Anyone who has planted a church quickly learns that there is no shortage of material on the subject. Countless books, talks, manuals, seminars, and coaching-sessions are there waiting for every insecure/fearful church planter (which is pretty much all of us) to consume. I’ve tried to be open to input from many different sources and at the same time, chose wisely when it comes to the bottomless pit of information. With that in mind, I recently downloaded a few talks from Exponential. One of the speakers was Francis Chan, who comes to the subject with lots of experience and transparency. Francis began a church 16 years ago that God has used to reach thousands but recently he and his wife have decided to leave the comfort of what they have to step out again. The talk he gave at Exponential was unlike most main session conference talks I’ve heard; it had a rawness and an “unrehearsed-ness” to it that most don’t. He seems unsure but sure, scared but courageous. His wife offers input too and shares how it feels to be a mom of four stepping into so much uncertainty. I know most may not download this audio (Francis Chan Main Session) and listen, but for those who do, I promise you will be challenged. You may disagree. You may question Francis. But, you’ll be forced to think.
I’ll just warn you now: the application of Francis’ talk isn’t too sexy. It has lots to do with suffering for Christ. Hate that. The talk reminded me of some posts I’ve done on fasting and how that fasting can provide some “suffering” that draws us closer to Christ. (I’ve included parts of those posts below.) With that in mind, I am challenging everyone who is a part of day|twelve to fast next Tuesday, June 22nd. Anyone who knows the story of day|twelve knows that fasting on Tuesdays in June will always be dear to my heart. ; ) So, please join us in fasting next Tuesday. Some things we’ll be praying for that day (and other days of course):
- Gina’s friend, Tina, who is in a battle for her life. We are praying for a miracle.
- for God to draw the people of Central Phoenix to Him.
- more relationships in the community.
- clarity regarding adding staff this fall and for God to bring the right fit.
- next steps, ministry/office space, planning…pretty much everything that goes with planting a church.
- for God to draw our team closer, even in times where we are not meeting every week.
- for anything on your hearts; please respond with a comment if you’d like to add to the list.
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No Pain, No Gain! That was a popular saying “back in the day.” It used to be so simple: If you wanted to reach a new level, then you had to push through some pain. Then, everyone got all politically correct and medically advanced and convinced us all that “pain” was bad and that if you felt pain, then you should stop. Wimps! 
I guess the medical community had a point (if you are injured, you need to stop), but anyone who has ever trained for a sport or an event knows that to get to the next level it requires pushing through a little pain. It is just the way life works: advancement takes work and sacrifice and yes, some “pain.”
Following Christ is much the same. If you want to take your walk to a different level, there will be seasons of pain. There will be times you will suffer. We are told that Jesus had to suffer on the Cross (Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22), the early disciples considered it an honor to suffer for the Gospel (Acts 5:41) and Paul encouraged Timothy to suffer with him for the proclaiming of the Good News (2 Tim 2:3). It may not sound right to our ears in the year 2009 but to take an element of suffering out of our walks with Christ is to take out something essential. You can’t make oatmeal raisin cookies without oatmeal, and you can’t make the Christian life without a little bit of suffering.
For those fasting, remember when we fast and deny ourselves we are in good company. Jesus fasted for 40 days, faced tremendous persecution and then suffered a horrible death on the Cross. Push through knowing He did all of this for you and you are glorifying Him in your sacrifice.
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Jentezen Franklin wrote a great book on the subject which he aptly titles Fasting. He provides so many insights but the biggest for me was his teaching on Jesus’ sermon on the mount. If you know “the talk” you know that Jesus makes these three statements: “when you give” “when you pray” and “when you fast.” (Matt. 6) For the follower of Christ, fasting is part of a threefold approach to growth. It is essential.
I finished a fast lastnight (along with my wife and many friends) and I’ve been blown away with what God has done. I was a part of a worship and prayer event last night and witnessed the power of God like I’ve few times before. People were honestly and sincerely experiencing His healing. Then, today, I got to pray with a friend and his daughter as she surrendered to Christ. At home, we are seeing the beginnings of break-throughs with our kids and our marriage is gaining more and more strength. God has been so faithful.
I’m not saying that when we fast we’ll get earth-shattering “results.” (But, again, Jesus tells us that fasting leads to the miraculous.) It’s really not about that. It is about seeking Him above all, even above King Stomach as Jentezen Franklin dubs it. Press in and seek God through fasting. It is His plan. His way. Follow Him.
Downloaded and listened to that podcast…always enjoy his material….I find him to be very raw and honest…a great example of how we need to get out of our comfort zone, past the fear of what others will think, and really step into what God calls us to.
Thanks for throwing that link up here.