Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

102 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 2

and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. b. The truth of the matter: Social standing, socio-economic background, or polished education mean nothing for the missionary pastor as do authentic calling and spiritual power from on high. a. Biblical rebuttal: 1 Cor. 2.1-5 (RSV) – When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 7. S/he must be eloquent and trained in the arts of public discourse.

b. The truth of the matter: The missionary call is a call to witness not a call to oratory.

8. S/he must not possess weaknesses, insecurities, or any sense of neediness .

a. Biblical rebuttal: 2 Cor. 12.9-10 (ESV) – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. b. The truth of the matter: Missionaries possess needs and weaknesses through which God demonstrates his power for his glory.

9. S/he must be b eyond the ability to fail or make mistakes.

a. Biblical rebuttal: Acts 15.35-40 (ESV) – But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word