For a long time, I had only heard of two ways new churches were started. One was when missionaries traveled to far off lands. The other was when a local church found an issue to split over.
Many new endeavors in the church are based in a person’s desire to get their way. People leave churches because they are angry about the worship style or the role of women or desegregation. A minister or a group of people can’t get his way or can’t find a job, so he starts his own thing.
Or sometimes churches or ministries are based solely on a single issue. “We’re going to be the church with guitars” or “we’re going to stand up for the rights of the unborn” or “we’re going to be a church that welcomes everyone.” While there is important discussion to be had on many issues, neither of these are our fight or our instructions.
Our fight?
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Our instructions?
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Could it really be that simple?
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