I'm back in the blogging saddle again. My last few weeks have been busy with life stuff--- including moving to a new townhome in a new community! After 11 wonderful years of serving in Northfield, MN, Joanne, Aimee and I now claim residence in Prior Lake, a SW burb of Minneapolis.
New communities give new opportunities to develop new relationships. I've discovered over the years, however, there is a better way to start new relationships that help start new churches.
For instance, when I first moved to Northfield with the mission to plant Rejoice! Church, I was completely focused on church growth. Specifically, "my church's" growth! For me, it was all about growing more butts, getting better building space and working up a bigger budget. After all, weren't they the B's of success? Since then, however, I've come to realize that Jesus never asked me to build and grow Rejoice!, he asked me to receive his kingdom keys and open-up locked doors for the gospel to be heard. In return, Jesus says he will build and grow his church.
So even as I coach new church starts around the country, I'm also interested in starting a new faith community, in a new manner, in the new place I live--- Prior Lake! My biblical strategy is not to start by putting together a worship service or a Bible study, but to first model what l want others to be--- a follower of Jesus! In other words, this new community of faith will start with "me" seeking to live out my own transformed life in Christ. How? By taking the time to literally bless and speak peace over the whole city (see Luke 10:5). Wherever I go, then, I am planting a missional church. My mission won't just come through duties or planned events, but through me just being missional in all that I am.
The goal will not be focused on butts, building or budget--- but modeling what it means to follow Jesus. After all, the number of un-churched folks in Scott County is extremely high--- I've heard up to 70%! Example: on a walk with my wife on Sunday afternoon, we met one of our neighbors--- an unmarried, middle-aged couple living together. Both were in the emergency medical field. When he asked what I did, I could tell he was shutting down after I said, "I help others start new churches." If I had told him I was starting a new missional community in the neighborhood and they were already members, they probably would've faked getting an emergency phone call! Yet I believe in time they will see that my purpose is not to get their butts into a building to develop a budget, but to demonstrate the love of God that is there's in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, to plant this missional church atmosphere in Prior Lake, I'm starting by simply making trusting relationships. For example, in just the first few days of living in my new community, I've struck up a meaningful conversation with the guys who work at the recycling center (with all my moving boxes). I could tell that not many folks give them the time of day. I've talked baseball and school with two high school baseball players who came to my house to sell promotional coupons. (and yes, I bought from them too). I've connected with the Welcome Neighbor lady, a business owner and a nurse. I've even been to a town-home association meeting to purposefully meet my new neighbors. You see, I don't want to be known as the pastor living on the block (that might actually "block" some people!); instead, I want to be known as the guy on the block who is living in the joy of Jesus. My living joy will be the beginning of my new missional church and it will be its ending purpose as well. You see, whether they know it or not, 33 townhouse units in the Hickory Shores Association are now a part of my missional community. That's why I will pray walk the area for God to release his grace upon the families and for the families to be opened to receiving such grace.
Planters: If you want to see something you've never seen before in your community, then do something you've never done before! How about taking your initial focus away from worship equipment, office space, programming and staff; and instead; start with changing the spiritual climate of your area through the power of the Holy Spirit given to you by Jesus himself. Start simple, trusting that God IS doing his complex part. Pray walk your neighborhoods, business areas or government and school zones. There is zero financial cost to that kind of ministry start! Let God start your new church by first transforming your heart FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY THAT JESUS DIED FOR, thus making you contagious for others to see God's joy on you! 'THAT' is when folks will want to start getting to know you and your message, coming to your worship services, participating in your Bible studies and giving financially to see the mission move forward.
No comments:
Post a Comment