CO2 - The Hyatt Family (4)

In response to the story about the Hyatt family doing CO2, Jared Looney, a church planter in NYC, posted this comment yesterday...

We recently did S.A.S.H.E.T. as a family. That is, my wife, my five year old daughter, and me. My wife and I had practiced this tool in various settings before, but doing it as a family with our 5 year old was pretty awesome.

Isn't that encouraging! Nothing excites me more than stories of children, even young children, responding to these simple ways of doing/being church.

Today, in the fourth and last part of this interview, Sean tells how his family has shared CO2 with other families and individuals. Notice again how natural and almost effortless this is. It creates a whole new picture for the term "church planting".

Also makes me think of the title of Roland Allen's famous book: The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church.

Your thoughts?

John

CO2 - The Hyatt Family (3)

There's lots of talk these days about "the missional church". The thinking is that the church needs to stop being so inwardly focused and become concerned about the needs of the world. We are told that this is accomplished by exhorting believers to change their focus and become more concerned about the lost and needy.

In the short video below, Sean tells a story that illustrates the alternative approach that LK10 takes towards becoming missional. Being missional is certainly a good thing. But, how this comes about is the critical element.

We believe that Jesus followers become more missional not by focusing on mission and trying harder but rather by focusing on listening to God. In other words, mission is not the starting place but rather the by-product of hearing God's voice. This kind of mission is natural, spontaneous and joyful.

So, two questions to ponder as you watch the video...

1. Imagine if there were hundreds (or thousands) of households in your city who were doing what the Hyatts are doing. What kind of learning would be going on in the hearts and minds of the children in those families? Doesn't this kind of "Christian education" beat what goes on in most Sunday School classes?

2. And, imagine the cumulative effect of hundreds (or thousands) of small family-centered "mission projects". How would that impact your city or region?

Your thoughts?

John

CO2 - The Hyatt Family (2)

In today's short video below (3 minutes), Sean explains two things that might seem impossible to those of us who have spent our entire lives in traditional church.

First, he explains how he has trained his two boys (aged 7 and 10) to facilitate the family's daily CO2 (CO5!) time.

(Observation: children and teens often "get" CO2 more easily and more quickly than adults who have been in the current religious "system" for years.)

Second, he tells a story that illustrates that worship flows spontaneously out of listening.

(Observation: Simple church (CO2) is built on the belief that Jesus is really present when we meet in His name and that He is a great "worship leader". Worship is no longer something that we have to "make happen". It emerges naturally out of listening to Jesus.)

Love to hear your comments about the video below.

John

CO2 - The Hyatt Family (1)

A CO2 (church of two) is simple. Two people committed to two practices as close to daily as possible.

But, the CO2 concept is also highly adaptable. Sean Hyatt has applied it to his family. (Since he has a wife and three young children, it's now a CO5!) The result is a simple way that families can function as churches (think "church = vibrant family of Jesus".

Over the next four days, I'll be sharing an interview with Sean where he tells how this has worked out in his family. Today, Sean explains that this is a model that has been sustainable over time and that he loves what it has produced in his family.

Two things for you to think about. First, what would happen to the church in America (or wherever you live) if this practice became normative for every family? Second, is there anyone you need to pass this on to?

John

Please share your comments below.

House church article in USA Today

Last week there was a positive article about house church on the front page of The Denver Post. See http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15547588?source=email

Now, comes a similar article in USA Today. What do you make of this? What encourages you about this? What potential problems do you see? Post your comments below.

John

'House churches' keep worship small, simple, friendly Updated 1d 21h ago | Comments 116 | Recommend 11

Enlarge By Karl Gehring, Denver Post, AP Darren Boyer, center kneeling beside the couch, prays with, from right clockwise, Susan Dennison, Tasha Gustafson and Jolene Larson, asking for God's wisdom regarding an upcoming decision that Brent Tribble, left, will make about his life, during a non-denominational "house church" service at Boyer's Brighton, Colo. home. The number of these new, small, organic churches is growing, according to the Barna Group DALLAS (AP) — To get to church on a recent Sunday morning, the Yeldell family walked no farther than their own living room to greet fellow worshippers. The members of this "house church" are part of what experts say is a fundamental shift in the way U.S. Christians think about church. Skip the sermons, costly church buildings and large, faceless crowds, they say. House church is about relationships forged in small faith communities. In general, house churches consist of 12 to 15 people who share what's going on in their lives, often turning to Scriptures for guidance. They rely on the Holy Spirit or spontaneity to lead the direction of their weekly gatherings. "I think part of the appeal for some in the house church movement is the desire to return to a simpler expression of church," said Ed Stetzer, a seminary professor and president of Lifeway Research, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. "For many, church has become too much (like a) business while they just want to live like the Bible." House church proponents claim their small groups are sort of a throwback to the early Christian church in that they have no clergy and everyone is expected to contribute to the teaching, singing and praying... Read the entire article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-07-22-housechurch21_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me

Women in MRTs?

Yesterday's post featured a video of one of the Denver MRTs sending greetings to a similar group in New Zealand. In the video, five men share some of what they appreciate about their team.

Carolyn Spencer (Clovis, NM) responded with an important question...

Hi, Are all the seven MRT's (in Denver) a group of guys only? Is connecting together this way something done more easily when its just a group of guys, or is it just as effective when its mixed company? Would this group be as comfortable if a female leader joined you at Sojourner's Coffee Shop? What is your take on including women in MRT? Carolyn

Carolyn,

Thank you for asking this question! Some of the MRTs in Denver do have women members. And, I believe my MRT would actually be more effective if there were women as a part of the team. I believe that female apostolic church planters are just as "called" and just as effective as men. I believe that it is preferable to have a MRT with both men an women.

As you know, we are coming out of a period when women were often limited in their leadership roles in the church. In the Luke Ten Community, we believe that church = family and, in that context, spiritual mothers are just as important as spiritual fathers for a healthy family. I want Luke Ten to be an environment where women are encouraged to function that way both in house churches and as apostolic church planters.

So, Carolyn, thanks for asking that question so that I could clarify our values! And, to both men and women readers, please send me stories where you see women functioning in this kind of leadership.

John

From Denver to New Zealand

What if there were small groups of Jesus followers meeting weekly to connect with one another and to listen to God for their city or region. And, what if these groups were so simple that they could multiply rapidly?

That's what an MRT is. The initials stand for Missional Resource Team. MRTs form around two practices or rhythms that allow for structure without hierarchy. In addition to six groups in Denver, the concept has spread organically to many other locations.

In the video below, a Denver MRT shares what they are learning and sends greetings to a group in New Zealand.

John

Boss or Father?

Learning to hear God's voice changes everything.

First, and most important, it changes our relationship with God. Here's how John Eldredge says it...

Whatever our situation in life - butcher, baker, candlestick maker - our deepest and most pressing need is to learn to walk with God. To hear his voice. To follow him intimately. It is the most essential turn of events that could every take place in the life of any human being, for it brings us back to the source of life. Everything else we long for can then flow forth from this union. Walking With God, xi.

A second thing that changes is how we approach ministry or mission. As with Jesus, mission flows from listening. See Jn. 5:19.

See the short video below for my interview with my friend, Hugh Brandt, on this subject of learning to hear God's voice.

Share with us your comments on what Hugh has to say.

John

Front page of the Denver Post

I was very encouraged with this article on house churches that was on the front page of the Denver Post today.

John

DENVER AND THE WEST

Growing number of worshipers make themselves at home

By Electa Draper
The Denver Post

POSTED: 07/19/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT

UPDATED: 07/19/2010 11:59:53 AM MDT

Darren Boyer hosted a non-denominational House Church service at his Brighton home Thursday night, July 15, 2010. Those gathered prayed, discussed scriptures from the New Testament and served themselves Holy Communion. Boyer, left, cooked waffles and served them before the group moved to the living room for Bible study. At the table are Tasha Gustafson, in middle with whipped cream, Brent Tribble, Chris Dennison, and Jolene Larson, in pink. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

Jolene Larson, one of the people who gathered Thursday at a Brighton home, reads a passage from the Bible. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

Megachurch, meet microchurch.

Growing numbers of Coloradans believe the tiny house church, also called a simple church or an organic church, might be the mightier transformer of Christian lives.

A recliner becomes a pulpit. A sofa and some armchairs serve as pews.

Where two or more people are gathered in his name, Jesus said, there he is. House churches range in size from two people to a dozen or slightly more.

Some prefer the name "simple church" because there are congregations that meet at coffee shops, parks or other venues.

The key element is that the group is small enough for everyone to participate fully and to connect intimately. In this, the new followers believe, they are like the earliest Christians, who also met in small groups in homes.

A house church is not about one person standing up and talking for 45 minutes, says former Presbyterian pastor John White, a consultant who helped launch the house-church movement in Colorado 12 years ago.

Back then, he couldn't find anybody local doing it, and little was written about it. Now, the movement is flourishing.

"Traditional church works fine for a lot of people, but there's a growing number of people for whom it's not working," White said...

Read the full article here http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15547588?source=email

Trouble for Dan Bo Bo

Dan (name withheld for security reasons) has been a house church guy for a long time. God has used him to train church planters in many countries around the world.

I sent him a copy of our new eBook. He graciously took time to read it and sent back some encouraging comments as well as some stories of his own experiences that illustrate some of our values. See below for a wonderful story about hearing God's voice.

John

China: In teaching the servant leaders "How to Hear God", I used my relationship with my wife as an illustration: One day while I was teaching these students, my wife called me in China from the States. My Chinese interpreter took the call and handed me the cell phone.

After I finished our conversation, I asked the students about what if I didn't recognize my wife's voice and were to have asked her, 'Who is this?" They didn't know much English but several students shouted back to me "Trouble for Dan Bo Bo!"(My Chinese name) Then I asked them about how our Heavenly Father must feel when we don't recognize and obey His voice and say to Him, "Who is this?" This illustration transformed their concept of hearing and obeying God.

Beta

I continue to be encouraged at how our new eBook is being used. In some situations, husbands and wives are using it for 30 days. (See email from Mike below.) In others situations, it's two friends. (See email from Maree below.)

What I want to emphasize today is that this is a beta version. We need you to "field test" it and let us know what works and what needs improvement. As you can tell when you read the daily entries, this is a community project. Thanks for your help!

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, just let me know at DenverWH@aol.com

John

Mike in Virginia:

Thx for sending the CO2 e-book. It looks great. I'm hoping to use it with (my wife). Would you mind, John, if I forward this to a friend in KS with whom I spent about 2 weeks practicing CO2. He's hoping to start this with his wife.

Maree in Australia:

Just finished reading the e book, what a fantastic job you've done and what a thrill to find Sharon and I on the last 2 pages!! Even if our story doesn't make the final cut (it is a long one and feel free to edit ) I feel very humble and grateful that our story was considered part of the Co2 journey.

I have found such freedom in telling friends and clients about my listening journey. Where as before I was stuck in finding the words or conviction to invite them to church, now I know that they can have Jesus without all the baggage. And with a real 2 way relationship.

Just thought I'd share a few insights from my Co2 journey

My listening and journal time has become so precious, my journal entries have totally blown me away, it was almost overwhelming. The Lord told me to go back over all the promises he has given me and to Proclaim and Declare them. He said "Proclaiming them builds your faith, creates expectation and hope. It is an act of faith and obedience. Declaring lets the devil know we are in business. My word is creation. The powers of hell cannot stand against my word. Go back and Proclaim and Declare the promises I have given you"

One day when questioning the Lord about sharing 'everything' with Sharon I wrote "You are in a covenant with Sharon, Co2 is a covenant relationship. You are free to share with Sharon unless I say no"

And on another day "Co2 is like a crash course in prophetic, because you believe you will hear from me and you are expectant I can speak knowing I have your attention.You share it, speak it out which builds your faith.You come again expectant for more. I am delighted to give. I have so much to give."

I thought I had lost my journal the other day and it occurred to me that it is my most treasured and precious possession.

Thanks for the great blog and insights I look forward to reading it each day.

Checking in as sad

I'm checking in today as sad.

I've had two different conversations this week with Christians who have been in church for a long time. They are good people who love Jesus. In many ways, they are very mature and have a deep desire to serve God. They know Scripture and are diligently seeking to live it out. So, what's missing?

In both cases, these dear folks have almost no idea how to hear God's voice. It makes me sad that people could spend so much time in churches that haven't helped them with what surely is at the heart of a "personal relationship with Jesus". By definition, friends carry on conversations. They talk to each other. They listen to each other. They dialogue.

How is it that we have invited people into a "personal relationship" with Someone that never personally speaks to us??? "My sheep listen to my voice" (Jn. 10:3, 4, 16, 37)

I'm also happy. Because it was so much fun to share with these two people how to hear His voice. And, to tell stories about what we've heard. As individuals. And, as churches. In fact, once a person understands listening, church planting is easy. As we noted a few days ago, Mary is our model. Mary "who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." (Lk. 10:39)

I'm also happy that we can offer people the new eBook which is designed as a 30 day journey for two people who want to deepen their ability to listen to God. The stories are already beginning to come in about the eBook.

John Parker (Merced, CA) is passing the eBook along to the church planters he is training. Here's an email dialogue with one of those people.

John: Attached find an eBook you and your wife can start using today. It is a 30 day action book for CO2. My friend John White who wrote it just sent it to me yesterday. It’s brand new! I think you’ll like it. Another “A God Nod” !! J

Mike: Yes, you're right I like this very much, I have just begun to get into it but what I have seen so far is great. Yup, its a God nod I think. I will start the 30 day exercise tomorrow because today I'm going through all the links and watching the videos. You can thank your friend John for me too the next time you chat with him. I really appreciate what you're both doing!! Praise the Lord!!!!

The eBook: "It's really good!"

See below for an encouraging email from Roger Bullard to the leader of a ministry in Colorado Springs explaining the CO2 process and the new eBook. We would love to hear your comments about the eBook also.

If don't have a copy of the CO2 eBook yet, just shoot me an email and I'll send you a free copy.

John at DenverWH@aol.com

I can see how this process (ie, CO2) could be used in with (your ministry).... It's (the eBook) is really good and I would encourage you to click on the link and watch the video on page 4, for sure. John White is the leader that I have talked about in earlier emails.

A little crotchety and impatient at 72 last year, I failed to give Virkler and SASHET the value deserved in this process. After tennis and over a meal at Mom’s in Fountain, my friend Richard convinced me of the value it has, even in a marriage relationship. Joyce and I are now doing SASHET and really seeing its value.

...SASHET is a way to go to the heart in a beautiful way and Virkler is the principles of hearing God’s voice... Small groups with everyone participating, is likely the best discipling process and tool for leadership development. Starting as small as two (CO2), we have a building block that will multiply. Periodically, those doing CO2 can come together over a meal, some worship and share their testimonies.

It is fascinating to me how it is portrayed in Luke 19 that the last stop, just before Jesus was entering Jerusalem, that He does CO2 with Zacheus and salvation came to his whole household (v. 9). Then Jesus gives that memorable parable of the talents and the value He puts on multiplication.

Guinea pigs needed

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, the "church of two" (CO2) concept is spreading rapidly. We are hearing stories of wonderful transformation through this simple tool from many places. In a desire to help people understand how to get maximum benefit from a CO2, Tim Pynes and I have created an eBook called "The Church of Two: The Overlooked Principle at the Heart of Jesus' Ministry that Can Change Lives and Transform Communities". (How's that for a title!) This online book is designed to be a practical, 30 day journey that two people would go on together.

We are at the stage now where we need some feedback from other people to produce the final edition. Currently, the eBook is 38 pages long. Each page is a few comments and sometimes a short video about one aspect of the "church of two". We want each page to be something that could be read/watched in around 5 minutes or less. We want to get down to 30 pages - one page a day for a month. So, we want feedback on which pages are most effective and which are least effective and could be eliminated. And, any other ways that the eBook could be improved.

So, my question is - would you be willing to review the eBook and give us your comments. What works? What could be improved? What could be eliminated?

I can see two ways you might do this.

The first is that you could just read through the whole thing in probably less than an hour and tell us what you think.

The second, which would be even better, is that you would use the book as it is designed to be used and go through it with another person for 30 days. The very best would be going through it with a person new to the concept. And, then, tell us what you think. Either one day at a time or all at once.

Also, please forward this request to anyone in your circle of friends who you think might be willing to help.

To find the book, go here http://regionalrevolutionaries.blogspot.com/ Then, look in the right column under "Read the CO2 Book". Click on "Two Are Better Than One".

So, let me know if this is something you could help with. And, please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this.

Thanks!

John

DenverWH@aol.com

Man/woman of peace (7): The listening church

Sixth insight: Listening is the center point of church.

As I've been living in this passage (Lk. 10:38-42) this week, what has emerged is another important adjective to place before the word "church". Maybe it's the most important adjective. We have "house" church, "organic" church, "simple" church. All of these are good. Each one conveys an important aspect of what God is doing.

I now want to add "listening" church.

Seeing the Martha and Mary story as a church planting story (i.e., connected to Jesus' teaching in the first part of the chapter) sheds new light on the meaning of a "person of peace". On one level, Martha is that person because she "opened her home to him" (10:38). This is what Jesus described in 10:8. "When you enter a town and are welcomed..."

However, at a much deeper level, Mary is the true "person of peace" because she "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." (10:39) And, of course, Jesus encourages Martha to join Mary at this deeper place.

Seeing this as a story about church planting leads us to paraphrase and expand the dialogue this way...

Martha, you don't yet understand the true nature of church. You are anxious about all kinds of good things but they are keeping you from the best thing. You are anxious about preparing food and taking care of the children. You are anxious about Bible study and good doctrine. You are anxious about singing and worship. You are anxious about being missional - taking care of the poor and reaching the lost. All of these are good but sometimes the good is the enemy of the best.

I want you to put them all aside and come over here and sit at my feet and give your full attention to listening to Me. When you do that, church begins for you. When you do that, you and Mary become a "church of two". Trust me when I tell you that all of the things you are anxious about will get taken care of if you give your full attention to simply listening to me. This is the true nature and activity of church. Two (or more) people seeking first an intimate conversational relationship with Me. Everything else will flow from that.

The churches that Jesus planted functioned the same way He did. (Jn. 5:19) They did nothing on their own initiative. They focused on listening to Jesus and only doing what He directed. They were...

Listening churches.

Your thoughts?

John

Man/woman of peace (6): More about women!

Fifth insight: Telling an alternate story changes the culture

I'm suggesting again that the placement of the Martha and Mary story is significant. In the first part of Luke 10, Jesus explains the principles of church planting. Then, in v. 38-42, those principles come to life. And, in this real-life example, the "man of peace" is a woman/women.

The Martha and Mary story also sets the tone for what will follow in the growth of the early church. The role of women as "people of peace" and even house church leaders is one of the major themes woven throughout the account of Luke, the historian (see Lk. 1:1-4).

Keep Lk. 10:38-42 (and the picture above) in mind as you read these observations from Roger Gehring about the story of Lydia in Acts 16.

Luke also portrays Lydia as the first Christian in Macedonia. Can we elevate her to leader of the church in her house on this basis alone? It is a very real possibility... we need to recognized that with his report Luke also wants to say that, in spite of his Jewish training, Paul is willing to establish a church with a group of women. By implying that, in contrast to the synagogue, women alone were allowed to found a Christian church, Luke indirectly points to a difference in the status of women in the two religious groups at that time. House Church and Mission, p. 212

So, in giving the account of Martha and Mary and later, Lydia and others*, Luke is his changing culture by telling an alternate story/stories. Perhaps this is a key for changing our culture as well. Your thoughts on this?

John

*Approximately one-fourth of the coworkers mentioned in the Pauline Epistles are women. If we add Nympha, mentioned in Colossians, and Lydia, in Acts there are a total of twelve women: Eudodia, Julia, Junia, Lydia, Mary, Nympha, Persis, Phoebe, Prisca, Syntyche, Tryphaena, and Tryphosa. Gehring, p. 211.

Man/woman of peace (5): Women!

Fourth insight: The "man" of peace can be a woman.

Once again, I contend that the placement of these four verses (Lk 10:38-42) by Luke is highly significant. In the first part of Lk 10, Jesus teaches the essence of His church planting strategy. At the heart of this strategy is identifying a person called a "man of peace" (10:6). (As we have said before, if you have a "man of peace", planting a church is almost effortless. If you don't have a "man of peace", planting a church is almost impossible.)

Following this teaching, Luke gives us a story about Jesus implementing the very principles that he just taught. In these four verses, we have church planting "in living color". And, what must have stood out to the original readers was that, in this story, the "man of peace" was actually a woman! (Or, in this case, two women.)

The placement of the Martha and Mary story at this point is not an accident. I believe it is totally intentional and is designed to communicate a powerful truth about the role of women in Jesus' kingdom and in the planting of churches.

And, this is consistent with what we know of this Luke. "Luke shows more clearly, and gives more particulars regarding, the redeeming and uplifting work which Jesus accomplished among women." The New Bible Dictionary, p. 758.

More tomorrow about how the Martha and Mary story lays the groundwork for the role of women in the rest of the New Testament. For today, spend a few moments again looking at the picture above. Focus your attention on Martha and Mary. What do you imagine that they, as women, were thinking and feeling in that moment?

John

Man/woman of peace (4): The church is planted in a home

Third insight: Jesus always planted churches in homes. (And taught His disciples to do the same.)

Of course, this follows from our definition of church as "a new family of God". The natural physical "center point" for a family is always their home.

Now, there is much talk these days about "churches" in other places. Office buildings, Starbucks, parks, etc. While I'm for gatherings of Christians in any location, I'm not at all sure that Jesus would want to call these gatherings "churches". In the New Testament, every ekklesia (church) was birthed and functioned in the context of an oikos (household). In God's economy, there seems to be some essential link between churches and households.

Roger Gehring in House Church and Mission quotes various New Testament scholars on this point.

*J. H. Elliott: "Of fundamental importance is Elliott's insight that "households thus constituted the focus, locus and nucleus of the ministry and mission of the Christian movement." " p. 6

*D. C. Verner: "For Verner this concept of church as the "household of God" incorporates two aspects: (a) the house or family is the fundamental unit of the church, and (b) the church is a social structure patterned after the household." p. 7

Take another look at the picture above. This time notice the room in which this church is being birthed. What else went on in this living space? Why is it significant that Jesus planted churches in places like this? What are the implications for the home I live in?

Anyone you need to forward this post to?

John

Man/woman of peace (3): Jesus models what He teaches

Second Insight: Jesus models what He teaches.

Consider the placement of this story of Martha and Mary by Luke. It follows closely on Jesus' instructions to the 42 teams (Lk. 10:1-23) about how to plant churches ("new families of God").

Jesus' teaching on how to plant churches: Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. Mt. 10:11.

Jesus' teaching on how to plant churches: When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Lk. 10:8.

Jesus' practice of planting churches: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. Lk. 10:38.

The point? Luke is giving us a real life example of the very thing Jesus has just taught His disciples. Jesus teaches a pattern of behavior with his words. Then, he teaches that same pattern of behavior with his actions. Roger Gehring says it this way, "These instructions (of Jesus for house-to-house outreach) correspond almost entirely to what we have just discovered regarding Jesus' own approach... a master functions as an example for his pupils." House Church and Mission, p. 48.

Let me say it again. Jesus is a church planter. And, he trains His disciples to be church planters. Birthing "vibrant families of God" is at the heart of His strategy for the expansion of His kingdom.

Take another look at the picture above. This is a picture of a church being born. Focus this time on the disciples watching Jesus. What do you imagine they are thinking about? What are they learning?

John

Man/woman of peace (2)

First insight: Jesus is the church planter.

By meditating this week on Lk. 10:38-42, we are, I believe, living in a "house of peace". Spend a few moments looking at the picture above and imagining what it must have been like to be in that home in that moment.

The first insight that comes to me is that Jesus is functioning as a church planter here. For a long time, I never thought of Him in that role. Church planting was something that His disciples began to do in the book of Acts but it wasn't something that He did. It just didn't occur to me that they were doing exactly what they had seen Him do. ("... everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." Lk. 6:40)

One reason that I hadn't thought of Jesus as a church planter was that the word "church" isn't used in passages like this one in Lk. 10. It doesn't say, "And, Jesus planted a church in Martha's home." But, as I began to think more deeply about the essential nature of "church", I came to a different conclusion. Speaking of Peter's home, Roger Gehring says, "...this house appears not only as the house of Peter and the home of Jesus but as the house of the new family of God as well." (House Church and Mission, p. 47.)

So, if church = a new family of God, then Jesus is certainly a church planter. And, He was doing the same thing in Martha's home that He did in Peter's home.

Jesus is the first church planter. He is the first apostle (Heb. 3:1). As you look at the picture above, you are seeing a church planter at work.

And, when we plant churches, we are simply following His example.

Your thoughts?

John