I wonder if the very wording, language, concept of church planting proves we are behind the curve and missing the point. We are seeking to gather and develop a gospel centered congregation, that still seeks to be the goal of church planting.

What if there is more, what if it’s beyond gathering people. At the very center is the gospel, impacting peoples lives, drawing them closer to Jesus, to become more like him. We are asking people to enter a pilgrimage in their life to be a disciple of Jesus and walk with him.

By trying to plant churches it seems we still hold on to old ways, to old hopes, to what once worked in the past but no longer works. In our post-christian world, where there is more that are biblically illiterate then literate, we need to change how things are going. There needs to be something broader then thinking on trendy new ways to lure the masses, people, in. We need to move away from trying to be cool, hip, authentic to the culture we are in and recognize the gospel calls us to something that is counter culture, life giving, daily. It changes our world views.

I feel like I am moving beyond a simple desire to gather people together to support each other on the journey to know Jesus more, towards a parish understanding. I pastor people who are not part of a church, likely never will be, they are on various stages of the journey. My congregation is not something I can pull together each week, but yet it is individuals, and some groups all over the city I am in. People who I walk with in regular life and share gospel encounters. It could be my barber, my barista, a friend who needs help building a new business, virtually anyone.

At some point our lives intersect in daily life, we hang out, share hopes, build a relationship with each other moving towards a deep level where we can speak into each others life. Where I have chances in normal life to presence the gospel to them in ancient ways that effect their life, and slowly they move toward Jesus. There rarely is that 0-60 in one conversation where it’s a fresh relationship and in minutes I get to spew out the gospel and they believe. Instead it’s digging in, walking through highs and lows, loving on them beyond reason.

My church is my city, my congregation are the sojourners who I get the privilege of knowing. I’m busting out of the walls, the gathering expectations and looking to see where the gospel can met real needs daily. Someday will many of us gather regularly under one roof, honestly who knows, honestly I’m not that interested in pressing towards that. I want to see their lives become impacted by the gospel each time we meet. I want them where they are at, messy like me, to get a glimpse of the kingdom of God, to have that yeast worked into their bread. Then like a mustard seed invades a garden, so will the kingdom invade their life and the life of those around them.

For me, I will continue to be their pastor whether they or I know I am. I will continue to learn to walk and love like Jesus did, and learn to walk along side each person I get to know and draw them nearer to God. So you see I am moving beyond the idea of church planting, past this language, beyond the borders of what it implies and stretching the understanding of church and what it means to be a pastor. I firmly believe there is something fresh and new in this thinking.

Be blessed friends,

Paul

http://www.mannaxc.ca

@mannaxc

PS. God loves you more then you can possibly know. He wants you closer, restored to the glory he created for you, holiness. As his child he sees you as holy, pure, beautiful. Embrace that reality, you are a prince/princess in his court, worthy of his love.