Questions to ask a young white church planter who wants to do a cross-cultural church plant; some of these apply to People of Color as well. WHY? 1. Why are you doing this, or attempting to do it? What has motivated you to do what can be a very difficult work? FRIENDS? 2. Do you have any close friends who are People of Color or the ethnic group among whom you wish to plant? Who do you hang out with? Do you know how to be a friend or are you simply a religious professional? HOMEWORK? 3. Have you done your homework in terms of cultural, ethnic, historic, and sociological studies of the people groups among whom you will work? Have you read not only social science work but art, novels, essays, etc.? CULTURAL LEARNING! 4. How are you learning the culture; are you going to an ethnic church, listening and trying to understand the popular music as well as religious music, watching shows, films, documentaries, interacting with the people of the community on a social, culinary, …
Core Values
THE BEST THING I CAN DO
THE BEST THING I CAN DO! What’s the most important thing that I can do with my life, according to my calling that will make an impact against racism, work toward reconciliation, and the Kingdom of God? My answer to that question is to plant churches, really good and relevant cross-cultural churches within communities of need. I believe the “best” thing that I can do is to help plant churches that are Gospel preaching, grace driven and empowered, holistic loving communities that care about their neighborhoods and the broader social and cultural environment. Some people feel called to fight racism, some are called to preach and call for reconciliation, some are called to pursue economic community development. I can agree and cooperate with these brothers and sisters in many ways, especially if they love Jesus and hold to the truth of his Word. I learn many things from them, willingly participate in some of their efforts, and pray God give them success as they do things …
CHURCH PLANTING AND EVANGELISM
One of the problems of finding qualified church planters, (and that phrase needs explanation) is that one needs certain basic things before one can, or should, plant a church. A “qualified church planter” is something that his sending agency determines. That agency asks the question, “can this person, in our estimation, have a reasonable chance at success in planting a new church?” They ask this question because to some level they are going to invest resources into this church planter and into the effort. Will those resources produce a product, i.e., a new church? Or, will these resources be wasted when they could have been used for someone else they expect will actually succeed? We believe that God (if he chooses) can use just about anybody to plant a church, so obviously any agency, or church, or church organization, can be wrong in estimating potential for success. This does not make them wrong in giving prayerful …
CALLING FOR COMPROMISE
Personal DisclosureSome personal disclosure as I write on this subject. One of my sons is part of the federal work force that is working without pay. So, for me this is personal. My son tries very hard to be apolitical and he doesn’t like to engage in political discussions. He is a loyal and sacrificing American, a combat veteran, and has an essential job in security for our nation. These are not his opinions as he is just trying to do his job, take care of his family, and survive these difficult times. Some of the things I say will be vehemently opposed by those who are partisan. They completely support the president or adamantly oppose him, no matter what he does. I may fail in my attempt to take a neutral position here, but I am sincere in seeking to honestly discuss and analyze what I think is going on, and on some possible scenarios for what may happen, or could happen.It Should Be Possible to …
STAYING UNDER THE UMBRELLA
STAYING UNDER THE UMBRELLA“Can two walk together unless they be agreed?” Amos 3.3 If you have ever tried walking in the rain under an umbrella with another person then you know that it takes a bit of care and intentionality to actually share it. One has to work at keeping both of you under the umbrella otherwise someone is hanging out a little too much. The “guest” who is being included may not realize that the “host” who is holding the umbrella may be actually sacrificing themselves while trying to keep the guest under cover. The closer the two people get to the handle, and to each other, the more protected each will be. There can be a bit of awkwardness to sharing an umbrella. You might not be sure about how close you want to get to the other person. Will you be forced to put your arm around them, touch hands, shoulders, or hips? People are not always the same height, they don’t always walk at the same pace. How does this …
I WANT TO BE FAMOUS
“I want to be famous,” he told me. Now this was in a prayer session, and he obviously saw it as a struggle, but nevertheless it was a vivid and naked confession and I think it is right on target for many young men in ministry. How many times have I sung the hymn, “Father I Know That All My Life” and in it is the phrase, “content to fill a little space if Thou be glorified?” I sing it with conviction and passion because that is not a normal part of my desire. I think I was actually saying, “Lord, I want this to be true of me but I don’t think I am content to fill a little space.” I wanted to be famous too. I have a firm theological conviction that our mission is to make Jesus famous, not ourselves. Yet, as with many pastors and church planters, my conviction is not always as the same or consistent with my emotion, personality, and nature. We struggle with ambition, with ego, with competition. Our identity is tied up …
RECONCILIATION AND THE LAW OF PRAYER
Lex Talionis versus Lex Orandi. Say what? These are Latin phrases standing for the Law of Retaliation versus the Law of Prayer. I had never really thought about them in regard to racial reconciliation until I was listening to a lecture about Cyprian, a Bishop from North Africa, who had to deal with whether or not the Church should forgive those who had betrayed their faith (lapsi) during a time of persecution and made sacrifice or burned incense to the Emperor of Rome. We know the Law of Retaliation in terms of “An eye for an eye.” The Law of Prayer is the one found in Mark 11:25. In this passage Jesus is teaching about prayer. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Or, as when Jesus taught his disciples to pray what we call “The Lord’s Prayer,” he adds, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father …
THERE HAS GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS…
I feel caught between a rock and a hard place in the conflict between sympathy for the victims of sexual assault or abuse and the rule of law. Many of my friends cast this current conflict at the hearing for the Supreme Court in the light of power versus victims. Many people are simply saying, “believe the victim!” Others are reminding us that a person is considered innocent until “proven” guilty. I want to do both. If someone is indeed a victim I want to believe them, love on them, protect them, and even avenge them. Whatever in my feeble and inept ways I can I want to be there for them, try to understand, listen, and weep with those who weep. In my own family I have seen someone ripped apart by the abuse they suffered, and I admit that I will never adequately know how that has affected their fears, feelings, self-image, confidence, sense of security, and ability to trust. I have marveled at how …
ENTANGLING ALLIANCES
Someone has asked my opinion on local churches cooperating or interacting with other organizations, and possibly other ministries. What principles should we keep in mind, what practical issues might develop, and what are some of the perplexing perils in fulfilling our mission? I will try to integrate some of the “perplexing perils” (PP) as I articulate principles and practical issues. Here is a start to discussion.PRINCIPLES I write from the perspective of someone who was an urban pastor trying to reach and minister to poor people, and in a cross-cultural context.1. Know your own identity and mission as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is unique, it is essential, and it must not be compromised as to its Gospel message, call to conversion and discipleship, and moral and ethical integrity. (PP-If you care about the social conditions surrounding you the temptation might be to think the Church and its message are neither relevant …
GOD BLESS THE DEACONS!
I like Deacons. I honor the office of Deacon. I love the men and women who serve in the ministry of mercy throughout our churches. May the Lord bless them and give them a reward for what they do. Pastors and Elders need to value the ministry of Deacons, and they need to be thankful that they have them. Pastors need to brag on them and give them honor, encourage the congregation to hold the Deacons up in prayer, and to give them their cooperation as well as the physical and financial resources to do effective work. Some pastors simply want the Deacons to protect them from facility surprises, as in maintaining roofs, heating and air conditioners, grounds keeping, snow removal, clean bathrooms, etc. Some churches want them to make sure there are ushers, money counting, good budgeting, security, and parking lot attendants. All of these things are important, and the larger and more middle-class the congregation is than …