Gathering in South Jersey

Church planting involves building lots of relationships: some with people who believe like I do, others with people who believe differently, and some still with those who don't believe at all.

Why is this important? From my point of view, it relates to having faith in God's power and in His plan. He is at work in the world building His church and...this may shock some of my friends: he hasn't told me all the details yet.

As a result, I believe that every person I meet has some role to play (even if its small) in the work of the Gospel ministry God has called me to do.

Having said this, I also realize that it is important to set boundaries on the people I meet; at times, I have to say no for various reasons.

Still, relationships are key. This church planting coach and author, Gary Rohmeyer, has made this point well in his essay here.

Gary quotes author Ray Bakke as saying:

Pastors who network their communities, especially in the first year of a pastorate, may end up knowing that community better than any other person.  This upfront investment of time should pay rich dividends and provide the opportunity to help people… (The Expanded Mission of City Center Churches, p 53-4)

I like Bakke's emphasis on what's been called "common grace" aspects of ministry. I also relish the challenge to meet as many people here, in my mission field in South Jersey, as I can.

God is up to something. Its up to me to find out what exactly that is.

Here's the real challenge, however: gathering other believers who want to join me in this mission of "finding out" what God is doing. Its one thing for me to seek to build missional relationships; its another thing altogether when a whole Christian community is doing this.

So...what are you waiting for?