Fridays are for Friends & Family 07.03.09

Another Friday and another flurry of activity! It seems every week is filled with news and experiences to share, so let’s get started. This is a special weekend in America, as we celebrate our nation’s birth. For many of us, we will attend parades, watch fireworks and musical celebrations, in addition to exercising our personal freedom of eating too much over a cookout with family and friends. Nationally, one of the significant “new” distinctly American experiences for citizens and visitors to enjoy once again is an opportunity to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. It reopens to the public this weekend for the first time since 9/11, but visitors will need advance reservations. Here’s a report on the opening from one of the national news channels; you can watch here to find out. Also, USA Today has posted on its website this weekend a panoramic view of “Liberty Enlightening the World” and you can see it here.

There has been much written this week about Michael Jackson, both his life and his death. Undoubtedly, there will be much more to come. We’ve known the brilliance of his artistic ability and the bizarreness of his behavior. But this article,  7 Ways Michael Jackson Changed the World in last Sunday’s Baltimore Sun newspaper, attempts to summarize his impact. I thought it was worth the read.

In the world of “ministry” this week, a couple of important blog additions have been posted. David Putman of churchplanters.com has posted his take on “Common Mistakes Church Planters Make.” David now serves with Shawn Lovejoy at Mountain Lake Church north of Atlanta and previously was on staff at the North American Mission Board in the area of church planting. While not posted on my blog, I have written about this as well in my book, PlantLIFE: Principles and Practices in Church Planting (you can find information on securing the book by clicking on the icon in the right margin).

Joe Miller, a left coast colleague in church planting, provided a “scoop” online this week in a three part video interview with William P. Young, author of the highly popular and somewhat controversial book, The Shack. Young offers “practical insight concerning some very controversial issues of social change, the Gospel and culture. There are even a few answers that may shock you!”  You can get to part one of the interview here. Subsequent parts are posted as links on his site, as well.

Twitter Picture of the Week

This week’s picture comes courtesy of Ed Stetzer on a recent Home Depot trip. I suppose vegetable seeds fit the motif, but it kinda makes me want to go “hmmmmm.”

My daughter Sarah has another newspaper article published! Her latest news article, this one about an award winning artist from metro Vancouver who landed a big theater role in Toronto, came out in the SurreyNow newspaper today. You can read the story here.

Two weeks ago, I posted this picture with my FFF weekly edition, indicating that four of us (Larry, Hannah, Dottie Lou and me) were trying to find the rest of the gang that were student missionaries in New Hampshire during the summer of 1977 at the Agape-In at Hampton Beach.

Agape-In staff, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire 1977

I’m happy to report that we’ve been able to find several others, some of whom are on Facebook and others who are not. The updated list of the group is listed below. Boldface indicates the ones who’ve reconnected, where they were from when we served together and where they’re living now. These names are listed from left to right.

• Michael Hogue,  Tennessee
• Annette Nielsen, Connecticut (now in South Carolina)
• Me, Louisiana (now in Maryland)
• Charlie Westbrook, Oklahoma
• Vernetta Eleazer Cousins, New York (now in North Carolina)
• Barry Morris, Delaware – in back – ( now in North Carolina)
• Dottie Lou Crisp – in front – (now in California)
• Christy Glenn Brendle, still in Tennessee
• David Purifoy, still in Arkansas
• Keith Young, still in Tennessee
• Larry Beasley – kneeling – still in Tennessee
  
• Hannah McConnell Gillenwater, still in Tennessee
  
• Valerie Brewer, Mississippi
• Debbie Johnson, Maryland
• Billy Redford (not pictured), Georgia (now in Illinois)

And since this is the Fourth of July weekend, I want to end as I started, by celebrating our nation’s freedom with a heart of gratitude for all of those from the earliest days until now, who have labored hard for us to experience the joys and liberties we share every day of our lives. It all started in Philadelphia many years ago. You can read the Declaration of Independence they crafted here. And in honor of our country, I offer you a video my brother Jeff highlighted on Facebook earlier this week, as Jennifer Hudson–she of personal fame and private tragedy–sings with great and intimate passion of her love for our nation. May God richly bless you in this holiday season and may God bless America.

The Man in the Mirror

Here’s an advance look at the monthly church planting article I’ve submitted to our newsjournal for publication later this month…

This past weekend brought the tragic news of Michael Jackson’s sudden and untimely death. Like many others from my generation, his music impacted my life. One of the songs that made a marked impression upon me personally was the song “Man in the Mirror.” In that song, which went to number one on the pop music charts in March of 1988, Jackson wrote,

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.

In the past few days, we have had three church planting candidates come through our church planting assessment process. This is an opportunity for us as a partnering entity to get to know them and look for evidence of calling, character and competency for church planting in their lives. For the candidates, it is an opportunity for self-discovery, confirmation and clarification in their life regarding their future in church planting.

Why is this so important?

I had been a church planter for about two years and, by all accounts, we were off to a great start. The church was growing and lost people were being reached with the Gospel. But one Monday morning as I reflected upon where our new church was “at,” God revealed to me a startling discovery: this new church plant had become a “mirror-image” of me! My values had become their values, my lifestyle had become their lifestyle, and so on. I remember shuddering at the responsibility and significance of the example of my life daily before them. “The Man in the Mirror” had come to stay.

Three years ago I had the privilege of serving as the interim pastor at Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland. That same year, at their Christian school’s commencement the speaker made one of the most profound statements I’ve ever heard at such as event. “You teach what you know,” he said, “but you reproduce who you are.”

How right he is! My research and observation since that personal “light bulb” church planting experience has confirmed that this reality takes place over and over and over again in the life of church planters (and to some degree, in all churches where a pastor has a longer tenure, but that’s another story for another day). It is a telling reminder that who we are impacts what others become. Paul understood this and that’s why he is able to say, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 1.6).

This is why assessment for our church planters is so important. By helping us and planters “see” better who they are, all of us will understand what that church will one day likely become, as well. As a result, it helps all of us plan intentionally to stay healthy, spiritually as well as physically, and to nurture others as we ourselves are nurtured and coached to the extent of our God-given potential.

So the next time you stop and look at the “man in the mirror,” ask yourself this…is what I see reflected back to me the same thing I want to see in the lives of those whom I lead?  And if not, what are you going to do about it?

Monday Morning Rewind: Grasshoppers or Giant Killers?

Yesterday we examined one of the more significant “crossroads” experiences in the Old Testament: the decision made at Kadesh-Barnea. The story is recorded for us in Numbers 13-14, and shares one of the saddest chapters in the history of God’s people. In the passage God commanded, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites…” (vv. 1-2). Unfortunately, the twelve men who returned bringing the report to the people were split in their decision about what to do next. While all agreed that the land was fair and blessed, only Caleb and Joshua stated that the nation should move forward and conquer the land, as commanded. The rest of the group, a wide majority of ten, opted to stay “as is” or even “go back to Egypt.” They failed to grasp the reality of God’s declaration and chose the “safe” response, at least in their opinion. Tragically, their choice cost them God’s blessing and their future, a future where God had invited them to join Him in a monumental and historical, world-altering task. All that they had to do was trust God, and He would take care of the rest. Instead, they chose not to do so, and as a result, no one in Israel over the age of 20, save Caleb and Joshua, were able to enter into the promised provision of God.

God invites us too to join Him in His world-altering work in this world. The question is whether we will be “grasshoppers” or “giant killers.”

How were Caleb and Joshua able to be giant killers in the midst of a mob who failed to do so? First, their faith gave birth to vision (13.30). “We should go up…” Caleb said, demonstrating his “sight” was found within his faith. Please note the order here! The world tells us “seeing is believing;” but God teaches us that “believing is seeing.” Caleb understood this and he remained steadfast in taking God at His Word (I am giving it to you…). The others were unwilling to risk because their hearts became captive to the giants, the obstacles before them. Unbelief always blinds us to God’s greatness and magnifies our own weakness! Rather, Caleb and Joshua were captive to their God and their hearts and eyes remained there. It all comes down to what you and I “see,” what captures our attention, too: the obstacles or our God. The answer to that question will make all the difference in what you and I do next.

Second, vision leads to courage (14.9). Caleb’s vision of God led him to step out in faith, while others shrunk back in fear. Seeing God prompts courage, while envisioning obstacles provokes cowardice. In an attempt to play it safe by remaining where we are, we run the greatest risk of all: being disobedience to the command of God. Caleb knew that if God asked for our obedience, He would give us the confidence and boldness we’d need, because He’d be leading the way. We wouldn’t have to worry about fear or giants or anything, because “when God gives the vision, He always brings the provision.” Therefore, you and I can be courageous in following Him.

Third, courage results in action (14.8). Caleb acknowledged that in the final analysis it all comes down to whether or not God is pleased with us. In other words, when God shares with us His vision, He is waiting to see what we’re going to do with it, how we’ll respond to it. Why God chooses to work through us human beings is beyond me, but He has amazingly given us that opportunity and privilege. Our response should be a wholehearted desire to please Him in all we do. If we are willing, it will always mean moving into action on His behalf.

In the final analysis, doing God’s will always requires us to enter new territory and face some “giants.” But all we are called upon to do is to trust God (simple, I know, but never easy); He’ll take care of the rest.

Helen Keller, the first deaf-blind person in our country to receive a bachelor’s degree from a university, became a prolific author, activist and lecturer. She once said, “It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” She was right. Twelve men went into Canaan on that fateful day many years ago, and ten of them came out with no vision–and we remember none of their names or influence to this day. Only two came out “seeing,” and God has used them throughout the years to teach us, even today, the importance of vision, courage and action.

So I ask you again, are you a grasshopper or a giant killer? Your answer may very well impact your future.

Fridays are for Friends & Family 06.26.09

What a week it has been! With the family, we’ve seen Father’s Day, a birthday and a landmark occasion take place. In the church world, we’ve seen the Southern Baptist Convention hold their annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. And in American pop culture, we’ve seen the loss of three icons from a generation–Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

We start with family. I’ve written on Rebekah’s birthday here in my blog yesterday. Today, my other daughter Sarah, who lives in Surrey, Canada (a suburb of Vancouver) sees her first newspaper article in print! She’s freelancing as a journalist this summer and pitched a story to the SurreyNow newspaper in her city and they bought it! We are so proud of her (as any parent would rightly be) for her confidence, initiative and talent! The article, entitled “Blessed Brutality,” is all about MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) being held in a church sanctuary there in Surrey: all at a time when the legality of the sport by that jurisdiction is being question. Her story is the headline, front-page story; you can read it here. Way to go, Sarah.

Jonathan, my son, decided to give me a unique gift on Father’s Day. Not a tie this year, Dad! Instead, he wrote me a song and put it together in digital form for me to enjoy. As is typical with my son, it’s quite entertaining. You can watch and listen to it here.

In the denominational world, the Southern Baptist Convention was held in Louisville, Kentucky, during the first half of this week. This annual meeting saw approximately a thousand more messengers this year than in the previous one, including a larger representation of “younger SBCers” (I know, this is very subjective, but mentioned by many who were there). A lot happened: inspiring messages, important reports and obligatory business sessions, but the heart of its impact was the adoption of the resolution toward a Great Commission Resurgence within our convention. You can read the document that was overwhelming approved here. In addition, several respected bloggers has reflected on the convention’s import and activity and you can read them here.

• Alvin Reid
• iMonk (Michael Spencer)
• W. David Phillips
• Ed Stetzer

Finally, much has changed in our American and world scene this week, at least in the realm of (pop) cultural impact. Ed McMahon, longtime sidekick of Johnny Carson and host of Star Search, passed on earlier this week. His congenial laugh and calm demeanor, provided the perfect counter-balance to the zany and delightful late night host Carson for many, many years. Farrah Fawcett, the television star of Charlie’s Angels, she with the feathered hair and brilliant smile who later won critical acclaim for her acting as it impacted “real life” issues of violence and morality, died after a arduous struggle with cancer. To top it all off, Michael Jackson, musician and artist extraordinaire, died suddenly yesterday at the young age of 50. The cause of death is still pending. Much loved and much reviled at the same time, his music shaped an entire generation as we watched him grow up in the public eye.

The passing of all three signal a shift in American culture…a completion of the passing of the baton that most had already acknowledged in days gone by. But the sudden finality of their impact on a generation fell with a heavy thud yesterday. Many of us will reflect upon these people and the personal impact of their lives on our own. Yet, in the final analysis, it is a poignant reminder that life is very short and we need to be ready for what comes next. I believe with all my heart that the way to be ready is found in Jesus Christ. I hope you do, too.

My Birthday Girl

Today is the fifteenth birthday of my baby girl, Rebekah. Of course, now that she’s fifteen, the age at which some cultures and societies would consider her a young woman, I really can’t call her my “baby” anymore. She’s all grown up! Wow!

Joye and I just can’t believe the amazing journey of these fifteen years! Born “conveniently” for us, she came on a late, lazy Saturday morning, insuring us of more sleep and no drive-time Boston traffic. But since that time, she has been high energy, high activity, high impact…and I could not be more proud of her.

She loves people. Rebekah has always been a “people-person.” Over the years she has constantly sought out others, befriended them and enjoyed time with them…regardless of whether or not she even knew their name. He enjoys socializing, laughing, hanging out and hospitality is truly a gift she evidences through her life.

She loves animals. From a very early age, she developed a keener interest in our pets than our other children. Even to this day she is always the one who awakens our pet dog every morning. She also created an on-going organization, the “Save the Animals Club,” which continues to educate and address concerns of endangered animals around the world.

She loves “everything Japanese.” This began with a keen interest in anime, something that continues to hold her attention, especially on YouTube. But lately it has morphed into a larger interest, including studying and learning the Japanese language and culture. She longs to visit Tokyo someday.

She loves music. She listens to music (what teenager doesn’t, huh?) online or from her mp3 player. But more than listening, she’s into playing it. She has been a violinist for a handful of years now and continues to work hard to get better and better. She is very skilled, very talented and very engaged. It is a gift she willingly shares.

She loves God. Rebekah has a keen passion for our Lord and continues to show a great interest in Him and His Word. She has a sensitive heart and an eager interest in knowing what God has in store for her life. She also loves His church and has shown over the past few years a growing interest not just in being served, but serving others among God’s people in ways that bless them.

So, happy birthday, ‘Bekah! This is your day and we celebrate your life. God has truly blessed our whole family with you. And as a tribute to you on this special day, here’s a video in your honor…

Five More Reasons Why People Will Stay at Your Church Plant

There are a lot of reasons people will stay at your church, some of them obscure and insignificant to no more than a single person. However, as we saw last week there are a handful of reasons that are much more important and will affect the decision-making process of a far larger group of people on a week to week basis. Knowing these reasons will make a tremendous difference in the life of any church, but especially a fledgling church plant, bent on building momentum and touching the lives of more people for the King.

We mentioned last week that the most important reason why people stay at your church plant is relationships. Hopefully we hammered home the importance of you preparing and implementing strategies to build the relationships necessary to “earn the right” to keep serving these newcomers for our Lord.

In addition, though, there are other reasons why people will stay at your church, though all of these trail the importance of relationships by a wide margin (whether or not they should trail relationships is another story for another day!).

Impact. What difference is your new church making in the life of others? Is there tangible evidence seen in the lives of people who are a part? What about their families? And how about the community as a whole? Can any beneficial impact be attributed to the work of God through your new church? Transformation is the goal, and you can be sure that if it’s happening in individuals, families and your community, people are going to take notice and want to be a part. In the final analysis, most people–especially young people, the ones most influenced through new churches, truly want to believe that their lives can make a difference. Churches that do that will keep many of the people they reach, because the evidence of God at work in their midst is obvious.

Vision. Some people will stay at your church because of the vision of the church (not simple the vision statement; there’s a big difference!). While this reason is closely akin to what was previously mentioned, the distinction here is that vision is what gives birth to impact. Some people will get caught up in the idea, the picture, the dream of a preferable future, and because they want to see that vision become reality they will stay and invest their lives in it. These people live for the future (while those in the previous category are focused on the present) and have been so captivated and enamored by the vision God has given that they will feel unsatisfied and incomplete if they are unable to see it to fruition.

Spiritual Growth. A third reason that some people will stay at your church plant is that their experience there is resulting in personal, obvious spiritual growth and development. They are seeing evidence in their own life that the people, the preaching, the worship, the ministry opportunities are helping them in their own issues of life and in overcoming the struggles they have faced. These personal victories are meaningful to them, as they as markers of progress. While the focus here is on self rather than beyond self as in the first two reasons above, it is significant to these people that they can see tangible evidence of God through the church shaping them to be and act more like Christ Himself.

Programs. Some people stay at your church plant because of the programming it affords them. They like the children’s ministry because it helps their children or they enjoy the women’s ministry because it is an opportunity for them to get together with others dealing with similar experiences in life. Some new churches add many programs, wanting to be a “full service church,” and thinking that it will enable them to keep more people; however, the opposite is often true. Too many programs will create lack of focus and distract from mission. As a result, people may stay but those who do will have a consumeristic mentality that will not be of benefit to the church in the long run. In fact, I would suggest efforts toward this objective will hinder it!

Location. Let’s face it, some people will stay at your church because of where’s it located, what it looks like (the building I mean), and all those other things that go into what they consider “right.” You don’t think this is true? Then try relocating to another site and see who does or does not “come with you.” Location affects people, because it creates an environment and contributes to a culture with which they are comfortable, something that they like. Some will come there because it’s close enough or because your location has better facilities for their children or there is enough off-street parking. There are many variations on this, but the bottom line is where you meet will affect their decision to remain a part of your new church.

There are no doubt other reasons, too. Perhaps some of you will write back and suggest your additional ideas about this too. But here’s the important thing for you to catch this week: the longer the church exists the more people will stay for the reasons lower on the list, not higher. And these very things that keep people at long-existing churches rather than new churches are exactly the same reasons why more established churches in North America are plateaued or declining rather than growing. If you want to keep growing, my advice is stay focused on relationships–and on the top of this list.

Monday Morning Rewind: Marks of a Godly Father

Yesterday was Father’s Day, a special day to celebrate and reflect on the value God places on the role of fatherhood in family and societal life. Abraham in Genesis 22 is an amazing example of a godly man, influencing his son, yet not taking his eyes off of his heavenly Father in the process. He understood even in this most definitive “chapter” in his life that he needed to reflect the nature and character of God to his child.

This passage, often called the “sacrifice of Isaac,” is perhaps better called “the testing of Abraham.” No physical sacrifice ever takes place (though mentally and spiritually Abraham does so, according to Hebrews 11:17). Rather, it is the patriarch’s character and allegiance to his God that is on examination. The end result is that Abraham passed the test with “flying colors.”

How did he do that? What did he have within him that made for such a godly father and man?

First, he showed faithful obedience (vv. 1-3). God tested Abraham to confirm and strengthen him, not to corrupt and weaken him (the Devil’s purposes). When God cried out for Abraham’s attention and gave His command, He found Abraham’s response to be swift and obedient, without argument or hesitation. In a sense, God was asking Abraham to show Him that he was willing to do for his heavenly Father, the maker of the universe, what the lost, pagan world was willing to do for their false “gods” (sacrifice their children to prove their commitment). It was a test of the heart, of His allegiance and willingness to put God first, even before this “son of promise.” You see, obedience is not just measured in what you give to God, but also in what you keep for yourself. Abraham understood this, and was willing to obey God no matter what the cost in relationships, possessions or comfort. He put God first.

Second, Abraham demonstrated straight priorities (vv. 4-5). When he, Isaac and the two servants arrived at their foothills of Mt. Moriah, he declared two important things. First, the purpose of all of this was to worship God. He was headed up that mountain with his son to “bow the knee” to the Almighty, to express his love and devotion to His Creator and Sustainer. He was able to understand that even this experience was ultimately about the worth of God and His own willingness to keep it centered in his life. Second, he expressed the hope and belief that both would return down the hill to be reunited with these servants. He no doubt noted that Mt. Moriah was known as the place “where the LORD provides or appears.” Believing that would happen, he anticipated their reunion. Abraham had learned in other experiences that when he tried to “protect” his family he instead got everyone in trouble; on the other hand, when he put God first, then his heavenly Father took care of all their needs.

Finally, he evidenced simple trust (vv. 6-8). Please note I said simple–not easy–trust, for trust for many of us gets harder as we get older. But not for Abraham! He learned to believe God, and was able to exemplify that before his son to the degree that Isaac was able also to trust God with the end result of this ’sacrifice.” Isaac was reassured by his father that God would provide the sacrifice necessary, and for him, that was enough. They were in this “together,” bound to each other. Ultimately Abraham knew that only God could provide for him what was needed and he was willing to trust God to do what only God Himself could do. By getting to know God over the 25 years of their relationship–through thick and thin–he had come to know that God ALWAYS kept His word and that he, Abraham, could rely completely and without hesitation, on Him. The writer of Hebrews (11:19) goes so far as to tell us that Abraham had already reasoned the solution out: my God is so big, so great that if He truly wants me to sacrifice my son as a demonstration of my obedience, then He will show His truthfulness by raising young Isaac from the dead! Now that’s a big God living in the live of a godly man.

So let’s learn from Abraham how we too can live a life for our Lord, even in the most trying of circumstances. And may God grant us this Father’s Day the privilege of reflecting the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that our children, and others we influence, will see Him just as clearly in our lives.

Follow the SBC Live

This week the Southern Baptist Convention is taking place in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23-24. Various other organizations and entities, including WMU and the Pastor’s Conference are being held last night and today (Monday). This year’s theme is “Love Loud,” based on Matthew 5:16, and the schedule can be found here.

My reason for posting this today is to inform you that there is video coverage of the event.  You can follow the meetings and messages LIVE on this link, beginning tomorrow morning, beginning at 8:00am.

In the meantime, the Pastor’s Conference will be shown in its entirety through this same live streaming video portal today, including messages by Ed Stetzer, Francis Chan (BOTH THIS MORNING) and Mike Huckabee. The Pastor’s Conference schedule with times of speakers is posted here, too.

Fridays are for Friends & Family 06.19.09

This week’s FFF edition majors on events and experiences from our family. Let’s start with an amazing discovery in my own life. Thirty-plus years ago I served as a collegiate summer missionary in 1977 with a group of fifteen students at the Agape-In at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Four of us–Larry, Hannah, Dottie Lou and I–reconnected this week via Facebook. It has been a sweet “reunion” celebrating the memories, the ministry and the relationships of that year. The picture below shows our group, minus one (Billy Redford); I’m third from the left (don’t recognize me, do you? skinny, blond, no facial hair…doesn’t even look like the same person! lol).

Agape-In staff, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire 1977

We’re trying to find the rest of the gang, too. So, if you know any of the gang listed below (in the picture from left to right), help us find them by directing them to this site or my FB page found in the right margin of this page. Boldface indicates the ones who’ve reconnected and for the rest I’ve listed where they were living when they served with us in 1977.

• Michael Hogue,  Arkansas
• Annette Nielsen, Connecticut
• (me)
• Charlie Westbrook, Oklahoma
• Vern Eleazer, New York
• Barry Morris, Delaware (in back)
• Dottie Lou Crisp (in front)
• Christy Glenn, Tennessee
• David Purifoy, Arkansas
• Keith Young, Tennessee
• Larry Beasley (kneeling)
  
• Hannah McConnell Gillenwater
  
• Valerie Brewer, Mississippi
• Debbie Johnson, Maryland
• Billy Redford (not pictured), Georgia

On Sunday my family and I also visited the HonFest in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore. Hampden you may know for a couple of reasons: the unique Christmas celebration (their own Miracle on 34th Street) and the inspiration it gave for the theater production/movie, Hairspray! a few years ago.  The Honfest is an annual celebration of the beehive hairdo, cat-eye glasses, and leopard-look clothes started many years ago in this most eclectic community in the city and it continues today in full force. While there is music, street shops and food galore, it’s really all about the costumes and hairdos.

Last Thursday my father and I also took in the LPGA golf championship at Bulle Rock golf course in Havre de Grace, Maryland. It was great fun: not too crowded, weather not too uncomfortable and the golf–wow! Those ladies can really hit the ball. We saw them all: Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Christie Kerr, Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis, Juli Inkster, Karri Webb. The tournament was eventually won by Anna Nordqvist of Sweden in this, its final year at Bulle Rock. I’m sorry to see it go, but it was a great day of memories for me and Dad. We enjoyed it immensely.

Finally, let me give a shout out to my brother Jeff, who turned 50 yesterday. We celebrated as a family last night and he and I were able to steal away for lunchtime together yesterday. My brother is a very talented and educated church musician, and is currently available for ministry in the church where God is leading Him. If you’re looking and think you’d like to know more, then send me a comment and I’ll forward you his resume. And to you, brother: thanks for your love and friendship over the years. I’m very grateful to our Lord that you–of all people on this planet–are my brother.

The Number One Reason People Will Stay at Your Church Plant

Over the past three weeks we’ve talked about “Seven Reasons Why People will Attend Your Church Plant” and the importance of “The First Seven Minutes” once they get there. But why will they stay? Well, there are many reasons why people do what they do, especially at church, and in a subsequent post I’ll list a number of other reasons why people will “stick” at your church plant. All of the coming reasons, though, pale in significance next to the number one reason why they’ll stay with you. Yes, by now you’ve probably guessed it: the number one reason people will stay at your church plant is EXACTLY THE SAME NUMBER ONE REASON THEY’LL VISIT YOUR CHURCH PLANT: Relationships.

The relational component is so needed and so wanted that it’s far and away the most important reason why people will stay at your church. But there is a difference between the relationship(s) that bring them to church and the relationships that will keep them in your church plant. At the beginning, the seminal relationship they have with the new church is YOU; you are their connection, you are their link to the rest of the church body. But if they chose to stay, the circle of relationships must enlarge: it must include many more than just you.

Church growth researchers say that if a person visits your church three times in a row there is a far greater than average chance that they will stay–but don’t miss this–for up to six months. During those six months they must make at least seven significant relationships for them to stay at your church plant indefinitely. This is why it is critical to get them into a small group or a new member’s class, or the like. Because in the final analysis, your friendship or that of the pastor if that is not you, will never be enough to keep them there long-term.

So, as a church planter, I’d be planning and preparing to make the most of the advantage you have from day one: the relational element of church life. Build relationships with everyone you can; do it over fellowship meals, in times of recreation, through group study settings, during service projects. Because if you don’t, then one day not so far in the future, you’ll look up and they’ll be gone. If that happens, you’ll regret what could have been if you had built the proper relational systems needed. And I guarantee you, it will be multiplied times harder to get them back than it would have been to incorporate them into the life of your church plant the first time around.

More to come in the days ahead…