C4 is a famous plastic explosive that is small, moldable & extremely stable. A 2 pound 4” by 8” piece could completely destroy the vehicle you drive! But, it cannot be detonated by throwing it against something, heating it with a flame or shooting it with a firearm.
It must be set off with a detonation device.
Church Planting is a famous Kingdom explosive that is small, moldable and extremely stable – it’s been with us for over 2000 years! But, it to must be detonated and there are 4 components that will set off Explosive Church Planting:
- Call
- Community
- Conflict
- Conquest
I recently attended a gathering of seasoned Church Planters that were being interviewed on video by my friend Alex McManus, and he posed the question, “If you only had one thing to say to a potential Church Planter, the most important thing, what would it be?” Without hesitation, the entire group of a dozen responded out loud and almost in unison – “Call”!
We are all “called” first to a transformational relationship with Jesus Christ, but eventually He always turns to us and says, like He said to Peter, “What does that matter to you, Follow Me.” The specific call of our lives is always lurking in our soul, always. I also wrote on this critical topic in an earlier blog entitled, “Call & Answer”.
In 1 Samuel 3:10, and beyond, the Lord specifically calls Samuel and his response is, “Speak, for your servant hears.” That is the heart cry of call.
If Jesus has not specifically called you to plant a church, then please do your wife, your family, your friends, your community and the Kingdom a favor – don’t. But, if He has called you to specifically plant a church, I’d suggest you get busy. In fact, regardless of what He has specifically called you to, go for it. The body of Christ needs you to fulfill your part, whether it’s church planting, or not.
Call is foundational, but there is more – next time, Community.
By the way, what is your specific call?
