CPx 2010 has started! 44 new students from all over the world, here to learn to be simple church planters. They are excited, ready to engage in our communities and eager to learn and serve.
As All Nations long term staff, I was permitted to sit in on two very important sessions this week. David Broodryk joined us to talk about church planting. He walked us through Matthew 28:18-20 and highlighted the differences between what the text says, and what we’ve done traditionally. It was such good food for thought and it really challenged me. I’ll share it here:
* Go – when we rather stay or remain isolated, or we expect people to come to us, or we prefer to send others
* (and) make disciples – instead we make converts or church members, or we want church attendees or spectators or friends
* of all nations – we prefer to dwell in homogenous groups, or we focus on individuals
* baptising them – either we do not baptise, or we see this an option instead of a command, or we subtly baptise them into a specific church denomination or tradition
* (and) teaching them to obey – this was the key issue he raised: we teach knowledge instead of obedience, and spend time preaching instead of training in obedience (!)
* everything I have command you – instead we teach what our specific church commands, or we teach church doctrine or tradition, or we teach whatever WE feel is important
So there you have it! I’ve considered myself challenged! I’m interested in your thoughts...What are your comments I wonder?
Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
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