This morning a friend sent me this email and I thought it was worth sharing. It is taken from Perry Noble’s blog. Perry is a church planter/pastor in South Carolina and I’ve heard him talk about these things before. I can definitely relate to many of them and others I have yet to experience.  Numbers 3, 6, and 12 are at the top of the list these days but they all “encourage”  me in some way…

#1 – You are going to have to take huge steps of faith to see the dream God has placed inside of you become a reality. Church planters that pray but refuse to take action never actually do what God has called them do to and they wind up bitter at God because they prayed for things that God was more than willing to do if they had just acted on what they were praying for!

#2 – You are going to have lots of doubters when you share your vision with people, especially churchy people! They typically are used to “by faith we believe God can raise enough money to pave the parking lot” vision and not “we are called to reach the entire world” vision!

#3 – One of the biggest doubters you will encounter from time to time is yourself! (Personally, I keep going back to Isaiah 61:1 when I doubt!)

#4 – People who you thought were great friends and would always be by your side will leave you…and many times it won’t be pretty.

#5 – People you don’t even know right now will one day come along side of you and be unbelievable friends and partners in the ministry God has given you.

#6 – You will always feel significant financial pressure when you are pursuing the vision God has given you. The question you must constantly wrestle to the ground is, “Is THIS what God wants” and not, “Can we afford it?” Remember, if it is God’s will then it is God’s bill! What the King wants the King pays for!

#7 – You are going to see God in ways that many do not get to see Him.

#8 – You are going to have to be WAY more passionate about what you are for rather than what you are against!

#9 – You are going to have to choose whether or not you want to please insiders or reach outsiders; you cannot do both.

#10 – You are going to want to quit–don’t! He who called you is with you and will sustain you!!! (See Philippians 1:6)

#11 – You are going to experience a whole new level of spiritual warfare; just remember, the only reason the enemy is attacking you is because he sees you as a threat! Take up the promise in Isaiah 54:17!

#12 – You are going to be tempted to copy the success you see in church world rather than believe the vision God gave you. BUT God called you because He knew He could trust you with what He has given you so be who HE has called you to be.

#13 – You are going to change your mind about things you are pretty set on right now. what you think is innovative and cutting edge will one day be considered “traditional.” You can’t allow the pride behind the fact that your idea is no longer the best idea to bring your church to a place where people meet and talk about what God used to do!

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.

Now, for the all important question: if you could change one thing about [church] what would it be?  I’m particularly interested in what you’d change about the [church] service but you can also share anything else that comes to mind regarding [church]. I don’t want to shape your thoughts at all so I am not giving you any list of ideas to start with.  Give me the “off the top of your head” or “i’ve been thinking about this for years” ideas.  Now is your chance…fire away. Oh, and please forward this to all of your friends…I want as many responses as possible from as many walks of life as possible.  Don’t be shy….

THANKS!

In my study of the urban church plant, one church planter/leader/pastor in particular has begun to shape me in many ways. Tim Keller, Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC, came to Manhattan in 1989 with a love for the city and with the idea that they would simple plant a church that would serve the city and share the Gospel. What started as a group of 15 people has become a movement of thousands in NYC and globally through churches planted under the leadership of Dr. Keller and Redeemer. Keller’s insight into the city and what it means to plant in an urban environment is invaluable. He understands that to reach the city, means to reach the most influential part of a region, country and, ultimately, world. Even before the world grew more urban, the city has always been the center of society, where residence, business, commerce, art and education coexist. Unlike the suburbs, where residential utopias exist largely behind a concrete moat, in the city people live, work, shop, dine and enjoy entertainment all within a 10 minute walk.  

There is much more to say about the city…but speaking of Phoenix specifically: what excites me the most is that this is truly a new city, seeking an identity. If you venture into downtown Phoenix you will see everything that Keller describes (housing, art, education (ASU downtown), dining and entertainment venues), most of it less than 25 years old and much of it brand new. Imagine beginning a church that will help shape this developing downtown culture?  How? Only God knows! But, we are stepping into the unknown with a heart for this city to serve her and seek how God might use us to influence its future in some way. We pray that you’ll be a part. 

So it is with this church plant.  As I have begun to think about the culture we want to create and what we want to be about, I am constantly reminded of what God has shown me along the way. From ministry structure to core values to worship style, I have been, to some degree, planting this church in my mind over a period of several years. During that time, I have been fortunate enough to be taught by some of the best Christian leaders today and a thing or two has rubbed off. Now, God has surrounded me with some great people who are speaking into this process and many who are supporting us in a variety of ways. I know many of you reading this fall into this category.

So, the launch of day|twelve has not, is not, and will not be a gathering that happens at some point in the future; the launch has already begun.  (don’t worry…Sunday gatherings will be a part of what we do! ; )) In the next few blog posts I will write a few thoughts on core values and other things I hope will make up the ethos (thanks Erwin) of day|twelve …

I’m kind of very cool with God making my decisions. All of them. Would you rather the Creator and owner of everything be “pulling the strings” or would you rather insist on having it your way?  I believe the Christian life is really getting to that place where God’s thoughts are our thoughts; where there is no distinction between God’s desires and ours; where we die and Christ lives. (Romans 6) Which raises an interesting question, “if you are dead, how can you make your own decisions anyway?”

Yeah, I’m good with God making all my choices for me. (For the record, I believe that man does make many decisions in the context of God’s sovereignty … but again, different subject…)  I’ve made enough of my own and a lot of those haven’t turned out great. God’s puppet? Sure…sign me up!

Perhaps one “reason” for this is because we have taken this process of church planting very seriously and very slowly (in the world’s eyes). At times I’ve felt the need to “just do it…NOW” and I’ve been asked by lots of people: “so, when are you going to start!?!” I understand that question and, again, I’ve asked myself the same thing time and time again. But, if there is one thing that has helped me see God more clearly it has been listening to His still small voice (1 Kings 19:13) and not ignoring Him when He seems to be saying “wait” or “not yet” or “not there.” I’m telling you…if I had listened to myself and bulldogged this thing…it would be a mere shadow of what God might do. God has introduced us to more people and connected so many dots that all I can do is say “thank you, Lord” for quieting me down and for giving me the ability to wait on You.

I believe God desires for us all to walk with Him…but He has to lead. You cannot follow Christ and run ahead of Him at the same time. It is absurd to believe otherwise yet we easily fall into this trap. I pray that I can remain here. Behind God, yet as close to His heels as possible. I pray that I can remain open handed with what God has given knowing it is His to do with whatever He wishes. It is a sweet place to be…

God has chosen those who are His to be His Church. It was His idea, not a human creation. The Church (made up of those who follow Christ) in all her human frailty is the God’s chosen instrument to bring the message of the Gospel to a fractured world. I get really excited when I think about being used by God to help prepare His bride for the biggest wedding day this side of Brad and Angelina. If you are a follower of Christ, that is your job…to ready the bride for His grand entrance. (Ephesians 4) That is a day worth preparing for, sacrificing for, strategically plotting for, a day and a cause worth giving your life for. We, the Church, must never lose sight of the ultimate prize that awaits on THE wedding day. So Church…love relentlessly, serve sacrificially and lead humbly so that all may hear the Good News and be there when He walks down the aisle.

I’ve [re]learned that when you gather, remember that being lost stinks…and not just spiritually lost. When an outsider can’t find something and basically feels like they’ve walked into a party where they don’t know anyone (ever have that feeling? it is really awkward and uncomfortable!), all they want to do is to get “unnoticed” soon….not really the feeling you want your guests to have. Being spiritually lost is just as awkward…preface: what I am about to say is NOT to water down anything or to take any power away from the Gospel. But, when a message is given it is a good idea to remember that (hopefully) there are people there that aren’t familiar with the bible, church “etiquette,” and other unspoken norms of your community. When we gather, the love we have for God and each other must spill over into the lives of those the Spirit may touch for the first time in our midst.

As a [church] leader I pray that day|twelve will be intentional about everything we do when we gather. It takes sacrifice to constantly think of someone who is not you…but, that’s sort of what we signed up for when we said “yes” to Jesus.

When the church teaches this, I see this happen: Guy (or girl) comes to [church]. Learns he needs to do better. Does good for a while. Then, he starts messing up again. Concludes church doesn’t work. Leaves. Or, he keeps coming and is constantly trying to “grind his way” to heaven.  Or, he is really good at being good and somehow his relationship with God is built on him being a good guy. He then thinks less of those who are not as good at being good as he is. (Tim Keller wrote a powerful little book called, Prodigal God, that addresses this issue.) He becomes proud, yet completely insecure in his salvation because, afterall, his salvation is built on his own good works. Bottom line is this…being good enough for God is a heavy burden to carry. An impossible one.

I’m learning more each day (I hope) that the Gospel is really all about God, the Cross, Jesus and the Spirit. It is about God’s redemptive work in this world. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with ANYTHING I do. The Gospel cannot be added to or taken away from. It cannot be categorized. It isn’t about being moral…it is purely grace, an undeserved gift to men and women. Will the Gospel have the effect of creating a more loving, caring, giving, and courageous person? It should. But being good won’t earn you the grace of the Gospel. I pray that the church doesn’t send the message that Gospel is about making you a good guy or girl. It is about breaking you down and bringing you to a place of total surrender and then releasing you to do more for His name than you could ever ask think or imagine. Being a good person is a cheap imitation of the Gospel-centered life.  Don’t settle for anything less than being broken at the foot of the Cross and fully embracing the Gospel. There, you become part of the unstoppable force that the Church is designed to be.