Specifics. Give us the specifics.
People want details. If you are reading this, you probably want details. I want details. But building something from scratch is not exactly science where we get to observe the details of things already done under a microscope. No, planting a church is more craft at this stage — formative and iterating.
”How should an artist begin to do his work as an artist? I would insist that he begin his work as an artist by setting out to make a work of art.” ― Francis A. Schaeffer, Art & the Bible
There are some specific lessons we are learning
- Shortcuts are foolish fantasies — planting a churches is a big undertaking, with many moving parts, and lining up each individual piece is rather important. At the same time, it is a mystery. The Lord will have to do this. We have no idea where these people are going to come from, where the resources will come from, and sometimes, where to start. We are thankful for the Residency process and we are learning to run from shortcuts. This church will be built one day at a time, through faithfulness on our part and grace from the Lord. One writer says there are two absolute necessities: The skill to understand the domain, to do the work, to communicate, to lead, to master all of the details necessary to make your promise come true. All of which is difficult, but insufficient, because none of it matters if you don’t have… The passion to see it through. The willingness to find a different route when the first one doesn’t work. The certainty that in fact, there is a way, and you care enough to find it. Amazingly, this is a choice, not something requiring certification.
- God is detail-specific — God is not kidding around. The Lord intends for His Word to be taken seriously. He will be praised by every tribe, tongue, and people. And He is not just interested in the results, but in the path. As the Israelites were standing there about to be launched, not sure of what was next, not even really sure why they were standing, they needed to believe God had spoken and needed to act upon that belief. I love how Edith Schaeffer puts it.
“There may have been a lot of discussion. However the demonstration that proved the importance of acting upon God’s command, ws soon to be a vivid one, never to be forgotten. Do you suppose the families who awakened to hear the screaming out because of the death of their sons, ever forgot the sound of those wails? Do you suppose the mothers and fathers, who had believed and had carefully chosen a lamb, killed it, and put the blood on the doorposts, ever forgot the result of finding their sons safe and well in the morning? Do you suppose the sons who were alive because the lamb had died, ever forgot the reality of what had taken place… Fanciful? Not at all. Simply the detail-perfect picture of a detail-perfect God. The Lord did not leave His people — nor any others who cared enough to seek Him with all their hearts — without understanding. In each moment of history there was sufficient knowledge given in order that the one’s believing might act upon that belief, and come through the lamb pointing ahead… The command is that they must remember and do something outwardly to show forth the inward memory.” — Edith Schaeffer, Christianity is Jewish
There are plans being formed and details being worked out, but they are currently less “Paint-By-Numbers” and more Jackson Pollock. Like the Israelites launching out before us, we would love to know more of the plan, but we rest in the confidence of God. He knows what He is doing and we are getting to be front-row reporters. Our prayer is for people to join us in looking to the one who holds the details, who crafted all creation, and who is able to do this work. We are praying for God to turn this splatter paint start into a masterpiece for His glory.
”The Christian should be the man with the flaming imagination and the beauty of creation.” ― Francis A. Schaeffer, He Is There and He Is Not Silent
