A Missional Christian

Here is a great one. Especially funny in light of our discussion at Vineyard Days.

Church Planting Thought #1

Now I have had a hard time distinguishing it is my pride, or my desire for progress that thinks things, especially churches should grow. I really like it when things grow. By growth I mean: numerically, in spiritual health-meaning broken people becoming healed, and in churches that plant churches. That seems healthy.

There are those that believe that what a church is-it is. If it is a church of 40 then that is it. I tend to think that there are reasons for it being a church of 40. Now let me be clear, a small church does not mean an unhealthy church. I am of the opinion the world needs more churches and different churches. BUT, the argument you often hear from small churches is.....well every church doesn't have to be a mega church. I tend to agree. Regardless, my observations would say, a church of 40 is unlikely to survive past 1 generation.

That means once the founding pastor resigns, that church will likely fold for a number of reasons. The leadership of a small church requires a greater burden on the pastor to be bivocational. A small church is not able to support a pastor. Secondly, a small church really gets built around the pastor and transitioning to a new leader is extremely difficult. Now a church closing, I have come to realize, is not the end of the world, but....

If a church wants to be around for successive generations needs to have a size of at least 100. Many say 150 is a 'critical mass'. Small churches if they are concerned about their community, about the people that depend on them, should be planning either grow, or be prepared to transition the community into a place where the long term care of the community can be provided aka. help them go elsewhere.

feel free to comment, this is about refining thoughts.

Preaching- a dying art? or just dying?

Remarkable preaching is something that should be common place. Not something that eventually squeaks out from an all too tight sphincter at Easter and Christmas. I remember a preaching prof saying to me, boring preaching is a sin. I tend to agree.

I went too a preaching seminar yesterday led by Haddon Robinson. Man he is an ooolllldddd goat. Going was like putting a notch on my belt. When my kids ask, 'did you ever see billy graham?' I can say 'yes.' and likewise Haddon was worth seeing just for novelty. The guy has written almost an encyclopedia on preaching.....but BOY can he preach. (Funny thing is...i always end up at a urinal with these guys at big conferences I don't know why, but that is another story.)

Haddon had a room full of pastors (and very few women) riveted to their seats for 1.5 hr. And the amazing thing is you would think that if you had to preach to practitioners you should have something amazing to say....some great and deep insight. Apparently not. What I found was a guy who was simply content, and completely believed all you needed was to tell a well timed joke in the midst of a simple story. Sermons don't have to contain deep mysteries, or be overly wise and in Haddon's case...they don't have to be overly fast. Sermons need to deliver a story.

Preaching has taken a hugely bad rap for being something that will go out with the modern era. In many charismatic services something that is simply a preamble to ministry time, or a hinderance to worship. But whether you need a flashy title, a video, or like Geez magazine put it 10 sermons you won't hear in church to help keep you awake-when a sermon is done well no one complains! I suspect as long as people read the bible (which could be the real problem with crappy preaching) people will want to talk about it and hear it explained. Uncle John would say, 'anyone with half a prayer life can preach'. Preaching is simply an audible prayer life about real people, real issues.

Haddon made the point that if you as a preacher have to tell theological truths in every sermon, drill home the message.....you may be one of those unfortunate people who never heard Jesus preach. Because Jesus only told stories. Many of which he never gave an answer too.

He who has ears let him hear.

organic matter

"Organic Matter is dead! Leaf litter and junk. I don't want to be part of an organic church, I want to be part of something that is alive."

s.c.