Back in nineteen- hundred, I believe it was sixty-one or two, a wife could send her husband to the store to pick up a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread with confidence. He would bring it home and be seen as a hero who went going above and beyond to bring home the family essentials. It was no problem for him, right? He’d go into the corner grocery, pick up the bread and milk without even having to think and check out in less than a few minutes. No pressure. No problem. The man might even consider calling his wife before he left work to ask if she needed anything.
Not anymore--it's too complicated! Today, a man has to clarify and possibly send multiple texts to get the job done: Do I get a gallon of milk a half-gallon, or a quart? Whole milk, 2% milk or skim milk? Mayfield or Store Brand? What should the expiration date be? And the bread aisle is a disaster! Do you buy Whole-grain, White, Wheat, Butter, Honey, Enriched, Bleached---AAAAHHH! It’d be easier to stay at work and put together a gagillion dollar proposal than to buy a simple loaf of bread! Finding a church home can be just as frustrating! Here are a few things to consider that may make it at least do-able: 1. Listen to God! His way is often not as pragmatic (bottom-lined, pros and cons) as we might be conditioned by our culture to think. Are you approaching the decision as a "consume-er" or as a giver? 2. Is the church missional? Missional is a buzz word among churches today and various people mean various things by it—here’s what I mean: Is the church aligned with the mission of Jesus which is the making of disciples that make disciples that make disciples? 3. Is the core teaching Biblical and Gospel-centered? What are the messages about? Who is the focus of worship? What is their formal statement of faith? What are their stated values? 4. Is the leadership spiritual? Are those who are in positions of leadership and influence living lives that are what the apostle Paul termed as "above reproach?" 5. Are the people “like-Jesus?” Are the people that are already attending the church compassionate, joyful, friendly, growing and maturing—not perfect but pursuing holiness not presuming upon grace. 6. Do you have a sense of God’s "Yes!”? This is the bookend to #1. After a weekend of exploring potential places where God would have us plant our lives and plant a church, Tracie made an insightful statement. She said, “I just don’t have a sense of Yes! yet." You can do all of your homework—you can do all of the studies—but I am more concerned with discerning a sense of the Spirit’s “Yes!” in agreement with my Spirit. So even if you've given up grocery shopping don't give up on finding a church to plant your family. There are few more important decisions.
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