While it can be uncomfortable, it is also an opportunity to return to a more biblical model—one where parents disciple their own children and young people are viewed not simply as consumers of programs, but as potential disciple‑makers themselves.
Throughout Scripture, rapid, organic growth often occurred in environments saturated with prayer, faith, and the miraculous. They were not dependent on outsiders.
When our children were small, they loved being tossed into the air by their father. The higher they went, the louder their laughter—and the more urgently they cried, “Again, Daddy!” They trusted him completely. They believed in his strength to throw them and his love to catch them every time. Their joy came from total confidence that they would not fall. God invites us into that same kind of relationship.
“I must be doing something wrong,” she thought. They had been working for almost ten years in a restricted access nation. They’d pressed through to learn the language, worked hard to build relationships and led a few people to the Lord. Talking with a key church planting movement mentor she asked, “What are we doing …
Fear restricts, love releases. If you love those you lead and train, you will release them. You’ll take risks of faith, believing in the Spirit of God within trainees to make wise choices. Image credit: https://www.sawinery.net/
As we see from the two stories above, not all people and not all groups will be sustainable. Jesus told his disciples this parable because He didn’t want them to be dismayed when groups fell apart or people lost interest. We need to persevere and keep sharing.
Thousands of new churches rapidly starting…a Jesus movement sweeping through…bringing transformation! Our hearts are stirred. We want to be a part. “It would be so amazing if that could happen in my area,” we think. After a few months (or years) of effort, things may not be happening quite as you expected. You’ve prayed, fasted, …
Pioneering is tough. One can feel alone, overwhelmed, and under-resourced. Partnerships are sometimes a great solution to this sense of isolation. They may bring powerful solutions to the starkly felt gaps in the team or ministry. Or, they can cause even more problems. Some kinds of partnerships later become obstacles for those wanting to release …
They stood in front of my gate, a group of angry men. Impatiently, they rang the gatebell again and again. They came with demands. Emotions ran strong. Who were they? Angry Hindu fundamentalists? No. Surprisingly (or not), they were a group of Christian pastors from our city. A sometimes unexpected obstacle we frequently face in …
Burnout! A common condition we hate to see fellow workers walk through. Depression. A mental health issue more common in ministry leader’s lives than you would think. Marital difficulty or divorce. Again, not unusual. Heart attack! Almost predictable in busy leaders who don’t take care of their health. As I write that, I think about …