“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55: 8 & 9
I'm familiar with these verses. I have used them from time to time when I can only shrug and say "I don't know"(there have been lots of those times). I find myself here again, sort of... When I first began praying about being involved in a church plant (Oct 09), the whole idea seemed very distant and foreign. I mean, seriously, me? I know me. Waaaaaay too much inventory to unpack and it would be rather unpleasant as well. Also, I wasn't real sure what the term "church plant" meant. Luckily,(God's sovereignty) there were some books out there. There were also some great organizations with resources on the subject. Here is one: Why Plant Churches? And another: Acts 29. Studies have shown that the most effective way to reach the un-churched is with a church plant. Often, church plants help to break through the generational and cultural divide that can be present in a community and offer a fresh way to experience the Gospel. A church plant is not in competition with the established church. It is not a split from the local church, but rather an extension of the local church for expanding God’s kingdom. Besides, after praying about it for some time, God began to birth a vision in me. It is no secret that there are generational and cultural barriers that divide this area. Is one tiny group of people going to put an end to that? Of course not. Only God in His infinite power with His glorious Gospel can do that(and, by the way, there are no guarantees that He will do that). I am merely trying to be obedient to the call He has placed on me to be a part of this. God has called me to some difficult acts of obedience through this process, but I am continually reminding myself that my obedience is not what makes me acceptable to God. It is Jesus Christ alone, through His finished work on the cross, that makes me blameless and above reproach in front of God. This is the reason to plant churches. There is one Kingdom and one Name under heaven by which we must be saved.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55: 8 & 9
I'm familiar with these verses. I have used them from time to time when I can only shrug and say "I don't know"(there have been lots of those times). I find myself here again, sort of... When I first began praying about being involved in a church plant (Oct 09), the whole idea seemed very distant and foreign. I mean, seriously, me? I know me. Waaaaaay too much inventory to unpack and it would be rather unpleasant as well. Also, I wasn't real sure what the term "church plant" meant. Luckily,(God's sovereignty) there were some books out there. There were also some great organizations with resources on the subject. Here is one: Why Plant Churches? And another: Acts 29. Studies have shown that the most effective way to reach the un-churched is with a church plant. Often, church plants help to break through the generational and cultural divide that can be present in a community and offer a fresh way to experience the Gospel. A church plant is not in competition with the established church. It is not a split from the local church, but rather an extension of the local church for expanding God’s kingdom. Besides, after praying about it for some time, God began to birth a vision in me. It is no secret that there are generational and cultural barriers that divide this area. Is one tiny group of people going to put an end to that? Of course not. Only God in His infinite power with His glorious Gospel can do that(and, by the way, there are no guarantees that He will do that). I am merely trying to be obedient to the call He has placed on me to be a part of this. God has called me to some difficult acts of obedience through this process, but I am continually reminding myself that my obedience is not what makes me acceptable to God. It is Jesus Christ alone, through His finished work on the cross, that makes me blameless and above reproach in front of God. This is the reason to plant churches. There is one Kingdom and one Name under heaven by which we must be saved.
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