Fridays are for Friends & Family 02.27.09

Our weekly journey around the web and other resources starts today with a video from one of the old TV “bloopers” shows. Check out this religious call-in show and how the hosts react to the participant.

Are you a fan of LEGOs? My son collected them like they were going out of style when he was a child.  Check out Amy Hughes website tribute to her cat, where she shows pictures of perhaps the most amazing “church building” ever built with these connector toys. You can go to the website here.

Steve Sjorgren and Rob Lewin put together a great book on church planting in 2003, entitled “Community of Kindness.” In it Steve and Rob list the “Top Ten Time Wasters for Church Planters” (p. 177). They are listed below:

1. Lack of a daily written plan.

2. Lack of deadlines.

3. Depression.

4. Pity Parties.

5. Overly needy people.

6. Computers and new technology.

7. TV.

8. Busywork.

9. Worrying about the past.

10. Worrying about the future.

What do you think? Do you agree with Steve and Rob? You can buy this book from Amazon.com by clicking here.

Featured Podcast of the week

This week we highlight a previous podcast I did with Dr. Randy Millwood on small group strategy for church planters. Dr. Millwood taught spiritual formation and small group strategies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for many years. You can listen to or download the podcast here.

Featured Church Plant of the week

Check out the website of new church plant, Centerpoint in Annapolis. Pastor Donnie Reynolds launched worship there just over a month ago and they’re already off to a great start.  You can access their website by clicking here.

Monday Morning Rewind: Sex, Divorce & the Follower of Christ

On Sunday we looked at one of Jesus’ hardest hitting passages, dealing with sex, adultery, lust, divorce and remarriage…wow! That’s a lot of heavy stuff. But Jesus didn’t avoid it and never shall we…in point of fact, the world says a lot about it and if Christians don’t point out what Jesus says,…well, you get the idea.

The bottom line is this passage? God seeks to protect our marriages and families. As a result, he calls us to a “higher standard” of morality than that of society, and yes, even of religion, around us (Matt. 5:20).

Perhaps a few basic comments about sexuality from the Bible should come first. Right off the bat, let me say that sex is God’s idea! It’s a part of His plan for a husband and wife to enjoy inside of marriage.  It’s to be fun, special, precious and a uniquely intimate way to celebrate the love God has given to them. The Bible also indicates it’s a spiritual experience and one that promotes unity (not just physical, mind you) between the two. It is not wicked or dirty, but beautiful, when experienced as God intended. But there’s a destructive side to sex, too, when it is a part of life “outside” the boundaries God has established.

Perhaps another reminder is in order too: God’s boundaries are not punitive in nature. He gives them to us to protect us, provide for us and enable us to experience life at its richest, fullest…the way He intended all along! When we settle for less, we miss out on the fullness and depth of the gift God has given. It’s sad, isn’t it, that we are so willing to settle for less than the best?

That being said, let me focus our attention on the passage from the Sermon on the Mount that deals with this, Matthew 5:27-32. Here Jesus sets up his next two antitheses vis-a-vis the Old Testament Law and the “current” (in that day) application of the Ten Commandments.

First, he points out the insidious nature of lust (v. 28). He reminds his readers that adultery starts in the heart, long before the body gets involved. Jesus suggests a definite progression in behavior that goes from the eye to the heart to the “hand,” and He warns us against the deceptive nature of the heart which says “we can handle it before it gets out of control.” Its compulsive, addictive nature “creeps” and grows to dominate more of our lives if we don’t follow Jesus’ admonitions. We should follow the example of Job in the Old Testament when he says, “I have made a covenant with my eye not to lust after a woman” (31:1). Jesus instead challenges us to faithfulness (fidelity).

Second, He says that we are to exercise sexual discipline and reminds us of the consequences if we do not, consequences which go far beyond the physical act itself (v. 28f.). He suggests spiritual ramifications too. To be sure, Jesus is using hyperbole here, since Christians down through the centuries have not interpreted it to mean in such a way that they have chopped off their limbs or gouged out their eyes. But the point is clear: we have to be discerning about the heart which is desperately wicked and flee from the temptation when it presents itself, like Joseph in the Old Testament did. The key here is self-control. This “restraint” or ability to deny self/the flesh is an oft-ignored fruit of the Spirit but is so vitally needed in life today. We have to declare such behavior out of bounds and lean upon the Spirit within us to protect us, strengthen us and enable us through Him to overcome the temptation and to exercise the discipline needed. After all, NO part of the body is worth the eternal value of your soul; this is the point Jesus is making to His followers.

Finally, in the following paragraph, Jesus implores us to protect the sanctity of marriage (v. 30-32). He confronts the “easy divorcism” of His day (it was a “hot topic” then), based upon liberal interpretations of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, especially the phrase” something indecent found in her.” Now, there is certainly much more that Jesus has to say about divorce than what is just found here. Check out his statements, for example, in Matthew 19 and Mark 10, as well as other New Testament writings including 1 Corinthians 7 and Hebrews 13. But here, Christ says divorce should be avoided whenever possible “except [in the case of] marital unfaithfulness.” This word in the original language in much broader than simply “adultery,” and suggests any “out of bounds” sexual conduct beyond the martial relationship. Why? Christ recognizes and acknowledges the severe damage divorce does, not just to the two people involved but to many, many more as well. Children are affected: families are destroyed; communities are weakened. This is why the Scripture says “God hates divorce” (Malachi 3); it rejects His faithful nature, His love of grace, and His plan for life (one woman and one man for life).  He says it elsewhere…”what God has joined together, man must not tear apart.”

As God’s people, let’s do what we can to recognize the holy nature of marriage, and sanctify it first in our hearts. Then, may we live out the love and joy of our lives within His plan, because it’s wise, it’s right, it’s best…for us personally and for society as a whole.

Monday Morning Rewind Delayed

Sorry, folks, but I’m out of town and my schedule is such that I can’t write my normal Monday Morning Rewind until Wednesday this week. So look for it then, and you’ll find all the details of my outline dealing with “Sex, Divorce and the Follower of Christ.”

I hope you’ll stop by then! Thanks…

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

If you know me at all, you know that the love of my life is Joyce. From the time she walked into my world, my life has never been the same. This wonderful, God-sent woman has been my strength, my joy and my companion through life. I can not imagine a richer, deeper, more significant blessing from God than the woman I see and know and love.

Today is her birthday and I celebrate her. She has always been wise beyond her years and the life she lives is so selfless, so sacrificial for those of us around her. She is a teacher, homemaker, writer, speaker, organizer, counselor and artist. There is nothing my wife cannot do!

On this day we will enjoy the gift of life, another year that God has shared with Joyce, and thus, with us. We will “do” a lot of things together as a family, but nothing we do compares with “who” Joyce is. Our three children would agree with me that there is no person in this world who is more important in our lives than Joyce.

Happy Birthday, honey! We celebrate you and pray that today and the coming year will be a wonderful journey, filled with adventure and fun as we experience life together.  You’re the best!

Fridays are for Friends & Family 02.20.09

Hey everybody, I’ve come across some items this week that I want to share with you. Let’s start with one of my daughter’s favorites, the “Tithe Rap.” So for all you guys interested in how to talk about stewardship and tithing in your church or church plant during the recession, here’s a fresh way to do it.

Does the Bible Belt really exist? The Gallup organization seems to have shown it is very much a continuing reality in America today. This chart and the accompanying article will show you “how religious your state is.” You can examine it here.

My friend, David Phillips, on his blog has posted a provocative article that recognizes the trend toward larger churches in our tribe but wonders whether it’s a mark of success or not. In my opinion, it’s worth the read. Check it out here.

Featured podcast of the week

Last summer I had the chance to sit down with Jeff Christopherson, Canadian church planter extraordinaire (Calgary, Toronto), and talk about the dynamics of urban church planting. You can download or listen to that interview here.

Featured church plant of the week

Ron Yost, church planter in rural western Maryland, is one of my heroes. His church plant, Cumberland Community Church, has grown to be the largest church in his association in less than five years. Check out his church website here.

Just for Fun

A family item this week…my daughter, Sarah, is a journalism student in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was interviewed recently and her comments became a part of an article posted online at the PBS website. She’s quite “into” Twitter and has her own blog…anyway, if you want to check out the article on “5 Challenges for Small College Media and How to Overcome Them” you can find it here.

Why Church Planters Don’t Reproduce Churches

I have long held the belief that churches over fifteen years of age, give or take, will only in the rarest of instances reproduce. There are reasons for this worthy of discussion, but that’s a topic for another day. What has surprised me, as I said yesterday, is that most planters in my ten years of experience don’t reproduce other new churches out of their own plant, either. This is indeed shocking to me, since they all SAY they subscribe to this value and its importance. But the fact of the matter is, they far and away, don’t.

Why not? What keeps them from following through on a basic philosophical tenet that has undergirded their ministry strategy from its conception? Several of you made comments, both here and on Facebook in regards to this topic, and I am very grateful for your wisdom. It has been insightful and enlightening for me. I share some of your thoughts here.

• “I wonder how many of these churches actually had the concept of multiplication present during vision casting and core development.”
• “Lack of growth in their own church (to their own expectations), making them feel like they could never send people away to plant a new church.”
• “Most of those planters are actually pastors and they end up shepherding their flock instead of looking for new ways to extend the Kingdom beyond their own communities or churches.”
• “Small churches in a church culture that rewards large churches struggle to reach the point of health where they can start another church.”
• “Some of them are reluctant to experience what they see as a loss of power, recognition or money…”
• “Lack of budgeting for reproducing”
• “Multiplication [not] presented with the same enthusiasm as any core value”

You added other thoughts, as well.

In thinking through these comments and others, I would like to build upon them with the following suggestions.

Church planters don’t often reproduce new churches out of their church plant because of:

1. Faulty assumptions. This starts with those in charge of the system. Perhaps we show our naivete in thinking all planters should, or can, reproduce their plant. Or in taking their word on this, at face value, without more investment in digging out what is understood. But planters do it, too. They assume they don’t have enough people. Or they don’t have enough money. They suggest they have to add staff or find a better facility first. They believe the timing’s not right, and on and on the list goes. And through it all, we have a tendency to think of church planting as a preferred option but not a mandate, since it’s “our endeavor” (not God’s) and that it depends on our resources rather than our obedience.

2. Wrong metrics. We still reward the churches who are bigger and suggest that, as such, they are better. Planters see it too; the planters who start bigger churches are asked to be speakers at conferences, write books about their experiences for others, etc. You rarely see reproducing planters highlighted as valued for that very reason (never a “standalone” reason, though it might be an “add on”), just as we still persist in rewarding all churches for conversions not disciples. It’s been said that we measure what’s truly important to us. If that’s the case, what does this say about those of us who create the measurements?

3. Inadequate Systems. We have created systems that strongly support the planter financially and in training during the initial stages of his work, but these diminish over time. Then at this crucial stage, we expect planters to “do more”–give more to our denomination, add staff, find a permanent facility AND reproduce. We haven’t prepared them well for these changes and the decreasing financial resources force them to readjust their priorities in a very pragmatic way.

4. Incomplete Assessment. Plain and simple, most systems don’t assess planters for reproduction. I have to believe this is what Charles Ridley was actually after when he suggested that we evaluate a potential planter’s commitment to church growth. Today, however, most organizations have minimized this characteristic or replaced it with “church health” (thank you, Rick Warren), missing its strategic importance for the future. Since planters are typically “big picture visionaries,” if we don’t determine their ability to reproduce self, i.e., disciples and/or leaders, how can we ever expect them to be able to reproduce a congregation? In assessment, you only get what you’re looking for.

5. Big Egos. Almost all planters have big egos. They are confident, assertive, Type-A, driven people. The growth and development of their church plant feeds that; conversely, any diminishing of their own plant starves their ego. Most fear failure more than just about anything else, so this works against their own desires and interests in reproducing a church out of their own. A Kingdom theology is all well and good, but a Kingdom praxis is really where the water hits the wheel.

6. Local Myopia. As with all churches, internal needs and matters accumulate and over time, they dominate our attention. The tyranny of the urgency is real, and these “squeaky wheels” truly do sap our time and money away from the more important things of lasting, expanding value. Perspective makes a lot of difference…before, when we are on the outside of the plant itself, we see the broader view, but once we are on the inside, we like others often can’t see beyond our own local church.

Bob Logan, North American church planting writer and “guru” to many of us in my generation, has reminded us that unless a new church plant reproduces by the time of its second birthday, it will likely not do it at all. Whether you agree with Logan or not, I certainly agree that the chances diminish exponentially over time and happen THEN only at major crossroad-type experiences in the life of a church.

Yes, I still believe in church planters and I believe most of them want to plant churches out of their own church plant. All of us have made that desire difficult to realize since there are so many hurdles to jump. But mark it down: no movement of any continuing impact can take place until church planters–and those who serve with them–take, not just to heart but to practice, the correctives necessary to enable church planters both to desire AND to implement the steps necessary to make reproduction and multiplication “a given” in the development of their own new work. I live for that day; how about you?

My Biggest Surprise with Church Planters

I love church planters! They are a “different breed” in so many ways–risk-taking, entrepreneurial, adventurous, creative and passionate about reaching the lost for Christ. They’re Kingdom-minded, optimistic, initiative-taking, refuse-to-die people! I know, too, because I was one–planting churches in New England before going to a district office there, then a regional office here, to coordinate the work of planting for these areas. Planters want to change the world and are convinced that their new church is going to make a Kingdom difference.

In many ways, their new church does just that. They reach people no one else was reaching. They extend the Kingdom locally and around the world. In many communities, they even change the perception others have of church. All of these are good–no, they are very good things. Only eternity will tell the impact of these churches and the difference their presence has made in combating the work of the Adversary and in scattering the seed of the Gospel.

However, I must tell you, working with church planters is not without its own surprises. They are an unpredictable–though well-intentioned–lot. The things they plan, or even suggest, don’t always work out as expected. As a former planter, I certainly understand that. I’ve been there, where they’re at, and I must admit that in my own plans and ministry much changed, too.

I guess what I never expected to discover was church planters not reproducing their own church (much less “multiplying” it). That has been a total and utter surprise. Period.

In my ten plus years of coordinating the church planting work in these two locations I’ve worked from recruiting to training to coaching with planters over the gamut of multiple years in most cases. In the Boston association we planted 22 churches while I was there and in Maryland/Delaware the number is close to 220. Most of these planters have told me personally that they intend to see their church plant other churches that will, in turn, plant other churches. They suggest that they value it, understand it and are preparing for it. But when “push-comes-to-shove,” they don’t do it. Over the years I’ve worked with these 240 or so church plants less than ten percent of them have actually reproduced–once. Less than a handful have done it more than that.

Wow. If you had told me that when I started doing this ministry, I’d have told you “you’re crazy.” The passion with which these guys suggest they will reproduce, the Kingdom-vision (not just local church-vision) they have planted in their hearts and the urgency with which they work all told me something else. In fact, in our recruiting process we don’t even try to find guys who aren’t committed to multiplication out of their own church plant.

But it doesn’t happen in far and away the majority of instances. Not even on the radar for most (even if, in the back of their minds, they’d still like to do it).

Now I’m not about to suggest that the fault is all theirs. In fact, I readily acknowledge that this admission may say more about me and the systems I’ve built than it does about our planters. Still, something’s not right and it needs to be addressed.

Tomorrow, I’ll suggest some possible reasons why this happens in the life of church planters and their new churches. But for today, I’m listening to you. If you have thoughts on this matter, send me a comment and we’ll include them in my follow-up article on this. In the meantime, though, while I like surprises most of the time, this is one I’d just as soon never have to experience again.

Monday Morning Rewind: Being “Christian” in an Angry World

We’ve all read about the Chris Brown-Rihanna stories that have circulated this week; they’re just one more indication that we live in an angry (and often-times violent) world. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5.21-26), Jesus challenges us to recognize that murder and violence are found in the same source as anger–our heart. In fact, he suggests in his authoritative way that anger toward a brother is just as bad! How is that possible? Through character assassination, slander and malicious rage that can vilify others wrongly and without legitimate cause.

Jesus point is this: Don’t let anger damage your relationships; instead, work toward reconciliation whenever you can. For that to happen, it starts with a heart decision…it’s a matter of character first, long before one’s actions take place.

What does Jesus teach us here about dealing with anger long before it gets to murder?

First, we must recognize his authority. Six times in this chapter Jesus starts, “You have heard it said that you shall not…” and then he adds “But I say to you…” These statements indicate the kind of authority with which He spoke; not like the other “rabbis” who referenced each other or the teachers of the law. Rather, he referenced Himself as His source and challenged these words GIVEN BY GOD HIMSELF (many are found in the 10 Commandments). The crowds were naturally amazed (Matthew 7.29) that He taught like this…no one else dared do this. But Jesus is different from all others. He claims authority because of WHO HE IS, the Son of God! As such we need to listen to and obey His Word. He has authority to speak into our lives on these issues.

Second, notice the destructive nature of anger of which He speaks. He goes so far as to inform His followers that such anger–not solely murder–is subject to judgment and in danger of the “fires of hell.” Wow! That raises the bar for us, as we acknowledge the destructive nature of this passionate emotion, but it also reminds us of our accountability. Jesus is watching us, and we will have to give an account for what we do with our anger. While the Bible indicates that we can be angry and sin not, such “righteous” anger is focused on sin and injustice and not on other human beings. We need to value people as God values them, and refuse to hinder them with our words or our actions. James (1.19f.) is right when he reminds us to “be slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Finally, Jesus tells us that the solution for ruptured relationships is reconciliation. In verse 23, in particular, he indicates that reconciliation is of such importance that we should do everything possible, including “leaving our gift at the altar [of worship and sacrifice],” to make things right with others. The text doesn’t even state whether or not “we” are at fault in such instances; regardless, we are responsible to take the initiative in bringing reconciliation to the lives and hearts of others.  After all, that’s what Jesus did for each of us; though we had “wronged” Him, He still took the initiative to make things right with us, providing the possibility for us to be reconciled with the Father.

Fridays are for Friends & Family 02.13.09

(from his blog)

Welcome to Friday the 13th (I promise, no horror show here) and once again to our weekly edition of some of what else is happening on the Web. Mark Driscoll has been in the news a lot lately, whether it be on Baptist Press, the Wittenburg Door, or Nightline, et al., but whether you like him or not, he has taken time on his blog to talk about Valentine’s Day and it’s worth the read. Click here to see what Driscoll has to say.

In honor of the stimulus package, which was passed by Congress this week with the full aggressive support of our President, I post here one of a series of YouTube videos that my son has found quite funny. This one is entitled “Politicians are the Same Everywhere.” You be the judge.

(from his blog)

Ben Arment, Innovation and Experience Director of Catalyst in Atlanta, has posted a short note on “One Regret as a Church Planter.” It’s worth a quick read. You can click-through here. My thought is this: only one regret? Really? Ben, you did pretty well.

My friend and potential planter Ryan W. reports that he’s getting psyched about the early fantasy football rankings that are out on ESPN. You can find them here. Then watch this video  “Pick Me!” posted on YouTube and prepare to be impressed.

Nelson Searcy Coming to Town!

I’m excited to post here that my friend and national church planting leader, Nelson Searcy, is coming back to Maryland in March. Nelson is the founding planter and pastor of The Journey Church of the City in New York, New York. He will be here for two days of training.

On TUESDAY MARCH 17, Nelson will lead his nationally-known church planting seminar, entitled LAUNCH after the book of the same name. The seminar will cover all the basics of church planting, from beginning to follow-up on public worship experiences for the community. Searcy will talk about things like: strategy development, raising funds, building a staff, reaching people and keeping them. The all day seminar will start at 9:00am and end at 4:00pm; it will be held at White Marsh Baptist Church on the northeast side of Baltimore. There is a cost, but all are welcome to attend. Click here to register for this event.

On WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, Nelson will spend the day leading two “stand alone” seminars, in the morning on evangelism and in the afternoon on stewardship, both key areas in the life of EVERY church, and critical to the success of any church plant. He will go into detail about the systems necessary to grow and sustain both efforts and the practical ways for them to make a difference in the life of a congregation. For our church planters here in the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, this is mandatory training; it’s that good and that important. This day of training is also being held at the same place–White Marsh Baptist Church. The Evangelism Seminar will be from 9:00am – Noon; click here to register for this seminar ONLY. The Stewardship Seminar will be from 1:30-4:30pm. Click here to register ONLY for the this afternoon seminar. Again, there is a cost, but all are welcome to attend.

For those of you interested in attending both the Evangelism and Stewardship Seminars on Wednesday, March 18, click here for a special combination reduced rate. And for those of you planning to attend all three training events (the above two, plus LAUNCH the day before), click this link for the biggest discount of all on a combined purchase price. And there are additional, special prices if you are bringing a group of 4 or more to these events! Contact Christina at Nelson’s organization, Church Leader Insights, for details.

For further information from me, use the comments below and I’ll get back to you.