A few of us have been reading a new book by Mike McKinley, Church Planting is For Wimps: How God Uses Messed-up People to Plant Ordinary Churches That Do Extraordinary Things.
The idea behind the title involves McKinley poking fun at church planters because they have an easier job than men who go into an existing church that needs change and revitalization. In the end, Mike loves church planting and the book is quite suitable for planters.
I was especially encouraged by chapter three--"One thing is necessary." The "one thing" to which McKinley refers is the Word of God, especially the Word as it is preached. He writes that what his church needed most (he embarked on a church revitalization project five years ago) "was someone to preach God's Word to them. And, friend, if you are a church planter or church revitalizer, this is what your church needs as well." (p.49)
So, what will make Crossway Church of Goldsboro such a special community of believers in Jesus? Why should you consider checking us out or supporting us? Well, it won't be because we are super savvy; Lord willing, it will be because we love God's Word--which is just that, the actual Word of the one true God. In McKinley's words, we hope to "teach God's Word. Evangelize using God's Word. Disciple people using God's Word. And then, when you [we] launch a public service, preach God's Word." (53)
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Just read the book this past week. Two things really stand out to me in "Church Planting is for Wimps." In chapter 6, "How to Ruin Everything," I am reminded that family (wife and children) must be nurtured and cultivated and not misplaced in the "pursuit of ministry." Family ministry must be in order before public ministry, that's one of the qualifications of being a leader. Like the author mentioned, it was going well for him and his wife, but months on end of trying to "carry" the church instead of getting other families involved in hospitality and helping new comers get immersed into community, it was draining them--which was eventually reflected in their marriage.
ReplyDeleteThe other, chapter 7, "No Offense, but You're Doing Everything Wrong." Many churches fail their duty of training up the next generation because they are not discipling men to be leaders. We need to have a multi-generational view of the church--the big picture, what God is accomplishing. I really like this chapter because it is definitely something that needs to be a high priority!
Tony D.