Do We Really Need to Plant More Churches?

Planting churches, or church multiplication as some call it, seems to be the popular church growth tool for all denominations these days. New churches of all kinds are popping up faster than new McDonalds did in the 60s and 70s. You can find one on almost every corner. While church planting has been around forever, over the last 5 years or so it's popularity has really ramped up. But do we really need more churches? Some would argue that a new church plant will see more people come to Christ in the first 7 years than an existing work. I'm not sure that is really true. While there are new converts most of the new church's growth occurs via transfer. People like something new and fresh so they hop over there. If that doesn't happen what is the long term viability of these churches? Many don't make it after 3 years. It seems we are planting churches more for the sake of planting churches rather than strategically. We place a church in a community already saturated with good bible believing churches thinking they need one more from a different denomination. Denominations will put similar churches within miles of each other. Unless a community is rapidly growing, this really is not a recipe for success. If the "pie" isn't getting any bigger we are only slicing it into more pieces. In other words these new churches aren't reaching the lost but just providing more choice for the local believer. With the average evangelical church running about 100 people, wouldn't it make more sense to put some of the time, money and other resources into helping these existing churches thrive and grow, rather than put another "just around the corner"? Occasionally we hear of a church plant that explodes from the get go and every church planter thinks that will be them. But that is the exception rather than the rule. Church planting is a long hard road of faithfulness and obedience and many ups and downs along the way. It is not for everyone. While assessments have gotten better as to who should plant we still see many who go in really unprepared for what lies ahead. For many this is the first time they have pastored on any level.

So should we plant more churches? Absolutely! But we need to be more strategic about it. We need to ask, is the community really growing? How many other good bible based churches already exist there? Are the fields really "ripe" for harvest? Is this really the right man for the job? I don't claim to know it all but what I see happening is these new works are mostly going into middle to upper middle class suburbs already saturated with good churches, with a few in the inner city. I have yet to hear of one going into a rural community or small town. I wonder why that is?

For the record, I LOVE church planting and church planters. I am one. I just think we need to do it more strategically in the future. This way the lost will be reached, communities in need will be impacted and these churches will have a greater chance for long term success.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

Moses or Joshua

Moses or Joshua? Who was more successful? Moses faithfully led the Israelites without ever getting to the promised land. God showed it to him but he never got there before he died. Joshua it seems reaped all the benefits of Moses long time of faithfulness and obedience to God. That's not to say Joshua was not just as faithful or obedient because he was. He was doing what God had for HIM to do. He was the one chosen to bring the people into the promised land.

In the church we have pastors who are Moses and those who are Joshuas. The Moses pastors plant and plow, sometimes for years never really realizing the harvest. Then a Joshua comes in an "Boom!" We have a tendency in the church culture to celebrate the Joshuas as highly successful and the Moses as failures. Why? Because of how we gauge success. That being how many people are in a church, that is, "church growth". The pastor who plants and faithfully plows in obdeince but never gets those high attendence numbers is deemed a failure. Yet he is just as successful because of his faithfulness and obedience, something that God wants from all of us regardless of visible results.

As pastors we may have seasons during our ministry. There may be times when God asks us to be a Moses and others when we will be privileged to be a Joshua. This could happen in one place or in multiple places as God leads.  Whatever role God has you in embrace it and do what he tells you. Don't listen to the naysayers or so called experts. And when God tells you to move, move. Don't stay somewhere because you want to. Because you are achieving "success". Remember pastoring is a calling not a career path (or at least that's what it should be). As such we need to be sensitive to the Spirit. Sometimes that means we need to embrace our role and sometimes that means we need to move. Again, whatever it is be faithful and obedient and you will never go wrong.

And to all of you who are not pastors, stop judging ministries and pastors based on church size or other numbers. Take a good look at the man. What is his heart? Is He faithful and obedient regardless of our measure of success? Or is he out to build a career?

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

What Do You See?

Over the last couple of years we have seen an increase of panhandlers in our area. They sit on the corners of our shopping and restaurant district, usually at a stoplight. They hold a sign to let us know they are homeless and have a family to feed. Many will wave to you as you drive by. For a long time I thought things like, "Great there goes our town" or "Why don't you just go get a job". Several months ago the local paper did a piece on these men and woman. It gave them a chance to share their story. These are not criminals. They are not lazy people. They are people with families, some who used to hold good jobs but are victims of this economy, and some have made some bad choices in the past. That started to change my view, but slowly. Then recently I felt the Holy Spirit compel me to not only give a little something, but to also talk to them. It took several weeks but this week I finally did it. What I found was exactly what was reported in the paper. These are good people going through hard times trying to get by until something changes for the better. I was glad I stopped and could make a small contribution. It was well worth it.

What do you see when you see people like this? Do you judge them? Are you skeptical? I realize some of you might think I was stupid or a sucker to be roped in by these "con men", but that's ok because I don't.

Jesus said this:

Matthew 25:34-46 New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you  did for me.’⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

We are to take care of the those in need. Feed them and clothe them. What has always amazed me is that people will travel thousands of mies around the world to do this for people in another country, but take a harsh attitude towards those in a similar situation right there in their own neighborhood. 

Friends we are to reflect Jesus and everyday, everywhere and every time we are given an opportunity to do that, but we need to obey. We need to respond to the prompting of the spirit.

So when you see someone like this what do you see? A lazy beggar or Jesus?

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

The Future of Church

Recently I read an article that said something to the effect that 50% of all church goers attend Mega churches. Wow! That got me to thinking. Is the church headed in the same direction as healthcare? Let me explain. In most cities that have multiple hospitals you will find that just about all of the smaller ones are aligned with one or two larger ones that have formed a "Network" or "System" In the Cleveland market (which is near where I live) A hospital is either a part of the Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals network. Those who are not are really struggling or have closed. The same is probably true in your city. It's been the trend that began about 25 years ago.

Now look at the church. The Mega Churches are setting up satellites or other "campuses" all the time and in more and more cases they are taking over smaller churches struggling to make it on their own. Could the day be coming where there are less and less churches and if a church is not part of a larger church that church will cease to exist simply because the smaller cannot compete? With the consumer mentality of both the current church attender and the one who is searching this could be a real possibility. People come looking for the best programs, the best worship, the best light show and dare I say, the best bathrooms. Smaller churches do not have the funds or human resources to measure up. What they excel at, strong relationships family atmosphere, knowing your leaders, is become less and less important. People come and like what that see but crave the assets of the larger church.

I really don't know if this is good or bad but I do think this is coming. As long as the truth is being taught, the people are growing, being cared for and going out to share the gospel the structure of the church doesn't matter. Personally I prefer a smaller church. However it is getting harder and harder for the small church to survive. Just like it is for the small hospital. My hope and prayer is that rather than our churches wind up like healthcare with take overs and closures, the church would rise up and simply help each other by sharing resources so that all can not just survive, but thrive, ministering and meeting the needs of not just their congregations but their communities.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

It's not you, It's me

George Costanza from the classic comedy "Seinfeld" said he invented the phrase, "It's not you, it's me".  This is a phrase many have used when trying to explain the end of a dating relationship. While in that context it is more about assigning blame, it can also be a statement of accountability. With that in mind let's now consider this.

Recently I read a Facebook post from an individual who had visited a new church. While giving their impressions of this first time visit they stated, "I have never experienced God's presence like I did today" (not a direct quote but paraphrase). After chewing on this statement for a while it hit. Really??? (this person was not a new believer and while I don't know how many churches they have been to it was clear this was at least their second). Here's the point experiencing God's presence should have nothing to do with where we are, whose praying, preaching or leading worship, how good the band is, how "cool" the lighting is. In other words if you can't enter into His presence don't blame the preacher, the worship leader, or the church. Blame yourself. Better yet ask yourself why you can't enter in? Far too many believers love to play this blame game and go church hopping in search of that perfect place. But honestly, if you need to find a certain church or environment to enter His presence than I think you are missing it because we should be able to enter in to His presence no matter where we are if our heart is right and if we are really hungry for Jesus. This is one of the top reasons we see church hoppers (shoppers?).

So if you're having trouble entering in this Sunday, don't look at the pastor. Don't look at the worship leader or band. Don't look at the people around you. Look in the mirror and realize it's not them it's you. Be accountable and stop blaming others.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

Building His Kingdom or Our Own?

Today on Christian radio I heard an ad for a church promoting their church, the current series and inviting people to come. This really troubled me. While most would think that makes sense, a church ad on a Christian station, it got me to thinking is that what should be done? Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with that if that's what a church chooses to do but for me that is directed at building a church and not the kingdom. Not too many unbelievers will be hearing that ad if any, so the ad will only be reaching believers who for the most part will have a church. So is the ad directed toward getting them to come to yours because you may have better programs and "cooler" worship? What's the purpose for such an ad? It seems to me if a church wants to use media to reach the lost it would make more sense to use the mainstream media that the unbeliever is listening to or watching, to let them know your message and where you are. To me this is another example of building a church but not the kingdom. Essentially building our own little kingdom. Like it or not most church growth is transfer growth, people hopping from church to church because one has better music, a better kid's program or the pastor is a better preacher. This is what these type of ads do. But what if we focused more on kingdom growth? Concerning ourselves more with the things and people outside our walls as much if not more than inside. I believe if we are actively sharing our faith with others, not our church God will be very pleased, His kingdom will grow, and guess what? So will our churches.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

What Do YOU Smell Like?

As believers we are to to be a sweet aroma to God. Yet we stink. People, and God do not want to be around us. Our thoughts, words and how we conduct our lives are not a sweet aroma but rather a foul stench. Why? Because we haven't taken the whole transformation thing very seriously. Our thoughts aren't pure and lovely. Our talk is filthy, our words untimely and we don't speak life to other. Our lives don't imitate God. We don't love like he does. We don't practice holiness. We are no different than we were before and we smell. If we don't clean up who would ever want to stick around to listen to us share the gospel message.

It's time for the church to clean themselves up and be a true reflection of Christ. No one will be attracted to someone who smells like a dead skunk, but everyone will be drawn to the sweet aroma of Jesus.

Let's go hit the showers.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

It's Time

Sorry it's been a while but here we go:

Over the last several months I have been more and more stirred that the church needs to wake up. Not just our church but the entire church and in America in particular. This was further confirmed when I received the book "Whirlwind" written by a great man of God and missionary to the city of Cincinnati David Hill. If you have not yet read the book this is a MUST READ for anyone who calls them self a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Here's the deal. It's time for the church to wake up. It's time for us to stop going to God for "Our Best Life Yet" or worldly riches. Are nice things bad? Is it bad to enjoy this life? Not at all. But it's time to stop making this the focus of our faith. It's time to stop taking and start giving. It's time we wake up to the fact that the purpose of the Holy Spirit, the purpose of Pentecost is for one thing. This power from the Spirit is to share the gospel. This is the power to take the gospel message wherever and to whoever God leads us. We have to realize it's time to awaken from our comfortable Christianity and start getting about what is the heart of God. Jesus told His disciples to GO and bring the gospel to all nations. That is our Commission. How "blessed" we are with stuff in this life is really isn't what matters. This isn't a call just for pastors or missionaries either, but rather for ALL believers. But we have to wake up to the urgency of the hour.

It's time friends. As the song says, "It's time for a sacrifice, It's time that we paid the price". What are you going to do?

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

Faith, Even If....

Last night we were having a little discussion of what faith in God really is. So often as believers we have bought into a teaching on faith that in reality is simply a bunch of nonsense that has done nothing except at the very least frustrate some and often causes discouragement and in some cases cause people to walk away from the Lord completely. Why? Because it is more of a formula to get what we want from God. What happens when we don't? Well the response is, "You must not have had enough faith" or "You may have doubted too much". Friends, faith is not some force or power you can possess. It’s not a super confidence that God will do what you want, if you just believe really hard, whatever that means. It’s not a formula to get whatever you want. It’s not positive thinking. It’s not removing all doubt or fear from your mind. This kind of thinking is what has lead many people to have faith in their faith because to them it’s like some special power. Ok then so what is faith? Faith is simply belief and trust. Belief in God and Jesus. Believing He is who He says He is and can do what He says he can do. Believing He is all powerful, all knowing, and all seeing. Faith trusts Him with our lives completely. It is trusting God enough to do what he tells us to do. Trusting that He will deliver on what He has promised. It’s a letting go of the steering wheel, if you will, sitting back and enjoying the ride, while he "drives the bus of your life." All the while looking forward to an eternal reward. Even if…. Even if you don't get what you think you need or want. Even if you don't get healed. Even if your child dies. Even if you always seem to struggle in life. Faith is both a single action, as when we make Jesus Lord of our lives, and a continual process, as we live out our lives daily. When we want to know what faith is it is important to read ALL of Hebrews 11. It is then when we see this truth come to life.

So friends have faith IN GOD, not in your faith. Walk in faith focused on the eternal. Not to get more stuff for this life.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul

One Year Later

Next week it will be one year since the abrupt passing of our son Michael. As I look back one year later these thoughts come to mind:

One year later it still hurts

One year later I still cry

One year later I still wonder why

One year later I still feel empty

One year later I still wonder what could have been

One year later life is very different

One year later I still wait for him to come down the stairs

One year later our family is still missing a piece

One year later I still remember everything about that awful day

But also,

One year later I still have hope

One year later I still can laugh

One year later I still can enjoy life and family

One year later I am more sensitive

One year later I am more compassionate

One year later I am still thankful

One year later I still have faith

One year later I still love God

No one should ever have to bury their child but sometimes this happens and it happened to us. Our lives will never be the same. There will forever be a hole in our hearts. That will never change. Yet one year later in spite of the loss and pain I see God holding us up and preparing us to one day soon do the same for someone else who may also unfortunately share this tragic nightmare.

Friends, there is an expression, "Life is too short", and it is true. In a moment it could be all over. So live life to the fullest. Have no regrets. Love your family and tell them so. Apologize when you need to. You never know when you may never again get the chance.

Until next time,

Pastor Paul