The Evangel Dean School - Developing Wisdom

A ppendix • 103

The Heartbeat of a Church Planter: Discerning an Apostolic/Pastoral Identity , continued

b. The truth of the matter: No missionary pastor is competent in and through themselves, regardless of their gifting or training; we are made competent ministers through the grace and provision of God alone. 3. S/he ought to perceive the role of church planting as a kind of ministry activity or programming emphasis, not as a life calling or commitment. a. Biblical rebuttal: Col. 1.24-27 (ESV) – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. b. The truth of the matter: Church planting is not merely a type of program or ministry; rather, to plant the Church of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Great Commission and the center of apostolic ministry. a. Biblical rebuttal: 2 Cor. 10.7-10 (ESV) – Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” b. The truth of the matter: The missionary pastor is based on God’s authentic call and anointing by his Spirit, not on outward characteristics of appearance and personality expression. 4. S/he must be extroverted, outgoing, and wholly dynamic in personality and style.