) anyway, on my way through to the theatre where the show was I stopped and paused, no not to look( i am being transparent here and serious) but as I looked closely at the people, their expressions, their obvious lifestyle the thought came to me "Lord, if your Word is true & I believe it is, all these people are without hope!". I must admit, it was sobering and caused me to ask my board member / friend, "What are we doing to reach people like this"? I am not a Vegas fan, in fact I spoke numerous times a day to my wife because it is far worse than it was 10 years ago & I had to fight to keep my mind right..just being real. Half dressed women are now on advertisements on and in every major hotel, I'll stop at that, you get the point. However, I noticed not but a few blocks from several of the biggest hotels was a rather large church. I thought, that's right where I'd wanna be if I were pastoring in Vegas (personally glad he didn't call me there). That church is right in the middle of all the people for whom Christ died. The people most of us say we want to reach but have no plan or planned budget to reach them. EDDIE, your right, it is a mess whether it is a church plant or a church like mine which had 6 pastor's in 10 years and 4 people left when my wife and I took over. Kind of like a church plant but with a building. January will be 8 years. We have had our challenges and our share of messes and through it all the church continues to grow. Here's a thought! Hey, don't things usually look like new after we truly clean them up after a mess?
ReplyDeleteIt almost seems that planting churches has become the "cool thing to do". And some have planted churches with wrong motives and intentions. But every church, new or established, should learn to value the life, innocence, joy, and experiences that come when unchurched people cause us to think "outside the pew". Yo quiero unsaved people!
ReplyDeleteO.K. Since it's confession time. Last Saturday night I was clubbing in L.A. Let me explain. (Todd, you were in Vegas. What is happening to our preachers?)
Three years ago, I met a man in the Taco Bell just down the street from our church. He was eating with his sons; and I was eating with mine. Our kids are about the same age. I invited his kids to our "Gym Jam". As youth pastor, I started them in 1991; and we reach hundreds for Christ each year today through this youth outreach.
This man came to church a few weeks later with his wife and children. As I hugged people at the door on the way out, he said, "Hey, you didn't tell me that you were the pastor". I said, "Yeah, if I did, you wouldn't have come today". He said, "You're probably right!"
That started a relationship that has become a "Father/Son" relationship. My wife & I have mentored this couple. He is a rapper with a group called the "Black Eyed Peas". He is personally connected to Fergie and Will I Am. He has traveled the world with Sergio Mendes; and for the first time in three years, he was performing on the West Coast. I wanted to see my Spiritual Son in his element. What a great time I had. I had dinner before the performance with the band and singers; and had the privilege to pray for several of them.
The next day, I flew home in the morning, drove by the church half way through the first service so I could see how many cars lined up and down the streets, filled parking lots, etc... I never get to do that. I also got to see some of the Forty Niners game.
Well, I got to feel what it was to be a "sinner" for a weekend without really sinning. Nice place to visit; but I don't want to live there.
I'll record this week's game and go to church tomorrow instead. Can't wait to see how many real sinners visit us in the morning! I live for this! Yo quiero sinners!!!