Confessions of a Sponsoring Church Plant Pastor

From time to time I will be giving some principles and lessons I am learning as we plant Hope Community Church @Old North Dayton. The first preview service this past Sunday night took off  and what a great blessing it was.  There were 92 in attendance and one that we know of invited Christ into their life.

We have been involved in several church plants, but never the sponsoring church. This night was special and we believe this work is going to be special. 21 of our folks made the trip and we had a great time of serving, worshiping, along with the fellowship that followed.

Here it goes:  A few confessions as the pastor of a church that is sponsoring a church plant. 

Here are 10 initial thoughts.

             #1. There has to come a time where you quit talking about planting a  church it and just do it.    #2.  It is a great blessing to see a traditional church recognize that God wants to use us in other  places. It energizes the home church. # 3.  Sponsoring a church will cost you.  There is no cheap way to do it. # 4. Sponsoring a church may cost you people.  God will bless. # 5. It is crucial for you to have a plant pastor that is trained for the task  ahead. #6. One church can't do it by themselves.  I praise the Lord for the partners  He has given Hope Community. # 7.  I am amazed that many pastors claim to be planting a church, yet offer no support,  whether  in  the area of people or finances. # 8.  Planting a church is not for the lazy. #9.  I respect our church planter.  He seems to respect me. We are learning from each other. #10. Not sure why it has taken 19 years for me and us to get to this point in ministry.    
The best is yet to come.

Mr. Know It All!

Today I returned from the Woodstock Church Planting School that came to Columbus. Had a great time with our Church Plant Pastor Randy Chestnut and came away with a few new takeaways. Lessons that God used to once again humble this Camden pastor. #1 Church Planters have to walk by faith #2 Church planters have a Heart to reach the Kingdom #3 Not all church planters are young #3 Church planters must partner to survive #4 Church planters are more concerned about conversion growth rather than transfer growth. #5 Church planters work hard. #6 I have pre judged many young planters thinking they thought they knew it all. God forgive me. These planters have a great deal to teach me. Lord help us to be reminded that we are laborers in the field .... Together...We need you and we need each other.

Reality Check!

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. Ps. 56:3

With Stacy's fast approaching wedding date of June 9, it is hard to believe that time is drawing near. A member called with a word of encouragement and asked me to read the devotion from Lifeway's Stand Firm for April 9.

Wayne Watson's lyrics to "The Class of 95" have a prophetic ring to them in the stage of life I now find myself as a husband, son, dad, and now two time Papaw!

"Every living thing is sure with time to come of age,

Just like girls and boys outgrow their toys and reach to turn the page,

So this is what I bargained for, A hushed hello and a rushed goodbye,

Old folks said I'd be amazed at how quickly time would fly,

Even so I'm thankful that God saw fit to lend,

this child into my unworthy hands, who's less a child now,

and more a friend...."

What's Wrong With Religion?

Last night I took part in a revival service and was blessed to hear one of our favorite evangelist, Dr. Ronnie Owens from Tennessee. Taken from Matthew 6, the question was asked, "Why do we do what we do?
The title of his message captivated me. "The Top Ten Things Wrong With Religion." I believe this is a message that every christian should hear, as well as those who do not know Christ and are searching.

Have you have ever found yourself in any of these? With his permission, here they are?

1. Religion is more interested in what you do, rather than who you are.

2. Religion is more concerned about coming to church than being the church.

3. Religion builds up a few to tear down everyone else.

4. Religion creates clones not changed lives.

5. Religion adds it's own set of rules to the Bible.

6. Religion complicates things. Jesus made it simple.

7. Religion asks the wrong questions. Do you go to church? The right question to ask is do you know Jesus?

8. Religious people are obsessed with recognition.

9. Religion looks good at first glance.

10.Religion cares more about keeping rules rather than relationships.

Lord forgive me when I fall into this rut. Just give me Jesus!

It's Not Just About Tim Tebow

The NBA's strike shortened season has already been forgotten, due largely to one Jeremy Lin, the young sensation who is turning the Knicks into real contenders.

He is humble, more interested in team, and takes public opportunities to glorify the Lord. Sounds a bit like a quarterback this year who played for the Bronco's doesn't it?

The lesson that I am learning is that God always has a person ready to step up and shine for Jesus. It will be interesting to see what the media does with the faith of Lin. The great thing is that young fans and the world of media are hearing the same message. It is Christ who has blessed and it is Christ who will be glorified by a consistent testimony.

Tebow at times seemed embarrassed by all of the attention. Let us pray for Jeremy Lin that He too will not allow the lights to take away the focus from the True Light.

Staying Hungry

Recently my daughter in law shared that our grandson Aiden is waking up in the morning now hungry and ready for breakfast. That is the sign of a healthy growing body desiring to be fed.

This year in my own spritual life, I want to wake up, live the day, and retire at night hungry to live in obedience to the Lord. As a Christian, too many times we desire to fill the hunger spot in our heart with the junk food of the world. I am asking God to give me and to give our church a hunger for the word of God this year like we have never had.

I have once again discovered that in reading through the Bible so far in 2012, that you don't have to go too far to find a sermon and an outline. The Bible speaks for itself and is the best source for sermon illustrations to support the text.

I am embarking on a self study of the Greek language. While I will never master a foreign language, I need all the tools I can get to help me be a better preacher and expositor of the Word of God.

Recently as a church, we have been surveying the Old Testament. I am humbled by how much I don't know, and challenged and stirred by how much we can know.


My prayer for myself, and my prayer for you. Lord keep us hungry!
Open your Bible and dig in! There is plenty for all of us.

Showing Up for Christmas

As we get closer to the 25th of December, I am really amazed at the conversation surrounding whether or not a church is going to have services on Christmas Day. My response is simply, "Are You kidding me?"

Christmas Day is the time we stop and celebrate as a family, the precious birth of Christ. What better place to be on Christmas morning than in worship. We go to Birthday parties all year long, but this Sunday marks one I don't want to miss.

I understand some reasoning for a person not able to make it. Away is understandable. If you have guests staying with you, bring them with you.

Kids want to enjoy Christmas. I certainly agree, and what better way to teach them what the priorities are in your life and family than to honor God on His day.

We don't know for sure the exact day that Christ was born. While that may be true according to the calendar, biblical history puts us in a very close time frame. This is the time when the world stops and celebrates Christmas.

How much more should a Christian and the church begin His day by saying thank you to the Lord for coming into this world to die for our sin. God with us came so that he could save us!

Light the candles! Jesus is born!

From Renee and our whole family, I wish you a Merry Christmas. See you Sunday!