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Church Planting & Perseverance

Below is a blog post on church planting and perseverance that I found convicting, encouraging, and well worth sharing:

Resilience in Church Planting
Dustin Neeley, pastor and planter of The Crossing Church, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Originally published on the Resurgence here.

Church planting is hard. Over the past five years, I have been disappointed, disillusioned and just plain dissed by various people and problems. However, by God's grace, here we stand as a church that is not just surviving, but thriving, and planting new churches.
One of the keys? Resilience.

Good, old fashioned, gospel-driven "sticktoitiveness."
Sadly, this is a quality that I have seen lacking in far too many church planters.

Many men are interested in having a cool website, a Mac, and the latest Driscoll book in their messenger bag. But how many are willing to stay the course even when the going gets tough? Far fewer. In fact, I believe the absence of resilience is why so many church planters flame out, shame out, or tap out in the first five years and close down their churches.

Acknowledging that resilience is a necessity for missional success, what can we do to grow it within us?

Recognize that God commands it.
In Paul's first letter to his apprentice Timothy, he writes, "As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5). He says the same to us today. Be disciplined. Stay the course. Fulfill your ministry through the power of God at work within you.

Learn to take a punch.
It has been well said that wise men turn their critics into coaches. As we grow in the gospel as leaders, we are wise to look for the "diamonds in the rough," even among the most stinging criticism, and seek to learn from (and not repeat) our mistakes.

Consider the examples of those who have gone before.
The "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 is such a great encouragement for church planters. To see that we share the same mission as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and all of the other heroes is a great encouragement in times of trial. Suddenly, in the light of a man being asked to sacrifice his own son, being kicked out of your building doesn't seem so bad.

Learn to truly depend upon Jesus.
Though all of us would give lip-service to this concept, most of us struggle to give it life-service as well. Pray that God would teach you what it means to abide in Him, listen to His voice, and give you His strength for the hard road ahead. More than anything, this will give you the strength to endure.

There are many, many things that I would change about the last five years of planting. But one thing that I would not change is how God has grown resilience in me through the power of His Spirit at work within me especially during the hard times. May he do the same in you.

This is a shout out to everyone who has a heart to stand in the gap for Reality and the advancement of the gospel in London! Please cry out with us over the next few days as we intercede for a church venue to meet in. Our lease at the Gate Cinema is up this coming Sunday and the pub we were going to start meeting at fell through last week. God's divine direction for sure! There is another pub that has agreed to let us meet on Sundays but are asking for £1000/month. Now, we are planning on making an offer of £800/month but the owner doesn't seem very keen on the idea and might not be willing to budge... However, we know we have God on our side and know that He can do above all that we could ask or think in this situation so let's band together and lift this up! We will be making our offer on Tuesday. Until then, Let's Pray for God to move Sarah's heart to let us meet on the Lord's conditions, with a price that would be a blessing for everyone, that provision would be made for this to happen, and that Sarah would ultimately be saved! Easy stuff for the creator of the universe, right?

Also, we (Mark & Lizzie) are sending in our visa applications next week as our two years here have already come up! We need prayer for major open doors, wisdom with getting all of the proper details in, safe delivery with the post, and the fullest amount of time possible! We are confident that God is faithful and will make a way for us to stay in London as long as He wants!

Thanks everyone, love you all very much!

Psalm 121:1-2 "I will lift my eyes to the hills, from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!"

A Personal Note

So can we be honest here? Things are getting really exciting, and yet at times feel really insane when we consider what's before us. As many already know we are set to launch church services Sunday, 23 August and are currently making a proposal on a local cinema to gather in, which would be nothing short of a miracle if the Lord opens it up.

However, if we are to be brutally honest, its a crazy thought when you feel the Lord leading you to do something that doesn't make logical sense. It's one thing to talk big and exhort others to step out in faith, but when it becomes personal its easy to find yourself trembling a bit. It makes me think about what the priests must have been feeling when they carried the ark down to the raging waters of the Jordan during flood season (Josh 3). Its just not a logical thing to do, but then faith is not logical either is it? Just imagine the implications if Joshua and the elders would've spent days and days doubting and speculating because of the risks involved!! When God speaks, we are called to move. And oh what a glorious end we are moving toward!

Let me explain our situation a bit more. Right now we are looking into hiring a cinema that can hold up to 180 people even though we are only a small band of believers praying in our flat. One might ask, as I have, what's the point!? I really don't see the need for this... isn't it a bit of a foolish move? Well, you tell me, what do you think about a multitude of people, women and children, crossing the raging Jordan river during flood season?! God spoke, the people moved. We believe this is where God is leading us and it looks a little crazy right now, but we are going to step out in obedience and expect God to spread the waters..

How big is our God anyway?? Do we really think that we can wreck God's plans by stepping out in faith towards something He is leading us to do even when it seems risky and dangerous!? Looking back, would anyone call Gideon a fool for taking 300 men into battle against an army so big it couldn't be numbered!? Why are we always trying to "just play it safe" when we serve the sovereign Lord of the Universe who has unlimited resources at His disposal!! He wants to show His power and strength through us! God forbid that we should rob that from Him because of our pride and unbelief. Too often we are afraid of looking like fools when in reality we are only fooling ourselves if we think we are anything more then what the Bible declares us to be (1 Cor. 1:27).

How about the resources and £££ you need for this launch? Are you mad!? That's just plain reckless and crazy! Would you call Jesus reckless and crazy for telling His disciples to feed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:34)?! What about Moses leading a nation of people into the wilderness without sufficient provision (Ex.12:39)? Think about it, if God told him that He would make food from the dust and bring water from a rock do you believe it would be right to doubt Gods abilities? What about Abraham and Isaac on the mountain in Gen. 22? Is there anything too hard for the Lord?

God will provide for us.

Lastly, when thinking through these steps I believe we get a minuscule glimpse of what must have went through Noah's mind when he was building that massive ark on bone-dry ground in preparation for "things not yet seen"(Heb.11:7) and I take great encouragement in his example . "It looks crazy!" "Are you sure about this??" "Do you know what you are doing?" "It doesn't make sense!" "There is no need for this right now!" "This is going to fail!" The list goes on and on, yet the answer always remains: God has spoken, and we will step out in obedience regardless of how crazy circumstances may appear. Are the steps we take out of God's control? Can we, through our risky ventures of faith in pursuit of obedience to Jesus thwart God's plans?

Be encouraged, and pray with us as we move forward in London. May God's will be done, and may He get all the glory.

2Kings 3:15-18 ... But now bring me a musician.”Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the LORD: “You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD..."

Hello Everyone, just a little update,

Right now Lizzie and I are on a month hiatus in the states visiting friends and family and getting refreshed (not that London isn't refreshing ;) Its been a really sweet time catching up, and seeking to get refreshed in the Lord as well as being a refreshment to others.. We are so thankful for the family and support we have here!

For those that don't already know, our friends the Simas' have got their visa, have arrived in London, and have taken over our flat while we are away! This is an amazing work of God, and if you want all the juicy details check out their blog ( www.prayforlondon.blogspot.com ) and it's all there.. Please pray with us, that God would acclimate them, lead them in His plans for 'em, and provide all their needs in this enormous step.

Though our time in the states has been smashing we are really excited to get back to London and the work God is doing.. Pray that God would go before us and open up a place for us to meet for Church gatherings and for open churches in the city to gather in for the prayer tour in Aug. These are the biggies, outside of God's ultimate glory and exaltation in London...AMEN!?

Here are a couple verses God has given us for this work:

1Cor. 3:6-8 " I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor..."

John 4:34-38 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, “There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: “One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

Much love,

M&L

Hey friends, things are good here in London-town. Its been a cram session getting ready to visit the States and preparing for the prayer tour. Pray with us, that God would continue to open an effective door to us in London.. 

Here is a blurb about what we talked about and prayed on this week.  

 

Our calling and mission as a church is to be in community and on mission to the Glory of God. If we are going to live out the N.T. model of church, we must be continually engaging in God and one another through Jesus as a redeemed community identified and built upon the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Gal. 2:20; Heb. 10:19-25; 1 Pet. 2:1-10)   

So the definition of community has never been settled and is an ongoing discussion among the intelligentsia, in whose company I am not, but here is my basic definition for the sake of this discussion.

Community = Common-Unity - Or a group of individuals united in a shared commonality (i.e. location, language, religion, etc.) The expression and byproduct of community is culture (art, media, institutions, customs, traditions, attitudes, etc.) thus a community can be defined by culture. It can be agreed then that what creates and builds community is relationships. Relationship is the key to community.

Now, Prior to the rising influence of western culture and philosophy, individual identity was more or less wrapped up in each individuals respective pre-existing community, established family, or tribe. One would define themselves as part of a whole in contrast to an isolated individual. Naturally, with this relational reference and dependancy followed a measure of responsibility and accountability to the community they identified with. One wasn't so free to live autonomously. 

Today however, for the most part in modern western culture, individuality is defined by self actualization, which is more dispositional as opposed to a respective role, distinct, and apart from relationship and community, but is enhanced and solidified through relationships. Hence we have the “Rugged Individualist” that is defined in terms of self-sufficiency and independence. We are living in an age of the autonomous that proclaims, “I AM AN INDIVIDUAL!” “I am independent” and "I will not be defined by any one or anything".  

This is contrary to what God has intended :  Gen. 1:26  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." 

God is relational! God is an individual community of three. Within the trinity, personhood is defined by relationship: father, son, spirit; and yet the three persons are distinct in terms of their relationship. Distinct individual parts of one.  

In light of this, past and present theologians have been defining human personhood, in the image of God, to be trinitarian, and defined solely upon our relationship to others (Based on the Vertical and Horizontal levels; our relationship with God and with man).  

Thus, rugged individualism, creates greater brokenness and death because it defies our relational nature. We are not our own “individuals” independently free to define and choose who we are of our own volition. We are relational beings, because God created us in his image. We are not self-contained persons, only God is because He is eternal. Therefore, for man to insist upon carrying out an autonomous independent existence is to seek to be like God, which is pride and the epitome of sin (Proverbs 18:1; Romans 1).   

With this in mind, all of humanity in general, is defined first and foremost in relationship to Adam, and therefore all are born into and exist in a community of fallen, broken, sinful rebellion that declares, I am God, I am not dependent nor accountable to anyone or anything. I will be and do what pleases my will, which is complete relational brokenness.    

What we have then, outside of God’s intervention, is humanity Identified by their relationship to Adam, living in rebellion, relationally broken, driving towards death and destruction and yet calling it sophistication or advancement.

But God has intervened and created a new humanity, identified and enveloped in relationship to Himself, which is a redeemed humanity (humanity as He intended). this began with God’s call upon Abraham and is realized and culminated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In Gen. 12:1 Abraham was “called out” from his nation and family (his identity) to become a new nation in relationship to God. 

This relationship is established in Ex.19:4-6, 24:1-8 through the law and sacrificial system. Israel's identity was enveloped in their relationship to God, bound by the covenant of the Law, and maintained through the sacrificial system. But it wasn’t complete, nor would it be complete until the messiah, and Israel failed to fulfill their role of revealing the glory of God to the nations. But God was faithful to His initial covenant with Abraham and held a remnant that looked forward to a greater fulfillment (the new covenant).   

Jeremiah 31:31 - This new covenant was founded upon and completed through Jesus’ Christ’s work in His life, death, and resurrection, has been sealed in His blood, and held through His faithfulness (Luke 22:14).

Therefore, when we repent of our sin, and put our faith upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the place of punishment for our rebellion in Adam, we are saved, and born in to God's redeemed humanity bound in the New Covenant. We become identified with and in Christ through faith and repentance.    

Thus we have God’s redeemed humanity in completion, identified and existing in relationship with God the Father, through God the Son, in God the Holy Spirit, and called to be a testimony of salvation to all nations to the Glory of God. 

This community, this redeemed humanity, is the CHURCH - Matt. 1616-18 -The Church is the “called out” or “assembly” of people who share in the life of God together as individual parts of a whole, which is Biblically called the body of Christ. We are complete in Christ alone.  

The Problem today in the church, is the fact that we live in a secular pluralistic society which testifies that religion is and should be a personal individual and private matter only. This mind-set invades the christian community with the attitude that says “I can be a believer and not be committed or share in christian community. Church is only part of my individual life because I don’t have time to give myself to community."

This is a grievous hypocrisy. Each one of us is the Church! When we give ourselves to Jesus, we are joining in relationship with God and subsequently everyone else who have given their lives to Jesus! You cannot be independent of the Christian community because to be in Christ is to be in community. 

Heb. 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

 

1 Peter 2  also teaches us that we are a new people, a redeemed people, being built together upon and identified in Christ who is the foundation. Christ, The Word is at the center, and we are built together, upon, and around Him alone (not us and Him). 

           

Knowing this, we need to begin viewing the Church as the center and core of our identity as opposed to part of our individual and self-centered existence, and the essence of this Biblical view is the surrendering, sharing, and giving of ourselves to God and each other in community. We must engage! 

This is what fellowship / communion is: 1 John 1:3 - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 

This is what the early Church experienced! Their lives were completely enveloped in Jesus and each other. They lived their lives not independently, but shared in community together as distinct individual members of a whole. 

Acts 2:46-47 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. 

We are God’s “called out” people. Called to live as a redeemed community, identified and centered upon Jesus, The Word of God, proclaiming to this world the salvation of God through our worship of God, to the Glory of God. When this is lived out, God is most glorified and the church is most fruitful. 

If we are going to live out the N.T. model of church, we must be continually engaging in God and one another through Jesus as a redeemed community identified and built upon the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God. 

   

"My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest..." -Ex. 33:14

One encouraging book I've been reading is by C.H. Spurgeon entitled "Only a Prayer Meeting", which is a compilation of different studies on prayer and various prayer meeting addresses I highly recommend. The subject of prayer and the role of the church prayer meeting was central to Spurgeon and I am always stoked up when I read his discourses concerning prayer.

We are currently calling upon God to build His church in this city by saving the lost, and by supplying a place for us to gather corporately for worship in the future. Though we know that we are taking part in the greater work of God, it's still a daily temptation to get overwhelmed knowing that we are God's instruments to accomplish His mission. Much like Moses, we are often led to that place of desperation that cries out to God, "show me now Your way, that I may know you and that I may find grace in your sight." and "If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." 

This leads to the exhortation Spurgeon gives concerning the above verse. * 

Moses, in Ex. 33 cries out to God in need of some superior help to which God replies, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Spurgeon comments:   

"What more could Moses want then that, and what more can we want? We are so foolish that we look about for strength away from God, but there is none except in Him."

Whatever great work God has called us to be used in, "... this is the assurance that you want in going forth, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' You will want much help in journeying from place to place; and that help lies in the constant fellowship of your heart with the Lord, the continual presence of God consciously enjoyed...We are only strong as we are overshadowed by the Eternal." 

"My presence shall go with thee." 

Moses, "is about to start on a journey of great importance, a journey that is to last for forty years; but this is all the provender that he needs, and God himself could not give him more... The most important thing to a Christian worker, as it was with Moses, is to have rest..." 

It's so refreshing to rest in the truth that God IS working, even if we feel like we are, like Moses, somewhere out in the middle of the desert. To know that God's presence goes with us, and that His rest will sustain us through the difficult path before us. Praise be to God that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that He will complete that good work which He has began in and through us...

Oh Lord, if your presence doesn't go with us, do not bring us up from here...

Please pray with us, that God would show us where to have future church gatherings, and that He would build His Church! 

Much love to ya'll 

M&L 

* C. H. Spurgeon, Only a Prayer Meeting

" Another Spiritual Honey-Drop" Pg.83-84