Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them...“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’ - Luke 14:25, 28-30

I spent some of my morning reading about church planting failures. That's a really encouraging morning for a person in my position right now. As I read the stories, I couldn't help but recall Jesus teaching above. Most plants that fail, do so because somewhere the cost of the plant was not fully considered. One thing I know is that Cameron and I are "figuring the cost." Right now, the emphasis appears to be on the monetary cost, but I assure that's really where it is. Our emphasis is the same today as it was 12 months ago, when we went "public" with the plans. Our emphasis today is the same as it would be if we had an endowment that covered all our expenses. "If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchmen might as well nap." - Psalm 127:1 This is our emphasis. This is where we plant our feet. This is where we bow our knees. It's His church. He will build it. He will send harvesters. His reputation is on the line. We do our best to position ourselves to follow His lead. In doing so, we accurately figure the cost.

We are resting in the assurance that there are large numbers of people in our neighborhoods that need to know about Jesus, and the life He extends to everyone, and that we serve a God who is reaching out to those people. In the words of the great theologian, Buzz Lightyear: "To infinity and beyond!"