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What Does A Church Planting Movement Look Like?

April 29, 2010

What is a church-planting movement? This is a question that I have been wrestling with for quite some time. In fact, I am not the only one. Many people smarter than myself are asking the same question. People like Ed Stetzer, David Garrison, Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole, Bob Roberts, and the list goes on. Each one of these leaders share differing nuances about what this “Movement” would be. What does a church planting movement look like, and how do we know if we are experiencing one?

Even Webster’s Dictionary has multiple definitions of what the word “movement” means. I think the one that fits best, at least for this discussion, is “abundance of events or incidents”. I think that is what everyone is driving at.

Bob Roberts wrote “We want to see a movement that will transform societies similar to what has happened in the past and is happening in the East.” (The Multiplying Church, Zondervan 2008) American Christians are hungry for something, maybe a revival of old, to happen in our country. We want to see the Spirit of God sweep across our land in a powerful way as it is in China.

But here is the rub for me. As we look at movements across the world, as we look at what is happening in India, China, South Africa, and how the Gospel is taking these nations by storm, we have to put it all in its own cultural context.

We are not Mainland China where Christianity is openly persecuted. We are not India where a house church movement is maintained as a way to keep the church flourishing in an openly oppressive (against Christianity) culture. I believe we have to be careful as we describe what we see taking place elsewhere, as prescriptive of what must happening in every society, culture and place. What a movement in the U.S. looks likes, I believe, will be radically different from what one looks like in the East. With one exception, God shows up!

The book of Acts reveals a great mixture of both an indigenous, explosive , movement, led by lay-people as well as a more “professional Apostolic” movement, led by the likes of James, Phillip, Peter and Paul. The missionary journeys of Paul reveal to us that he went to places where believers had already been meeting as well as places where no movement of God had been seen. How God determines to move in any particular setting varies.

As I look at my own country, I want what I see across the ocean to happen here. But it won’t look the same. We may not see the widespread movement of God that I believe is being generated by persecution and hardship. (Nothing like persecution to get the church moving.) But we cannot discount that, as has been reported, we are for the first time planting more churches every year then we are closing. True, the state of the church and American Christianity is at its worst in our history, but I believe that we are seeing the early stages of a genuine Church Planting movement in the United States. Will it look as it does in another cultural context? No! Nonetheless, God is showing up all around the country. We are, as Malcom Gladwell put it, at the “Tipping Point”.

What excites me more than ever is that churches are starting to get the point. Even in our own group, many are starting to believe and own the vision. Instead of simply sending money they are now doing it for themsleves. Will it look the same? No! Even around the U.S. our cultures and structures differ. There is no one way to plant a church. One thing is for sure, if we are to see a movement pick up speed, it has to begin with the local church.

Posted 4/29/2010 in Stephen Gray | 1 Comment - Add Comment

Stepping Out In Faith

April 27, 2010

Have you ever felt like Abraham? Called out to an unknown place, sure when you've arrived, and uncertain what the future holds? Yet, Abraham left knowing that God was in control. I am sure many of you have found yourself in that kind of a situation a few times in your life. For me, however, this is a first. Through 23 years of ministry I have always known where God was leading. It was always very clear what he called me to do. Now, I find myself in that awkward position of Abraham - A man without a country.

Over the last two weeks I have been in a focused season of prayer and personal reflection. God had been stirring in my heart for quite some time but through the events of the last few weeks He has forced me to take a time to focus my thoughts.  On Friday, April 23rd, I started a weekend of fasting and by Sunday afternoon God calmed my heart and said, "Trust me. I will lead you where you need to go." Not exactly the awe inspiring, detailed, and perfectly laid out information I was looking for, but nonetheless I knew God was leading towards something new. What that "something" is I do not know.But I do know this, God is in control and I trust Him leading.

For know I will carry on in the office as the Director of National Missions until the end of August. I will be preparing document, finalizing information and laying out the processes of National Missions for the next Director whoever that may be. Pray that God will reveal himself to me and guide the process of those entrusted with the task of finding a new director. These are interesting days for the General Baptists and I pray that God will bless all they do.

As for me and my family, well we will see what God has in store.

Posted 4/27/2010 in Stephen Gray | 0 Comments - Add Comment

Moving At Light Speed

April 25, 2010

Church planting requires focus, and hard work. Never a dull moment and never a moment of peace. The demands grow greater as the church begins to grow and soon we find that every waking moment is spent "doing" something in the church. "It's our baby and we have to make sure it survives and thrives." We have invested our lives into this work and so we get busier and busier trying to make it better and stronger. The fact is the harder we work the more buried, behind and busy we get. God has created us to have rest. Don't live life in the fast lane.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like the day always ends about three hours too early. There are some days that pass me by and I’m wondering what happened. Dance lessons, ball games, music lessons, homework - before we know it, bath time and bedtime. Where does the time go on weekdays? We as adults are busy with these daily responsibilities in our fast-paced society. Microwaves help prepare quick meals, drive-throughs provide food on the run and while an occasional evening of "running" is okay, a lifestyle of being on the run can be very stressful. In fact life on the run exemplifies most families today.
I have been the National Missions Director now for two years. I have discovered, it's not everything it was billed to be. Up early, on the road late, meeting hundreds of people and spending little time with family.

Does that resemble your life in any way? It does for millions of Americans everyday. Your day may not be exactly the same, but it’s just as hectic. 

Here is what I am learning. I hope it helps you to avoid my pitfalls. 

1. Constantly running at break-neck speed is exhausting in every aspect of life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our bodies can only handle so much activity and when we live a hurried life we will begin to see signs of this lifestyle become evident in our health. We suffer with personal illness and depression. Stress, heart attacks, constant illnesses of all kinds and chronic fatigue. Some of you here today are seeing doctors right now for things that are related to the constant stress which you allow in your life.
    When Jesus was in the midst of His ministry he sent out the disciples to preach in the surrounding cities when they returned Jesus said to them. Mark 6:31-32 “Jesus said, come of by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest. For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.” (Message) Jesus recognized that the body will wear down if not properly rested. In fact this is not a new concept. In Gen 2 We see God putting his stamp of approval on one day for the purpose of rest. He called it the Sabbath. In the book of Exodus, as He was giving the law to Moses, He declared, “Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed.” (NLT) God created this body and understands the effects of a hurried life. When we abuse our physical bodies because we are not treating them properly, it becomes a spiritual problem. 1Cor. 6:20 "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's” (NKJ)


2. Living a life without margins breaks down the family. I have found that my children suffer because I am not there to give them the full attention they need.  Pro 22:6 says, “teach your children to chose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” (NLT)  Actions speak louder than words. If you want your children to grow up living the hurried life, teach them early and the

Posted 4/25/2010 in Church Planting | 0 Comments - Add Comment

Sanctified Excuses (Part 4)

April 1, 2010

Excuse #4 - We are suppose to be different from the world.

Of all the excuses I hear from pastors, this is probably the most common. Here are two verses used to support this thought.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate’, says the Lord.” 2 Cor 6:14-17

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:1-2

What does Paul mean when he tells us not to be “conformed to the world”? What his point when he quoted Isa 52:11 as a called to be “separate”? More importantly, what are we to separate ourselves from or avoid being conformed to and in which areas of our lives do these verse apply?  

I won’t go into a huge diatribe about these two verses because it would take too long and I would lose you as a reader very quickly. However, here is my thought: Why is it that these verses only apply to what we do inside the walls of the church? Those who use these verses as proof texting for why they won’t move to a more contemporary format in their services don’t use the same measure for their “other” life. I say “other” because it seems as if many have been able to compartmentalize their “Sunday morning life” from the rest of their “day-to-day life”. While the insides of their churches look like something from the last century, they still drive up-to-date cars, watch TV on their new HD TV, (and mind you many shows that are not very appropriate) use the latest appliances and live life to the fullest in century of which they are a part. I find it interesting that these leaders and their members are not personally committed to live separate or non-conformist lives, as least to the level they require on Sunday morning. Doesn’t that seem odd to anyone else? Isn’t that a real definition of hypocrisy? I fear many are using the church as a place to create a sense of comfort rather than commissioning. I fear many have elevated comfort as a higher value than the call to do the Great Commission work?

Maybe I am over simplifying, but it seems to me the Biblical calling to be separate or not to conform has to do with a calling not to live an ungodly, Christless, sin-filled life. I don’t believe “stuff” or methodologies of ministry were even a thought in Paul’s mind when he penned these verses. Besides if they were, then even the traditional church of today would be worldly to Paul because it looks nothing like the church of his era.

Posted 4/1/2010 in Stephen Gray | 0 Comments - Add Comment