MYTH OF BUILDING & PLANTING CHURCHES

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Before entering fully into this myth I want to define “church” once more as I did several days ago. Jesus and His disciples used the term “church” in a small “c” way like a gathering or council or assembly of Jesus’ followers that is really an organism consisting mostly of participators and not a big “C” Church that out of necessity becomes an organization consisting mostly of spectators.

Model of Jesus. Jesus never encouraged His followers to plant or build churches. In fact, He never criticized the big “C” Church—the Synagogue—of the day. He never even suggested that His followers should start new synagogues or churches. However, He did encourage His followers to gather together in fellowship with one another. Jesus said, “I will build My church”, so what does He want from you and me? It seems we are to be the church, not to plant one or build one or run one.

Model of the early disciples—No one had as his vocation to plant a church to spread the good news of Jesus and the Kingdom, yet small gatherings of followers of Jesus popped up as Jesus transformed their lives and brought them together in love for Him and one another.

There definitely was a planting in the early days with Jesus, but it wasn’t planting churches. The planting that was going on was the planting of the seed of the good news of Jesus and the Kingdom. Planting was done with all those who were interested—who had ears to hear and eyes to see. NOTE there was a clear warning regarding being caught up with one leader over another—a warning to not wrap your experience with Jesus around men.

Check out what Paul said regarding this very thing in I Corinthians 3 and 4: 4For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? 5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

Building your faith around certain gifted teachers or leaders is building on the wrong foundation. It’s like building a monument to men rather than being caught up in a Jesus movement. It’s important that when you are planting seeds of the good news of Jesus and the Gospel, pray that a Jesus movement might break out.

When you find yourself in a church-building setting, pray that a Jesus movement might break out. When sitting in a small group bible study, pray that a Jesus movement might break out. You see, the most important thing for all of us is to wait on Jesus to lead out and follow Him. Always look around you and see where God is working and go there!

I think we’ve spent too much time building big “C” Churches without practicing being the little “c” church of Jesus wherever we gather together with other followers. This may be over dinner or at the coffee shop or in a small group. In fact, you might find that the best church you went to this week was your time of discussion and fellowship you enjoyed with a few in the courtyard of the big “C” Church. We’ve spent too much time, money and energy building Churches and missing out on the Kingdom of God in our midst—the very presence of the King. Remember, Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in His name, He will show up.”

Don’t build a monument to anyone or anything. Catch up with the Jesus movement. Jesus isn’t looking for anyone to start it or lead it. It’s been going on for quite some time. Jesus is looking for followers!

Churches don’t need to be planted or built. Churches of Jesus’ followers need to be practiced and Jesus Himself will show up!