There are some incredibly sharp organizations/networks/alliances out there in church planting now that when I first began to get involved in church planting were not available. The only group I met with was the “pastors’ meeting at the local association. I tried that twice. They didn’t have a clue and neither did I. Association later set up a monthly meeting with a business man for some church planters that was pretty cool but late for me and our stage of development (I had already screwed up most everything).

The deal is to find some people you are comfortable with theologically, experientially, and spiritually. Some networks require you to “do” church the way they “do” church. Same worship, same music, etc. Some networks require that you “ascribe” to their theology (reformed, charismatic, denominational doctrine.) Some require payback either through percentage giving or as a loan.

I understand having a way of propagating yourself through some system of giving back. But the other two I have issues with. Obviously there must be some theological standards. I like the Vision 360 approach of using the Lausanne Covenant as a basis. We have adopted this as our basic theological agreement. Most denominations and para-church organizations have signed off on the Covenant as their basis for cooperation. So I feel pretty confident in guys that can agree with us on the covenant.

The other is the way you “do” church. You know my kids are 22 and 23 years old. They don’t do things exactly the way the old man does them. I think I was pretty successful as a dad, they got their educations, never got locked up (although each have paid a few speeding tickets), active in serving and attending their church, etc. But they do things differently. I don’t expect our church planters to “do” West Ridge. I think West Ridge is the best church in West Atlanta by far. We are successful as rated by several criteria. But we are West Ridge. I don’t expect our church plants to always act like us. If that is our criteria for fellowship then somewhere we missed the point. Different strokes for different folks.

Do your thing with integrity, your theology with your whole heart, and worship as God leads you. We’ll still love you and thank God for you. We’ll let God sort out the rest.

This morning a church planter called from Catalyst. I could hear all the commotion behind him. Nobody creates the buzz at a conference as well as the Catalyst folks. Anyway he was asking if we were coming to Catalyst. Unfortunately the answer is no.

I wish we could. Our interns were able to hook up and work for someome so they got free tickets for the general conference. But money is pretty tight and our priorities were to make sure 1. that ministry does not suffer at WRC, and 2. that we meet our obligations to the missions/church plants that we have committed to.

We decided to be very strategic in our conference attendance this year. A couple of us are going to a practicum on Multi-Church next month. Some folks just got back from Sticky Conference on shutting the back door in CA. (but this was already paid for and the decision was made to go since the bills were paid except for food). ROI should be good. One of my co-workers used to work at Home Depot and he uses that kind of term a lot. So I thought it sounded cool.

Anyway a church has to set priorities. Priorities I would set as a lead pastor: Your first commitment is to your people. Never leave them high and dry. Your second commitment is to ministry. Your third is where you meet, unless you owe the bank for property, then you have to consider how to pay for the property. Your fourth is to outside organizations.

In these rough economic times, and in difficult times in my life this verse has seen me through, “There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear…” 1 John 4:18

Have no fear God will see us through even if I don’t get to go to Catalyst this year.

Tomorrow I will have lunch with a friend that I have not seen since we both left high school. He is a missionary with a denomination and has spent several years overseas. I am looking forward to hearing about life and family. We’ll also talk about his work in the Caribbean, it’s a rough life but someone has to do it. One time on the phone he was telling me about looking out of his home office and watching the waves. Poor guy.

Last year I met with another guy that I had not seen since my wedding almost 29 years ago. He was in a sort of ministry working in a variety of countries providing school supplies to missionary organizations. It was good to catch up with him. I like hearing about what God is doing in the lives of old friends.

It is difficult to maintain those friendships across the years and miles. One of the things I appreciate about the internet and networking is that I have been able to connect and catch up on many old friends and associates. Even writing this blog has instigated a couple of guys to contact me and ask about my ministry after some years of not hearing from them. I’m glad we live in this age of instant communication.

I guess the reason this has me thinking is my oldest daughter is probably moving 800 miles away and of course my youngest was married last week. 100 years ago we would probably be saying “farewell for life” thinking about that kind of move. Today it’s an hour and a half flight or 13 hour drive. With skype(? spelling) we can even see each other sometimes. Of course I will have to purchase that.

Anyway, looking forward to lunch. Connect with an old friend (not a boyfriend or girlfriend unless you’re not married ). Make it a time when you don’t need anything. It will encourage them that you thought about them.

Kenny Luck in DREAM says, “To deliver God’s GRACE on earth, this was the criteria: honest need.” He was talking about Jesus. Think about this, how many people did Jesus offend just by providing for someone else’s need? Offended the Pharisees when he healed a blind man on the Sabbath. Offended even the wine steward at the wedding by providing the best wine at the end of the party. Offended the religious people when he partied with Matthew. Offended the Jews when he touched a leper. Offended the Pharisees again when he offered forgiveness. Offended his own family when they thought he was acting a fool. Offended Peter when he washed his feet. Offended his parents when he stayed behind at the Temple. Offended the disciples when he was talking to the woman at the well, even though they knew better than to question him.  

Jesus offended a lot of people when you think about it. Church Planters are a lot like Jesus. Church Planters offend a lot of people, especially if you don’t do things the normal way. Church Planters offend some when they meet in schools. Church planters offend religious people sometimes when they see a “sinner” serving. Church Planters offend some people because they hang around and feel comfortable with non-believers. Church Planters offend churches when they touch the lives of people they wouldn’t dare invite to their church.

Church Planters should always consider if this is an honest need. If there is a need and you can extend GRACE, then you ought to extend GRACE. I think the Bible says something about if you have the means to meet someone’s need and don’t then that is sin. (jim’s paraphrase) It’s not what people think about you. It’s not what some denominational leader, church leader, or deacon thinks about you. The standard I believe is that you extend the GRACE that you received to those needing GRACE. What kind of church would we build if we acted that way today. Meeting honest needs through God’s GRACE. Help us be more like Jesus and offend some folks this week.

Well the long awaited day happened. Saturday at 6 my daughter and I walked down the path to her waiting future husband. I will tell you I was pretty calm when it all started. I had been a nervous wreck starting about Wednesday. I was so preoccupied that now I am behind for the church planting class this Saturday and on top of that my ministry assistant is on vacation for her anniversary. I smell overtime.

Saturday afternoon when the guests started arriving and some of my relatives and friends found out I was doing most of the ceremony several pulled out their wallets and started placing bets on in what part of the ceremony I would break down. If you want to know the truth I was betting on the personal remarks time in the ceremony. I prayed all day that this be my daughters day and that I not embarrass me or her. I held it together except for one minor gaffe: “place her finger on her left hand.” That is what they told me I said anyway.

Anyway, I feel so much lighter today. Ray and Anna Carver are on their honeymoon and currently making their home in Elijay. Anna needs a PR job if anyone is looking. She has a degree from UGA in Communications. Loves editing, events, and is a hyper creative person. And beautiful. Both are dedicated Christians and will make some church great servants.

Now that doesn’t have a thing to do with church planting. But it sure made me feel better.