In my previous article I mentioned how a local pastor actively encouraged his church family to recruit members from other local churches under the banner of biblical "missionary" activity. Some of my friends had a hard time believing me when I told them this. This post is for you.
For the record, the "Reformed" minister who wrote this letter transitioned to another ministry context some time ago. Even more encouraging, the current pastor of this local fellowship is a godly, like-minded, minister of the gospel.
As a result of these experiences here are some questions that I have been asking myself recently: Are we really together for the gospel? What does it look like to be together for the gospel? How can pastors and churches that really are T4G come alongside one another in more intentional ways? How can I better demonstrate to our people that our local church is not the only ministry that is doing things "God's way?" How do we fight against the kind of behavior that destroys relationships between like-minded churches and pastors?
The following note is an actual letter: "As you heard during my presentation, Grace is now entering an exciting stage in it’s early ministry—where the stakes are high! In this stage, we must all start seeing ourselves as “missionaries to Freeport—recruiting other missionaries to Freeport.” Large churches like Crossroads can survive for quite some time based on size, budget, different-ness, and momentum. Park Hills can survive based on size, multiple staff and a broad, mainstream evangelical culture, and migration from broad evangelical churches.
We’ve deliberately chosen not to replicate Crossroads or Park Hills, because they have their own philosophy of ministry that fits a niche, but would simply render Grace the smaller, "step-sister" of these other churches (even if we wanted) to imitate them. I mention this because we offer something unique to Freeport. I believe we can reach broadly and disciple deeply a new generation. But getting to that point will require “all prayers up, and all hands on deck”. It will truly take the entire Grace family praying and working together!
I ask during the upcoming year each of you join our family in...
1) Asking our sovereign God to glorify Himself by bringing to Grace people who would 1) Benefit greatly from Grace AND who would 2) Contribute greatly to Grace (as missionaries with us). To be honest, Grace needs both types of people.
2) Making a list of both types of people that you personally know. Please do NOT rule anyone out because they have gone to “church x” for 15 years. Missionaries are always people sent from an established church, to start a new church. No churches would exist today if no one left their churches to birth 'daughter' churches. There’s nothing immoral about asking people to be missionaries. It's been done for 2000 years!
**Making these friend lists should be fun. After all, this is a chance for you to sit back and ask, “who would I love to see a part of Grace?” Who would be a privilege to serve alongside?” “who would add warmth, servant-heartedness and gifts to a new church?”
Praying for you!
~ Pastor Dave XXXX"
