Why so few church plants

As someone who is involved in the church planting movement here in Illinois I have often asked myself the question of why there are not more people jumping at the chance to do some thing nobody else is doing so you can reach someone nobody else is reaching. When I first pondered this question I thought of the usual answers about calling and giftedness. While these are important pieces to the church planting puzzle I am not sure they full explain the lack of new church plants.

I think too often people have used calling and giftedness as excuses for not trusting God. I think that if were to really hone in on many people's lives we would begin to see that it is their lack of complete trust in God that prevents them from being a part of new works. I think most of the people would realize that they should trust God but they do not really understand why they should trust God. So if you are one of those people here are some reasons why I think we should trust God. (Theses are in no particular order).

1.He created you and me. Genesis 2:7 specifically tells us that God took the time to literally form Adam from the dust of the earth. In the creative actions of Genesis 1 and 2  this is a unique action taken by God. In all of the other creative moments before Adam God simply spoke and things happened, however in the cases Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:21-22) God took extra special care to mold and shape them with His hands. This special attention continues to this day as evidenced by David's proclamation in Psalm 139:13 that God literally wove him together while he was in his mother's womb.

2.He gave you the breathe of life. Genesis 2:7 not only tells us how God formed Adam but that He also breathed into him the breathe of life. Most people read this as God simply putting air into Adam's lungs but I think there is more to it than that. I think that this is the moment in which God gave Adam a soul. God provided Adam with life on earth and the ability to have life eternal (through the soul). Today we have that same opportunity despite the fact that Adam and Eve brought death into the world. The New Testament shows us that Jesus literally gives life to those who are dead (Ephesians 2) because of sin.

3.He has always existed and He will always exist. Genesis 1 shows us that God created the heavens and the earth and therefore He existed before them. The book of Revelation shows us that He will always exist (ch.21-22 especially show this). God is not going anywhere.


4.When we call/cry out to Him He promises to answer us. So often I believe people simply pray to God because it is what we are supposed to do. Rarely do many of us pray with the expectation that God will not only hear us but that He will answer. Jeremiah 33:3 is God's promise to us that if we will call out to Him then He will answer and teach us great and mighty things.

Many of you as you have read this have thought of some other reasons to trust God. Please share your thoughts with us so that we all can move further along on our journey with God.

Church Planting Sunday

According to the IBSA calendar, today is both Palm Sunday and Plant a Church Sunday. I think most people in the US would recognize today as Palm Sunday but few even in Illinois Baptist churches would know about Plant a Church Sunday. It is a sad fact that many of our churches in this state have missed the mark when it comes to seeing their role in the church planting. I am hopeful that as this day progresses that many of our churches will begin to catch the vision that God has laid on the hearts of so many through out this state.

Passions

Tonight I have been reminded once again how important it is to be doing what it is that you are most passionate about. Tonight was a really good night at work. For the first time in a long time I really felt like my team made some significant contribution to the overall look and feel of my store's backroom. We were able to clear a significant number of consumable area pallets that should not only help the store sales but also helped to cleanup the backroom. The kind of work we were able to get done is what I have been wanting to get out of this team since I took this position. On the way home I was able to turn the car stereo up loud and just enjoy the drive home. When I got home I did a little bit of house work and then settled in to check on some of friends online.

Once I got online I remembered that it was Beach Reach time and that I needed to check out what had been happening tonight. As I was reading through the prayer request my heart began to fill with both joy and sadness. I was sad because of all the lostness that Beach Reach reminds me of. So many students who are lost and what seems like so few brothers and sisters trying to reach them. Yet I was also filled with joy as I read through the wonderful things God was doing in the lives of students. I was also filled with joy as I thought about those wonderful students who were trying to make a difference in the lives of their peers. I love Beach Reach! I think it is one of the most amazing ministries. Its impact is beyond measure. I look forward to the day when I and the countless others who have been a part of Beach Reach will be able to hear all of the stories of how Beach Reach changed lives forever. I am also looking forward to the day when I can take my family to Beach Reach. I cant wait to hear my children telling people about Free Pancakes. I cant wait for the day when they will be old enough to ride the vans and share Jesus with someone.

As God would have it I got on to facebook and began chatting with one of the students that I took to Beach Reach 2 years ago. She and I chatted briefly (she was trying to get to bed) and she mentioned how she was just ready to graduate so she could begin doing what she really wanted to do. Of course, what she is passionate about has nothing to do with her major and it only took her 4 years to figure it out :). I am so excited for her that she has figured out what god has wired her to do and I look forward to hearing how He manifest those passions in her life. I know for a fact that god has some amazing things planned for her!

I hope that you have been able to figure out what you are passionate about. God has wired each of us differently and He has placed within us great passions. This thought becomes eve more amazing when you begin to realize that this is the same God who literally spoke all of creation (except man) into existence. Think about all of the creativity that God poured in to creation.....and then think about He pours that same kind of creativity in to people. There is no limit to God's creativity and so there is no limit to the ways in which He can use people to change the world.

So how do you think He wants you to change the world? So how do you think He wants you to change the world tomorrow?