Tuesday, October 2
Not safe, but good…(a note to church planters)
I met someone last week that was in paid ministry at one time. He no longer is and doesn’t miss it one bit.When he found out I was part of a recent church plant he asked, “So how’s it going? I mean, how’s it ‘really’ going?”
I said, honestly, “It’s a blast. It ‘really’ is. It’s a great challenge, adventure, ride, etc. I enjoy it greatly.”
He looked at me with a high level of skepticism.
“Either you are totally disillusioned or just not telling me the truth,” he said. “I have never met a church planter at this stage (8 months into it) that felt that way. Church planting is not something that generally promotes a feeling of enjoyment…high levels of stress maybe, but not enjoyment.”
I don’t think I am disillusioned… I know I’m not lying… My family and I are so thankful everyday for a chance to be a part of this incredible adventure with a wonderful community of caring people, just trying to let Him take us where He will.
It is truly an honor, a joy and a great privilege to be part of something like Crossings.
I know they are churches all over the place getting ready to launch soon. (October is a big ‘launch month’) I know as you look at that checklist of things to get done you are wondering if this was all worth it after all… It is, I promise.
To those of you standing on the precipice, ready to take the leap, not knowing if you have enough coffee stirs in the hospitality area, or if those fancy signs you ordered for the kids area will come in on time, or if you will be able to find a drummer before launch Sunday:
God has called you here. You heard His voice correctly. Hold fast, stay true to where He leads. I assume you didn’t expect safe and easy or you wouldn’t have ventured to this edge.
Please know what kind of God is leading you…And in the words of C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia…
“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”
It really is true.
Mark Nelson at 7:24 AM 9comments
9 Comments
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at 10:41 AM
said... There are broader applications to this theme than just church planting. Anyone who diligently seeks to follow where God leads in their lives - whether to serve in a new area in a local church, reach out in an evangelistic way to a neighbor, go on a mission trip for the first time or follow God into ministry in the middle of their life - we all experience the same feelings and God is faithful and good in all occasions.
I'm sure that Peter felt that way when he stepped our of the boat onto a storm tossed sea - this is nuts! This is crazy! This is compeltely unsafe! But there is Jesus - always close by, always watching, always faithful. He's got it covered and I'll be OK.
Soon we discover what a thrill ride it really is to follow God's leading in our life.
Jeff-
at 2:34 PM
said...
Hey why don't you tell your friend Tim S to have his own blog...he is so intelligent.
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at 3:18 PM
said...
8 months is not so long a honeymoon period. wait till the first crisis (financial, spiritual, personal, whatever) and see if your people demand "safe" or have found the satisfaction of "good." that will separate the consumers from the Christ followers.
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at 10:03 AM
bill said... to the 2nd anonymous commenter above:
(i want to preface this by saying that, as a 27 year old who has only been in the church planting thing for 8 months, i am probably a tad naive and idealistic)
if you were intending your comment about Crossings "first crisis" which will, as you say, "separate the consumers from the Christ followers" to sound like a bad thing, i think you may have missed.
if our first crisis is going to effectively separate the people coming on sunday mornings to consume from the people who are really and truly serious about following Jesus...I say bring it on. and i am 100% serious. i see that as a great thing. attendance numbers would be a welcome sacrifice if it meant we improved in making disciples.
and frankly, we have already made decisions about how we function as a faith community and still stay true to what God has called us to that, i believe, have adversely effected our sunday morning attendance numbers. we are okay with that.-
at 10:48 AM
Brad Smith said...
Mark,
It was awesome reading your comments on this today...they really met me where i am.
I am not exactly planting a church, but i feel like it is close, considering that i am the fourth campus minister in four years here. There is not a lot of consistency that has been built in things.
I have just been feeling somewhat stressed and overwhelmed with things lately, and it has been challenging. It is so refreshing to be reminded and to think about the fact that God is not always safe, but He is good. I do, without a doubt, believe that is true. He is so very good...and i want to keep that at the forefront of my mind as i continue through the daily ups and downs of following Christ. He is very good!-
at 1:55 PM
said...
bill, that's actually what i was talking about. not meaning to be negative. if you've already had an opportunity to jump those hurdles, you will be a healthier place because of it. oh, and keep being naive (not worldly) and idealistic (believing God) as long as you can!
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at 4:24 PM
said...
Can I just say once more that leaving anonymous comments on any blog ever for any reason is completely lame.
Own what you say or don't say it. period.-
at 10:51 PM
Mark Nelson said...
Don't mind Greg...he's just ticked because he sucks at Fantasy Football this year...
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at 1:02 AM
Betsy said...
oooo, FACE!