Planting Sexy Churches

[Before you read, please know that I'm not attacking a church model.  We need all types of churches to reach all types of people.  But I am challenging a certain mindset among some church planters and leaders. Should you disagree, leave a comment and let's reason this out biblically. Thank you.]

Luke 15 is hands down one of my favorite sections in all of Scripture.  If you recall, Jesus is “caught” by the Pharisees getting his grub on with sinners and tax collectors.  Oh, the scandal! As they criticize him for the company he keeps, Jesus hits back with three stories that reveal his heart as he talked about a lost son, a lost coin, and a lost sheep.

In the parable of the lost sheep, you’ll see the shepherd leave the ninety-nine sheep to go find the one that is lost. When he finds it he throws it over his shoulders, carries it back, and throws a party.  Something valuable was missing and now is found.  Then Jesus tells us that in the same way, Heaven celebrates over one sinner (like you and me) turns a one-eighty than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need to.

There are many layers to this passage but when I read it I can’t help but think about church planting and how there is a easy way and the right way to build churches.

The easy way is to start a sexy church for the ninety-nine.  All you have to do is be more attractive than other churches in your area.  Soon enough, you’ll have lots of Christians from other churches joining.  You’ll grow quickly and be heralded as the next big thing in church planting world.  Blogs subscribers, Twitter followers, and speaking invitations will come.  Success for your church is breaking attendance records and your mission is to keep that attendance chart rising.  Congratulations Mr. Church Planter, you are an excellent event planner and your sexy church can put on a great show.  At least until something sexier comes along.

Hear my heart- I’m all for inviting environments and I do believe numbers matter. I want as many as possible to follow Jesus.  I’m just wondering which numbers matter most. The ninety-nine or the one?

All churches agree that Jesus should be at the center of any healthy church.  He is the object of worship.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  We love Jesus and want to do what he says and be more like him.

I find it interesting that God could have entered human history as a sexy beast, but he didn’t according to Isaiah 52:2.  I suppose if Jesus was incredibly good-looking, people could have said his disciples followed him because of his movie-star looks.  But that wasn’t the case. Instead, people were drawn to Jesus because he was Jesus.  People were added daily to the early church because Jesus is Jesus.  Today, people are still compelled to Jesus because he is still Jesus.

If Jesus is right (and he is), then the right way to start a church is to share his heart for the one who’s lost.  And if Luke 15 is any indication, we don’t wait for them to find us.  We go find them!

If our churches are like Jesus, we don’t prepare a fancy table for the ninety-nine.  We go and sit at the table of the one(s). The point isn’t for the ninety-nine to come to our sexy church show, it’s for the one to come to Jesus.

As many as possible.

And we can party like mad when they do!

Tags: attractional church, Church, Church Planting, missional church

Project Church Reflections (video)

Some reflections following Saturday night’s gathering at Project Church.

(RSS readers: Click here to view the video)

Tags: Church, Church Planting, missional church, project church, video

Misunderstanding Missional Church

I know for some, the missional church seems like the trend du-jour.  As I read through articles, blogs, and books, I’m noticing that there are strong opinions about the missional church from many church leaders.  And while I don’t pretend to speak for every missional leader, I would like to address a handful of these common misperceptions.

The missional church is a new idea
Perhaps the word, “missional” is a recent discovery to our vernacular, but it’s been around for a while (since the 1800’s).  However, the command to “Go and make disciples…” has been around for a couple of thousand years.  And the missio dei, the mission of God, has been around since the fall of humanity.   It’s not a new idea.  It’s a return to an ancient call to be the church Jesus had in mind. No trend here, just obedience.

The missional church believes gathering for worship is unnecessary
The misunderstanding here is the shift in thinking, “it’s all about Sunday” to “it’s all about everyday including Sundays.”  A church that doesn’t worship Jesus is no church at all.  But let’s not limit worship to an hour a week.  That kind of dualistic thinking and lifestyle is a dangerous pool to swim in and doesn’t mesh with Scripture.  The truth is missional churches do worship Jesus by assembling together- it just doesn’t end there.

The missional church is about raking leaves and hanging out in homes
Well…actually…that’s true.  But it’s incomplete.  The missional church intends to advance the gospel abeit through public gatherings, house parties, loving thy neighbor, serving their city, or having coffee with a friend. Whatever it takes to love God and others.  Missional church doesn’t need a leaf-raking church program to help the elderly couple across the street.  They just do it.

The missional church isn’t attractional
Imagination flows heavy in missional church. So does creativity. I’m not sure where the idea came from that missional church can’t (or won’t) have compelling environments.  Perhaps the notion came from the correct rejection of reducing the church to being a big show or a building.  Maybe it has something to do with replacing language like “we go to church” with “we are the church.”  Nonetheless, missional church believes the most attractive environments are created when they are filled with compelling people.

The missional church isn’t concerned about church growth
Any missional church that doesn’t intend “to go and make disciples…” isn’t missional.  Any missional church that intends to be a holy huddle (i.e. us 4 no more) isn’t missional.  Actually, the opposite is true. All missional churches want to reach people far from God.  As many as possible.  And if that’s happening, the Church will grow.  You can’t make disciples without people believing in Jesus in the first place.  But with missional church, it doesn’t end there.   Missional church is about two things: first steps and next steps.   Getting thousands to an event isn’t church growth (concerts can do that), but making thousands of disciples is.  That’s what missional church is committed to.

The missional church is a church model
Cookie cutter approaches are rare in missional church.  What works in one city, may not work in another.  True missional churches know their context.  They’ve studied their culture and the rhythms of the people in their city.  They look at the streams of people who aren’t connected to Jesus (or a church) and ask, “How can we meet them where they are?”   The answer to that question will result is various methods, approaches, and styles.  And the missional church has to continually pay attention to the ever-changing rapids of their culture- which means their methods will change as well.  That said, my hope is that missional churches not just change with culture- but that we change culture.  That’s our challenge.

If you’re a church leader, you may have noticed that some of this describes your church.  Congratulations, you might be missional. The question is whether it’s by accident or intention.

You see, missional churches are simply biblical churches.  The ones who “go and make disciples…”  The ones who are centered on Jesus.  The ones who love God and love people.   The ones who are sent on mission by Jesus to reach the whole world with the greatest news to ever hit the planet- the gospel of Jesus Christ. That should be the mission of all biblical churches regardless of how we’re labeled.

That’s what being missional is all about.

One Church, Under Jesus,

Jason

Tags: attractional church, Church, Jesus, missional, missional church

SENT: A Movement of Missionaries

Here are some notes from last week’s message at Project Church.

SENT: A Movement of Missionaries >>>

Our Mission: “To Go and Make Disciples Who Love God and People”
This is a collision of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the Great Commandment (Mark 12:29-31)

What does it mean to be missional?
Being missional is a posture of being sent.
John 20:21 (ESV): “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’”

Do you know what Jesus’ mission was?

• Jesus tells us in Luke 19:10 that he came to seek and save that which was lost.
• We follow Jesus and HIS mission.
• This is why this church exists: To lead people far from God to live lives following Jesus.
• This is why we are a church where you can belong before you believe.
• This is why we say that we’re a church for doubters, explorers, and followers of Christ.
• We like to think that missions is something that happens “over there.”  Truth be told, the mission is wherever you are.
• Where we are, thousands of people do not have a relationship with Jesus. Thousands.
• If you’re a follower of Jesus, does that bother you?

How does this affect your life?
John 17:15 (ESV) - “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”

• C.T. Studd (missionary in China, India, and Africa) “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”
• “It’s about replacing personal or Christian activities with time spent building relationships with people in the surrounding culture.” - Hugh Halter in “The Tangible Kingdom”
• Following Jesus isn’t safe.
• Relationships- Your relational network is your mission field
• Mission fits into the natural rhythms of your life.
• Mission takes place in every nook and cranny of your life.
• If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you are missionaries in your zip code.
• The question isn’t if you’re a missionary. It’s what kind of missionary are you.
• God has you given you burdens and passions.  Maybe you have a special place in your heart for homeless.  That’s a great place for you to serve.  But perhaps he’s given your friend a passion to do something with kids.  Don’t get mad at them because their biggest passion isn’t yours.
• Be thankful that God is spreading us out with various callings.
• Don’t wait for the church to organize mission activities. Just do it. Coordinate something. Call friends and family and just GO!
• Some of us simply need to dwell in culture more.  Make friends who are at a different place on their spiritual journey than you.  Not so you can beat them over the head with the Bible- but so that you can show them love like Jesus would.
• Too often, Christians retreat from “the world”  Some reject meaningful relationships with people who aren’t Christian.  They could never lower themselves to step into a bar or sit in the smoking section. We judge one another if we’re having lunch with someone they don’t approve of- a known sinner.  Funny though, Jesus did too.

How does this affect the Church?

• The church is a body of believers sent into this world.
• Faithful to Scripture: Relevant to culture
• Calling all people into a lifelong pursuit of following Jesus.
• The heart of discipleship is to become like Jesus.
• Reproduce disciples —-> Leaders —–> Churches —-> Movements
• Replace the word, “outreach’ with the word, “dwell.”
• How did God reach the world. Incarnated himself in Jesus.  Same is true with us.  We must dwell.
• Unfortunately many U.S. churches say, “come” to our cities when we’re told “go” into the world by Jesus.
• Being missional means that we see the church not as a place we go only on Saturday night or Sunday morning, but as something we are throughout the week.
• We bring the church to the people instead of people to the church.
• We are a church “for” the city/culture/people where God has placed us- Rapid City, the Black Hills, and the world.
• Evangelism - Not on the street corner passing out booklets and tracts. Not effective. What is effective is building relationships with people and, as a church, creating environments where an explorer can belong before they believe.
• Social Justice -  There are children in other countries who need fresh water and food and there are hungry and lonely children right here in the Black Hills.  There are people who are hurting and need a friend in other countries and there are people who are hurting and need a friend in your neighborhood, your workplace, your school.
• Here are three questions the world is asking: (Dave Gibbons of Newsong Church)
  1. What is my pain?
  2. What’s in your hand?
  3. Can anything good come from Nazareth?

Yes, and his name is Jesus Christ.  And he gave us a mission.  Right before his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, Jesus left his disciples these words which echo to us today.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me
It’s all about Jesus. This movement of missionaries begins with him. He is our God and Savior. Everything we do is because we love him. We have all the authority we need because he’s the one who’s sending us. We have permission.

Go therefore
GO! This is not a suggestion- this is a charge.  It’s the mission he’s given us. Following Jesus isn’t an outside-in walk it’s an inside-out one. It propels us to a world in need of the grace and truth of Jesus.  The gospel.  “Therefore” implies we go because something has happened. Something did happen. Everything changed with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no greater love.  Churches are sent- they don’t sit.

and make disciples
Here it is: the charge of the church.  To make disciples. Being a disciple is following Jesus and becoming more like him.  Let us not forget the first step in being a disciple- believing in Jesus.  And following Jesus is a series of next steps. Discipleship is so much more than just knowing more about God.  It’s not a program- it’s a lifestyle.  A true disciple loves God and loves people.  A disciple continuously grows.
Reproduce Disciples —–> Leaders —–> Churches —–> Movements

of all nations
This movement begins right where we are and extends to the whole world.  There are people right where we live  who don’t know Jesus.  They have no idea what grace is. This is the gravest of injustices. We must reach them.  The same is true around the world. This is why we must multiply, start new churches, think bigger, and think global from the beginning.

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
We have to reach people with the gospel.  We will not be a church that compromises the truth for the sake of a crowd. It’s in this power that we go and make disciples. Baptism signifies that we belong to Jesus. It’s a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  It’s by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Son, Jesus Christ, and to the glory of God.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you
Let us remember the nutshell of Jesus’ teaching: love God and others as yourself.  It’s not simply head knowledge- it’s about heart.  Yes, we teach the Bible, theology, life stuff.  But it was never meant to end there.  We love.  In fact, Jesus just commanded that we “Go” so we teach them to do that too.  Being a follower of Jesus means that you are a missionary wherever you are. At home, work, traffic, store, bar, restaurant, church, friends, sidewalk, park, movies, coffee shop, school, wherever you are.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We end with a promise from the lips of Jesus. He is with us. He is always with us and will never leave us.  It’s in his name, by his power, with his message that we go. He won’t let you go. He’s with you always. When you feel like you can’t go on. He’s with you. When you don’t feel good enough. He’s with you. When you screw up or fall down. He’s with you. Wherever you go.

John Piper says it well in the opening lines of “Let the Nations Be Glad”:
“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever. Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal in missions.”

God help us be a movement of missionaries.

More on Being Missional:

A Fistful of Scripture
Genesis 12
Matthew 4:18-22
Matthew 20:25-28
Luke 4:42-44
Luke 19:1-10
John 17:13-26
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Acts 17:22-34
Luke 9-11
Jeremiah 29:4-7
John 20:21
Luke 15

A Handful of Good Books
The Forgotten Ways - Alan Hirsch
The Shaping of Things to Come - Alan Hirsch & Michael Frost
Let the Nations Be Glad - John Piper
The Tangible Kingdom - Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
The Radical Reformission - Mark Driscoll
Breaking the Missional Code - Ed Stetzer & David Putnam

Tags: Jesus, missional, missional church, project church

Tonight @ Project Church

SENT: A Movement of Missionaries
What does it mean to be missional?
What is our mission as a church?
How does this affect my life?

Project Church
Saturday Nights @ Six
Alternative Fuel Coffee House
620 Main St. Downtown Rapid City, SD

Tags: missional, missional church, project church, Rapid City

The Idea Behind Project Church

The idea behind Project Church is to be an authentic community where people can belong before they believe. Where someone can wrestle with doubts, explore why Jesus is such a big deal, and take next steps in living the life we are all meant to live. We believe church was never meant to be an institution but a movement based on the biblical premise of “Love God, Love People.” This is the church Jesus had in mind.

Project Church is a non-denominational community of faith committed to being big on Jesus, big on people, and changing the way people think about church.

We envision a movement of countless people fulfilling Jesus’ mission (and ours) “To go and make disciples who love God and people” through various expressions of church spread throughout multiple venues of all types, sizes, and vibes around the world- beginning in Rapid City, SD.

Check out projectchurch.net for more information.

Tags: Church, Jesus, missional church, project church, Rapid City, south dakota

101 Nuggets for Church Planters

Dear Church Planter,

As I write, we are just over two weeks out from going public with Project Church. I’ve spent the last two or three years preparing for this.  I’ve read loads of church books,  listened to some amazing church leaders, and swapped stories with some very bright church planters.

And now that I’m standing on the edge of the next phase of this journey, I felt compelled to share some things with you that I’ve learned (so far).  Some of them I learned the hard way. For what it’s worth, here are some nuggets that might help you as you take your next steps in your calling.

1. Jesus is the big deal.
2. If you are called, you have permission.
3. These are your first three priorities: 1) Follow Jesus 2) Love your wife 3) Be a good daddy.
4. Don’t just plant a church; start a movement.
5. You’re not called to grow a church; you’re called to grow missionaries.
6. Don’t make the church your idol.  It’s easier than you think.
7. Study your Bible.  I shouldn’t have to say this, but…
8. Be able to explain the Gospel simply and clearly.  Start now by writing it down.
9. You have what it takes.
10. Don’t be a poser. A graphic tee, ripped jeans, and Starbucks isn’t what makes you cool.
11. In other words, be yourself.  People smell fake a mile away.
12. Read books and blogs but don’t get caught in the formula trap.
13. Speaking of reading, don’t just read church planting books.
14. There’s a lot of wisdom in the words of dead guys.
15. Meet with guys who are getting it done.
16. Ask questions, shut up and listen, & take notes.
17. The core task of any church is to go and make disciples.
18. You’re not an event planner. You’re a pastor.
19. Church isn’t a big show or a building; it’s a people.  Don’t lose sight of that.
20. Make friends with people who are far from God.
21. Have church planting buddies. You’ll need them.
22. Don’t talk about church all the time to your wife.  Pace yourself.
23. What are you going to say to someone who just lost their baby?
24. Blog.  It’s a way for people to get to know you and a chronicle of your journey.
25. Don’t be an arrogant prick. Be teachable.
26. You should be able to explain the vision on the back of a napkin.
27. Go with what God gives you whether much or little.
28. Be careful what (and who) you criticize.
29. You’ll get criticized for things you never even said or implied. Get used to it.
30. Check your motives. Why are you starting this church?
31. Understand that starting a church is odd to outsiders.
32. Rarely are your options this OR that. Often it’s this AND that.
33. Local pastors are not your competition.
34. That being said, don’t be surprised if some of them are jerks.
35. If you have a launch team/core group; love them, don’t use them.
36. Do you have a theological framework?
37. Your words are more powerful than you realize.  Even the ones you say in passing.
38. Your heart will break and people will let you down.
39. Be a man.
40. Start a church where it’s okay to be a dude.
41. Be a leader who develops leaders.
42. Pray without ceasing.
43. The stress will be great, how will you deal with it? (I gained weight).
44. Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with a support system.
45. Practice loving people where they are and not just as they should be.
46. If you don’t give a rip about people far from God- do something else.
47. Careful not to feed the consumerism monster with your church.
48. Lighting, sound systems, computers, projectors, etc. are great tools.
49. But if your church depends on them to be a church then you’re not a church.
50. You starting this church is an act of worship to God.
51. Fight the temptation to do everything yourself.
52. You can’t force community.
53. Timing matters.
54. The DNA of your church is determined early on. Get it right.
55. Would Jesus agree with your mission statement?
56. Can people easily remember your mission statement?
57. By the way, you are a missionary.
58. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
59. God loves to use unlikely people.
60. If it all fails, at least you went for it.
61. Be resilient and tenacious.
62. Your kids will say, “My dad had a dream and went for it…maybe I can too!”
63. Evolve.
64. Here’s an equation: Love God + Love People = _________________
65. Figure out what you’re going to do with the kiddos.
66. Typical is boring.
67. Love your city. Love your world.
68. Your vision is probably too small.
69. Studying the culture is more than just watching TV.
70. Would you do this for free?
71. People are watching you.
72. Get used to asking this question: “What the next step?”
73. Just when you think you have all the answers, the questions change.
74. Be intentional.
75. Some people will laugh at you but others will be inspired by you.
76. Watch your assumptions.
77. Prepare- but understand that you’ll never been prepared enough.
78. GO!
79. Stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all.
80. Time alone with a notebook, a pen, and a Bible often lead to something special.
81. Authentic people are led by authentic leaders.
82. Dwell in your city.
83. R-E-P-E-N-T often.
84. You will become very familiar with your strengths and weaknesses.
85. Don’t forget that a large part of what qualifies you for ministry is how you manage your family.
86. Laugh a lot and get your mind off churchy stuff.
87. It will be messy.
88. When was the last time you went to a bar or sat in the smoking section of a restaurant?
89. Be big on grace AND truth.
90. We are accountable to God for our churches.
91. Say no to good things and say yes to the right things.
92. Repeat after me, “I heart simplicity.”
93. Don’t stop dreaming.
94. Borrow ideas but hear from God.
95. There’s never enough money.
96. Only the Holy Spirit can change people’s hearts.
97. Sometimes you just need to unplug.
98. Where does your city hurt?
99. Despite what you’ve read, church is not all about Sundays.
100. Church all boils down to relationships.
101. Again, Jesus is the big deal.

There is so much more but that’s all I could come up with off the top of my head.   What would you add? What are you learning? What questions do you have?

Tags: Church, Church Planting, missional church, movement

Sunday is Not Game Day

This is a continuation of a series this week about why Project Church isn’t your typical church plant.  Check out yesterday’s post in case you missed it.

Difference #2 - It’s not about Sunday

My friends in ministry like to refer to their weekend services as, “game day.”  I can see where they are coming from.  In general, it is a pastor’s primary opportunity to speak to their entire church and to maybe reach someone who far from God.  To my pastor friends, every Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday and I admire that passion and commitment.

But this brings up the question: What is the playing field?

For the typical church plant, Sunday is game day and church is the playing field. The rest of the week is spent trying to make Sunday great.  Trying to get people to the big show.  The people of the church will often follow the leadership and make Sunday the big day of their week too (and primary means of worship).

But I’m afraid that if we church planters (and pastors) focus all of our attention on our weekly gathering,  we’ll send the signal that it’s all about Sunday.

It’s not.  It’s about every day (including Sunday).

For years people have gone to church on Sunday, put their church face on, and then lived a completely different lifestyle the rest of the week.  The church has often fed that ugly monster by doing the same thing.  The result is a bunch of hypocrites whose lives look no different than the unchurched person next door.

But what if the church changes the signals it gave? Instead of making Sunday the big day what if we made every day the big day?  How would that affect our structures, our leadership, our budgets, our ministries?

I don’t have all the answers to those questions but I can tell you this: For Project Church, the playing field isn’t the church service, it’s the real life relationships beyond the weekly gathering.  That’s where the rubber meets the road.

Relationship with Jesus. Relationship with spouse. Relationship with kids. Relationship with friends and family. Relationship with peers. Relationship with neighbors. Relationship with the world. Relationship with one another. I could go on but you get my point.

Relationships are the playing field- not the big show.

Sunday is not game day- every day is.

Worship is a lifestyle- not an event.

We can’t just say it with our words- we need to lead it with our church.

Tomorrow, I’ll share some thoughts on destinations and journeys.

Tags: Church, Church Planting, missional church, pastors

I’m Not Planting a Church

Don’t let the title of this post fool you.  We’re still starting Project Church. (Exhale)

But there’s a big difference between a typical church plant and Project Church (and others like us). I plan to explore some of the key differences this week on my blog.

Difference #1

Our goal is not to plant a church; it’s to spark a movement.

Our community of faith goes public at a downtown coffee shop in a few weeks.  We don’t have much money, we have no plans to send out mailers, and we aren’t putting on a big production. Despite that, we expect to grow.

Our hope isn’t to plant one church and grow it. Our aim is to begin another expression of church, and another, and another.  I’m crazy enough to believe that God could begin something in Rapid City, South Dakota that could spread beyond our city limits, state line, and national borders.

Ambitious? Yes. Impossible? No.

To put it another way.

Let’s say a typical church plant grows to 2000 people.  They would consider a way to get them all into their school gym with multiple services or look at purchasing a building to seat them all.  Nothing wrong with that at all.  In fact, that would be pretty cool.

But we’re a little different (and we’re okay with that).

Let’s say Project Church grows to 2000 people. Our preference would be to spread out and have 10 churches of 200 or 20 churches of 100.  We then would hope those churches would grow and start new churches and so on.

This isn’t a revolutionary concept but it’s not typical either. If we want this in our DNA, we need to embed it from the start.

What do you think? Obviously there are many more details to this but this is a snapshot of one of the differences between us and your typical church plant.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk about another difference- Why our corporate gatherings will be more like “half-time” than “game day.”

Tags: Church, Jesus, missional, missional church, project church, Rapid City