Friday, July 25, 2008
How to Plant a Church
Okay, I have heard that John Piper has preached a sermon that I think is called You Don't know how to Plant a Church. I have no idea if that is the name of it or not. It could be that he just talked about that. Either way, I don't know how to find it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
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The only thing I have personally ever heard Piper say was this, which is entitled, "I Will Build My Church". I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but it is powerful and worth listening too either way.
Hope this helps!!
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByDate/2007/2310_I_Will_Build_My_Church/
That's the one.
I listened to it last night. Very encouraging. Thanks Summer and Jim.
Great. I sent that out to every member of Christ Baptist when I first heard it.
Confession: I'm a church planter and I don't know how to plant a church.
I think the key to church planting is summed up in what Jesus said. On this rock I will build my church.
The key word is I. Christ builds the church.
If you have gotten the call to plant a church, you must depend fully on Christ to work in and through your life. He will direct your path. He will gather those to you who will be the congregation. He will provide the funds. He will make it clear as day what you are to do.
I'm not discounting the wise counsel of other Godly men, but I think Jesus will put these men in your way, giving you direction by their words.
The heart of any congregtation is the common purpose given to them by God himself. This is revealed through relationships when you see what each person God will lead you to brings to the congregation, assuming by planting a church, you mean starting a congregation of believers.
Depend on God to lead you to these people. Depend on God to build these relationships. Depend on God's timing. Don't discount how God will work in and through his people. Trust God. Dont' wait to get started. Do wait on His leadership. Starting begins with conversations with the Master.
It is important not to get caught up in the importance of numbers to start a church. I read a very good book recently that stated seventy-five percent of all tithes come from the ten percent of members who are truly saved while the other twenty-five percent of tithes come from the other ninety percent of churchgoers. If this statistic is true, then it would make logical sense that it would be the same when it comes to service within the church as well.
We missed you last night for Wednesday night gathering.
As I was cleaning out my pack rat, I found something for you about "101 Ways to assist new NC Church Plants". This is more of how to assist a new church plants instead of how to plant a Church. This was something before we got Justin as our pastor for CBCW. I don't know if this would help or not.
As for the "I will Build My Church" is a wonderful video to watch and very short too. I do remember that very well.
In Christ Alone,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion
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