We have to love the re-emphasis of church planting the past several years. It thrills the heart of every believer to hear about men and women laying their life, and their stuff, on the altar of service for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Lord has allowed my wife, Susanne, and me to begin and be part of Church Planting in an unreached area of India. She oversees support and help for an orphanage we have while I train church planters, write tracts for evangelism, provide messages for the spiritual growth of new believers and help raise basic support for the church planters.
The work is hard, not very appreciated among nominal church members, but very fulfilling with the Lord. Thinking about church planting and the emphasis it places upon the gospel (when properly focused), made me think long and hard about what it ‘really is.’ Continue reading
I recently stayed in a motel in Nashville, TN after a week long traveling schedule. I was physically exhausted and looked forward to a good nights rest. As I walked into my room, I placed the “Do Not Disturb” sign on my doorknob and prepared for bed. I crashed around 10:15 after getting a bite to eat at a local restaurant, with the full expectation of getting fully refreshed from rest to complete the final leg of my drive back home.
Like every true believer, the disciples desired to walk in a deeper dimension of faith with Christ. They asked Him to explain how they could increase their faith. (Luke 17:5-10) What a wonderful request! However, when we examine the answer Jesus gave to them, we are surprised at His response. It is a great distance from what is usually taught today in Christian circles. How did Jesus answer this question? How does it apply for us if we want to increase our faith? Let’s look at this briefly.
We’ve all noticed it. The worship team is leading the congregation in praise and worship, and the person most distant from worship is the Pastor. Either he is using the time to talk with someone, or praying over his message, or putting the final touches on it. This practice by leaders reeks of disrespect and aloofness. It also hinders the freedom and liberty of the Holy Spirit the worship team is hoping to lead the flock into. How is the failure of Pastors to be worshippers a hinderance? Here are several ways.
We have been rapidly moving toward a post-Christian culture. That can be daunting to those, like myself, who are old enough to remember the Christian dominating culture and have lived through the transition. However, if we embrace one important dynamic, it does not have to be the hurdle we think it is.
The Lord still has His prophets. No, we will not see them walking around in sackcloth and ashes, or with unkept beards and shepherd’s staff in their hand. But they are there… speaking God’s Word in faithfulness and stirring up the sheep to obey the Lord. Haggai was one such prophet. The Lord used him to bring the people of Judah back into focus for the labor before them. His words were like clear trumpet sounds, bringing the voice and will of God to the hearts of the people.
Regardless how full of the Spirit leaders are on Sunday, there is always the Monday morning war. The Lord could fill the weekend services with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and yet, when Monday rolls around a battle rages. Take heart fellow Elders, Church Planters and Pastors….it is common. The victory of Mount Carmel is always followed by some degree of the loneliness of Elijah’s cave. (1 Kings 19:9) We are engaged in a continual battle…we don’t get a day off.
I love to share what other leaders in the body of Christ are saying. As many voices as possible need to be heard from men who understand culture and who are using their gifts and talents to reach others with the gospel. Here is a great article by Rick Whitter. He does a good job of relating the experience of his granddaughter to our call to be strangers and pilgrims. Let us all be sensitive and wise as ambassadors for Christ. Well worth the read. Here is the link:
My friend, Marty Schoenleber III, posted an article on his blog which is worthy of reposting. In fact, I would encourage you to read all of his posts. Marty is an experienced Church Planter and Pastor, and has a heart for encouraging and all who seek to build God’s Kingdom through service and sacrifice. Above all, Marty is a man of prayer. He heart beats with God’s compassion and desire for His bride to be holy, merciful and active! All of Marty’s posts breathe with his desire to see the Gospel proclaimed to this generation with clarity and conviction.
My latest book, “Praying in the Spirit” has just been published. It is a culmination of several years of work. I have had the privilege of praying with many believers from various backgrounds, and those who walked in spiritual authority and power all had one thing in common…praying in the Spirit. However, this subject is seldom, if ever, discussed in our discipleship and leadership training. And yet, prayer is to be the strength, power, momentum and basis for all our work and ministry. In this book, we will put the subject back on the table for discussion by looking through the Scriptures and hearing God’s call to pray in His strength and under His leadership. We must return to the leadership of the Holy Spirit if we are expecting to see our prayers avail with God’s promises and strength.
