Ablaze!

I know its ironic to have a blog post on a Christian web site trying to persuade you from using electronic media to communicate about outreach to Muslims. However, this is the best opportunity I have address a practice that is leading to the persecution of Christians in the United States, especially new converts from Islam. The practice is putting information about mission work among Muslims, especially prayer requests listing the names of converts, on electronic media.

A North Carolina teenager inadvertedly became a sermon illustration. The teen thought being buried in the sand on Bald Head Island, NC sounded fun. However, he didn't think through the idea too deeply. He chose to be buried below the surf line. In other words, when the surf came in, the sand got wet, and he could not escape the sand. This brought to my mind Jesus' teaching on discipleship. He said we are called to "count the cost" before responding to our Lord's call to follow Him (Luke 14). Wise words for daily life as well.

President Terry Cripe's letter announcing the Ohio District's intent to see 60 new churches started has raised questions. Why do we need 60 more churches? Where will these churches be planted? Are there 60 Pastors with the skills and desire to plant churches in the entire synod? How can our church participate in planting these churches?

Throughout 2009 posts in this blog will answer most if not all of the questions. In order prime the pump a little I'll close 2008 with a post concerning the single most important change necessary for this vision to become a reality: The responsibility for starting new churches must shift from the district staff to local congregations. Congregations need to start daughter churches instead of the district starting new congregations.

This change in strategy was decided before I joined the Ohio District staff. I probably would have declined the call if this change were not made. I have planted daughter churches 20 miles from home and planted a district sponsored church 1,800 miles from home. That experience taught me that the local congregation knows the needs of the community much better than the outside church planter. The local church already has members in the community being evangelized to share in the work. Prayer support is stronger when the planter has personal relationships before the new church is launched.

It was affirming to find that a majority of the respondents to the Ohio District New Church Survey 2008 agree. The following statement was in the survey: "Local congregations, not Ohio District staff, should be responsible for ensuring new churches are started." Sixty-three percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement while six percent disagreed or strongly disagreed. The survey also also had the opposite statement: "The Ohio District staff, not local congregations, should be responsible for ensuring new churches are started." Eighty-seven percent of those who responded marked "disagree" or "strongly disagree" to this statement. Five percent strongly agreed while no one marked "agreed."

Bottom line: If the Ohio District staff had to locate all the places for mission churches, had to raise all the funds and had to find all the church planters 60 new churches, it would be almost impossible to get the work done. However, with 175 churches starting to focus on new church starts, instead of one district, suddenly 60 new churches isn't nearly as daunting.

Check this space regularly for more answers to the questions concerning the 60 New Churches challenge.