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Let�s Start A Church

I�m not sure I could count the number of places we have been during the past thirty-four years of ministry. In fact, there are lots of places we have been several times. This story revolves around one such occasion.

It is one thing to do meetings at a church on a Sunday. But there are several youth programs that are conducted throughout the week. AWANA is one of the most popular in many of the churches that we are in. To be approved by AWANA, a church has to agree to their doctrinal statement which is quite Baptistic. Not all churches with an AWANA program are Baptist but they are all fairly close. Many Bible churches use AWANA materials.

We were asked to do a program at a Bible church in one particular town. The program went great and was very well attended. They had lots of kids there and everyone had a good time as we presented the gospel.

A month or so later we were back in the same town doing another program at a Baptist church for their AWANA kids. Again, it was well attended and we had a great time there.

It was only another month or so when we were doing a program on a Sunday at a church about an hour south of the town with the Bible and the Baptist church. We were at this church to do a program during the Sunday school hour for the adults and the kids. Like many churches, the Sunday school hour is just prior to the morning service. There is hardly enough time to tear down between the two services. Out of respect to everyone, we usually stay for the worship service even though we may not have any responsibilities in it.

Today we were not the only ââ?¬Å?special guestsââ?¬Â, they had a missionary speaking for the main service. Well, this was a missionary ââ?¬Å?wanna beââ?¬Â. His main purpose was to raise money so that he could start a church as a missionary. His goal was to start a church in the town about an hour north of there. You know, the town where we had done the two AWANA programs just a couple months ago.

I wasnââ?¬â?¢t doing well during any of his presentation but I almost walked out when he made this statement. ââ?¬Å?God has called me to start a church in ________ because there isnââ?¬â?¢t a fundamental work there.ââ?¬Â No fundamental work there? What would you call the Bible and the Baptist church? If they werenââ?¬â?¢t fundamental, AWANA would not allow them to use their program. Why didnââ?¬â?¢t he just say, ââ?¬Å?There isnââ?¬â?¢t a fundamental church with MY brand stamped over the doorââ?¬Â?

I heard a very wise pastor say, ââ?¬Å?The problem in America is, thereââ?¬â?¢s too many churches. If you find something here you donââ?¬â?¢t like you just go someplace else instead of trying to work it out.ââ?¬Â They will know we are Christians by the brand over the door. Letââ?¬â?¢s start a church.Ã? Ã?  Oh, am I bad, that was supposed to be ââ?¬Å?By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.ââ?¬Â John 13:35

This entry was posted on Friday, January 18th, 2008 at 8:51 pm and is filed under Road Noise.

4 Thoughts added to “Letââ?¬â?¢s Start A Church”

  1. Cal Says:
    January 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    I hear you, brother! It’s a tough one when you have to sit through the service, trying to behave because you’re a “guest,” when you’re torn between standing up and starting a shouting debate, or retreating to your van to gag in private. 😀 Another example of EGR people (as Rick Warren calls them) – Extra Grace Required.

    Then, of course, the Lord always opens up a can of Whoop Cal on my way home, to talk to me about my attitude. Don’t ya just love it? 😀

  2. Sheldon Says:
    January 21st, 2008 at 8:25 pm

    Cal, you are so right, extra grace required. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that gets the attitude lecture form God. I would think by now I wouldn’t need that one any more. I must be a slow learner in that area.

  3. Scubagal Says:
    February 14th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    In the remoteness of this posting I have privately found some solace. Thanks for sharing, I relate all too well to it all! The struggles that I face alone as I seek God in His calling for my life…faces it’s hardest obsticles from fearful and insecure religious piety.

    Pharacees aren’t Fair Ya See, Saducees are so Sad Ya See? Hypocrytes just aren’t “Hip With It”…….I just wanna be a sheep! Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa

  4. Sheldon Says:
    February 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am

    Hi Scubagal,

    Sad that the church is filled with so many people. Without them maybe we wouldn’t have some of the problems that we do. But a church without people is like a void.

    To live above with saints we love, oh will be such glory.
    To live below with saints we know, that’s another story.

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