Why I want to know every pastor in my new town.

Every time I start coaching someone who is seeking God's direction on whether or not to start a new church, I ask them to first practice the following in faith:

1). meet and pray a blessing over every pastor in town, along with school principles, fire and police chiefs, the mayor and a variety of business people.  Why?  To get to know them and vice versa.  To develop a working relationship, or at the very least--- trust.  Ask them what problems they are facing that will require a miracle!

2). in doing so, also "pray walk" the city to release God's light over any areas of entrenched darkness.  This, to change the spiritual climate and put the ball back into your favorable court as you look to start a new ministry.

Why?

Scripture is clear that God's heart is for the nations.  A nation is built and sustained by its city's government, education and business spheres.   Therefore, when the Christian lifestyle positively impacts those three elements of a city, God is glorified and the city is transformed in the likeness of Christ!  We American churches aren't currently seeing this happen, mostly because we have been segregating church life to a particular church building and program, and away from the church life in the marketplace.  Biblically, the church is the people who live, work and play by faith in the daily marketplace: government, education and business!

Never wanting to be accused of hypocrisy, I am in the process of practicing points 1 and 2 in my new city of Prior Lake, MN.  I have already spent at least 8-hours introducing myself to the other pastors in town.  Some were very welcoming, others seemed a bit suspicious.  Hmmm.  My biggest hope is that the local clergy come to realize that I live in their town and I am praying for them, whether I agree with their theology or even like their personality.  My hope is that prayerful relationships will open a gateway to God's Spirit of reconciliation amongst the clergy.  For example, I met one pastor that has been in town for 24-years and another pastor who has been serving just down the street for 18-years.  Yet, they had only met once.  Once!!!!  That denominational pride amongst clergy must change for Prior Lake to operate in the fullness of all God wants for it.

Still to come for me, meeting local authorities in education, business and government.

Friends: whether you're a new planter or have led a congregation for years, I invite you to empower others to join you in praying for your city.  For as you do, your congregation will start to turn out and have an even greater faith impact in your collective spheres of influence.  God declares this to be true, so let's find out together!

NOTE: I send you this note from Orlando, Florida where I, along with 8 other LCMC planters, are enjoying the annual Exponential Conference.  It features this nation's top missionaries through 125 workshops on planting and being missional for the sake of discipleship.  From this gathering, I will most likely be sharing some new insights with you over the next couple weeks.  If you wish, go to Exponential.com and you'll be able to take-in a live-stream of the main auditorium presentations.