Inform, Call, Write, Text, Communicate

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced... 2 Cor. 1:8 (TNIV)

When I was put on the "church-planter's injured reserve list" four years ago (2004), I failed to communicate with my long-term supporters how my health had deteriorated. Though I was very, very weak, and could barely communicate with God --I should have somehow found a way, to communicate to those who had supported me to tell them why I needed a break. Unfortunately, most of my supporters I never heard from again. I have some ideas on what I would have done differently, but I would like to hear your ideas. What works for you? What doesn't seem to work?

Test-Tube Churches

Churches without an umbilical chord usually lack a uterus (A hollow muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity where...the fertilized egg implants and develops. Also called womb). The practice of starting churches today in America closely resembles franchising (corporate American business model) more than birthing (biblical model) a living, breathing organism. It's more organizational than organic. This current practice is so sterile and unlike the biblical process of establishing new churches (Acts 13) it's kind of like getting pregnant without intercourse. Church in America today more-often-then not the result of artificial insemination rather than the offspring of divine romance or real worship (Acts 13:1-4). Can churches be planted this way? Yes, of course. But is it God's ideal for church reproduction --far from it.

Denominational Taboo

By the grace of God, I planted 4 churches in 7 years ('93-2000). When I first embarked on following our Lord's lead into establishing an association of healthy, reproducing, disciplemaking churches -I held to a conviction that "leadership gifts" (Eph.4:12) were limited to men. I could defend this position with what I thought was sound hermeneutics and clear arguments. But then a close friend challenged me to revisit the subject biblically and honestly study all of the relevant passages. Over the course of 3 years I found myself forming biblical convictions that no longer saw those gifts (or any other spiritual gift) as gender bias.

Several years later I found myself on 3 occasions sitting on national boards along with an "assessment team" of people who were assessing whether or not a "man" was called to go and church plant. We assessed dozens of couples and I can honestly say that at least a third of those given a "recommend" (sometimes with conditions) were done so because of the female side of the couple who demonstrated the apostolic gift --in some cases it was obvious that she was the leader. I would smile on the inside knowing that a high degree of hypocrisy was in play at these "assessments" where the denominational line was "we only affirm men" --but reality supported what we see in scripture (Romans 16, Acts, 1 Corinthians, etc.) --the fact that women did possess the gift in the early church and often operated with more efficacy then men.

I want to go on record by saying that even though my position had changed --I still honored the denominational beliefs and practices (all 4 churches I planted were and still are lead by a team of male leaders). I did discover later on, however, that if the denomination sponsoring our final plant had known about my position regarding women in leadership "they would have not endorsed me". Funny isn't it. Today a strong, viable church exists --bringing endless streams of resources into this denomination (resources that were not once there) and yet, they would have rather not planted a healthy church to honor an archaic belief that they themselves do not honor consistently. Unfortunately, today, for many dying denominations, this is the "unpardonable sin". Go figure?

The Foundation Layer

1 Corinthians 3:10-11
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Those who lay foundations as a trade will tell you that their work, though often a thankless job, is perhaps the most important feature of a home. The foundation layer builds with care, knowing that his or her work will determine the strength and sustainability of all that follows.

The foundation will also be tested, everyday and in every way. When the fire comes, a house can be rebuilt if the foundation survives the test. If the foundation was not laid correctly, the former house cannot be rebuilt - it can only be replaced.

What kind of churches will we see when the foundation of the church is not Christ? Church Planters - Apostles, work passionately at laying a foundation that will stand the test of time, trials and fires that will inevitably lay siege to the churches they start.

The Arabian Exile

He's not one of us ...there are reports of his faith in Christ but we can't trust him. Does anyone really believe this guy is a disciple of Christ? He's not like us ...this guy wants to kill us in the name of God. He'll kill our work... he'll threaten our ministry... he's got to have an angle? We can't afford to talk with him... he might undermine the good work we've been doing here in this church. Lets focus on the work that God has given us to do ...lets just ignore this Saul guy. There's no room for that kind of maverick in our ministry .... hey, has anyone seen Barnabas?

We can imagine this kind of talk among some of the church leaders as they hear of Paul's (then Saul) conversion to Christ. Sadly, this kind of talk continues today for many Apostles (Church Planters) who sometimes feel exiled from church leaders. Why do church leaders push away, nay, send away legitamate disciples of Christ who are blessed with the gift of Apostleship? Perhaps the answer is found in the recorded account by Luke in Acts 9:

26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

The opposite of Love isn't hate ...it's fear. Why? Because we can't love someone we're afraid of --someone we feel threatened by, even if we know that our lives would be blessed where we to be obedient to The Holy Spirit by do so.

Too often, I've heard church planters share such negative experiences with church leaders ---even today and espeically in America. We often feel exiled to our own version of Arabia --because church leaders are afraid of us.

An Apostle in the age of "THE PASTOR"

"Cries of the Harvester" - James 5:4
Has the spiritual gift of "Apostleship" passed away? How often do we see this gift in operation in the New Testatment? Do we see it functioning in the church more than we see the spiritual gift of "Pastor"? Where does this gift rank in the lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament? When was the last time you heard any church teach on this subject? When this gift is in operation in the New Testament does it preclude women? Does this gift inherently dictate a "gender bias"? Does the New Testament shed any light on the role of "foundation layers" or apostolic leaders and how churches should support this role?

.... If you're still reading, then I commend you for having the spiritual courage to face the sad truth about church planting in America today. If you are or have been a church planter and your heart aches for the current state of the church in American culture today (everything hard-wired for "power hungry" pastors) ...then I'd like to hear your cries .... your words of wisdom ...