Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

P ART I: C OACHING U RBAN C HURCH P LANTERS • 59

III. Persevere through the Difficulties of Representation.

A. The inward irritations: the difficulties of conscience, conviction, character

1. The confidence of conscience : What do you do when you reach a crisis of conscience in representing your sender? , 1 Tim. 1.5 (ESV) – The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith . a. Being asked to do something that gnaws against your conscience and ideas, i.e., sometimes not feeling good about what you’re asked to do and be in the community

b. Persistent doubt over a course of action that goes beyond mere conflict over ideas (a long-term issue or problem)

c. Struggling with your submission period, i.e., feeling small because you are commanded to do things

2. The clarity of conviction : What do you do when your own personal belief system conflicts with what your sender wants you to do?

a. Scriptures

(1) Rom. 14.5 (ESV) – One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind . (2) Rom. 14.22-23 (ESV) – The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

b. Being asked to do something that mildly goes against your own denominational practice and theology

c. Wrestling with the dilemma of wanting to be hospitable to one’s neighbors, yet guarding the influence of others on one family and children