Global Church Advancement - Part 1

In January Erin and I went to the Global Church Advancement Conference in Lake Mary, Florida.  It was a great time and we were fortunate enough to have another couple from our church plant attend with us (Dan & Sarah Brewer).  I wasn't sure what to expect from the time, but I was delighted by what I learned in the 3 1/2 days.

One of the ideas that struck me most was that to be a successful church planter (or any type of pastor) one must be a life-long student of three things:  the Gospel, the culture, and the church. 

• The Gospel is that normative aspect - the truth of Scripture and of what God has done to rescue sinners.  This is the truth that never changes but always gives hope.  
• The culture is the area in which we are called to minister.  What is true of it?  How has sin uniquely damaged it?  What idols are most prominent?  How does this culture react to the Gospel?  Great questions and a great encouragement that I must understand the situational aspect of life that God has called me to.  I must know the people and the place to which I am called to minister.  
• The church is the group of people God has brought together in an existential manner.  We have come together to be a Kingdom outpost.  A place where God's truth is taught and lives are lived in light of that truth.  But we are also very much different from one another and we will constantly be changing.  I must know the makeup of the people in the church.

If I am to be most effective I must know all three of these areas well...like the back of my hand.  If I know the Gospel well I am able to apply it to the culture with wisdom.  I must know the people in the church and understand where and how the Gospel applies to each of their situations.  It is a strong call to be a student.  I will never be a master of any of these, but I can be a good student and prayerfully God will be at work and will make His invisible Kingdom more and more visible.