No one attempts to sell real furs at a PETA convention.
Members of Greenpeace do not encourage one another to support more off-shore drilling and insecticides.
Members of the NRA do not make motions to stop all guns sales in the U.S.
Common sense says these things do not occur. They don’t square with the purposes of those organizations.
If common sense is used by the peoples of this world, then why do followers of Jesus often fail to use the God-given wisdom they have received?
I heard an advertisement on a Christian radio station the other day. The spot was for a new church in our community. The pastors’ invitation was clear: y’all come be a part of our launch service. Translation: We are looking for Christians!
Is this a wise stewardship of the money and energy entrusted to us?
If biblical church planting is evangelism that results in new churches (Acts 13-14), then I fail to see the wisdom behind such a method. Contrary to much evangelical thought in the U.S., church planting is not about the shuffling of sheep around in the Kingdom, the swapping of the saints, the creation of another flavor of church in the Baskin Robbins of Christianity.
If we read the Bible, then we should understand this is the common sense conclusion. It is not a mystery. It is not locked away in some code.
However. . .
If church planting is about starting with and gathering long-term Kingdom citizens, including taking them from other churches, then maybe such a radio spot is the common sense thing to do.
And maybe it is wise to sell genuine mink coats at the next PETA gathering. Maybe the marketing department at the Fur Factory Shop needs to spend their energy and resources there?
How about some wisdom? Such is the way of the Kingdom steward.
Dr Payne, I am grateful for your emphasis on making disciples first in church planting. I totally agree it is the biblical model and not the exception for today’s planting strategies. Learning this has totally changed my life and ministry after 30+ years of “successful” traditional church service. So keep sharing your much misunderstood message of evangelism, discipleship, followed supernatural missions church planting. I’m grateful that Holy Spirit opened my heart and mind.
Thanks, brother!