Gathering in South Jersey

Church planting often draws questions from people, such as, "Why plant a church if there are already so many churches out there?"

One answer I often give is this: we are planting a church for people who don't go to church.

Studies show that new church starts are more effective in connecting, building relationships with, and ingathering non-Christians and non-church goers than established churches are. There are many factors in that dynamic, but one relates to the way new churches engage people who already profess faith.

What does this mean? Click below to read more.

One of the purposes of pastoral ministry is discipleship, or "equipping." Picture an NFL player, say, Drew Brees, on the field in loafers and a blazer and tie last night instead of suited up, as he was, in all of his high tech padding. Would he be ready to play?

Of course not; Mr. Brees would not have been properly equipped.

Likewise, the pastor-teacher is ordained by God to equip the saints, writes St. Paul, "for works of service, so that the body of Christ might be built up."

Tomorrow I'll talk more about what this should look like, but for now, ask yourself this question: which metaphor better describes the church? A container to be filled up, or a tool to be sharpened for use?