Church Planting Basic Training, Part 2

Why Should I Invest My Life in a Church Plant?

When my father was a child, growing up in a pastor’s home, the culture in the church circles of which he was a part envisioned two levels of Christians. There were the Christians who just did normal things and then there were the Christians who did spectacular things. The common designation for those in the second category was, “He is on fire for the Lord.” And in those circles, to be “on fire for the Lord” meant either being a pastor or a missionary.

But the New Testament doesn’t categorize Christians that way. Instead, to be simplistic, Christians are categorized as sheep and shepherds, or church members and leaders. And both “categories” work together toward a common good: the establishment of biblical, Christ-exalting local churches which honor the Head of the Church. Sheep without shepherds run amuck and shepherds without sheep languish in need of a mission. So, if you are in the vast majority of those designated more as “sheep” in the church, you are a key ingredient to being part of a church-planting quest. Let me suggest four reasons to invest your life in a church plant?

You Join the Ranks of Ancient Believers Such as Lydia

Acts 16 tells the story of Lydia’s conversion under Paul’s preaching outside of Philippi. After coming to faith in Christ, she became a key component to the new church of Philippi, providing space for the fledgling church to gather. And for her faithfulness she is immortalized in the pages of the New Testament. But you are no less responsible, and this opportunity is no less available to you.

You Demonstrate to Your Family the Priority of the Gospel

Planting a church is not for the faint of heart or the lazy of character. It involves hard work, commitment, prayer, money, and long-range faith. But the years of trusting the Lord, praying as a family in your own living room, and doing everything from setting up chairs to hosting Bible studies in your home will leave an indelible mark on your family as to what is truly important.

You Deposit Another Flag for Christ in a Dying World

Planting a church is a tangible way of participating in Christ’s program of adding kingdom citizens to heaven’s ranks. Certainly, the faithful believer who serves quietly in an established local church is continuing the work originated by others. But consider the Apostle Paul whose heart throbbed with the desire to preach where the gospel had not been heard (Romans 15:20). Church-planting is taking ground for the kingdom in the name of Christ.

“Church-Planting Basic Training” is a series of 15 short bullet-point style articles aimed at encouraging Christians in the appropriate situation to consider engaging in a long-term church-planting project.