© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Why Are You Here? Session 1

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Why are you here?  The person who knows “HOW” will always work for the person who knows “WHY”.  Before we answer HOW we must address WHY we plant a church. Any ideas?   The person who knows “HOW” will always work for the person who knows “WHY”.  Before we answer HOW we must address WHY we plant a church. Any ideas? 

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics WHY we plant is a mind-set that permeates everything we do.  Our thoughts (why we do what we do) affect our beliefs, and beliefs affect our behaviors. Our behaviors determine how we “DO” church.  “Mind-set is that thinking process which I allow, feed and nurture. Ultimately this process captures my mind and works its way through the volitional and emotional part of my being, determining both what I say and what I do.” George Delamarter  Our thoughts (why we do what we do) affect our beliefs, and beliefs affect our behaviors. Our behaviors determine how we “DO” church.  “Mind-set is that thinking process which I allow, feed and nurture. Ultimately this process captures my mind and works its way through the volitional and emotional part of my being, determining both what I say and what I do.” George Delamarter

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics The church has become what it is today through our mind-set.  Our mind-set has determined and influenced:  Our traditions  Our environment  Our church culture  Educational systems  Our mind-set has determined and influenced:  Our traditions  Our environment  Our church culture  Educational systems

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Consider this…  “We do not attract that which we want. But that which we are.” James Allen  Our outward behaviors (our character) is the complete sum total of all our thoughts.  We are what we think!  “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” Prov 23:7  The size and health of our church, or lack of it, will be the direct result of our thinking.  “We do not attract that which we want. But that which we are.” James Allen  Our outward behaviors (our character) is the complete sum total of all our thoughts.  We are what we think!  “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” Prov 23:7  The size and health of our church, or lack of it, will be the direct result of our thinking.

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Think on this…  What do we think about the mission of Jesus to the world?  “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matt 19:13  If that is his mission, what is our co-mission?  This is not an issue of style. Not a battle between traditional and contemporary.  What do we think about the mission of Jesus to the world?  “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matt 19:13  If that is his mission, what is our co-mission?  This is not an issue of style. Not a battle between traditional and contemporary.

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Bottom line…  If you don’t understand WHY, then HOW doesn’t really matter.

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics God has blessed all kinds of styles and theologies.  God poured out his power and Spirit upon John Wesley, as well as John Calvin. Yet both of these men should in sharp contrast to each other.  No one can deny the power of God on Billy Graham’s ministry or upon the charismatic movement. Yet both of them stand on opposite ends of the spectrum.  God poured out his power and Spirit upon John Wesley, as well as John Calvin. Yet both of these men should in sharp contrast to each other.  No one can deny the power of God on Billy Graham’s ministry or upon the charismatic movement. Yet both of them stand on opposite ends of the spectrum.

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics  God HAS blessed churches using traditional methodologies as well as contemporary and even postmodern styles of worship.

Major Question!  How can God pour out his inexhaustible resources on men and styles that seem stand in contradiction to one another?

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics The Answer  God seems to be infinitely more concerned about WHY his church exists than splitting theological and stylistic hairs.  God pours out His Spirit upon everyone whose ministry and life-style models the imperatives of the holy life and the Great Commission.  God seems to be infinitely more concerned about WHY his church exists than splitting theological and stylistic hairs.  God pours out His Spirit upon everyone whose ministry and life-style models the imperatives of the holy life and the Great Commission.

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Everything we do in church must have a “SO THAT…”  We do worship, so that…  We Give money so that…  We do outreach so that…  We serve others so that…  We have committee meetings so that…  We build buildings so that…  We plant churches so that…  We do worship, so that…  We Give money so that…  We do outreach so that…  We serve others so that…  We have committee meetings so that…  We build buildings so that…  We plant churches so that…

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics The Church exists so that…  Sinners might be saved  The body of Christ might be built up  Believers might be discipled  God might be glorified  Sinners might be saved  The body of Christ might be built up  Believers might be discipled  God might be glorified

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics If we don’t start with WHY…  We will not have a proper foundation for the churches existence.  We will plant churches with a mind-set of gimmicks and plans.  Much of what we do will be built around our own likes and dislikes, rather than on an understanding of who we are trying to reach and why.  We will not have a proper foundation for the churches existence.  We will plant churches with a mind-set of gimmicks and plans.  Much of what we do will be built around our own likes and dislikes, rather than on an understanding of who we are trying to reach and why.

© 2008 Church Planting Dynamics Prayer  Holy Spirit, teach me. I am open to learn from you and willing to set aside my preconceived notions and desires to hear from you. I will do whatever is necessary to be on a co-mission with you. Help me to keep my mind open and help my attitudes to reflect your mind-set in all I do. If I need to change or I need to check my rebellious spirit,, I am open to your Holy Spirit’s prodding.