I’ve written a lot about the church in the past few months but in all my study and past experience I can honestly say that my understanding of the church went to a totally new level last week. During a three day certification training for the Antioch School of Leadership Development and Church Planting, a school that allows college degree programs (bachelors, master and doctorate level) to be taught and run through the local church, I was challenged to look more closely at God’s plan for the church. The Antioch School believes that the scriptures teach the best place to train the future leaders of the church is in the context of church and mission. Hard to argue with them. As part of the training, we spent time in the book of Acts and in many of Paul’s letters where he describes how the church is to function.
A close reading of Ephesians 3:8-12 shows just how critical the church is to the movement of God. In fact, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says that
the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord…
Did you get that? The church is where the full wisdom of God will be revealed and this is God’s eternal plan. As a church planter, I could not be more humbled and encouraged to think that what we are doing in central Phoenix is not just something that is needed for this community but in fact it is a part of God’s eternal plan to reveal Himself to this community. That’s just like God…He has a way of showing just how much bigger He thinks, if we’ll allow Him to set the parameters.
If you are a part of a church, take note, you are participating in an eternal plan that God is using to bring people to Himself. What an honor.
My friend, who went to Bible College and seminary, always says, ‘Seminaries would not have to exist if the church was doing its job.’
thanks ETS…
I do think there is a place for Seminary but the gap between the seminary and the church is way too big. I’m excited about Antioch because they bring the seminary to the church and allow church leaders to train their own. the model was laid out by Jesus after all!