Live your theology.

Just started it last night.  So far, so good but even though it seemed like I clicked ‘next page’ on the kindle 338 times, I’m still chilling at 1% complete.  So there’s that.

Outside of reading this, there’ s been a whole lot of Greeking & Hebrewing.  I’ve been preaching once a month at the Columbia Bible Presbyterian Church in Scappoose, OR for the past two months (sermons here).

Break time is over, though, so I’ll get back to blogging.  You’re welcome (I kid, I kid).

Total Recall: Accurate Science Fiction

Seminary has been really good at keeping me from blogging, but I wanted to post a link to my favorite take on the TSA issue.  Josh Reighley of Fingertoe points out an enduring truth that’s being revealed through this whole kerfuffle.

Not sure if you’re a fan of Owl City (I like), but here’s a rendition of In Christ Alone.

Via: DegreeSearch.org

Here we have a straightforward & unique post on planting churches.  Rather than espousing the “planting is a hard grind, you’ve got to tough it out no matter how long” approach, it takes a look at the possibility that the non-responsive plant isn’t meant to happen (think Paul in Athens).

The logic was simple: if God has called, God will provide. If God is not providing, perhaps you’re misreading his call.

Unfortunately, no one is giving church planters a similar litmus test. We tell them that it’s going to be hard and difficult and they’d better be ready for a beating. As a result, many naïve young men assume that the harder and more difficult the work is, the more they’re in the center of God’s will. Sometimes, that’s true. But not always.

So let me propose a litmus test for church planters: if you’ve been at it for a year and haven’t gathered 30 adults around your vision, you might need to hang it up. At the very least, you need to ask some hard questions that you might not want to ask.

Of course there are exceptions to the rule. The problem is: every church planter thinks he’s the exception to the rule. So I’m going to do the unpopular work of telling you that you’re probably not. I’ll trust the Spirit and wise mentors to tell you otherwise if they need to.

If you can’t gather 30 people in a year, maybe you’re working in hard soil and God is calling you to be faithful for another year. But maybe you just don’t have the visionizing and entrepreneurial aptitude to start a church from scratch. If that’s the case, you need to have the humility to admit it. It’s wisdom – not failure! – to acknowledge your gifting and find a role in ministry that fits it.

I know there are some current/former/prospective church planters that read.  What do you think?  Did/do you have a “breaking point” where you’ll cease & desist with the planting?