By Peter Sung, Conference Coach, PacNWC
First, the past. I have stepped into a stream that has been flowing long before I got here, and will continue to flow long after I am gone. Many were in the frontlines – taking risks, pushing through, and working hard. Many more supported from the front rows – giving, praying, and holding out hope. For all, and all the parts they played, I give much thanks. We all belong to a mission that is greater than us because it’s God’s mission. The Bible says as much. Some plant, others water, but God causes the growth of His mission. Indeed, He is the sole author and finisher. For God, we all give thanks.
Second, the future. As with any start up, we have seen time and again that the most important start to planting churches is to start with the “right” leader. Quite a tricky word, “right.” I have two stories that I find myself returning to for perspective and humility.
Tim Keller is my favorite church planter. He planted Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC in 1989, but he really wasn’t supposed to for several big reasons. He was dragged into it by a long time friend; and he failed the assessment center for preaching poorly, lacking spousal support, and having zero experience starting anything. On top of all that, NYC was a spiritual wasteland at the time. As they say, the rest is history (in this case, His Story).
The other story is about Jack Welch, the successful former CEO of GE who killed it as a turnaround leader at GE. After decades of success, he spent three years collecting 27 of the world’s best leaders, then narrowed the list down to 3, then during one fateful meeting, Jack told the 3 that by the end of the day, one of them would be the new CEO of GE, and that the other two would be CEOs of other companies. It happened just as Jack said. This incredibly thorough process was lauded by many and even went onto become curricula in the nation’s top business schools. But as it turned out, the hopeful, carefully selected CEO did not do so well – he went onto lose billions of dollars for GE. He was replaced. The next CEO did poorly, too.
What’s my takeaway? Predicting future “success” is not for the faint of heart. Of course, we want to give our start-up churches the best shot at success, but what are we to do? And how? There’s another story I turn to often for perspective and humility.
Jesus tells the story of servants who were entrusted with responsibilities and resources by a caring and counting master before going on a trip (Matthew 25). Upon his return, the master asks the question: So, how did we do? I think you know how the story ends. A key principle from the story is: If you’re faithful with little, there’s a way better chance that you’ll be faithful with more. In other words, don’t bet on potential, reward the actual – that is, reward faithfulness. The implied rebuke is: Humans are not God, and the future belongs only to God. Don’t predict the future! Don’t hold your breath for potential. Respond to what you actually see.
Oh, but I so want to believe in people! I think this person might be the exception, the diamond in the rough! Our very direct friend, the Apostle Paul, says to this Corinthian church mindset (1 Corinthians 7): How do you know, O woman? How do you know, O man? God only knows!
So, as far as the future is concerned, the Bible seems to be telling us to look to the past. Don’t play God. Don’t be the Messiah. With Spirit-filled, humble, prayerful, thoughtful, hopeful, trusting human eyes, look at the track record and the patterns. Behavior informs character, and character, hope (Romans 5).
The invitation to all in our conference is to get into the front rows of God’s mission. Let’s look to the future by way of the past. Currently, we are looking with Mikhail Tamayo at Hillsboro, OR, and with Asher Ernst at Spokane, WA. And we humbly ask for all the support that you can give!